Kids’ Blog
Spooky Story Contest! (9/12/2020) - It’s that time again – our Annual Spooky Story Contest begins Saturday, September 12th! We hope all you budding authors in grades K-8 will submit your spookiest, spine-tingling tales to the Children’s Room. One author per story, and authors may submit one story each. Stories may be typed or neatly written, and should be spooky or scary … Continue reading Spooky Story Contest! 
Windows and Mirrors: A special diversity-themed Storytime (8/18/2020) - Please join the Chelmsford Public Library and alumni of the Chelmsford High School class of 2010 on Zoom for a special storytime and discussion on Thursday, August 20th at 11:00 am. A Librarian will read the story Hair Love by Matthew Cherry (also featured in this season’s Story Walk!), and the group will view a short … Continue reading Windows and Mirrors: A special diversity-themed Storytime 
Book Bundles! (6/26/2020) - We are so excited to have curbside pickup up and running again, and have a new service available for families – book bundles! If you know your family needs new books, but aren’t quite sure what to ask for, you can choose daily from our “menu” of book bundles available at curbside pickup. Youth Services … Continue reading Book Bundles! New story at the Story Walk! (6/18/2020) - We are so excited to share that there is a new story at the Story Walk at Sunny Meadow Farm! We hope you will visit soon 🙂 Hair Love by Matthew Cherry is a beautiful story of father-daughter love and empowerment. “Zuri’s hair has a mind of its own. It kinks, coils, and curls every which … Continue reading New story at the Story Walk! 
Summer Reading 2020! (6/16/2020) - We’re challenging you to read every day this summer–and win rewards for it, too! To participate in our Summer Reading Challenge, sign yourself or your family up for a free account on our new Summer Reading Challenge website, or download the free Beanstack Tracker app (on the Apple App Store or Google Play) to participate by logging … Continue reading Summer Reading 2020! 
Check out Tumblebooks! (5/12/2020) - If you’re looking for a fun e-resource chock full of literacy & learning opportunities, look no further than Tumblebooks! The Chelmsford Public Library’s Tumblebook Library offers a wide variety of entertaining and educational e-books with a highlighted text read-along for kids at all levels. Here are some extra fun features you may want to check … Continue reading Check out Tumblebooks! 
Check out our NEW Virtual Storytime Offerings! (4/28/2020) - We may not be able to gather together inside the library, but we're still gathering virtually--including at two brand new storytimes!
April is Poetry Month! (4/24/2020) - We love poetry here at the library, and our staff have spent the month sharing some of our favorites with you! Here is Sara sharing some of her favorites for kids from The Pet Project, by Lisa Wheeler.
Kids’ Reading Recommendations Available Now! (4/17/2020) - Stuck inside and can't get to the library? We've still got you covered! Check out these new recommendations all available on Hoopla.
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt (4/10/2020) - Chelmsford residents are displaying bears in their windows all over town! Hunt for them with your family in a car or on foot--and don't forget to give your teddy their moment to shine, too.
Join us on Facebook for Virtual Storytimes! (4/3/2020) - We may not be able to gather together inside the library, but we're still gathering virtually, and we'd love to see you! Join us online from the comfort of your home to read, sing, and move along with a librarian on Facebook Live!
Singalong Storytimes! (3/16/2020) - Summer concert favorite Stacey Peasley is here to help you through the quarantine blues with singalong storytime for the whole family! Check out her Youtube page for more musical fun. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70UGB9Pd5i4
New Collection – Playaway Launchpads! (1/14/2020) - Exciting news for kids and families – We have a new collection of circulating tablets in the Children’s Room called Playaway Launchpads! Playaway Launchpads are interactive tablets that come pre-loaded with fun and educational games for kids ages 3-5, 5-7, and 8-10. They can be checked out at the front desk for 7 days, 1 … Continue reading New Collection – Playaway Launchpads! 
Byam & Harrington Gingerbread Houses! (12/10/2019) - Hey kids! Be sure to stop by the Children’s Room and check out the amazing Gingerbread Houses on display that were made by students at Byam and Harrington Elementary Schools. They are creative, beautiful, and sure to put you in a wintry mood 🙂 
Learn to Play Chess at the Library! (11/12/2019) - Hi kids! Do you love learning new games? Did you know you can come to the Library to learn how to play chess?! On Saturday, November 16th, we have 2 opportunities for kids ages 6+ to come and learn how to play chess! Registration is open now, so whether you are a brand-new beginner or … Continue reading Learn to Play Chess at the Library! 
Check out Our Board Games! (11/4/2019) - Game On! You can now take home a board game from the Chelmsford Library! We’re starting with 50+ games for all ages, with a mix of classic and modern games. Patrons cane take home a game for three weeks, and renew it twice if no one is waiting. There are no limits on how many … Continue reading Check out Our Board Games! 
