Children's Programs

Take a 360° virtual tour of the Paul Jennings: UNREAL! Exhibition. (Re)discover the magical, imaginary, immersive world expressed through Paul’s writing, characters and themes. This online exhibition also includes original works from illustrators he has collaborated with over the years, a family activity booklet and school resources for stages 1 - 3.

Introduce your baby to the wonderful world of books. Using stories, songs, rhymes, dancing and music this fun series of four workshops runs over four weeks. Baby Book Time will provide you with the tools and resources to nurture your child's love of reading.

Newcastle Library:

Wednesdays 11:00-11:30am 3, 10, 17, 24 February. Book tickets

Wednesdays 11:00-11:30am 3, 10, 17, 24 March. Book tickets.

Wallsend Library:

Thursdays 11:00-11:30am 4, 11, 18, 25 February. Book tickets

Thursdays 11:00-11:30am 4, 11, 18, 25 March. Book tickets

Ages: For babies aged 0-12 months and their carers.

Cost: Free

Bookings essential. Tickets are released 1 month before each session.

For information on terms of attendance, this event's COVIDsafe operations and more see the full listings on our What's On Events Calendar.

Baby Book Time - Online Sessions

Our 4 week program designed especially for babies aged 0-12 months available online! Introduce your baby to a love of reading, rhymes and music and learn all about how to stimulate your baby's development in this fun 20 minute session. Enjoy nurturing your child's love of reading anywhere, anytime!

You can't make it into the branches for Crafternoon these days, but don't worry we will bring Crafternoons to you! Check out our virtual sessions with Sally.  Crafternoons are where you can show off your creativity with weekly art and craft fun, including STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Maths) activities. Suitable for ages 5 - 12.

Instructions: session 1 (PDF); session 2 (PDF); session 3 (PDF); session 4 (PDF); session 5 (PDF); session 6 (PDF); session 7 (PDF)

Join award winning illustrator Liz Anelli as she reads from her picture books, shares secret art tips and then demonstrates a creative art challenge that you can try at home.

Desert Lake Workshop Instructions (PDF);  One Photo Workshop Instructions (PDF); Howzat Workshop Instructions (PDF); Grace and Katie Workshop Instructions (PDF); Ten Pound Pom Workshop (PDF); Maddie's First Day Workshop (PDF)

Join in the fun of weekly LEGO® Club to show off your skills, master cool builds and share what you make with friends online. For this fun program you will need bucket loads of LEGO® and we provide a different challenge every week. Fun for all ages, and a great project for the kids to do with adults. 

A hugely popular, fun-filled 4-session science program hosted by Newcastle Libraries is now available online! Young children are already great scientists without even knowing it. This hands-on program combines everyday objects and experiences with genuine scientific enquiry methods that children and their accompanying adults will thoroughly enjoy. A different program is presented in each of the sessions. A parent or carer is required to participate with the children in these sessions. Ages 4 – 8.

Join Jess Black and Ed Wright from Black and Wright, as they dare your imagination with wild and crazy creative writing challenges.

A special glitter filled Storytime extravaganza with Newcastle's own Timberlina.

Families are invited to join us for an all singing, dancing and storytelling celebrating our city’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. This program will be simultaneously live streamed on Newcastle Libraries Facebook page. By attending this session you consent to being filmed as part of our Livestream event.

Newcastle Library

Saturday 27 February, 10:00 - 10:30am

Saturday 20 March, 10:00 - 10:30am

Book tickets for Newcastle Library Rainbow Families Storytime sessions.

Ages: For children and their carer’s. 

Cost: Free

Bookings essential.

For information on terms of attendance, this event's COVIDsafe operations and more see the full listings on our What's On Events Calendar.

Rainbow Families Storytime - Online sessions

Replacing our popular in-person sessions, we now have an online glitter-filled Storytime extravaganza with Newcastle's own Timberlina! Families are invited to join in the all singing, dancing, and storytelling fun, celebrating our city’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Enjoy songs, nursery rhymes, dancing, music, stories and lots of fun! These action- packed sessions are perfect for developing the early literacy skills of children age 0-3.

Newcastle Library:

Wednesdays: 3 February - 31 March 2021

Session 1 – 9:40-10am

Session 2 – 10:20-10:40am

Fridays: 5 February - 26 March 2021

Session 1 – 9:40-10am

Session 2 – 10:20-10:40am

Book tickets for Newcastle Library Rock n Rhyme sessions

Wallsend Library:

Wednesdays: 3 February - 31 March 2021

Session 1 – 9:40-10am

Session 2 – 10:20-10:40am

Thursdays: 4 February - 1 April 2021

Session 1 – 9:40-10am

Session 2 – 10:20-10:40am

Book for Wallsend Library Rock n Rhyme sessions

Ages: For children age 0-3 and their carer.

Cost: Free

Bookings essential. 

For information on terms of attendance, this event's COVIDsafe operations and more see the full listings on our What's On Events Calendar.

Rock n Rhyme - Online sessions:

Join all your favourite library friends for Rock n Rhyme Online! We'll be singing songs, dancing together and giving you some great activity ideas to keep the fun going at home. These action packed sessions are perfect for children age 0 - 3. So grab a scarf (or a tea towel!) to dance with and enjoy!

Access the wonderful world of Australian children's literature through film. Providing a vibrant, interactive experience through a range of everyday and extraordinary storytellers. Listen to Andy Griffith read you his The 39-Storey Treehouse or Nick Cave lend his voice to The Ghost of Annabel Spoon. Story Box Library is compatible with mobile devices, perfect for families 'on the go'.

Stomp your way through a weekly fun themed session of stories, songs, games and craft developed to stimulate, engage and grow the minds of 3-5 year olds.

Sessions will run during Term 1 from 3 February – 1 April 2021

Newcastle Library

Fridays, 11:15-11:45am

Book tickets for Newcastle Library Story Stomp sessions

Wallsend Library

Wednesdays 11:15-11:45am      

Book tickets for Wallsend Library Story Stomp sessions

Ages: For children age 3-5 and their carer.

Cost: Free

Bookings essential.

For information on terms of attendance, this event's COVIDsafe operations and more see the full listings on our What's On Events Calendar.

Story Stomp - Online sessions

Watch our very special Story Stomp series, with books by wonderful Newcastle authors and illustrators. Stomp your way through a fun-filled session of stories, songs, and craft developed to stimulate and grow the minds of 3 - 5 year olds. A new story stomp will be added each week!