Category: Programs – Children

February Crafts and Take & Makes for Kids

Crafts and take-and-make activities at the library in February! | Children and Families

ChinesE New Year Dragon

January 31 – February 5

Come pick up a kit to make a Dragon just in time for Chinese New Year.

At the following library locations: East Springfield Branch, Mason Square Branch

Valentines for Vets

January 24 – February 7

Create a special Valentine for veterans to be delivered to the Holyoke Soldiers Home. Send in completed cards by February 7 so we can deliver your homemade creation in time for the holiday.

At the following library locations: All library locations

Valentine Card Workshop

February 7-12

Create a Valentine card for that special someone. Pick up supplies during our open hours and make at home!

At the following library location: Brightwood Branch, East Forest Park Branch, East Springfield Branch, Forest Park Branch, Mason Square Branch

Cookies and Cocoa 2 Go

February 7-12

Stop by curbside for Cookies and Cocoa to go! Each package contains enough to share with a friend. During open hours while supplies last.

At the following library location: East Forest Park Branch, East Springfield Branch, Forest Park Branch, Indian Orchard Branch, Mason Square Branch

It’s Snowman Week!

February 22-25

It is Snowman Week! Come join us for a flurry of snowman-making fun. During open hours. Come pick up the supplies and make at home!

At the following library location: Brightwood Branch, East Springfield Branch

January Crafts and Take & Makes

Crafts and activities at the library in January! | Children and Families

MLK Dream Quilt

January 3-31

Martin Luther King had a dream. What’s your dream? Design a paper quilt square to be fashioned into a Dream Quilt to be displayed throughout Black History Month. All ages. Open hours. Pick up supplies and make at home!

At the following library location: East Springfield Branch, Forest Park Branch, Mason Square Branch

Dream Mobile

January 18-22

Martin Luther King Jr had a dream. Create a dream mobile and write your own dreams on it. For ages 4-13. Pick up supplies and make at home!

At the following library location:  Mason Square Branch

Valentines for Vets

January 24 – February 7

Create a special Valentine for veterans to be delivered to the Holyoke Soldiers Home. Send in completed cards by February 7 so we can deliver your homemade creation in time for the holiday.

At the following library locations: All library locations

ChinesE New Year Dragon

January 31 – February 5

Come pick up a kit to make a Dragon just in time for Chinese New Year.

At the following library locations: East Springfield Branch, Mason Square Branch

Art Explorers Classes

Artists will explore different materials and styles, learn some art history, and have fun! No art experience required. | Children

Central Library
Mondays, January 24, 31 (canceled), February 7, 14, 28 (canceled), March 7, 14, 21
5-6 pm | Ages 8-14

Get messy and make some art! Artists will explore different materials and styles, learn some art history, and most importantly get their hands dirty and have fun! For art lovers 8-14, no art experience required.

Registration is required, but participants are welcome to sign up for as many or as few sessions as desired.

Click the link to see our calendar to register for sessions.

Winter Reading Challenge

This online-only challenge will have you reading during the coldest months of the year! | All Ages

All Library Locations
January 3 – February 18

Cozy up with some good books this winter and meet the challenge! Read for just 20 minutes a day to earn a reading badge. Earn 30 badges between January 3 and February 18, and get a reward! This fun challenge will be offered online only using Beanstack.

Visit springfieldlibrary.beanstack.org to track your reads digitally.

Beat the winter blues by treating yourself to a terrific title from the Springfield City Library! All ages. For more information contact your local library or call (413) 263-6828 ext. 293.

1000 Books Before Kindergarten

Read just one book a day to build a foundation for lifelong success. Prizes awarded for every 100 books! | Children

All Library Locations
Starts January 2022

All it takes is sharing one book a day with your child to build a foundation for lifelong success. Start your child’s book journey today! The goal is to have read 1,000 books before your precious one starts kindergarten.

If you read just 1 book a day, you will have read about 365 books in a year. That is 730 books in two years and 1,095 books in three years. If you consider that most children start kindergarten at around 5 years of age, you have more time than you think. So, let’s get started!

How to Participate

Read with your child. Studies have shown that reading with your child provides a great opportunity for bonding. Reading together is fun and will create life-long memories for the both of you.

Keep track of the number of books you read with your child. Ask your librarian for a paper log to start on your reading journey.

You may choose instead to log your books online using Beanstack. Visit our Beanstack website or download the app to log your books digitally. You can view Beanstack instructions here or ask a librarian on how to use it.

After each 100 books you read, visit your local Springfield City Library branch to collect your free book prize. After 1000 books, come in and get a tote bag!

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can participate in this program?
– Any child from birth until they enter kindergarten.

How long does the program take?
– The program will take anywhere from a few months to a few years. The program is self-paced and will depend on how often you read together.

Can we repeat books?
– Yes!

How many of my children can participate?
– All of them (provided they have not started kindergarten). Make it even more fun and read as a family!

Circle Time Fun

Join us for songs, rhymes and a story or two at Circle Time Fun. | Children

This program is canceled for January & February.

Sixteen Acres Branch
Thursdays | 10:30-11:00 AM | Ages 0-5

Join us for songs, rhymes and a story or two!

“Circle Time” is not only a fun experience for your child but also a great way to be ready for preschool and kindergarten.

Be sure to browse our extensive collection of children’s books and multimedia before or after the program!

We’ll stay safe by meeting outdoors when weather permits and by encouraging social distancing when indoors.

Ages 0-5, older siblings welcome.

No registration required – just come in!

Taste Test Tuesdays

Come sample new snacks every Tuesday at the Forest Park library! | Children and Teens

This program is canceled for January. February’s program will provide take-home bags!

Forest Park Branch
Tuesdays | 4-5 PM | Children and Teens

Come sample new snacks every Tuesday at the Forest Park library! We’ll supply anything from international to limited edition or seasonal snacks – open to your suggestions. Ages 5-18.

Lunch Bunch Cooking Classes

Join us for cooking classes for tweens and for parents to learn to make easy healthy lunches! | Children and Adults

Lunch Bunch – Tween Edition

Sixteen Acres Branch
1st Saturday every month
Nov 6, Dec 4, Jan 8 (postponed), Feb 5 (postponed), Mar 5, Apr 2, May 7, Jun 4, Jul 2, Aug 6, Sep 3
11:30 am – 12:30 pm | Ages 8-12

Are you a kid who wants to be more independent and find ways to cook for yourself? Join us to learn how to make fun, healthy lunches. For tweens ages 8-12. Classes limited to 10 participants and pre-registration is required.

Register on our online calendar.

Lunch Bunch – Parents

Sixteen Acres Branch
One Saturday every month
Nov 20, Dec 18 (postponed), Jan 15 (postponed), Feb 19 (postponed), Mar 19, Apr 16, May 21, Jun 18, Jul 16, Aug 20, Sep 17
11:30 am – 12:30 pm | Ages 18+

Are you stuck in a rut when it comes to making healthy, easy lunches for your children? Parents, join us to learn some fun ways to make healthy lunches. For parents ages 18+. Classes limited to 10 participants and pre-registration is required.

These programs are funded by a grant from LSTA.

Home City Families: Playgroup

Parents and their children are invited to join us for stories, songs, and activities! | Children

This program is canceled for January & February.

East Forest Park Branch
Fridays | 1:30-2:30 PM | Ages 1-5 – Starts October 1!

Sixteen Acres Branch
Tuesdays | 1:30-2:30 PM | Ages 1-5 – Starts December 7!

Parents and their children are invited to join us for stories, songs, and activities!

This playgroup is a great opportunity to meet other parents and give your child the opportunity to socialize with other children their age.

No registration required – just come in!