Parents and children are invited to dive into our Virtual Library and enjoy ebooks, videos, music, crafts,
recommended reads, and more! Check back each week for a new set of themed activities.
Click on the title/image to go to the listed activity, or watch our pathfinder videos if you need help.
To access these activities, you'll need a Thousand Oaks library card and PIN.
Don't have a library card? Sign up for a card now! 
If you have questions, call us at 805-449-2660 (M-F 10am-5pm) or email us.

Babar and the Adventures of Badou - Getting Creative When Crocodylus ruins one of Babar's paintings, Badou's artistic attempts to fix it only make things worse! This episode also contains The Hidden Valley. For an encore, Badou and Babar return in Kings Can Dance. To watch the episodes, click "Watch Now" to create a new Kanopy account with your library card or "Log In" if you already have a Kanopy account.

Curiosity Quest - Vic Firth Drumsticks An upbeat, educational family show for those curious about people, places, and things. While touring the Vic Firth manufacturing facility, Joel and professional child drummer, Cole Marcus, learn how drum sticks are made. Then, stay on set as our host learns about livelier types of equipment in Movie Animatronics!

Dancing in the Light: The Janet Collins Story Comedian Chris Rock narrates the inspiring story of Janet Collins, the first African American prima ballerina. Janet loved to dance, and she especially loved ballet. In spite of rejections and discrimination, Janet found a way to shine while staying true to herself. To watch the show, click "Watch Now" to create a new Kanopy account with your library card or "Log In" if you already have a Kanopy account.

The Day Henry Met...A Camera Every day Henry meets something new! Today, Henry meets a camera and becomes a photographer looking for the picture that no one else has taken. If you like this episode, you'll applaud on the days Henry meets...A Canvas and A Violin.

Hoopla Doopla! - The Ziggy Hop With physical skills and plenty of laughs, six friends tumble, juggle, leap, and somersault their way into and out of trouble! In this episode, everyone is excited about the upcoming dance party, but Ziggy thinks he is far too clumsy to attend. After his dance debut, Ziggy decides to master music in Ziggy's Hidden Talent!

Joe and Jack - Sundance Kids Preschoolers will love the imaginative adventures of Joe and his cat Jack! When Nana tells Joe and Jack that they danced up an actual storm, the duo is determined to bring back the sun. Can they find a perfect groove to make the dark clouds move? Next, add a song to the dance as Joe and Jack return in The Band! To watch the episodes, click "Watch Now" to create a new Kanopy account with your library card or "Log In" if you already have a Kanopy account.

Making Stuff - Watercolor Paints Explore the creation of color as robots Gears and Wiz visit a Swiss factory that makes watercolor paints. No need to pause after the pastels! Viewers prone to painting can soak up knowledge with Art Brushes, while those more inclined to melodies can tune in to Music Box.

Max & Ruby - Max's Music Bunny siblings Max and Ruby often get in each other's way, but they always come together to show kids how two minds are better than one. When Ruby and her friends practice for the Bunny Scout concert, Max tries to join in with music that's loud rather than lovely. This episode also contains Max's Froggy Friend and Max Gets Wet. The creative craziness continues in Max's Work of Art and Ruby's Piano Practice!

Mustard Pancakes - The Singing King With gentle humor, Courtney Campbell and her puppet pals help young viewers appreciate new experiences and deal with everyday problems. When Courtney brings out a basket full of musical instruments, Mo, Oogleberry, Tiny Tina, and Mr. D all try something new. They also discover that practicing makes you a better player. If you like the singing king, don't miss The Dancing Princess!

Our Gang (The Little Rascals): Follies of 1938 The gang is putting on a show with Alfalfa billed as "King of the Crooners." When Alfalfa quits to sing opera, will a naptime dream about his future success in popular music convince him to re-join the show? To watch the episode, click "Watch Now" to create a new Kanopy account with your library card or "Log In" if you already have a Kanopy account.

The Pot that Juan Built Through glowing artwork and cumulative rhyme, this animated story describes the life's work of a famous Mexican potter, Juan Quezada, who used his creative gifts to transform an impoverished village into a thriving artists' community.

Punky - Con's Band Follow the everyday adventures of Punky, a spirited little girl who has Down syndrome. Con's friend Michael wants to start a band. Since Con can't play an instrument or sing, it's up to Punky to show him how it's done! Punky's performances continue in A Great Day For Dancing and Everything Yellow. To watch the episodes, click "Watch Now" to create a new Kanopy account with your library card or "Log In" if you already have a Kanopy account.

Super WHY! - Roxie's Missing Music Book Reading is power in this interactive series where characters use young viewers' literacy skills to complete their adventures. In this episode, a missing comic book leads to a musician who needs your help to find her lost book of music before the big performance.

