Children’s Programs
ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS ARE ALWAYS FREE!
1,000 Books Bonanza
Stop by the Children’s Room to sign up for 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, and get a free canvas bag to kickstart your 1,000 book journey. Any child who has not yet started Kindergarten can participate. Reading together helps children develop a love of reading, introduces them to new vocabulary, and teaches them important early literacy skills that will help them when they enter school.
Music City Strings 2025-2026
New London Community Orchestra is offering a new session of free violin lessons for children in grades 4-9. Instruments will be provided at no charge, and children may take their violin home to practice. Lessons are in small groups with professional teachers. Masks are required. Violin lessons are an excellent experiential enrichments activity that’s been shown to increase educational attainment. Fill out the form below to register:
https://form.jotform.com/61886278899180
January 2026
Take Home Craft Kits
Available All Month – First Come First Serve
Popsicle Snowmen: A craft suitable for all ages!
Q-Tip Snowflakes: Design a unique snowflake using q-tips! Best for ages 4 and up.
Winter Hat Craft: Make a cozy winter hat with hidden designs made by you! Great for all ages!
Pom Pom Penguins: Make a cute arctic friend!
Interactive Movie Kits
Available All Month – First Come First Serve
Interactive Movie Kits are fun for the whole family! Kits include a list of prompts for your family to do throughout the movie plus props and crafts! Each kit comes with enough supplies for 4 people. DVD’s are available to check out on a first come first serve basis, but kits can be taken with or without the movie if you use a streaming service or have the movie at home.
January Lineup:
Jack Frost: Charlie’s dad is clinging to his dreams of becoming a rockstar. He doesn’t have much time for his family and during a snowstorm, he is involved in a tragic accident. On the day of Christmas, Charlie his son plays a song by his dad on his harmonica and magically the tune carries through the snow and gives a second chance to the family who lost their dad. Only Charlie’s dad returns in the form of a Snowman!
Frozen: The new Queen of Arendelle was born with magical powers that can make snow and ice form from her hands! After the day of her coronation day Queen Elsa opens the castle gates for the first time in forever! Her younger sister Ana is ecstatic and when the gates are open she finds true love. She tells her sister Elsa that the two will be married! Queen Elsa will not hear of it and accidentally transforms the entire island into a winter wonderland! Join Ana on an adventure to save Arendelle from becoming a permanent tundra of ice and snow!
Make it Mondays: Snowflakes
Mondays 3pm – 5pm
For January, join us each week to make and create a different type of snowflake for the start of this winter month! Come make them while supplies last!
Children’s Graphic Novel Book Club
Monday Night once a month at 5pm-6pm.
Discussion will be Monday, January 12th at 5pm: The Flamingo by Guojing. Snacks and a craft will follow!
Do you like reading but don’t know where to begin? Come join us for a Graphic Novel Book Club for kids!
This book club is geared for kids in 3rd grade and up, but all readers are encouraged to join! No registration required.
All-Ages Story Time
Wednesdays 10:30am – 11:30am
All ages story time and playgroup! Enjoy stories, songs, and a chance to play!
Best for children ages 4 and under. No registration required!
Art Class with Miss Dana
Thursdays 5pm – 6pm
Do you love creating art? Try coming to the library on Thursday evenings to take an art class with Miss Dana! Each week, we’ll be working on a new project, so be sure to swing by! No registration required.
Baby + Me Playgroup
Fridays 10:30am – 11:30am
Join us for a story time and play group! Baby + Me is designed for babies to socialize and for caregivers to meet each other! We will do a short lap story and then turn on the music and take out the toys for time to socialize. A great opportunity for new parents to meet and babies to play!
Children’s Board Game Club: Scrabble Saturdays for the month of January
Saturdays 12:30pm – 3pm
Do you love playing games? Join us every Saturday for some Scrabble in the Children’s Room! This is geared for a friendly competition between children, families and caregivers! All skill levels are welcome! Don’t forget that you can use the Children’s Librarian and staff members for help! Happy spelling, learning and board gaming!
Saturday Morning Bilingual Storytime with Miss. Dana
January 3rd – 11:30am
January 31st -11:30am
Winter Wonderland Workshop
Monday, January 5th – Friday, January 10th
Monday 1/5: Popsicle Snowflakes
Tuesday 1/6: Snow Globe Craft
Wednesday 1/7: Snow Dough
Thursday 1/8: Abominable Snowman Craft
Friday 1/9 – Saturday 1/10: Coffee Filter Snowflakes
Saturday Morning Storytime with Miss. Meghan
January 10th at 11:30am
Join us for another round of Saturday Morning Storytime with Miss Meghan!
