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:
- 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!
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 proceeds from this program will go towards programming for our 2024 Summer Reading Program.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Circuts)
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 children 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
With 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.