Santa Clarita’s Old Town Newhall Library invited residents Saturday to take part in their 10th annual Family Literacy Festival.

Children and teens aged up to grade 12 were able to get a free book and backpack at the event while also sitting in on book readings, watching dances and participating some of the many different hands-on activities.

“We’ve begun to include more interactive activities for children’s learning,” said senior children’s librarian Chris Baker, who also helped in organizing the event. “We’ve expanded to include fun STEAM activities, or science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics—think of the event as a children’s museum meets a festival.”

Some of the event’s activities include a natural science booth, coding lab, a marble run, coloring and crafts and stomp rockets.

“We hope that families who attend the festival with their children will want to spend more time learning with their children,” said Baker. “What we want parents to take away from this festival is the simple act of exploring with their children or exploring new activities with them.”

The 10th annual Family Literacy Festival will be held until 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12 and includes food trucks, performances and more.