Wapos Bay - Raiders of the Lost Art Set in Northern Saskatchewan, Wapos Bay is an award-winning stop motion series that follows Raven, Talon, T-Bear, and the rest of their Cree community. While ancient cave paintings are discovered on a school field trip, the boys search for graffiti artists who've been defacing buildings. In Dance, Dance and Dance Monkey Dance, T-Bear and Jacob show off their musical moves! To watch the episodes, click "Watch Now" to create a new Kanopy account with your library card or "Log In" if you already have a Kanopy account.

Wibbly Pig - Squiggle Wibbly is painting everyday objects until a single mistake starts an artistic adventure! After covering his mistake with a squiggle, the squiggle comes to life and starts changing all of Wibbly's finished paintings! Should Wibbly stop it, or let the squiggle make its mark? If you like this episode, add Dance and Self Portrait to your palette!

Big Dance Party! (Big Dance Party!, Track 1) Clap, stomp, and sway to this catchy song from The Julius Jr. Garage Band! Stream songs anytime and download up to 5 songs per week with Freegal.

Colour It (Just Imagine, Track 8) Will Stroet's musical tribute to coloring is perfect for artists of all ages. When the terrific tinting is finished, give your mind a workout with Just Imagine (Track 3).

Dance Party! This collection of classic kids songs and pop music will have little and big people dancing to the beat!

Dance, Robot Dance! (Dance, Robot Dance!, Track 1) Dance until your batteries run low with this musical movement machine! Stream songs anytime and download up to 5 songs per week with Freegal.

Dora The Explorer Dance Fiesta! Join the fiesta and dance the day away with Dora!

Lullaby Renditions of … Classical Favourites Lullaby Dreamers introduce little ones to classical music with soothing instrumentals. Stream songs anytime and download up to 5 songs per week with Freegal.

Music Start - Musical Activities for Early Learning You're never too young to make music, and these songs encourage rhythm and coordination in the littlest of listeners!

The Musical Instruments (Kidloland Fun Learning Songs, Track 5) Strum, toot, and sing along as Kidloland plays their favorite instruments! Then, brighten your day with Kidloland Color Songs.

My First Ballet Album It's time for tutus and twirls with classic ballet songs performed by European orchestras. Stream songs anytime and download up to 5 songs per week with Freegal.

Paint Me a Picture (Kids Love To... Learn, Track 20) Whether you like drawing people, animals, or imaginary monsters, The Jamborees know that it's always fun to paint a picture! Tickled pink by this song? Don't miss The Colourful Man (Track 19).

Paint the Colours (My First Songs, Track 3) Learn about colors with a sweet song from Julia Claire. Stream songs anytime and download up to 5 songs per week with Freegal.

Perfect Patterns (Big Books Tunes for ORIGO Stepping Stones 1.0: Grade K, Track 7) Get inspired to create pretty patterns in art, music, and most anything with this song from Coles Whalen!

A Place in the Choir (At the Imagine Inn, Track 2) Cyndi Soup and her banjo beat remind listeners that everyone has a place in the critter choir!

Symphonic Magic Take a front row seat for this collection of beloved music from Disney and the ballet! Stream songs anytime and download up to 5 songs per week with Freegal.

WeBop: A Family Jazz Party Enjoy hopping horns and vibrant vocals in a family-friendly jazz concert!

Where's the Music (Let's Go Everywhere, Track 5) Can you keep the beat going in this entertaining instrumental song from Medeski, Martin & Wood? All you have to do is ask one important question: "Where's the Music?"

Arts Click on the title or icon for general facts about the arts, or learn about different types of art using the links below:          Decorative Arts                         Painting                          Sculpture                Drama                               Photography

Fine Arts Media Get a visual introduction to the arts with Britannica's image and video library. On the Britannica page, choose a category button to see pictures and video clips related to that topic.

Music Click on the title or icon for a measure of musical education, or discover different types of music using the links below:          Classical Music                     Folk Music                      Popular Music          Country Music                       Hip-hop                            Rock Music                 Dance                                   Jazz                                World Music

Art Titles in BookFlix (Earth and Sky / Imagination) Get drawn into creative stories and discover colorful facts about the world! Watch our pathfinder video for BookFlix first, then click on the BookFlix icon.

Music Titles in BookFlix (Music and Rhyme) Tap your toes to video storybooks, then tune your mind with note-worthy non-fiction ebooks! Watch our pathfinder video for BookFlix first, then click on the activity icon.

Aboriginal Rock Art (Videos: History) Return to a time when drawing on the walls didn't get you in trouble! In this video, National Geographic puts the visual stories of ancient Aboriginal people on display. Watch our pathfinder video for TumbleBook Library first, then click on the TumbleBook Library icon.

