Category: Programs – Children

April Activities for Children

Join us for these events and activities at the library in April! | Children

Family Paint Party

Mason Square Branch
Friday, April 7 | 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Ages 10+ | Register

Create a painting of spring flowers in this step-by-step class. This fun, no-pressure class allows participants to relax and enjoy a morning of creativity. Ages 10 and up when accompanied by an adult. Limited to 15 participants.

Plant a Veggie Garden

Forest Park Branch
Wednesday, April 5 | 4:00 – 5:00 PM | Children

Brightwood Branch
Wednesday, April 12 | 3:30 – 4:30 PM | Children

Mason Square Branch
Thursday, April 20 | 4:00 – 5:00 PM | Children

Get your garden growing! Kids can pick from a variety of veggies and start their seeds with provided supplies. Take them home and watch them grow! When they’re ready, you can replant them outside or in bigger pots and look forward to your first harvest!

Nintendo Game Night

Brightwood Branch
Tuesday, April 18 | 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM | Children & Teens

Finding yourself with nothing to do during April vacation? Come into the Brightwood Branch Library for a Nintendo Switch game night! Hang out with all of your friends and play one of many different games on the library Switch…or bring your own! Drinks and snacks will be provided.

Spring Fling

East Springfield Branch
Wednesday, April 19 | 4:00 – 7:00 PM | All Ages

Join us at the ES Branch Library to kick off these winter blues for an evening of music, food and family friendly fun. A local DJ will play your favorites so please send in your requests in advanced if you’d like your song played!

Fear Factor Food Challenge

East Springfield Branch
Friday, April 21 | 1:00 – 2:30 PM | Ages 8-12

Are you a fearless eater? Would you try anything once? If so then join us for the Fear Factor food challenge. If you can stomach everything you will win a Stomach of Steel certificate and a chance for a prize. For tweens ages 8-12.

March Activities for Children

Join us for these events and activities at the library in March! | Children

Seussabration: Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

East Forest Park Branch
March 1-11 | Open Hours | Children

We will be celebrating the birthday of Springfield’s own Dr. Seuss whose birthday is on March 2, with many fun activities. Test your knowledge of Dr. Seuss with a Scavenger Hunt. When completed, participants will receive a raffle ticket to win a Dr. Seuss inspired prize. We will also be offering a special Seussy craft. Vote for your favorite Dr. Seuss character!

Seuss-a-Bration Station

Mason Square Branch
Thursday, March 2 | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Children

Stop by and celebrate the birthday of children’s author Dr. Seuss. The Seuss-A-Bration station will have games, activities and crafts to help your celebrate.

Game Day

East Springfield Branch, Indian Orchard Branch, Mason Square Branch, Sixteen Acres Branch
Saturday, March 4 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM| All Ages

Brightwood Branch
Thursday, March 16 | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM | All Ages

Enjoy our wide assortment of table top and board games: from Candy Land and Clue to Uno and Trouble!

Messy Art

Central Library – Children’s Room
Mondays: March 6, 13, 20, 27  | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Ages 3-5

Join us Mondays in March for some messy, sensory art for preschoolers. We’ll squish, splatter, and splash so please wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.

Register via our online calendar!

Cookies & Canvas

East Springfield Branch
Saturday, March 11 | 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Children

What will your masterpiece look like? Come join us for a fun time of creating special seasonal painting. While the paintings are drying stay and enjoy some cookies and cocoa.

Creating a Roblox Avatar

Brightwood Branch
Wednesday, March 21 | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Children & Teens

Do you enjoy Roblox? Do you want to make your own real-life Avatar? Come on down to the Brightwood Branch Library to make those dreams a reality!

March Munchies

Mason Square Branch
Thursday, March 23 | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Children

Hungry?! Stop by the Mason Square Library to learn how to use an air fryer and eat some tasty treats! Children and families.

Make a mess painting for kids

Forest Park Branch
Friday, March 31 | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Ages 2-10

Get ready to get messy! Put on your painting clothes and join us for a messy painting party! Choose from a variety of surfaces and types of paints. Use brushes, foam stamps, fingers, or elbows! Try out different textures and tools – what shape would your knee make? Can you use a pencil to paint? The best part – the only mess you’ll have to clean is yourself!