Korean American Day
Tuesday, January 13th – All Day!
Join us for an all-day craft as we make a Korean paper plate drum in honor of Korean American Day in the Children’s Room!
Cooking for kids with Food for Your Soul
Tuesday, January 13th and Tuesday, January 27th – 4pm-5pm
Registration is required! Come cook up something amazing and join us in the Community Room!
This program is best for children ages 3-10! Please indicate any food allergies upon registration and bring a hat & apron to class. Registration is required for each individual day.
Tuesday, January 13th Registration: Cooking for Kids! – LibCal – The Public Library of New London
Tuesday, January 27thRegistration: Cooking for Kids! – LibCal – The Public Library of New London
World Logic Day
Wednesday, January 14th – All Day!
Join us in the Children’s Room as we celebrate World Logic Day using puzzle pieces to make a special craft!
Art Class with Miss. Dana
Thursday, January 15th at 5pm – 6pm
Do you love creating art? Try coming to the library on Thursday evenings to take an art class with Miss Dana! We will be featuring a special Martin Luther King Jr. inspired art class! Be sure to swing by! No registration required.
“I Have a Dream” MLK Inspired Craft
Tuesday, January 20th – All Day!
In Honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, stop by the Children’s Room to make a “I Have a Dream” Craft from his famous speech!
Squirrel Craft
Wednesday, January 21st – All Day!
Come to the Children’s Room to make a Squirrel Craft to help our furry friend hibernate and gather food for the winter!
Children’s Book Club: Frizzy by Claribel A Ortega
Monday, January 26th at 5pm – 6pm
Do you love reading and talking about books? Join the Children’s Book Club! We meet every 3rd Tuesday of the month during the school year from 5pm – 6pm.
This month, we’ll be reading Frizzy by Claribel A Ortega! Books are geared for grades 3-5, but strong readers are encouraged to join! Copies of the monthly book, snacks, and crafts provided.
Lego Contest for Kids
Wednesday, January 28th – All Day
Happy National Lego Day! We have the Legos and Boards; you bring the creativity and ideas! Join us in the Children’s Room to create an amazing Lego display! Don’t want to create that’s fine too! They will be available to vote on as well for your favorite! Winner will get a prize! Voting will be open for the rest of the week!
________________________________________________________________________________________________
February 2026
Take Home Craft Kits
Available All Month – First Come First Serve
Handprint Dragons: Suitable for all ages! Create a dancing dragon with your handprints!
Pom-Pom Love Bugs: A craft for all ages! Make a pompom love bug for Valentine’s Day!
Groundhog in a Cup: Best for ages 3 and up! Will the groundhog see his shadow? You decide!
Black History Month Mystery Bags: It’s all about Black History Month! Come into the Children’s Room to randomly select your historical figure with a craft to go along with who or what they did and learn some historical facts about your person! Happy Black History Month!
Interactive Movie Kits
Available All Month – First Come First Serve
Interactive Movie Kits are fun for the whole family! Kits include a list of prompts for your family to do throughout the movie plus props and crafts! Each kit comes with enough supplies for 4 people. DVD’s are available to check out on a first come first serve basis, but kits can be taken with or without the movie if you use a streaming service or have the movie at home.
February Lineup:
Mulan: Join Mulan as she fights to save China from the Huns. After taking her father’s place in the Army and hiding her identity, Mulan builds her strength before going head-to-head against Shan Yu. Will you fight alongside her to help save China?
The Princess and the Frog: Have you ever kissed a frog before and then turned into one? Well, Tiana has and she has quite the story to tell. Join Tiana on her journey as she tries to become human again and open her dream restaurant!
Make it Mondays: Black History Month Inspired Crafts
Mondays 3pm – 5pm
For February, join us each week to make and create a different craft that honors Black History Month! Come make them while supplies last!
Children’s Graphic Novel Book Club
Monday Night once a month at 5pm-6pm.
Discussion will be Monday, February 9th at 5pm: Beetle and the Hollowbones by Aliza Layne. Snacks and a craft will follow!
Do you like reading but don’t know where to begin? Come join us for a Graphic Novel Book Club for kids!
