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 2024
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
May 2025
Take Home Craft Kits
Available All Month – First Come First Serve
Hand Fans: Hand fans are prominent in many Asian and Pacific Islander cultures. Try making your own! A fan-tastic craft for all ages.
Caterpillar on a Leaf: I hope it’s not very hungry! A cute craft for younger children.
Fairy Doors: Enter into your own secret garden! A magical craft for all ages.
STEAM: Cup Weaving: DIY a fancy cup that can hold whatever! A nifty craft for older children!
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.
May Lineup:
Mulan: To save her father from death in the army, a young maiden secretly goes in his place and becomes one of China’s greatest heroines in the process.
How to Train Your Dragon: A hapless young Viking who aspires to hunt dragons becomes the unlikely friend of a young dragon himself, and learns there may be more to the creatures than he assumed.
Make it Mondays: Pipe Cleaners
Mondays 3pm – 5pm
For May and June Make-It Mondays, join us each week to make a pipe cleaner craft! Make flowers, crowns, animals, and more! Your imagination is the limit!
Creative Writing Club for Kids
Tuesdays May 13th & May 27th 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Are you interested in writing? Join us for Creative Writing for Kids! We’ll be playing word games and working with writing prompts biweekly to help develop creative writing skills.
This workshop is geared for kids in 3rd grade and up, but strong and ambitious writers are encouraged to stop by! No registration required.
Please note the time change!
All-Ages Story Time
Wednesdays 10:30am
All ages story time and playgroup! Enjoy stories, songs, and a chance to play! Check out our schedule to see what theme is happening each week!
Best for children ages 4 and under. No registration required!
5/7: A Galaxy Far, Far Away…
5/14: Be Mindful of “May”
5/21: Storytime with Traveler
5/28: Spring into Summer
Art Class: Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Spotlight
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 in May, we’ll be working on a new project inspired by an Asian or Pacific Islander culture, so be sure to swing by! No registration required.
5/1: Chinese Art
5/8: Native Hawaiian Art
5/15: Japanese Art
5/22: Indian Art
5/29: Korean Art
Baby + Me Playgroup
Fridays 10:30am
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 board games? Join us every Saturday for Board Game Club in the Children’s Room! In addition to chess, we will be including board games like Sorry, Battleship, Trouble, and more! This space can be for both children and their families. All skill levels are welcome!
Teddy Bear Sleepover
May 2nd – May 3rd
Swing by the Children’s Room on Friday, May 2nd to make a new teddy bear, or drop off one of your friends from home! Miss Tori will take extra good care of all the fuzzy friends that night, and will take pictures of all their shenanigans!
Come back on Saturday morning, May 3rd, after 11am to pick up your friend! Then later, keep an eye out on the library’s social media pages to see what hijinks the bears got up to!
Registration required to build a bear due to limited supplies. If bringing own stuffed animal, no registration needed.
New London Community Café
May 5th 10am – 12pm
We invite parents and caregivers are children 0-5 in the community to join us for our first Community Café on the topic of Feeding and Nutrition. This conversation will include information about introducing solids to moving to a well-balanced diet for children. Families will also have time to converse with one another. This is a great opportunity for parents and caregivers to meet other families in the community and learn about our community resources!
On-site child care, snacks, and refreshments will be provided. Each participating family will receive a $25 ShopRite gift card. Please RSVP so we can plan accordingly.
Star Wars Celebration
May 5th – May 10th
Help us celebrate Star Wars Day with a weeklong celebration! All week, you have the opportunity to build your own lightsaber, make a droid, and complete a scavenger hunt!
Cinco de Mayo Fiesta!
May 5th 10am – 5pm
Come check out our displays, learn about the holiday, and create your own tiny sombrero to celebrate Cinco de Mayo!
¡Vive el Cuento! Live the Story! with Leeny Del Seamonds
May 5th 3pm – 4pm
Tales of kindness, inspiration, and the bravery to overcome adversity and make a difference. Leeny Del Seamonds shares the universal elements of storytelling along with the unique flavors of different cultures.
Leeny is an internationally known Master Storyteller who encourages her listeners to rejoice in human and cultural diversity, inviting them to share in her Cuban-American sense of humor and the joy of performing. Experience her bilingual storytelling performance here at the library!
No registration required. For more information on Leeny Del Seamonds, please go to https://leenydelseamonds.com/.
Bilingual Storytime
May 10th 11:30am – 12pm
Join us for another Bilingual Storytime with Miss Dana!
Be Mindful of “May” Week
May 12th – May 17th
For Mental Health Awareness Week, we’ll be hosting crafts and activities to help children and families practice mindfulness and relaxation. It’s a great week to learn how to be mindful of me “may!”
