On Friday, August 5, the 2016 Summer Olympics will open in Rio to athletes around the world. On the same day at the Northbrook Public Library, the first-ever Sensory Olympics will open to children of all ages.
At Sensory Olympics, kids can come to the Youth Services department any time between 2:00pm and 4:00pm to try their hand at a number of Olympic-inspired and sensory activities. There is no registration required to attend Sensory Olympics, and children can participate alongside their family members.
“We wanted to do an event for the Olympics, and [Sensory Olympics] was a natural tie-in to this year’s Summer Reading Club theme, which was ‘Read for the Win,’” said Youth Services manager Kelly Durov. “Sensory Olympics ties into our summer of sports-themed programs in a really inclusive way, which we’re really excited about.”
Between a pool noodle javelin, a long jump challenge, DIY Olympic medals, and a variety of sensory matching games, there are plenty of activities for every member of the family to enjoy.
“Because it’s appealing to all senses, Sensory Olympics is accessible to younger children in a family, but it’s also an enriching experience for older kids,” said Durov. “Plus, if families have children with special needs, Sensory Olympics offers something they can enjoy as well. It appeals to all kinds of families.”
“We wanted the Sensory Olympics activities to be fun for adults so that families could participate together. Adults can do the pool noodle javelin, too!” added School and Special Services librarian Sarah Rustman.
While the Olympic event-based activities at the August 5 program are sure to have kids dreaming of their own Olympic debuts, the available sensory activities will be equally entertaining and engaging.
“Individuals that want a lot of sensory activities don’t necessarily get that in other programs in the same amount,” said Rustman. “At Sensory Olympics, we wanted to get all the senses involved so there’s no limit to what you can experience.”