This book club is geared for kids in 3rd grade and up, but all readers are encouraged to join! No registration required.
All-Ages Story Time
Wednesdays 10:30am – 11:30am
All ages story time and playgroup! Enjoy stories, songs, and a chance to play!
Best for children ages 4 and under. No registration required!
Art Class with Miss Dana
Thursdays 5pm – 6pm
Do you love creating art? Try coming to the library on Thursday evenings to take an art class with Miss Dana! Each week, we’ll be working on a new project, so be sure to swing by! No registration required.
Baby + Me Playgroup
Fridays 10:30am – 11:30am
Join us for a story time and play group! Baby + Me is designed for babies to socialize and for caregivers to meet each other! We will do a short lap story and then turn on the music and take out the toys for time to socialize. A great opportunity for new parents to meet and babies to play!
Children’s Board Game Club
Saturdays 12:30pm – 3pm
Do you love playing games? Join us every Saturday for some fun and board games! This is geared for a friendly competition between children, families and caregivers! All skill levels are welcome!
Groundhog Day Craft
Monday, February 2nd – All Day!
Join us in the Children’s Room to make a handprint Groundhog!
Valentine’s Day Card Making
Tuesday, February 2nd – Saturday February 14th – All Day!
Stop by the Children’s Room to make a Valentine’s Day Card for your mom, dad, friend, or make a card for someone else! We will be collecting Valentine’s Day Cards as well to send to the Senior Center here in New London! Don’t forget to stop by and share the love!
Cooking for kids with Food for Your Soul
Tuesday, February 3rd and Wednesday, February 18th – 4pm-5pm
Registration is required! Come cook up something amazing and join us in the Community Room!
This program is best for children ages 3-10! Please indicate any food allergies upon registration and bring a hat & apron to class. Registration is required for each individual day.
Tuesday, February 3rd – Registration: Cooking for Kids! – LibCal – The Public Library of New London
Wednesday, February 18th – Registration: Cooking for Kids! – LibCal – The Public Library of New London
Hedgehog Origami
Tuesday, February 3rd: All Day!
Stop by the Children’s Room to make a spikey friend to take home!
All Ages Storytime with Bilingual CT Storyteller Maritza
Wednesday, February 4th – 10:30am – 11:30am
Storyteller Maritza is back for another musical bilingual storytime! Join us for a special Bilingual Storytime with Maritza!
Tellabration! is an international celebration of story. Libraries, historical societies, churches, bookstores, museums and community organizations have found Tellabration! to be an exciting and enriching addition to their program offerings. In collaboration with the Connecticut Storytelling Center, each Tellabration! can be customized to appeal to an organization’s specific mission and audience.
This program is geared towards ALL ages!
Take Your Child to the Library Day!
Saturday, February 7th – All Day!
Saturday Morning Storytime – 10:30am -11:30am
All Day we will have a Literary Scavenger Hunt, Literary Trivia, and wooden bookmark making to take with your free book when you come to the library! For our Saturday Morning Storytime, we will be joined by Storyteller Leslie Woods for an interactive and fun storytime! Families are welcome and we encourage children of ALL ages to join us at the library for this special day!
International Book Giving Day
Saturday, February 14th: All Day
Don’t know what to do with your lightly used books? Bring them by to the Children’s Room to participate in the International Book Giving Day! Share them with other patrons, trade, or pick up a brand new one from us in honor of International Book Giving Day!
Celebrate Chinese Near Year with Crafts
Tuesday, February 17th – Tuesday, March 3rd
Tuesday 2/17 & Wednesday 2/18: Chinese New Year Drums
Thursday 2/19 – Sunday 2/22: Chinese Paper Lantern and Dragon Craft
Monday 2/23 & Tuesday 2/24: Paper Train Dragon
Wednesday 2/25 – Friday 2/27: Year of the Horse Crafts
Saturday 2/28 – Tuesday 3/3: Chinese New Year Bracelet Making
Local Author Leslee Flannagan: Book Talk and Signing
Wednesday, February 18th – 10:30am
Wednesday, February 25th – 4pm
Stop by the Children’s Room at 10:30am to meet with local author, Leslee Flanagan! She will be doing a meet and greet and book signing! Her books are also available for purchase and some have been translated into Spanish!
All-Ages Storytime with Traveler
Wednesday, February 18th – 10:30am
Join us with Officer Christina and Traveler the Wellness Dog for our regular All-Ages Storytime!