Library Dances – March & April

Join us for a performance of short contemporary dance works that include a dance poem, a dance essay, and the chapter of a dance novel. | East Forest Park | Adults

East Forest Park Branch
Friday, March 31 | 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM | Adults
Saturday, April 16 | 2:00 AM – 2:45 PM | Adults

Library Dances is a 40-minute presentation of short contemporary dance works that include a dance poem, a dance essay, and the chapter of a dance novel. During the performances, Maureen Shea will present solo works, while dancers from Springfield College’s dance department will present Shea’s choreography, Fleur de peau.

All are welcome to these free performances. Library Dances is funded in part by the Local Cultural Councils of Hadley, South Hadley, and Springfield, local agencies funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

Reptile Show of New England – April 22

This meet-and-greet live reptile show will feature over 15 reptiles species from around the world! | East Forest Park | All Ages

East Forest Park Branch
Saturday, April 22 | 1:00-2:00 PM | All Ages

The Reptile Show of New England presents a look into the exotic lives of reptiles. This meet-and-greet live reptile show with professional herpetologist, Alex Hartley, will feature over 15 reptiles species from around the world, including: Iguanas, Boa constrictors, Pythons, and more.

Audiences will have an opportunity to touch and interact with these reptiles. Bring your camera for this free event open to everyone! This hands-on show is one you will always remember.

Wildlife On Wheels – April

Meet animal ambassadors from the Forest Park Zoo and learn how they live! | Children & Families

Meet animal ambassadors from the Forest Park Zoo and learn how they live!

Youth of all ages and their families are welcome.

Brightwood Branch – Community Room
Friday, April 7 | 10:00 AM – 11:15 AM | Children & Families

Central Library – Children’s Room
Wednesday, April 19 | 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM | Children & Families

East Springfield Branch
Wednesday, April 26 | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Children & Families

Bring Your Own Book Club: Graphic Novel Edition

Connect with other readers and get a chance to sing the praises of your favorite books! | East Springfield | Children

East Springfield Branch
Last Saturday of the Month | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Ages 8-12

For this program we’ll be discussing graphic novel of your choice! Instead of worrying about finding and reading the library-chosen book for each month’s discussion, no preparation is needed — just show up ready to talk about anything you’ve read recently (or even not so recently).

You’ll connect with other readers, walk away with recommendations and new ideas, and get a chance to sing the praises of your favorite books.

Tween Cooking Club

Come learn how to make fun, healthy meals, drinks, and snacks. | East Forest Park | Children

East Forest Park Branch
Tuesday, Feb 14. Thursdays: Mar 9 (canceled), Apr 13, May 11
4:00 – 5:00 pm | Ages 8-11

Are you a kid who wants to be more independent and find ways to cook for yourself? Come learn how to make fun, healthy meals, drinks, and snacks. For tweens ages 8-11. Pre-registration is required (note: classes with 0 or 1 registrants will be canceled the day before the class).

Register on our online calendar.

Toddler Sensory Playgroup

Join us for sensory play to help children learn independent play skills, life skills, fine motor skills, and developing self-control. | East Springfield | Children

East Springfield Branch
Every Other Tuesday: Feb 7, Feb 21, Mar 7, Mar 21
10:30-11:30 AM | Ages 2-4

Sensory activities are amazing. They are a quick and easy way for kids to learn so much while also working on: independent play skills, math skills (capacity), imaginary play / dramatic play, life skills (pouring, scooping, transferring), fine motor skills, tactile learning and developing self-control.

World Explorers

Learn about different cultures by enjoying some of their stories, music, food and art. | East Springfield | Children

East Springfield Branch
Last Wednesday of Each Month | 4:00-5:00 PM | Ages 7-13

Want to learn about different countries and cultures from around the world? Join World Explorers where together we will learn about different cultures by enjoying some of their stories, music, food and art.