Children's Programs

 


Quality Time
First Tuesday of the month • 5:30pm

Quality Time is a new initiative offered by local seasoned teacher, Diana Metreaud. This program offers a unique approach to exploring social-emotional concepts. Each session is designed to encourage children to develop positive character traits and promote strong family bonds. Quality Time will meet on the first Tuesday of each month at 5:30pm. Upcoming sessions include:

  • March 5: Unconditional Love
  • April 2: Superhero Helping Qualities
  • May 7: Making Choices

Registration for this program is required and limited to 10 families per session. Sign your family up for one or more sessions at the circulation desk today!

Get Ready to Hatch

 


Total Eclipse of the Library
Saturday, April 6 • 10am-12pm

Families are invited to join us for a fun Eclipse-themed celebration at the library! Attendees who pre-register can reserve a set of Solar Eclipse Glasses to bring home with them for use during the total solar eclipse on April 8th. Register online today!

Total Eclipse of the Library


Earth Day Art
Saturday, April 20 • 10am-11am

Members of the Seacoast Mothers Association will be visiting the library to host an Earth Day crafting session for kids! Families are invited to participate and learn more about the SMA. No registration is required.

Total Eclipse of the Library


Spring Fling
Tuesday, April 23 • 5:30pm
 

Celebrate springtime at the library! This fun-filled family program has something for everyone. No registration is required, but supplies are limited for certain activities.

Spring Fling


In the Nest
Thursdays, May 2, 9, 16 & 23 • 10:30am
 

Welcome home, baby! In the Nest is a four-part early literacy class series for parents/caregivers with newborns from birth - 4 months. Learn more about supporting your baby's development through fun songs and activities together. FREE family take-home kit includes books, toys, activities calendar, and song booklet for attendees! This class is presented in partnership with the Mother Goose on the Loose: Hatchlings program. the Maryland State Library, and the New Hampshire State Library. This four-part series will take place on Thursdays at 10:30am during the month of May. Expect each class to last approximately 45 minutes.  Registration is required and limited to 12 families - sign up online today!*Attending all sessions is encouraged, but not required*

In the Nest


Kids' Night Out!
Friday, May 31 • 5-8pm
 

We invite you to save your child’s spot in our upcoming Kids’ Night Out event on Friday, May 31st from 5pm-8pm. This program is a fundraiser that will give parents a break while the kids have fun at the library after-hours with Tanya (Library Director) and Autumn (Library Assistant)! Children who attend will enjoy dinner, snacks, a movie, a craft and games, while you get the opportunity to enjoy a kid-free evening. The cost for each child is $25 (cash or check), and parents must complete the required registration form. All funds from this program will go towards programming for our 2024 Summer Reading Program.

Kids Night Out!


Weekly Programs

Children's Storytime
Tuesdays • 10:30am

Our weekly storytime features songs, movement, and of course, wonderful stories. Storytime teaches children important pre-literacy skills, while encouraging a natural and organic love for reading. It also creates an opportunity for children to learn valuable life and social skills by participating in a group story time. Recommended for ages 2 through 5.

Family Storytime


Kids Club 
Wednesdays • 5:30pm

Kids Club is a fun, guided program that meets on Wednesday nights at 5:30pm. This program is open to elementary-aged children who love to experiment, craft, create, and learn in a fun, hands-on way. Kids Club runs in 3- or 4-week sessions, with a new and exciting theme for each session. Registration is required and is limited to 12 participants per session. To sign up, stop by the circulation desk or give us a call here at the library. Recommended for children ages 5-12.

STEAM & Play


Baby Play Group
Thursdays • 10:30am

Baby Play Group is an informal playgroup to encourage play and social interaction between parents, caregivers, and babies. Little ones can enjoy age-appropriate toys such as a ball pit, crawling tunnel, infant climber and activity table. Recommended for ages 2 and under.

Baby Play Hour


Weekend Builders 
Saturdays • 11am

Weekend Builders is a great club for young builders to show off their building prowess! Whether it's creating a unique Lego structure, engineering an epic domino chain, or creating a 100-cup tower, kids are sure to have a fun time building and creating together. This group meets in the Children's Room every Saturday at 11. Various building materials will be provided each week. All ages.

Weekend Builders


Library of Things: Activity Kits

We now have activity kits that can be checked out with your library card as part of our Library of Things collection. Kits include:

Movement kits (egg shakers, bean bags, scarves and song ideas)
STEAM kits (Gears building set, Mega Bloks, Marble Run, Spirograph, Snap Circults)
Picture book activity kits (kits include books, puppets, and games)
Knitting and Crochet kits (kits include yarn, hook/knitting needles, and written instructions)

Kits can be checked out at the circulation desk for a period of 3 weeks, and renewed once for a total checkout time of 6 weeks.


1000 Books Before Kindergarten

Not in Kindergarten yet? Join the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten challenge! Reading aloud with children is one of the best ways to prepare them for school and for learning to read. The goal of the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program is to help your child develop strong literacy skills at an early age.

One thousand books may seem like a lot, but if you read just one book a day, you'll reach your goal in less than three years. If you read 3 books a day, you will reach your goal in 1 year! Plus, reading the same book several times counts as several books! Re-reading is another great way for chidlren to develop strong literacy skills.

1 Book a Day = Less than 3 Years

3 Books a Day = Less Than 1 Year

Come to the library to join the challenge, and to receive your first reading log. Your first 100 books earns you a tote bag, and 1000 books earns you a free book to keep! Not sure which books to borrow? We have grab-and-go book bags with 10 books in each bag, baskets of suggested books in the Children's Room, and we're always happy to help you find more books to enjoy.


ABCmouse.com

ABCmouse.com available free at our library with image of cartoon mouseWith 9,000+ interactive books, educational games, puzzles, and other learning activities, ABCmouse.com’s award-winning online curriculum is an invaluable resource for young learners (ages 2–8+). From Age of Learning, Inc.

Free for use in our library, both at our public computers and from your own devices (as long as you're using the library's WiFi): ABCmouse.com

 


Recommended Resources

Looking for something to do at home? We suggest pbskids.org and prek-12resources.com for a little fun with educational gaming and videos.

Don't forget that you can borrow e-books and downloadable audiobooks, too. Visit our Hoopla & OverDrive page for more information, or go directly to the OverDrive Kids Collection here.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see what's happening in the Children's Room, and check back here for updates on programming, too.

Check the Somersworth Parks & Recreation page and Somersworth Recreation Facebook page for more activities and events in the City.