Children’s Book Club: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis
Monday, February 23rd at 5pm – 6pm
Do you love reading and talking about books? Join the Children’s Book Club! We meet every 3rd Tuesday of the month during the school year from 5pm – 6pm.
This month, we’ll be reading The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis! Books are geared for grades 3-5, but strong readers are encouraged to join! Copies of the monthly book, snacks, and crafts provided!
All-Ages Storytime: Hands on Drumming with Craig Norton
Wednesday, February 25th 10:30am
Get ready for a unique drumming program with Craig Norton during our regular Storytime hour! Registration is required for both children and parents as it is a super fun hands-on experience! This is suitable for children ages 3 and up!
Begin Registration here: All Ages Storytime: Drumming Program – LibCal – The Public Library of New London
Saturday Morning Bilingual Storytime with Miss. Dana
February 28th – 11:30am
________________________________________________________________________________________________
March 2026
Take Home Craft Kits
Available All Month – First Come First Serve
Shamrock Windchimes: This craft is great for all ages! Make a Shamrock Windchime to let Leprechauns know you are ready for St. Patrick’s Day! If you are lucky, they’ll leave you a treat!
Cupcake Liner Daffodils: A craft for all ages! We are trying to get Spring early this year so help make one of the early blooming flowers!
Leprechaun Handprints: Come create this sneaky little fellow before he escapes from the Children’s Room! This craft is also all age friendly!
Rainbow Pot of Gold: What good is a Leprechaun without his pot of gold? Make a rainbow and fill it with the sparkly coins inside! He’ss be sure to visit your house when he knows you have coins!
Interactive Movie Kits
Available All Month – First Come First Serve
Interactive Movie Kits are fun for the whole family! Kits include a list of prompts for your family to do throughout the movie plus props and crafts! Each kit comes with enough supplies for 4 people. DVD’s are available to check out on a first come first serve basis, but kits can be taken with or without the movie if you use a streaming service or have the movie at home.
March Lineup:
Brave: Join Merida as she follows her own path and comes across the Will-o-the-Wisps to start her journey to try and change her mother’s mind about marriage and break family traditions.
Moana: How far will you go to save your island and restore the heart of Te Fiti? Join Moana on her epic journey far across the ocean where she seeks and finds Maui to help her along the way. Be careful to get caught by the giant crab, Tamatoa, in Lalotai, The Realm of Monsters! Quick, hide anything you have that’s shiny!
Make it Mondays: Shamrocks
Mondays 3pm – 5pm
For March, join us each Monday to make and create a different craft of Shamrocks! Come make them while supplies last!
3/2: Pastel Shamrocks
3/9: Lucky Clover Friend
3/16: Paper plate Rainbow Twirler
3/23: Shamrock Planter
3/30: Shamrock Wand
Children’s Graphic Novel Book Club
Monday Night once a month at 5pm-6pm.
Discussion will be Monday, March 9th at 5pm: Sheets by Brenna Thummler. Snacks and a craft will follow!
Do you like reading but don’t know where to begin? Come join us for a Graphic Novel Book Club for kids!
This book club is geared for kids in 3rd grade and up, but all readers are encouraged to join! No registration required.
All-Ages Story Time
Wednesdays 10:30am – 11:30am
All ages story time and playgroup! Enjoy stories, songs, and a chance to play!
Best for children ages 4 and under. No registration required!
3/4: Join us for an All-Ages Storytime with Local Author, Leslee Flanagan!
3/11: Storyteller Leslie Woods will be back for another Interactive Storytime!
3/18: Traveler the Wellness dog will be joining us with Officer Christina for a St. Patrick’s theme!
3/25: Leslee Flanagan is back for another Storytime! Hope you can join us for more fun!
Art Class with Miss Dana
Thursdays 5pm – 6pm
Do you love creating art? Try coming to the library on Thursday evenings to take an art class with Miss Dana! Each week, we’ll be working on a new project, so be sure to swing by! No registration required. The entire month of March will be Ramadan inspired!
Baby + Me Playgroup
Fridays 10:30am – 11:30am
Join us for a story time and play group! Baby + Me is designed for babies to socialize and for caregivers to meet each other! We will do a short lap story and then turn on the music and take out the toys for time to socialize. A great opportunity for new parents to meet and babies to play!