Attention Makers! (11/1/2019) - Hi friends! Do you love being creative and learning new skills? Then Chelmsford Public Library is the place for you! We have a lot of fun & creative opportunities coming up for all kids & teens this November. Check them out! Family Make-It at the MacKay Library – Wednesday, November 6th from 4:00 pm – … Continue reading Attention Makers! Spooky Story Contest! (10/11/2019) - Hi friends! Don’t forget to submit your spooky stories for our contest – we will be accepting them until October 15th, so if you haven’t written one yet, now is the time! Anyone in grades K – 8 can submit. All stories must have a beginning, middle, and end and be spooky/scary. Feel free to … Continue reading Spooky Story Contest! 
International Dot Day at the Library! (9/13/2019) - Hello friends! We hope you will join us for our special Dads & Dots & Donuts storytime on Saturday September 14th at 10:30 am! We will have our usual Dads & Donuts storytime, open to all kids and their caregivers, with a reading of Chelmsford author Peter Reynolds’ The Dot, donut holes and snacks, coffee … Continue reading International Dot Day at the Library! 
Children’s Room Closed Monday 9/9 – Thursday 9/12 (9/6/2019) - Attention kids, parents, and caregivers! The Children’s Room will be CLOSED Monday September 9th – Thursday September 12th. Children’s staff will still be available to answer your questions, make recommendations, and help you find materials. We hope you will join us to play, read, and do homework in the McCarthy Meeting Room in the interim, … Continue reading Children’s Room Closed Monday 9/9 – Thursday 9/12 
New Storywalk! (4/23/2019) - Spring is here, and with it a fresh new Story Walk! 🙂 We hope you will take a moment to head over to Sunny Meadow Farm and check it out. Our new story is Plant the Tiny Seed by Christie Matheson, a beautiful interactive tale about how a seed grows into a flower. At the … Continue reading New Storywalk! 
Make-It Jr.: Shrinky Dinks! (4/3/2019) - Hey friends in 3rd and 4th grade! Register today for Make-It Jr., a fun maker program where you can learn new skills and take home a cool project! On Wednesday, April 10th at 4:15 we’ll be making wearable art using shrinky dink plastic – you’ll get to see your design shrink down to 2/3 its … Continue reading Make-It Jr.: Shrinky Dinks! 
Reunited and it Feels So Good! (3/16/2019) - Everyone's stuffed animals of fun while they were at the library--and tons of wild adventures, too! Check this post to see what all the stuffed animals did while they spent two whole nights at the library.
Stuffed Animal Sleepover at the Library! (2/26/2019) - Hey kids! Have you ever wondered what happens at the library overnight? Well, your trusted stuffie friends can find out at the Stuffed Animal Sleepover! Stop by the Children’s Room on Thursday, March 14th from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm to drop off your cuddly buddies. Our teen volunteers will be here to help you … Continue reading Stuffed Animal Sleepover at the Library! 
Mini Make-It: Slime! Wednesday, February 6th at 4:15 (2/5/2019) - Hi friends! There is a new Maker Program starting up for kids in grades K-2 – Mini Make-It! Join us each month to make and take home an awesome DIY project. This month we’ll be making colorful sparkly slime. This program is open to children in grades K-2 and their caregivers. Space is limited, so … Continue reading Mini Make-It: Slime! Wednesday, February 6th at 4:15 
Take Your Child to the Library Day! (1/29/2019) - Parents & caregivers – We hope you & your kids will join us this Saturday, February 2nd for Take Your Child to the Library Day! From 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, drop by the Children’s Room to pick up some books, color a bookmark, make a special pin, and join in the fun of our … Continue reading Take Your Child to the Library Day! 
Matt Heaton Concert – Saturday, 1/26! (1/22/2019) - Join us for a special family concert at the Library! Matt Heaton will be performing in the Main Library’s McCarthy Meeting Room from 10:30 – 11:30 on Saturday, 1/26. No need to register – this is a completely drop-in event, and Matt’s fun blend of rockabilly, surf, and American roots music will have you tapping … Continue reading Matt Heaton Concert – Saturday, 1/26! 
New Story Walk is here! (1/13/2019) - We have a new Story Walk installed at Sunny Meadow Farm! It is the Ezra Jack Keats classic, The Snowy Day. At the Story Walk, you can walk alongside Peter as he makes discoveries and finds new ways to play in the snow. So pull on your hood & mittens, and head over to check … Continue reading New Story Walk is here! New Program for Grades 3-4! (1/10/2019) - Hello and Happy New Year! We have an exciting new program to offer our 3rd and 4th graders! Beginning Wednesday, January 16th at 4:15, the Chelmsford Public Library will be offering Make-It Junior, a monthly opportunity to make and take home an awesome DIY Project. This month, kids will get to make some ooey-gooey slime! … Continue reading New Program for Grades 3-4! 
Reminder: Storytime Winter Break (12/18/2018) - Hey folks! During this hectic time of year, it is easy to lose track of schedule changes, so this is just a small reminder that the Chelmsford Public Library will be taking a brief break from our regular storytime schedule from December 26th through January 13th. We do hope you’ll still stop by though! We … Continue reading Reminder: Storytime Winter Break