Senior citizens along with local children are welcome to take part in Helping Hands Bingo, a new intergenerational activity being offered at the Boone Area Library in Birdsboro.

Bingo takes place every Friday at 10:15 a.m. and is open to seniors and children age 3 and over along with their caregivers. There is no charge to participate, and no registration is required.

Instead of numbers, the bingo card uses photos so that young children are easily able to play. In addition, the spaces are marked off with Lego blocks rather than bingo chips. Children who match three items in a row can declare "bingo" and are awarded small toys and gifts, which they can choose from a prize table.

The program began on Sept. 23, when residents of Birdsboro Lodge, a local senior center, joined preschool-age children to play bingo at the library. "The idea is to connect people who would not normally cross paths," said library youth services coordinator Sarah Terry, who leads the weekly bingo games.

Terry noted that playing bingo has benefits for people of all ages, such as helping with concentration and hand-eye coordination. She noted that older children who are homeschooled are also welcome to participate.

"My vision was to see seniors and children being a team. Everyone has to help each other," Terry said, when explaining how the name Helping Hands was chosen. "Some people need help picking up the Legos and some (children) need help identifying the pictures with the shapes and colors. It's helping in both directions."

The next Helping Hands Bingo is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 4.

Boone Area Library has set other events in November. "Pennsylvania Natural Symbols" will be presented by an environmental education specialist from French Creek State Park on Wednesday, Nov. 9, at 2 p.m. Attendees will learn about Pennsylvania's natural symbols, such as the state tree and state flower; eat snacks native to Pennsylvania; and make a memory game. The program is recommended for children ages 6 to 11, but everyone is welcome. Registration is not required.

Family/Friend Yoga will be presented on Monday, Nov. 28, from 2 to 3 p.m. The program is for people age 6 and up; beginners are welcome. Attendees should bring a yoga mat if they have one and a water bottle. Register at the library by calling 610-582-5666 or by emailing sbichild@berks.lib.pa.us.

Boone Area Library is located at 129 N. Mill St., Birdsboro. Hours of operation are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information and to learn about other library events, visit http://www.facebook.com/boonearealibrary or http://www.berkslibraries.org/branch/boone.