The following article was written by Kirsten Smith, a Youth Services Associate at the Manitowoc Public Library.
Dinosaurs are set to take center stage at Manitowoc Public Library this winter as Dino‑Mite Week stomps into town from January 12 through 19. The week‑long celebration will transform the Library into a Jurassic adventure, offering families a mix of hands‑on activities, creative crafts, and educational fun. The festivities will culminate in a spectacular finale performance on Monday, January 19, at 2 PM, when lifelike animatronic dinosaurs take the spotlight in Dinosaur Dimensions Live.
Throughout the week, visitors can enjoy a variety of interactive experiences designed to spark curiosity and imagination. Life‑size Tyrannosaurus Rex footprints will march across the library’s rotunda windows, setting the stage for adventure as families explore. One favorite activity is the Cretaceous Count, where participants estimate the size of a large herd of mini dinos. The closest guess will roar away with a rex-cellent prize—the book Flip-o-saurus: Make Your Own Wacky Dinosaur, by Sara Ball, a playful mix‑and‑match book that lets kids create their own silly prehistoric creatures.
Other activities include the Fossil Find Scavenger Hunt, where children match fossilized skeletons to their prehistoric fleshy counterparts. Every child who completes the hunt will earn a prize, ensuring that all participants walk away with a little Jurassic treasure. Triassic Trivia will test budding paleontologists on their knowledge, while the Roll‑A‑Dino Game invites kids to roll giant dice and invent their own unique dinosaur species. Final creations will be put on display, giving young artists the chance to see their imaginative creatures celebrated as part of Dino-Mite Week, while also earning them a completion prize.
Creativity will shine through with the Magic Egg Activity, where children design their own prehistoric egg and discover the surprise of a baby dino waiting to hatch from their masterpiece. Coloring sheets will encourage bold and imaginative designs, letting kids bring dinosaurs to life in their own unique style. Families can pick up Grab & Go Activity Bags filled with four ready‑to‑make craft projects to continue the fun at home, as well as posing for photos in a Jurassic‑themed setting with playful dinosaur masks.
The celebration culminates on Monday, January 19, at 2 PM, when Dinosaur Dimensions Live tricera-takes over the Library for a dynamic finale performance. Produced by Strutz Entertainment, the show features animatronic puppets that walk, blink, and roar, bringing prehistoric creatures to life in a way that is both thrilling and educational. Following the performance, families are invited to meet one of the dinosaurs up-close, take photos, and enjoy a rare chance to interact with a “living” dinosaur.
The timing of the finale is especially convenient. With schools closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, families have the perfect opportunity to attend together without weekday scheduling conflicts. The program is inclusive and welcoming, ensuring children of all ages can participate, no matter if they dream of becoming paleontologists or simply love to roar like dinosaurs.
Strutz Entertainment, based in Wisconsin, has been entertaining audiences across the United States and Canada for nearly two decades. Owner and performer, Curt Strutz, blends education with entertainment, creating shows that spark imagination while keeping crowds engaged. His sons, Caleb and Christian, have recently joined the family business, adding fresh energy and ensuring the productions remain connected to the joy of family storytelling.
For Manitowoc-area families, Dino‑Mite Week offers more than just fun. It is a chance to connect, explore, and make lasting memories together. With no registration required and all ages welcome, the Library invites the community to mark their calendars, bring their sense of adventure, and prepare for a roaring good time.
Plesio‑join us and get ready for a bronto‑blast of prehistoric fun!