Spooktacular Signs and Sweets!

October is often a time for spooky stories, pumpkins, and (of course) candy!  As a library, we want to participate in fall traditions, but in our very own way.

Forget Trick-or-Treat, we do Signs and Sweets!  This was our third annual Spooktacular featuring Signs and Sweets and the kids, caregivers, and volunteers still love it.

How it Works

We set up stations around our Children's Dept. with a volunteer at each table.  Each volunteer has an American Sign Language sign or phrase to teach patrons as they visit and a large bowl of treats.  The volunteer shows little patrons the sign and encourages them to repeat it.  Once they sign back, they get to select a treat!

Selecting ASL Signs 

I checked in with a friend in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community before executing my plan.  They thought the idea was incredibly fun and only asked that I be sure to teach the signs correctly (i.e. be sure I look up and watch videos from good sources).  The signs for our events all have a spooky, autumn, or sleepover theme.

Our station poster for the sign "monster."

Our station posters were created with illustrations from Baby Sign Language and verified the sign on Signing Savvy to ensure that it was correct for the full version (i.e. grown-up/not simplified for little hands) of American Sign Language.

Selecting Sweets (and Treats)

We provide allergen-friendly treats!  In addition to taffy, bubble gum, and lollipops we also have non-food items such as finger puppet, bracelets, and shaped erasers.  This allows kids who have food allergies to still select something special at each station.  Caregivers are also happy because this cuts down on the sugar their kids will have access to.

Children select treats after learning the ASL sign for "Candy Please!"
This is the ASL version of "Trick-or-Treat!"

Why Signs and Sweets?

I can never pass up an opportunity to enrich a child's mind.  Trick-or-Treating is a tradition with roots across the sea and centuries back, so we wanted a program that hearkened back to its predecessor and gave us a chance to teach kids something new!

American Sign Language was chosen for several reasons:

• ASL is the third most commonly-used language in the United States.*
• Kids who are shy or just very young can more easily replicate a sign than a spoken word.
• Sign language can benefit all children. Research shows hearing children who learn sign have increased vocabulary, reading ability, spelling proficiency, self-esteem, and comfort with expressing emotions.**
• Experiences like this teach children the beauty of diversity.

Despite having all these reasons and research ready, no caregiver has ever questioned why we are teaching American Sign Language.  They're just excited!

Family events bring in all ages and let people know the
library is a fun and welcoming place.

More at the Spooktacular

We are lucky to have a large team of teen volunteer and so we can offer other activities throughout the children's library.  This has included:

• Face painting (supplies = face paint, cotton swabs, makeup sponges, wet wipes)
• Tarantula Tangle (the game of Twister)
• Green Goo Obstacle Course (green streamers taped all over our Reference section) - Inspired by Chicken Babies.
• Pumpkin Patch Memory Match (orange paper plates, black construction paper) - Inspired by Simple Play Ideas.
• Costume BINGO - Made with My Free BINGO Cards.

Here we see a teen volunteer painting a Spider-Man mask.
Patrons can play Pumpkin Patch Memory Match as they wait!

Can I use your idea/posters?

Of course!  At least one other local library has adopted this practice recently and it was a great opportunity for kids to learn, teens to volunteer, and families to bond.

Below are the station posters we've used over the years (plus a few extras we haven't yet used).  All are sourced from Baby Sign Language and Signing Savvy and use copyright free clipart. 

Spooktacular Signs & Sweets - ASL Sign Stations

*National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

**Signing with Babies and Children (Commissioned by Two Little Hands Productions)