Kid's Events

important update

Effective Monday, November 9, 2020, browsing by appointment will be suspended and
the building will be closed to the public. We are now offering SAME DAY Library Curbside Service. 

We appreciate your continued patience and understanding throughout this process. Click here for updated hours.

Online Events/Programs via Zoom Cloud Meetings, YouTube and NCTV

Some events will take place on Zoom Cloud Meetings and all of the information on how to join an event can be found by clicking here. Registration is required. Participants who register will be emailed a link to access the Zoom program prior to the event. We hope to see you there!  

Other events, which are not live and do not require registration are on our YouTube Channel and can be accessed via YouTube on this events page.. There will also be some Live YouTube events scheduled that will require registration. Some of our library programs with community partners will be available on NCTV on Tuesdays @10:00 a.m. and Thursdays @ 7:00 p.m.

storytime

Digital Storytimes
Your librarians miss you! Check back weekly on our Digital Storytime page for new videos!

Contact Us

  1. Library

    Physical Address
    100 Garfield Street
    Newington, CT 06111


  2. Children's Services

    Phone: 860-665-8720

Animals A-Z StoryWalk® sign

StoryWalk® @ Mill Pond Park
Who said you can’t read & walk at the same time? Visit Mill Pond for our special Spring StoryWalk®! Walk together and enjoy Mother Bruce by Ryan T. Higgins along the way. Use #lrwlkids on Instagram so we can see that you visited or scan the QR code to answer a brief survey! Call 860-665-8720 for more details.
Sponsored with the Friends of the Library and Parks & Recreation.
 

Childrens Book Bundles

Children’s Book Bundles
Introducing a new service! Answer some questions online by filling out a special form, located on our Reading Recommendation page. Your librarians will select up to 10 customized book titles for your child.

grab n go on paper bag

Grab & Go Crafts
Each week in March and April we will have crafts ready for pick up! There will be PreK - Grade 1 option and/or a Grade 2-5 option. Please note that supplies are limited.  Parents may call 860-665-8720 to register each Monday to reserve a craft bag for pickup curbside of that particular week. 
Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

book stack

Spring Forward Booktalks
Need some reading recommendations? Check out our booktalk videos! We will have book recommendations for grades 3 – 6. The video links are now available on our Reading Recommendations page.

mystery box in brown paper wrapping

Pop-Up Picks 
Watch out for our pop-up book picks! Each week (you never know when!) a curated batch of Children’s books & a small prize will pop up on our library’s Facebook page. If you’re interested, act fast! Call the Children’s Department to reserve the books for checkout and YOU get to keep the prize. 

1000 Books Before Kindergarten fox reading

1000 Books Before Kindergarten
We are excited to share the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten reading program with our patrons! This self-paced program encourages families to explore the world of books, get prizes, grow as readers, and have fun together. The library is here to cheer you on and connect you and your baby, toddler, or preschooler with books perfect for laughs, cuddles, and building literacy skills. 

book spine clip art

Book Spine Poetry Challenge – in honor of National Poetry Month
 
For kids & teens. Book spine poems are made by stacking books on top of each other and forming a witty, free-verse poem from their titles. Now we challenge YOU to come up with a book spine poem, with the titles you have around the house. You can use children's books, nonfiction, teen or adult titles- any books you can find! These poems can be serious or funny, the only requirement is that you be creative and have fun. Please email images to lucykiddept@gmail.com. Be sure to include your first name and age. We will be sharing submissions on our social media accounts (#lrwlpoetry) throughout April!

apple pie calzones

Culinary Delights: Apple Pie Calzones
Tuesday, April 13

Chef Rob Scott is back to create some cooking magic with yummy apple pie calzones. A video link & the recipe will be available here beginning the day of the program.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.   

Earth Day smiling earth

Earth Day – Craft Kit to Go
Monday, April 19

For grades 1-5. In honor of Earth Day, NASA donated a special grab & go kit! Parents may call to reserve a Stained Glass Earth kit beginning on April 19. Kits can also be picked up/ placed with curbside book orders. 
Sponsored by NASA.

1939 library building

“A History of the Library” StoryWalk® at Mill Pond Park
Saturday, April 24, 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.

The Town of Newington 150th Anniversary Committee is presenting a History Walk/Drive of seven properties of historical significance on April 24 and the Lucy Robbins Welles Library is one of those properties. Take a stroll through Mill Pond Park and a read the "History of the Library" StoryWalk® and learn how library began. Then visit the Friends of the Library on the library's front steps to ask additional questions about the history of the library and enjoy a snack that originated in 1939, the year the library opened. Afterwards continue on and visit the six other properties and learn about the history of each. 

