Programs for Young Children

See all Storytimes on the event calendar

Weekly Drop-in Programs: Summer

Ages below are guidelines. Not sure which storytime is right for your child? Ask a children’s librarian!  Storytimes begin July 1st and run through August 16th.

Baby Storytime (Birth – pre-walking)

Open to babies not yet walking (no older siblings, please), this storytime is a wonderful introduction to early literacy. Caregivers share parenting experiences with one another and bond with their babies through lap bounces, nursery rhymes, songs, and board books. Fridays, 10am

Toddler Rhyme Time (1 & 2 years)

A lively time sharing rhymes, songs, and one or two books, this program is geared toward walking toddlers. Children should attend this program until they can sit quietly and listen to several stories before moving on to Preschool Storytime. Mondays, 10 am; Fridays, 11 am

Preschool Storytime (3 – 6 years)

Designed for children who are ready to sit quietly and listen to longer stories, this program features several picturebooks interspersed with fingerplays, action rhymes, and songs. Mondays, 11 am; Fridays at MacKay Library, 11:30am

Drop-in Crafts (ages 6+)

Let’s make something! Join us for crafts this morning; drop in for ages 6 and up anytime between 10:30 and noon.Tuesdays, 10:30 am – 12 pm

Explorastory (ages 3-6)

ExploraStory is a new program for kids ages 3-6 where you’ll visit the seven continents while listening to a favorite story and doing a themed craft! Wednesdays at 10 am

Special Programming! – Summertime Thursdays

Keep an eye on our Events Calendar for special programs every Thursday in summertime!

Weekly Drop-in Programs: Fall – Spring

Ages below are guidelines. Not sure which storytime is right for your child? Ask a children’s librarian!  Storytimes begin in September and run through May with brief hiatuses in December and June.

Baby Storytime (Birth – pre-walking)

Open to babies not yet walking (no older siblings, please), this storytime is a wonderful introduction to early literacy. Caregivers share parenting experiences with one another and bond with their babies through lap bounces, nursery rhymes, songs, and board books. Fridays, 10am

Toddler Rhyme Time (1 & 2 years)

A lively time sharing rhymes, songs, and one or two books, this program is geared toward walking toddlers. Children should attend this program until they can sit quietly and listen to several stories before moving on to Preschool Storytime. Mondays, 10 am; Fridays, 11 am

Stay and Play (12 months+)

Listen to a story, do a craft, and spend some time in free play with a variety of toys. Unlike PlaySpace, there will not be specific activities tied to the story. Tuesdays, 10 am

PlaySpace (2 & 3 years)

Help bring books alive! Caregivers and children listen to a favorite story and then do a number of connected activities. Thursdays, 10 am

Check out our activity sheets below for some ideas to try at home:

Select Activity SheetThe 3 Little PigsGoldilocks and the 3 BearsLittle Red Riding HoodChicken LittleThe Little Red HenThe TurnipThe Gingerbread Man3 Billygoats GruffThe Snowman, by Raymond BriggsBrown bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, by Bill Martin, Jr.Goodnight Moon, by Margaret Wise BrownThe Very Hungry Catepillar, by Eric CarleThe Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry and the Big Hungry Bear, by Don and Audry WoodsWe’re Going on a Bear Hunt, by Michael RosenGo Away, Big Green Monster!, by Ed EmberleyI Went Walking, by Sue WilliamsFeatured Authors:Byron BartonSandra BoyntonLois EhlertLaura Vaccaro SeegerMo Willems

Preschool Storytime (3 – 6 years)

Designed for children who are ready to sit quietly and listen to longer stories, this program features several picturebooks interspersed with fingerplays, action rhymes, and songs. Mondays, 11 am; Fridays at MacKay Library, 10:30am

Merrily we Sing Along (all ages)

Drop in for a lively morning of movement and song for the whole family! Enjoy favorite tunes and discover new songs you will love in English and a variety of world languages. Wednesdays, 11 am

Preschool Yoga Storytime with Nicole (3 – 5 years)

Nicole returns for a yoga storytime that blends books with creative movement; combining young children’s love of stories with their need to move their bodies. An active storytime featuring yoga poses, music, mindfulness, and more! Wednesdays, 10 am

Special Storytimes: Year Round

Dads and Donuts Storytime (2+ years)

Join us on the 2nd Saturday of the month at 10:30am for a special storytime. All caregivers are welcome, not just dads! We read stories, sing songs, and end with refreshments.

Storytime TV (2+ years)

Airing nightly at 7pm on Chelmsford Telemedia (Comcast channel 22; Verizon channel 36). View the Storytime TV Archive.

StoryWalk (2+ years)

Storywalk is new & improved! We hope you’ll head over to Sunny Meadow Farm and check it out!