Trick or Treat Story time (birth-5 years old)
Saturday, October 31st, 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Children and their families are invited to this special Halloween story time.
A story, parade, and of course, treats, will all be part of the fun!
Costumes are encouraged, but not required.
Click Here to Register
DIY Station
Scavenger Hunt- Monthly Themes
Locate themed items in the Children’s Room.
Prizes awarded!
No registration required
Guessing Jar Challenges
Held Occasionally
This favorite activity involves estimating how many of an object are in a jar
Enter as many times as you wish.
Prize awarded to whoever comes closest!
Story Times & Other Ongoing Events
Note: Some events may not be held during the summer months due to other, summer-related programming, or their days and frequency, as listed below , may be different.
Registration is required for all programs unless otherwise noted (click here to register).
Blooming Bookworms Storytime (Ages 2-5)- held twice per month (except September 2026, held once)
Join us for a playful preschool story time adventure for little learners! We’ll begin with a cheerful story full of giggles and wonder. Then we’ll get our wiggles out with music and movement before exploring fun play. Little ones can enjoy dramatic play, sensory stations, block building, and more. Each activity is designed to spark curiosity, nurture creativity, and help young minds. Along the way, children will build early literacy, language, and social skills.
Little Sprouts Storytime (Birth–2 years)- held twice per month (except September 2026, held once)
Join us for books, songs, rhymes, and playful interactive moments. This event will spark curiosity, support early development, and nurture a love of books. Sing, dance, and play as you experience a new hands-on board book each week. It’s the best place for tiny learners to giggle, explore, and grow sprouts of early literacy!
Sensory Saturday (no new dates currently scheduled for this event)
Come explore, create, and play with a delightful mix of sensory fun. Items may include: slime, sand, water, fidgets, beads, shaving cream, and more! There’s something exciting for every set of hands. Come get curious and let your senses lead the way! No registration needed.
Play-doh Play (new dates TBA)
Squish, shape and roll playdough at DPL! Using playdough encourages development of fine motor skills/creativity. Join us in our Children’s Room for this drop-in program geared for ages 5 years & under. No registration required. Supplies provided.
Take Your Child to the Library Day (held annually, 1st Saturday in February) (No registration)
On the first Saturday in February*, libraries across CT celebrate Take Your Child to the Library Day (TYCLD) by offering free, fun, fabulous activities for families. From magicians to craft programs, ice cream socials to story times, each library offers something unique and delightful, and TYCLD is the perfect time to discover some library magic! Stop in for a visit and enjoy the activities. Get a library card (they’re free!), meet your Children’s Librarian, and explore all the wonders that DPL has to offer your family. Be sure to stop in again soon – because every day is a great day to Take Your Child to the Library.
*Some libraries may choose to celebrate on an alternate day in February.
Play, Learn, Create! (held on occasion)
Come on down to the Children’s Room here at the DPL to “play, learn & create!” This program is designed for preschoolers (ages 3 to 5), focusing on early literacy/language, developmental and social skills with different engaging activities each session to inspire young minds. We begin with a fun story time and then break out into play centers. Dramatic play, art center, sensory station, fun block building, and a book nook are among the offerings.
Busy Bee Bags (held once per month on a Monday in September & October), (returning to twice per month in November, tentatively)
Behold! A barrage of activities ranging from concept worksheets to interactive crafts! These bags are geared for children Pre-K to 1st Grade. Each bag comes equipped with materials to complete a project, along with themed worksheets. Pick up at the Children’s Circ Desk anytime during library hours, while supplies last.
1000 Books Before Kindergarten (Register in person)
A literacy initiative designed to share 1,000 books with your young child prior to their start of kindergarten. Participation is ongoing at a pace that works for each individual family. The only time constraint is that it must be completed before the start of kindergarten, so registration as young as infant/toddler age is encouraged. Reading aloud to your young child sets the foundation for school success!
Saturday Programs (Registration depends on the program)
Programs for children of all ages take place one Saturday per month September – June and include story times for families, crafts, library scavenger hunts, and more!
Summer Kids Club
A themed reading program that takes place from June to August for all reading levels including pre-readers. Please return for more info on our 2027 Summer Kids Club.
