Early Learning Program Schedule
Summer program registration starts June 12. Register through our calendar. Scroll to explore our full slate of weekly program series for children ages 0-5 years old and their caregivers. Weekly programs are listed first, followed by one-time events.
Summer Reading Challenge
A great way to encourage an early love of literacy and learning in children is lots and lots of summer reading! To help families make reading a weekly habit, our summer reading challenge provides structure and rewards for time spent reading together or individually. Kids can earn small prizes weekly, like Play-Doh, books to keep, and pop-its, as they fill in their summer reading trackers with stickers. Plus, if we reach our community goal of 50,000 minutes read, we'll earn an ice cream party with tacos and cones and our community prize, a Nintendo Switch that can be borrowed from the library. Track online or stop in the library to get a paper reading tracker!
Program runs June 26 - August 23
Baby Bounce and Groove
Tuesdays 10:00-10:45 AM
OR
Thursdays 11:00-11:45 AM
Library Annex
Age range: Birth - 18 mo. and a caregiver
Program cycle runs seven weeks, July 8 - August 23. Walk-ins welcome, but advanced registration is preferred. Register week by week on our calendar.
Early literacy is an important part of a baby’s healthy development. We read, sing, babble, and bounce together. Learn resources to use at home and meet other caregivers. Ends with social play.
Toddlers in Training
Tuesdays 11:00-11:45 AM
OR
Thursdays 10:00-10:45 AM
Library Annex
Age range: 18-36 months & a caregiver
Interactive story time featuring puppets, instruments, and elements of music & movement. Program ends with play.
This program run seven weeks, July 8 - August 23. Drop ins welcome, but advanced registration is preferred. Register week by week on our calendar.
Family Hour: Playdoh Club
Wednesdays, 10:30 - 11:30 AM
Library Annex
Age range: Ages 2-5 years and a caregiver
Welcome to family hour! During this hour long program, we will read a story and sing 1-2 songs. Then, join in for themed play-doh play with tools like cookie cutters, toddler scissors, and rolling pins. Play-doh is awesome for developing early skills kids need for school, like fine motor skills and finger strength.
Caregivers welcome but not required to participate. However, caregivers must stay in the room with children under 3 years old and on the library grounds for all other ages for the entirety of the program.
This is a six week program, July 8 - August 16. Registration preferred, though drop-ins welcome. Register week by week on our calendar.
Read and Play
Tuesdays, 2:00 – 3:00 PM
Library Annex
Age range: Ages 3 - 5 years
Our small group Kindergarten readiness program, focused on early literacy and math skills through a combination of hands-on activities and group story time. We'll also work on following directions and practicing classroom behaviors. Caregivers welcome, though not required to participate. Caregivers must remain on library grounds.
Registration is highly suggested, though drop-ins are welcome. This is a seven week program, July 8 - August 23. You can register week by week on our calendar.
Bilingual Storytime / Hora del Cuento Bilingüe
El final martes de cada mes (07/30 & 08/27)
6:00 – 7:00 PM
Con Julieta y Neena
Para Nacimiento – 6 años y cuidadora
Una hora de cuentos, música y juegos para familias en inglés y español. ¡Evento gratis! Se les pide a los padres y cuidadores que se unan a la diversión.
Se prefiere el registro, pero los walk-ins son bienvenidos a unirse a nosotras.
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Final Tuesday of each month: (07/30 & 08/27)
6:00 – 7:00 PM
With Neena and Julieta
For ages birth – 6 years and a caregiver
An hour of stories, music, and games for families in both English and Spanish. Free! Parents and caregivers are asked to join in the fun by singing and playing with us.
Registration preferred, but drop-ins welcome to join us.
Unicorn Day!
Library Annex and Main Lawn
Ages: 2-6 and a caregiver
Stuffed Animal Sleepover!
Sleepover Celebration:
Friday, July 19
5:30 - 6:15 PM
Main Library
Ages: All and a caregiver, best for ages 3-8 years old
Stuffed Animal Pick-up: Saturday, 07/20, anytime after 10:00 AM
It's time for a library sleepover! Kids, their stuffed animal friends, and caregivers are invited to our special evening sleepover celebration, featuring bedtime stories, songs, and games. Wear your pajamas and bring a stuffed animal or toy from home you feel comfortable leaving overnight, as the real silliness begins once kids tuck their toys into bed and head home. On Saturday morning, kids return to pick up their toys and a personalized photo book, showing all the amazing things that happened during the stuffed animals' party at the library, as photographed by our teen volunteers.
Don't feel comfortable leaving your stuffy at the library? You can still join in for the fun at the Friday storytime. And while we encourage kids to bring their own stuffy, we will also have borrowing stuffed animals on hand for anyone who needs one. Registration required.
Family Field Trip: Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum
9:45 AM - 11:30 AM
OFF SITE Location:
75 North Water Street
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601This summer, the library wants to make taking trips with your kids as easy and fun as possible! For this Family Field Trip, we'll visit the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum in Poughkeepsie. The MHDM is a children's museum with exhibits for ages 0-9 years old, including the recently renovated second floor, featuring the Science, Revealed! exhibit. Participants in our group will also be invited to participate in a special program called "Bubbles!" all about sensory exploration and observational science.
Registration is required. Please register ALL participants in your family (youth and adults) who will attend individually. Priority registration will be given to Pawling and Holmes residents, starting June 12. Registration for non-resident patrons, if space remains available, will start on June 26. Registration in the event includes all entrance fees and program fees for the special field trip activities, as well as a small snack provided to each participant. Transportation is not provided.
Tumble Bus Play!
Ages: 2-5 years old
End of Summer Party with Tacos and Cones
Library Annex and Main Library
Ages: Families and all ages
All summer reading challenge participants are invited to join us to celebrate all the readers in our community. In addition to ice cream from our friends at Tacos and Cones, we'll have games, crafts, and other activities for all ages to enjoy. The computers will be available for after-hours play and our Nintendo Switch will be on and ready for Mario Kart action.
Our final raffle for summer reading prizes will also be held at this event. Winners do not need to be present to win. Don't miss the crowning of a new Mayor of Ice Cream Town, the award for the youth in our community who logs the most time spent reading in summer 2024, and gets first dibs on ice cream at the party.
Registration preferred, though not required. This program is for those who have participated in summer reading and their families.
