Public libraries run children's activities and events such as storytelling, author visits, creative writing workshops, seasonal arts and crafts workshops, and sessions on a range of educational topics.
Here are some of the free children's events, activities and clubs taking place in our libraries in October – contact the libraries directly for more information or to book a place!
The Parenting Support Programme, in collaboration with Offaly Libraries, is back this year. A full programme of events can be found here.
Abbey Babbies Baby Book Club – every Friday morning at 10am. The club is currently full, but if you wish to register for the next group of session, call or email the library directly.
Junior Chess Club – the junior chess club runs every Saturday morning at 10am – join us in the library to test your logic skills and battle it out with other chess enthusiasts.
Music Workshop – as part of our Parenting Support Programme, join us in the library on Tues, 22nd Oct at 11:30am for a fun music and games sessions for children aged 0-3 years and their parents with Adriana Von Runic. Booking essential, call or email the library directly.
Witches Hat Craft – make a witches hat on Tues, 29th Oct at 2:30pm. Places are limited, booking essential. Call or email the library directly.
Halloween Craft Table – pop into the library on Weds, 30th Oct from 11am for the pop-up Halloween craft table, while stocks last!
Junior Book Clubs are back with a book club for all ages. Call 0578689382 or email mountmellicklibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Lego Free Play: On Saturday mornings in Mountmellick Library from 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. No need to book just drop in to meet and create together!
My First Little Library Bag: To celebrate your child starting BIG school in September, the Minister for Children has asked us to prepare a gift of a My Little Library Bag, for EVERY child starting school this Autumn. Call into Mountmellick Library or any local branch to receive yours today!
Sensory Toy Resource Collection – a service for parents of children with additional needs who live in Co. Laois. The toys are designed to support the development of gross motor skills, fine motor skills and communication skills. Take a look at the resource booklet here.
Sensory Room at Mountmellick Library – This service is for use by children and adults with additional needs along with their parent/carer. Following registration with a supply letter, the room can be booked for 30-minute slots. Contact the library for more details.
Junior Graphic Novel Book Club – the next meeting will take place on Thurs, 17th Oct at 4pm to chat about Mason Mooney: Doppelganger Detective by Seaerra Miller. Suitable for ages 9-12 years. New members welcome!
Ultimate Football Heroes Children’s Book Club – the next meeting takes place on Weds, 16th Oct at 4pm to chat about Foden: From the Playground to the Pitch from The Ultimate Football Heroes series of soccer books by Matt & Tom Oldfield. Contact the library for further details.
Search & Find – pop into the library during mid-term break from Tues, 29th Oct – Sat, 2nd Nov for a Little People, Big Dreams search & find in the library during opening hours.
Craft Table – take part in our Parent & Child craft table on Tues, 29th Oct from 2:30pm, while stocks last and decorate your own haunted house. Suitable for ages 4-12 years.
Halloween Party – dress up in your Halloween costume and come to our Room on the Broom party on Thurs, 31st Oct for a sensory storytime, craft and spooky treats. 2 sessions available from 10am-11am and 11:30am-12:30pm. Suitable for ages 3-8 years.
Magic Show – visit the library on Fri, 1st Nov at 10am for a special Magic Show with Brightness Entertainment. Suitable for ages 4+.
Family Boardgames – pop in on Fri, 1st Nov for a family ‘Boredgames’ session from 2:30pm-3:30pm. We provide the games, and you provide all the fun!
Scare Your Socks Off – enter our Spooky Story Competition, long or short, typed or handwritten, we don’t mind, it just has to scare us! Ages 7+. Closing date is Sat, 2nd Nov. Drop your entries into the library or email to mountrathlibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Parent, Baby & Toddler Play – an open play session for babies and toddlers takes place every Wednesday morning in the library from 10am-11:30am. Creative toys are placed in a circle on the floor to encourage children to socialise under the supervision of parents/guardians. Tea/coffee available. Call or email the library for more information.
Spooky Craft Table – pop into the library on Thurs, 31st Oct from 11am for a spooky craft table – while stocks last!
Spooky Storytime – join us for a family storytime to get you in the Halloween mood on Thurs, 31st Oct at 3pm.
Lego Freeplay – call into the library every Saturday at 10:30am for our Lego freeplay sessions! Children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
Baby Book Club – the Baby Book Club meets every Wednesday morning at 10:30am. Places are limited, so call or email the library for more details.
Junior Book Club – takes place on the last Wednesday of the month, suitable for ages 9-12 years. Places are limited, so call or email the library for more details.
Sensory Toy Resource Collection – a service for parents of children with additional needs who live in Co. Laois. The toys are designed to support the development of gross motor skills, fine motor skills and communication skills. Take a look at the resource booklet here
Family Fake-Away Session – as part of our Parenting Support Programme, join us in the library on Thurs, 31st Oct at 11:30am. Yvonne loves holding Children’s cookery camps to encourage fun in the kitchen and an understanding of the importance of eating well. Yvonne is passionate about healthy family cooking on a budget, her sessions will teach you step by step how to create healthier, cheaper versions of your favourite take away meals. Registration required: https://tinyurl.com/7ckf5a9v
Tales & Adventures Storytime – a weekly children’s storytime takes place every Wednesday at 4:00pm. Suitable for ages 3-8 years. No booking needed!
Lego Freeplay – children’s Lego freeplay sessions take place every Saturday from 11:00am-1:00pm (except Bank Holiday weekends). All welcome!
Baby Book Club –Fortnightly, Thursday 10th Oct at 10:30am. The baby book club uses songs, stories, books, and rhymes to build a foundation to literacy in your baby and toddler through sound awareness for ages 0-3 years. All are welcome.
Radioactive Readers Book Club 7-9 years -Tuesday, 29th Oct at 4:00pm. Join us at the library for a new interactive book club where you will discuss a different book and followed by a craft. Recommended age 7-9 years, booking advised.
Tweens Book Club 10-12 years -Thursday, 31st Oct at 4:00pm. Join us at the library for a new tweens club where you will get the chance to discuss books and books you would like to read. Recommended age 10-12 years, booking advised.
Young Adult Book Club – Do you like the idea of a young adult book club? A book club is a great way of discussing books and different genre’s and to share your passion for books and reading. Recommended age 13-16 years, booking advised.
Sensory Toy Resource Collection – A service for parents of children with additional needs who live in Co. Laois. The toys are designed to support the development of gross motor skills, fine motor skills and communication skills. Take a look at the resource booklet here.
Children's Chess Club - meets every Thursday evening from 7pm to 8pm.
Sensory Toy Resource Collection – a service for parents of children with additional needs who live in Co. Laois. The toys are designed to support the development of gross motor skills, fine motor skills and communication skills. Take a look at the resource booklet here.
Lego for Kids – pop into the library on Sat, 5th Oct and Sat, 19th Oct at 11am for Super Saturday Lego Club!
After-School Book Club – meeting on Weds, 9th Oct at 3:30pm. Suitable for ages 9-12 years. Call or email the library for more details.
Sensory Story – as part of Children’s Book Fest, visit the library on Weds, 23rd Oct at 11:30am for a special “Popper Monster Sensory Story”.