Art Class (Story Books) Fill your canvas with six titles about imagination, creativity, and making your mark! Watch our pathfinder video for TumbleBook Library first, then click on the book cover.

Colors (Story Books) With favorite colors, rainbows, and all the hues in between, this group of seven titles is sure to brighten your day! Watch our pathfinder video for TumbleBook Library first, then click on the book cover.

Music (Story Books) The curtain's rising on this group of rocking reads, so grab a seat! Watch our pathfinder video for TumbleBook Library first, then click on the book cover.

TumbleTunes (Story Books) Sing along to favorite and original children's songs! Watch our pathfinder video for TumbleBook Library first, then click on the TumbleBook Library icon.

Amazing Artists Owl (March 2020 Issue, pgs. 12-15) talks with four young artists about their inspirations, artistic styles, and advice for kids who love art. Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the Flipster icon.

Art-a-Saurus Did you know that drawing dinosaurs can be a career? Meet paleoartists, the artists/scientists that illustrate dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals in books, movies, and museums (Owl, March 2018 Issue, pgs. 12-15)! Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the activity icon.

Art Attack! Sports Illustrated Kids (Jan/Feb 2020 Issue, pgs. 29-37) has over 50 tips and tricks to take your art to the top of its game! Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the Flipster icon.

Ballet Blues Learning a new skill may be frustrating or even embarrassing, but Girls' World (March 2019 Issue, pgs. 58-63) reminds readers that leaping into the unknown can also be a lot of fun! Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the activity icon.

Blue Banner Biography & Robbie Reader Series Mitchell Lane Publishers has pitch-perfect information about your favorite musicians and actors:              Derek Hough                      Charlie Puth                      Harry Styles             Shawn Mendes                     Ed Sheeran              Maren Morris                  Hailee Steinfeld Click on any title link, then click on the blue "View eBook" button to read that title in Gale eBooks.

Britannica Beginner Bios Series You've heard the names, now learn about the lives of these iconic composers and artists.               Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart                       Vincent van Gogh                   Ludwig van Beethoven Click on any title link, then click on the blue "View eBook" button to read that title in Gale eBooks.

The Coolest Music in the World Highlights (February 2020 Issue, pgs. 22-25) chills out with Tim Linhart, an American sculptor who carves instruments from ice and hosts musical performances in an igloo-like concert hall. Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the activity icon.

Film School Boy Scouts from the Los Angeles area visit Warner Bros. Studios and learn that there's a lot more to movies than "Lights, Camera, Action!" (Boys' Life, May 2017 Issue, pgs. 26-29). Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the activity icon.

Getting Creative with Virtual Reality Art is about expressing yourself, and these Indigenous artists are using apps, video games, fashion, and music to celebrate their identity and culture (Owl, Jan/Feb 2019 Issue, pgs. 12-15)! Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the Flipster icon.

The Instruments of Music For older readers, this title explores the background, history, and influence of percussion, woodwinds, brass, strings, and keyboards from around the world. Click on the book cover, then click on the blue "View eBook" button to read this title in Gale eBooks.

Meet Pixar Animators Animators Bob Pauley and Bill Reeves sit down with Owl (Summer 2019 Issue, pgs. 46-48) to talk about the Toy Story movies and how animated films are made. Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the Flipster icon.

Music and the Maestro Keep your eyes on this article about conductor Michael Morgan and his Music for Excellence (MUSE) youth program (Highlights, January 2019 Issue, pgs. 32-33)! Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the activity icon.

The Photography Issue Sports Illustrated Kids (November 2018 Issue, pgs. 31-39) goes behind the lens to see how sports photographers get the perfect picture. Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the activity icon.

Photo Secrets Revealed Not every animal likes being in the spotlight! Six nature photographers explain the importance of science and stealth when catching critters on camera (National Geographic Kids, September 2018 Issue, pgs. 14-19)! For other artistic endeavors, check out Awesome 8's Rad Replicas on pages 8 and 9. Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the Flipster icon.

Powwow! Discover how art, music, and dance combine in the ceremonial social gatherings of Indigenous peoples (Chickadee, June 2020 Issue, pgs. 9-13). Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the activity icon.

Sidewalk Sensation Who needs a canvas when you've got the curb? Sidewalk artist David Zinn uses chalk and charcoal to create images that are funny, fanciful, and fabulous (Highlights, May 2017 Issue, pgs. 16-18)! Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the activity icon.

The Troll Maker These friendly trolls aren't hiding out under bridges, and visitors are always welcome! Highlights (August 2020 Issue, pgs. 22-27) tags along with Thomas Dambo as he transforms discarded items into magical creatures and everyday locations into woodland wonderlands. Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the Flipster icon.

What Is a Song? The answer to this question takes young readers through history and around the world to learn about different kinds of vocals. If you're looking for more artistic answers, cue What Is a Play?. Click on a title link, then click on the blue "View eBook" button to read that title in Gale eBooks.