5/12 – 5/13: Mindful Breathing Sticks
5/14 – 5/15: DIY Stress Balls
5/16 – 5/17: Affirmation Catchers
Yoga for Kids: Unicorns and Dragons!
May 14th 4pm – 5pm
Yoga is fun, but even more fun when you include unicorns and dragons! YTT200 Certified yoga instructor Amie Meacham takes you on a fantasy-filled journey while also teaching new yoga poses and mindful practices! Bring your own yoga mat or towel, and get your zen on!
Registration required.
Children’s Pokémon Club
May 15th 4pm – 5pm
Do you love all things Pokémon? Then join us for our next Pokémon Club meeting! This club is for kids to meet together to talk about Pokémon, do crafts, and even play the game! We would love to see you there!
This club is intended for children in 3rd – 5th grade, but any child is welcome! No registration required.
Children’s Book Club: How to Train Your Dragon
May 20th 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’re reading How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell! Books are geared for grades 3-5, but strong readers are encouraged to join! Copies of the monthly book, snacks, and crafts provided.
Storytime with Traveler the NLPD Wellness Dog!
May 21st 10:30am – 11:30am
Join us to have a special storytime with Traveler and Officer Christina! You can pet Traveler while listening to great stories and learning about the New London Police Department!
Author Visit with Jessica Dugas
May 21st 10:30am – 11:30am
Join international best-selling author Jessica Dugas for a special edition of Story Time at the Public Library of New London. Jessica will be reading her new family book, There Will Be Hugs — a heartwarming story about friendship, emotions, and the power of connection.
Following the reading, children will be invited to participate in a fun and engaging “How to Draw a Koala” activity, inspired by the characters from the book. Signed copies will be available, and of course, Jessica has free hugs for anyone who wants one!
This event is perfect for families, preschoolers, and anyone who enjoys meaningful stories and community connection. All are welcome!
For more information, please visit https://thebreakthroughshownetwork.com/there-will-be-hugs/.
DIY Beaded Windchimes
May 22nd 10am – 5pm
Spring time is full of sounds, like birds chirping, bees buzzing, and your brand new windchime making music!
Mini Flower Garden
May 28th 10am – 5pm
Real flowers can be hard. Luckily, you can make your own paper ones! Swing by to create your own garden that will live forever!
Saturday Morning Storytime
May 31st 11:30am – 12pm
Join us for another round of Saturday Morning Storytime with Miss Meghan!
June 2025
Take Home Craft Kits
Available All Month – First Come First Serve
Paper S’mores: A non-messy s’more for everyone to enjoy! A tasty craft for younger children.
Summer Bucket List: Let’s make sure this summer is a good one! A fun craft for all ages.
Simple Bird Kites: It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s…a bird kite? A craft that will blow all ages away!
STEAM: DIY Bubble Blower: Hopefully no one pops these bubbles! A fun experiment for older children.
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.
June Lineup:
Finding Nemo: After his son is captured in the Great Barrier Reef and taken to Sydney, a timid clownfish sets out on a journey to bring him home.
Lilo and Stitch: A young and parentless girl adopts a ‘dog’ from the local pound, completely unaware that it’s supposedly a dangerous scientific experiment that’s taken refuge on Earth and is now hiding from its creator and those who see it as a menace.
Make it Mondays: Pipe Cleaners
Mondays 3pm – 5pm
For May and June Make-It Mondays, join us each week to make a pipe cleaner craft! Make flowers, crowns, animals, and more! Your imagination is the limit!
Creative Writing Club for Kids
Tuesdays June 10th & 24th 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Are you interested in writing? Join us for Creative Writing for Kids! We’ll be playing word games and working with writing prompts biweekly to help develop creative writing skills.
This workshop is geared for kids in 3rd grade and up, but strong and ambitious writers are encouraged to stop by! No registration required.
Please note the time change!
All-Ages Story Time
Wednesdays 10:30am – 11:30am
All ages story time and playgroup! Enjoy stories, songs, and a chance to play! Check out our schedule to see what theme is happening each week!
Best for children ages 4 and under. No registration required!
6/4: Summertime Shimmy
6/11: A Bug’s Life
6/18: Storytime with Traveler
6/25: Level Up!
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 9:30am – 12pm
Do you love playing board games? Join us every Saturday for Board Game Club in the Children’s Room! In addition to chess, we will be including board games like Sorry, Battleship, Trouble, and more! This space can be for both children and their families. All skill levels are welcome!
Pride Puppies
June 2nd 10am – 5pm
Celebrate Pride Month with us by making rainbow puppy art! Inspired by the book Pride Puppy by Robin Stevenson.
