Looking for fun activities this winter? The Library of Things (LOT) is an excellent starting point. Whether you want your children to continue learning while on a break from school, or are looking to boost family physical activity, many LOT items–available to checkout with your library card–can help you achieve your goals. Check out a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) activity to strengthen logical thought processes and problem-solving skills or try a board game from the library’s extensive collection to stimulate the brain areas responsible for memory and complex processing. The library also has snowshoes, sleds and Recreation Center Passes for checkout! Explore the following list or stop by the library to find something that sounds fun to you.

Snow Fort Kit/ Try this kit, get some exercise and help everyone sharpen their hand-eye coordination skills.

Code-a-pillar/ Try coding! Programming skills are a highly sought after skill that will gain importance in the future. Exposing youngsters early sets them up for technological success. When playing with Code-a-pillar, kids use sequencing and problem-solving skills to program a path for the code-a-pillar.

Snap Circuits, Jr./ This innovative kit contains over 30 color-coded, real circuit components that snap together to create working electronic circuits and devices. Recommended for children 8 and older, this set offers 101 do-it-yourself projects that will give your child an entertaining, concrete education on how electronics work.

Magnetic US Puzzle Map/ Develop hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. An interactive, fun way to learn to recognize state shapes and geography.

Chess/ This set is portable. Playing chess exercises logical thinking and pattern recognition and develops other cognitive processes. A popular chess club for all ages meets at the library Tuesday evenings at 6 p.m.

CD audiobooks, Vox books and Wonderbooks/ Hearing an entertaining story during a long drive is always appreciated. Listening to books can help anyone learn how to read. One benefit is hearing the speech-patterns and rhythms not included in print. Additionally, because children are capable of listening at a higher level than they can read, they are exposed to different words, boosting their vocabulary. Vox and Wonderbooks books feature a recording attached to a printed book!

Solar System Puzzle Globe/ Develops early science and fine motor skills as kids solve this 3-D, rotating puzzle. “Self-correcting puzzle pieces’ unique shapes help kids find the right answer. Go on imaginative adventures with the astronaut, spaceship, and glow-in-the-dark constellations.”

New Ulm Public Library is located at 17 North Broadway and is open Monday-Thursday from 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. and Friday-Saturday from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. The library will close early at 5 p.m. Tuesday, December 31 and will be closed on Wednesday, January 1 for the New Year’s Day holiday.