Creative Characters, Timeless Talent, and Individual Inspiration Motivate your mind with tales of imagination and creation, then explore crafts and activities to find your favorite forms of expression! OverDrive titles are accessible from any computer and from any device using the Libby or OverDrive app.

Artists Reading List These award-winning titles for ages 0-8 are suitable for framing, but more fun to read! In the list, click on "Check the Library Catalog" to see if the Library has a copy.

Music Reading List These award-winning titles for ages 0-8 will have kids singing, clapping, and shouting "Encore!". In the list, click on "Check the Library Catalog" to see if the Library has a copy.

Senses (Health & Human Body) ScienceFlix has the touchy-feely facts about how our senses shape the way we interact with the world. Watch our pathfinder video for ScienceFlix first, then click on the ScienceFlix icon.

Sound (Physical Science) Wave goodbye to your questions about producing, perceiving, and using sound! Watch our pathfinder video for ScienceFlix first, then click on the activity icon.

Craft - Art of Secrets (Artzooka, Episode 13) Defeat summer boredom with Artzooka, a series that shows kids how fun DIY can be. In this episode, learn to make pretty things that protect your treasures as host Jeremie Saunders builds secret hiding places into art! Keep on creating with Tinfoil Painting, Rock, Paper, Draw!, and Underwater Movie Effects. Parental supervision is recommended for all crafts. To watch the episodes, click "Watch Now" to create a new Kanopy account with your library card or "Log In" if you already have a Kanopy account.

Crafts - It's a Snap! Turn favorite photos into artistic masterpieces with five crafts from Family Fun (May 2017 Issue, pgs. 28-32)! If you prefer sketches to shutters, make your mark with Fine Lines on page 20 of the same issue. Parental supervision is recommended for all crafts. Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the activity icon.

Craft - Mask Mania! As costume, wall art, or puppet, these amazing animal creations from Ranger Rick (October 2015 Issue, pgs. 18-19) have got you covered! Parental supervision is recommended for all crafts. Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the Flipster icon.

Craft - Optical Illusion Art Create art that captures and confuses the eye with an easy craft from Highlights (November 2018 Issue, pg. 19). Parental supervision is recommended for all crafts. Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the activity icon.

Craft - Songs on Straws Put together this pan flute from Chickadee (May 2017 Issue, pgs. 26-27), practice your piping, and put on a performance! Parental supervision is recommended for all crafts. Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the activity icon.

Craft - Spy on Spores Ranger Rick (October 2018 Issue, pg. 21) shows young creators that anything can inspire art, even spores from a mushroom! Parental supervision is recommended for all crafts. Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the activity icon.

Craft - Super Sculptures Take that old bottle, box, or bubble wrap, and make a masterpiece with Chickadee (March 2019 Issue, pgs. 14-15). Put your own twist on the tower, animal, and robot sculptures, or create an outstanding original! Not sure if sculpture is your specialty? Try the What Kind of Artist Are You? quiz on page 19. Parental supervision is recommended for all crafts. Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the Flipster icon.

Craft / Activity - Hula Dancing 101 Learn about this iconic island dance from Highlights (January 2018 Issue, pgs. 20-21)! Create your own 'ulī'ulī rattles and pū'ili sticks, then try some basic hula steps and gestures. Parental supervision is recommended for all crafts. Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the activity icon.

Craft / Game - Find the Face Fashion the funniest, freakiest, and most fantastical faces, then play a variation of the Twenty Questions game to see who has the quickest eye and sharpest mind (Highlights, February 2018 Issue, pgs. 18-19)! Parental supervision is recommended for all crafts. Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the Flipster icon.

Drawing - Rock and Roll! Get drawn into music as Girls' World (August 2020 Issue, pgs. 8-9) shows young artists how to create rocking instruments and amps. Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the activity icon.

Join the Band Quiz Are you enough of a musical maestro to get through this maze from Highlights (October 2019 Issue, pgs. 22-23)? Find your way to the finale by answering brain-teasers about bands! Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the Flipster icon.

Kitchen Craft - Doughnuts That'll Make You Smile! If you like art that's good enough to eat, try some pastry portraits from Girls' World (October 2017 Issue, pg. 10). Stick with a smiley face or base your culinary creation on the sweetest person you know! Parental supervision is recommended for all crafts. Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the activity icon.

Sounds Good! It may not be music, but there's certainly an art to great sound effects! Highlights (October 2018 Issue, pgs. 36-37) has tips and tricks on how to create a variety of sounds using household items. Once you know your noises, record a "radio play" with family or friends. Parental supervision is recommended for all crafts. Watch our pathfinder video for Flipster first, then click on the activity icon.

Coloring Pages Whether you stay inside the lines or think outside the box, this week's pages are waiting for your colorful and original style!