Author Visit with Jaclyn Inzalaco-Angelo
June 7th 11am – 12pm
Join us for a special storytime with author Jaclyn Inzalaco-Angelo! She will be reading her newest book, Angelo the Tangelo Celebrates His Family Tree, and will have copies available to sign.
Author Bio:
Jaclyn first imagined the character of Angelo the Tangelo as a young girl, while sitting around the kitchen table with her family enjoying fruit after dinner. In her Italian household, it was a long-standing tradition to have a fruit course, a custom passed down from her father, Angelo, who was born in Sicily. This simple and cherished family ritual sparked Jaclyn’s creativity, and all these years later, Angelo the Tangelo has finally come to life in her debut children’s book.
For Jaclyn, bringing Angelo the Tangelo to readers is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. She has always had a passion for working with children, which is reflected in her career as a pediatric occupational therapist. Jaclyn specializes in helping children with Autism, a role that allows her to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young learners. In addition to her therapy work, she is also an adjunct professor at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut.
When Jaclyn isn’t busy working with children or teaching, she enjoys spending her free time immersed in some of her favorite activities. She loves getting lost in a good book, watching movies, and staying active by playing tennis and pickleball.
Now, with Angelo the Tangelo Celebrates His Family Tree, Jaclyn is excited to share her story with children and families, spreading a message of family, inclusion, and the beauty of celebrating what makes us unique.
Book Summary:
Family Tree Day should be fun, but Angelo the Tangelo is nervous. Unlike his classmates, whose parents are the same type of fruit, Angelo’s dad is a pomelo, and his mom is a tangerine! Will his friends understand his special family, or will they think he doesn’t belong? With the help of his wise and caring teacher, Mrs. Kapple, Angelo learns that differences are what make every family special, and soon all the fruit children discover the beauty in their own unique backgrounds.
Angelo the Tangelo Celebrates His Family Tree is the perfect addition to any child’s bookshelf, as well as an excellent resource for teachers and parents looking to foster conversations about family and acceptance.
Build-a-Bug
June 11th 10am – 5pm
The sun’s awake, so bugs are awake! Swing by the Children’s Room to build your own bug friend!
Children’s Pokémon Club
June 12th 4pm – 5pm
Do you love all things Pokémon? Then join us for our next Pokémon Club meeting! This club is for kids to meet together to talk about Pokémon, do crafts, and even play the game! We would love to see you there!
This club is intended for children in 3rd – 5th grade, but any child is welcome! No registration required.
Bilingual Storytime
June 14th 11:30am – 12pm
Join us for another Bilingual Storytime with Miss Dana!
Children’s Book Club: New Kid
June 17th 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’re reading New Kid by Jerry Craft! Books are geared for grades 3-5, but strong readers are encouraged to join! Copies of the monthly book, snacks, and crafts provided.
Celebrate Juneteenth!
June 18th 10am – 5pm
Stop by the Children’s Room to make a kente cloth, check out our displays, and learn about Juneteenth!
Storytime with Traveler the NLPD Wellness Dog!
June 18th 10:30am – 11:30am
Join us to have a special storytime with Traveler and Officer Christina! You can pet Traveler while listening to great stories and learning about the New London Police Department!
New London LibraryCon
June 20th 2pm – 4:30pm
Help us kick off our Summer Reading Program this year by attending our first every New London LibraryCon! This is an all ages event!
Meet local businesses, authors, and artists in our vendors hall! Participate in cosplay contests for each age group! Face painting is available for children! Video game tournaments for children and teens! Tabletop game demos for adults! And, of course, sign up for summer reading!
Come Level Up at Your Library!
Saturday Morning Storytime
June 21st 11:30am – 12pm
Join us for another round of Saturday Morning Storytime with Miss Meghan!
Dungeons & Dragons for Kids!
June 23rd 4pm – 5pm
Is your child looking for an easy, beginner- and child-friendly roleplaying game? Look no further! This summer, we’re running Dungeons & Dragons for Kids! Join us for our first interest meeting, where we will discuss game play and rules, character creation, and answer any questions before we get started playing!
This group is geared towards kids in 3rd-6th grade. Registration is not required. Snacks will be provided for participants.
Fish Symmetry Painting
June 25th 10am – 5pm
There’s a lot of fish in the sea, but you can make your own right here in the Children’s Room!
Children’s Room
860-447-1411 ext. 103
Children’s Librarian
Tori Congdon
vcongdon@plnl.org
860-447-1411 ext. 104
Children’s Librarian Assistant
Dana Santillana
dsantillana@plnl.org
