Guymon Library Offers Calming Jar Sessions For Children, Families

The Guymon Public Library announced a children's craft series this week inviting families to make calming jars, also known as sensory jars, with sessions scheduled at 4:30 PM on January 6, 7 and 8. The library's post encouraged participation, saying "join us at the library in making your very own calming jar," and included a Spanish-language line inviting participation, emphasizing that the activity is family-friendly.

Calming or sensory jars are simple containers filled with water, glitter, beads or similar materials that move slowly when shaken. Mental health professionals often recommend such tools as an accessible way for young children to learn to pause and focus during moments of stress or overstimulation. For families in Texas County, where access to child-focused behavioral health services can be limited, community programs at the library provide a practical, low-barrier opportunity to practice calming techniques together.

Beyond the immediate craft activity, the series highlights the broader public health role libraries play in small communities. Public libraries serve as trusted community hubs where families can find programs that support emotional well-being, literacy and social connection. By offering bilingual outreach, the Guymon Public Library is also addressing language barriers that can keep Spanish-speaking households from accessing local programs, which has implications for equity in health education and community engagement.

The timing of the sessions, held in late afternoon, aims to be convenient for working caregivers and school-age children. Library-led hands-on activities can help reinforce parent-child interactions around coping skills, and give caregivers simple strategies to use at home. For children with sensory needs or anxiety, supervised sensory play can be part of a broader set of supportive practices recommended by educators and pediatric clinicians.

Organizers noted the sessions are family-friendly and open to participants of different ages and backgrounds. The library's outreach approach illustrates how modest, community-based programming can supplement formal services and strengthen resilience across households in rural counties. For parents and caregivers in Texas County, these programs can also connect families to other local resources housed at or signposted by the library.

Families planning to attend should arrive ahead of the listed 4:30 PM start time to ensure space and materials. The Guymon Public Library’s series demonstrates how local institutions can center mental health, cultural inclusion and practical support in everyday community life.