Dog and cat reading book

Zoom Together Storytime – Virtual
Wednesday, May 5 and 19, 10:15 a.m.
Join us for an all ages story time. We’ll enjoy a story (or two) and a song (or two) to welcome in the morning. Registration required. An email with the Zoom link will be sent out prior to the event.

chocolate banana snickerdoodle bread

Culinary Delights: Chocolate Banana Snickerdoodle Bread
Tuesday, May 11
Join Chef Rob Scott as he reveals how to bake this delicious treat. A video link & the recipe will be available on the Kid’s Events page beginning the day of the program. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Diane Young Rodney

Author Spotlight: Diane Young Rodney
Wednesday, May 12, 6:00 p.m.
Join us for the book release of Diane Young Rodney! She will be reading from her debut, Russell: The Kid Nobody Wants to Be Around, a children’s book which focuses on friendship and empathy. We will also have a Q&A session and a giveaway! Registration required. An email with the Zoom link will be sent out prior to the event.

Magician hat and wand

Magic 101
Tuesday, May 18
If you have an emerging magician at home, check out these how-to videos from professional magician, Ed Popielarczyk! A video link will be available on the Kid’s Events page beginning the day of the program.

tales2tails[1]

Tales to Tails
Thursday, May 20, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Children who love dogs or need to boost their reading skills may sign up for a 10 minute session reading to Harper, a new canine friend. Call to register beginning May 6. Registrants will receive specific time slots on Zoom. Families are responsible for providing a book, but remember we offer curbside pickup if you need help! Donated by Jeanette Francini. 

Tails and Tales chameleon on top of book illustration

Summer Reading Program

Children’s Summer Reading 2021: Tails and Tales!
Monday, June 21 – Wednesday, August 26
The Children’s Department is offering a wonderful Summer Reading Program! This year Tails and Tales is all animal themed. Beginning on Monday, June 21, a Summer Reading Log* will be posted on the library’s website that can be printed from home. The Summer Reading Log will provide more details. All Children’s programs will be done virtually through our website or other media. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
*If unable to print a Summer Reading Log from home, please contact the Children’s Department at 860-665-8720.
 

NutmegAward

New Nutmeg Booktalks
Need some reading recommendations? Check out our booktalk videos on the brand new CT Nutmeg Award nominees! We will have book recommendations for grades 2 – 6. The video links will be available on this page in early June.

child standing on books

Turning Pages: Snow White Edition
Wednesday, June 2, 1:00 p.m. 
For ages 3 – 6. Join a dance professional from Ballet Theatre Company for a movement-focused storytelling experience! Come on a storybook adventure featuring Snow White this month! Registration required. An email with the Zoom link will be sent out prior to the event.

spaghetti muffins

Culinary Delights: Spaghetti Muffins
Tuesday, June 8
Chef Rob Scott is back to share a creative way to make spaghetti! A video link & the recipe will be available on the Kid’s Events page beginning the day of the program. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.    

Dog and cat reading book

Zoom Together Storytime – Virtual
Wednesday, June 16 and 30, 10:15 a.m.
Join us for an all ages story time.  We’ll enjoy a story (or two) and a song (or two) to welcome in the morning. Registration required. An email with the Zoom link will be sent out prior to the event.

tales2tails[1]

Tales to Tails
Thursday, June 17, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Children who love dogs or need to boost their reading skills may sign up for a 10 minute session reading to Harper, a new canine friend. Call to register beginning June 3. Registrants will receive specific time slots on Zoom. Families are responsible for providing a book, but remember we offer curbside pickup if you need help! Donated by Jeanette Francini.

 

Judy-Pancoast singer

Children’s Summer Reading Virtual Kickoff 
Monday, June 21, 11:00 a.m. 
Kick off summer reading with a special concert featuring Judy Pancoast, a Grammy nominee singer and songwriter! Her Tails and Tales program is a 45-minute concert with songs about all sorts of creatures with tails. It will feature all-original, interactive music and she’ll share books that go along with each song. Be ready to laugh, smile, and sing as summer reading begins! Registration is required. All registrants will be emailed the link to this Zoom event. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

What did I miss Hamilton Thomas Jefferson

Did you miss a librarian program? Please check out our YouTube channel here.

chef scott

Culinary Delights: Chocolate Snowstorm Cookies
Tuesday, March 16

Watch Chef Rob Scott as he whips up a delicious treat for those cold nights. A video link & the recipe will be available here beginning the day of the program.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.