Children's Programs

Australia Reads is on a mission to get more people reading more books, more often. Join Cheryl as she reads some very special stories.

Introduce your baby to the wonderful world of books. Using stories, songs, rhymes, dancing, music and toys 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. This program includes time to chat to other new parents and for your child to enjoy age-appropriate toys.

Ages: For babies aged 0-12 months

Newcastle (City) Library sessions:

Wednesdays 3, 10, 17, 24 August -11:00am-12:00pm

Book Tickets

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)

Jessica, Lucy and Evelyn asked author Tim Harris all the hard-hitting questions when he visited Newcastle Libraries.

Want to hear more tips and trick from Tim Harris? Visit Primary Writers for loads of ideas and activities to take your creative writing to the next level.

Share your skills, master cool builds and make new friends. We have buckets loads of LEGO® and a different challenge each week. Fun guaranteed!

Ages: 5-12 years

Newcastle (City) Library Sessions:

Wednesdays, 4:00 - 4:45pm (during school term only)

Wallsend Library Sessions:

Tuesday 6th, 13th, 20th September, 4:00 - 4:45pm 

No bookings needed, just drop in!

LEGO® Club Online

Enjoy our collection of LEGO® challenge videos, fun for all ages and a great project for the kids to do with adults. Grab a bucket load of LEGO®, select your challenge below and get building!

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 of all ages are invited to join us for an all singing, dancing and storytelling celebration of our city’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Newcastle (City) Library Sessions:

• Saturday 2 July, 11:00am – 11.35am
• Saturday 6 August, 11:00am – 11.35am
• Saturday 3 September, 11:00am – 11.35am
• Saturday 1 October, 11:00am – 11:35am

Book Tickets

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 aged 0-3.

Newcastle (City) Library sessions:

Mondays: 18 July - 19 September 2022, 10-10:30am

Fridays: 22 July - 23 September 2022, 10-10:30am

Book tickets

Wallsend Library Sessions:

Wednesdays: 7 September - 21 September 2022, 10-10:30am

Thursdays: 1 September - 22 September 2022, 10 -10:30am

Book tickets

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!

Hola! Join us for fun, stories, rhymes, songs, and music in "Español"!

For Spanish speaking "familias" and those who would like to experience the "lenguaje". Los esperamos! Suitable for "niños" age 0-5.

Newcastle (City) Library Sessions:

• Tuesday 19 July, 10:00-10:45am
• Tuesday 2 August, 10:00-10:45am
• Tuesday 16 August, 10:00-10:45am
• Tuesday 30 August, 10:00-10:45am
• Tuesday 13 September, 10:00-10:45am

Book Tickets

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 old's.

Newcastle (City) Library sessions:

Tuesdays, 19 July - 20 September, 11:00-11:45am

Book Tickets

Wallsend Library sessions:

Thursdays, 1 September - 22 September, 11:00-11:45am

Book Tickets

Toddlers will enjoy familiar games with an Indigenous twist, including Serpents and Songlines, Can You? and Bush Tucker Snap. Each week the games played will be linked to different areas of our jarjums physical and social development. Sessions will finish with a FUN Wayapa Wuurrk practice, a mindfulness and movement practice, created from traditional Aboriginal knowledge and caring for Country.

Presented by Sarah Corrigan, a proud  Darkinjung woman and Aboriginal Health Practitioner. Sarah has worked in child and family health and has designed this program to be a fun and interactive way to introduce all children and their families to Aboriginal culture and knowledge.

Wallsend Library Sessions:

• Friday 2 September, 11:00 am – 11:45 am 
• Friday 9 September, 11:00 am – 11:45 am
• Friday 16 September, 11:00 am – 11:45 am
• Friday 23 September, 11:00 am – 11:45 am

Book tickets

Cost: Free

Age: 18m – 3 years

Bookings essential.