Children’s Book Club: The Giver by Lois Lowry
Monday, February 23rd at 5pm – 6pm
Do you love reading and talking about books? Join the Children’s Book Club! We meet every 3rd Tuesday of the month during the school year from 5pm – 6pm.
This month, we’ll be reading The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis! Books are geared for grades 3-5, but strong readers are encouraged to join! Copies of the monthly book, snacks, and crafts provided!
Cooking for kids with Food for Your Soul
Wednesday, March 4th and Wednesday, March 18th – 4pm-5pm
Registration is required! Come cook up something amazing and join us in the Community Room!
This program is best for children ages 3-10! Please indicate any food allergies upon registration and bring a hat & apron to class. Registration is required for each individual day.
Wednesday, March 4th – Registration: Cooking for Kids! – LibCal – The Public Library of New London
Wednesday, March 18th – Registration: Cooking for Kids! – LibCal – The Public Library of New London
Celebrate Holi
Wednesday, March 4th: All Day!
Stop by the Children’s Room as we will be making paper mache Rangoli’s!
Celebrate Harriet Tubman Day
Wednesday, February 4th – 10:30am – 11:30am
Storyteller Maritza is back for another musical bilingual storytime! Join us for a special Bilingual Storytime with Maritza!
Tellabration! is an international celebration of story. Libraries, historical societies, churches, bookstores, museums and community organizations have found Tellabration! to be an exciting and enriching addition to their program offerings. In collaboration with the Connecticut Storytelling Center, each Tellabration! can be customized to appeal to an organization’s specific mission and audience.
This program is geared towards ALL ages!
Take Your Child to the Library Day!
Saturday, February 7th – All Day!
Saturday Morning Storytime – 10:30am -11:30am
All Day we will have a Literary Scavenger Hunt, Literary Trivia, and wooden bookmark making to take with your free book when you come to the library! For our Saturday Morning Storytime, we will be joined by Storyteller Leslie Woods for an interactive and fun storytime! Families are welcome and we encourage children of ALL ages to join us at the library for this special day!
International Book Giving Day
Saturday, February 14th: All Day
Don’t know what to do with your lightly used books? Bring them by to the Children’s Room to participate in the International Book Giving Day! Share them with other patrons, trade, or pick up a brand new one from us in honor of International Book Giving Day!
Celebrate Chinese Near Year with Crafts
Tuesday, February 17th – Tuesday, March 3rd
Tuesday 2/17 & Wednesday 2/18: Chinese New Year Drums
Thursday 2/19 – Sunday 2/22: Chinese Paper Lantern and Dragon Craft
Monday 2/23 & Tuesday 2/24: Paper Train Dragon
Wednesday 2/25 – Friday 2/27: Year of the Horse Crafts
Saturday 2/28 – Tuesday 3/3: Chinese New Year Bracelet Making
Local Author Leslee Flannagan: Book Talk and Signing
Wednesday, February 18th – 10:30am
Wednesday, February 25th – 4pm
Stop by the Children’s Room at 10:30am to meet with local author, Leslee Flanagan! She will be doing a meet and greet and book signing! Her books are also available for purchase and some have been translated into Spanish!
All-Ages Storytime with Traveler
Wednesday, February 18th – 10:30am
Join us with Officer Christina and Traveler the Wellness Dog for our regular All-Ages Storytime!
Children’s Book Club: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis
Monday, February 23rd at 5pm – 6pm
Do you love reading and talking about books? Join the Children’s Book Club! We meet every 3rd Tuesday of the month during the school year from 5pm – 6pm.
This month, we’ll be reading The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis! Books are geared for grades 3-5, but strong readers are encouraged to join! Copies of the monthly book, snacks, and crafts provided!
All-Ages Storytime: Hands on Drumming with Craig Norton
Wednesday, February 25th 10:30am
Get ready for a unique drumming program with Craig Norton during our regular Storytime hour! Registration is required for both children and parents as it is a super fun hands-on experience! This is suitable for children ages 3 and up!
Begin Registration here: All Ages Storytime: Drumming Program – LibCal – The Public Library of New London
Saturday Morning Bilingual Storytime with Miss. Dana
______________________________________________________________________________________________
February 28th – 11:30am
Children’s Room
860-447-1411 ext. 103
Head of Children’s Services
Children’s Librarian
Meghan Soucier
msoucier@plnl.org
860-447-1411 ex. 104
Children’s Librarian Assistant
Dana Santillana
dsantillana@plnl.org