Here are some of the free children's events, activities and clubs taking place in our libraries in December – contact the libraries directly for more information or to book a place!
- Abbeyleix Library
- Durrow Library
- Mountmellick Library
- Mountrath Library
- Portarlington Library
- Portlaoise Library
- Rathdowney Library
- Stradbally Library
Abbeyleix Library – Call 057 8730020 or email abbeyleixlibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Punch & Judy Show - a Punch & Judy show with special guest Santa Claus will take place on Thurs, 5th Dec at 6pm, for children and parents. Spaces are limited so booking is essential. Contact the library directly to book a place.
Christmas Cookery Demo - visit the library on Sat, 14th Dec at 12noon for a special Christmas Cookery Demonstration. Children will be shown how to make gingerbread men and decorate their own biscuits to take home and enjoy! Suitable for ages 6+. Place are limited - contact the library to book a spot.
Christmas Crafts - a parent and child craft table will be available on Fri, 20th Dec from 3pm-5pm. Children can make their own Christmas decorations and take home. While stocks last!
Abbey Babbies Baby Book Club – every Friday morning at 10:30am. The club is currently full, but if you wish to register for the next group of sessions, 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.
Durrow Library – Call 057 8736090 or email durrowlibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Christmas Craft - as part of Family Time at the Library, visit on Tues, 17th Dec at 3:15pm and create a beautiful Christmas snowflake. Suitable for ages 8+. Call or email the library to book a place.
Junior Book Club - next meeting taking place on Weds, 18th Dec at 3:10pm. Suitable for ages 9-11 years. Call or email the library for more details.
Lego Freeplay - pop into the library on Weds, 11th Dec for a Lego freeplay session from 2pm-4pm.
Mountmellick Library – Call 057 8689382 or email mountmellicklibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Stories & Songs - join storyteller Helena Byrne and Santa Clause for a fun-filled show on Sat, 7th Dec at 12:15pm. Enjoy interactive Christmas stories, games and songs. Booking essential - call or email the library directly.
Christmas Craft Table - a parent/child craft table will be available in the library on Sat, 14th Dec at 11am, while stocks last!
Christmas Movie - a special screening of a festive Christmas movie will take place on Sat, 21st Dec at 11am. Christmas jumpers/PJs are always welcome!
Junior Book Clubs are running with a book club for all ages. Call 0578689382 or email mountmellicklibrary@laoiscoco.ie
- Baby Book Club takes place on Thursday mornings at 10.30am. Meeting on 5th and 12th Dec.
- 4-6yrs meeting Tues, 10th Dec at 3.30pm (2nd Tuesday of the month)
- 7-9yrs meeting on Tues, 3rd Dec at 3.30 p.m.(1st Tues of the month)
- 10-12yrs on Tues, 3rd Dec at 4.00 p.m. (1st Tues of the month)
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!
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.
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.
Mountrath Library – Call 057 8756378 or email mountrathlibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Search & Find Activity - Paddington is lost! Can you help him find his way to the North Pole? Search and collect all the stamps missing from his passport. Available in the library from Tues, 3rd Dec - Sat, 7th Dec.
Family Boardgames - join us for family boardgames on Weds, 4th Dec at 3:30pm. Booking essential. Call or email the library directly.
Puppet Show - a special Christmas themed puppet show with Niall from Really Grand Events will take place on Thurs, 5th Dec at 4pm. Suitable for ages 4-7 years. Booking essential. Call or email the library directly.
Story and Craft - visit the library on Thurs, 12th Dec at 5:30pm for a special Paddington bedtime story and a snow globe craft. Dress up in your favourite Christmas jumper! Suitable for ages 3-10 years. Booking essential. Call or email the library directly.
Junior Graphic Novel Book Club – the next meeting will take place on Thurs, 12th Dec at 4pm to chat about Keeper of the Lost Cities Vol. 1 by Shannon Messenger. Suitable for ages 9-12 years. New members welcome!
Ultimate Football Heroes Children’s Book Club – the next meeting takes place on Weds, 11th Dec at 4pm to chat about Ramos: 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.
STEM Play - takes place every Tuesday at 3:30pm. Discover science, technology, engineering and maths through the weekly STEM play hour. Suitable for ages 5+. Booking essential. Call or email the library directly for more information.
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.
Portarlington Library – Call 057 8643751 or email portarlingtonlibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Craft Table - as part of Family Time at Your Library, pop in on Fri, 6th Dec from 3pm for a parent/child craft table. While stocks last!
Stories & Songs - join storyteller Helena Byrne and Santa Clause for a fun-filled show on Sat, 7th Dec at 10am. Enjoy interactive Christmas stories, games and songs. This event is fully booked, but call or email the library to be placed on the cancellation list.
Stay & Play - with the National Action Plan for Childminding on Tues, 10th Dec at 3:30pm. There'll be an action-packed afternoon with lots of activities for little ones! Suitable for ages 2-8 years. For more info and to book, call Darina on 085 1703772.
Cookie Decorating - have some fun decorating Christmas cookies on Weds, 11th Dec! Slots are available frpm 5pm - 6:30pm. Booking essential - call or email the library directly.
Ho Ho Ho Family Storytime - enjoy a festive story time brought to you by our library staff on Fri, 13th Dec at 3pm and on Fri, 20th Dec at 3pm. No booking required.
Family Time Quiz Sheet - pick up a quiz sheet throughout December at the library desk. Finish it together and be entered into a prize draw.
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.
Portlaoise Library – Call 05786 22333 or email portlaoiselibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Stories & Songs - join storyteller Helena Byrne and Santa Clause for a fun-filled show on Sat, 7th Dec at 2:30pm. Enjoy interactive Christmas stories, games and songs. Register here.
Christmas Storytime - visit the library on Sat, 14th Dec at 12:30pm for a festive Christmas Storytime! Enjoy a selection of joyful Christmas stories, and then get creative with some Christmas-themed colouring. Don't forget to wear you Christmas jumper for extra festive fun! Suitable for ages 3-8 years. Register here.
Christmas Movie - join us for a special screening of the holiday classic Elf on Thurs, 19th Dec at 4:30pm in the library. Register here.
Christmas Poetry Competition - write a festive poem about Santa, his reindeer, or the magic of Christmas - it's up to you! Suitable for ages 8-12 years. Send your entries to portlaoiselibrary@laoiscoco.ie by Mon, 16th December for a chance to share your holiday creativity.
Christmas Drawing Competition - children aged 6-9 years are invited to create a Christmas-themed drawing on an A4 page. Use colouring pencils or pastels and drop your artwork into Portlaoise Library or email a scanned copy to portlaoiselibrary@laoiscoco.ie. Closing date: Mon, 16th Dec.
Christmas Colouring Competition - calling all children aged 3-5 years! Get creative this Christmas with our colouring competition. Pick up a colouring template from Portlaoise Library or download here:
Submit your entry by Mon, 16th Dec to Portlaoise Library or scan a copy to portlaoiselibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Pokemon Hour - join us in the library on Sat, 7th Dec for Pokemon Hour. All who share an interest in Pokemon and its memorabilia are welcome. Suitable for ages 6+. Register here.
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 5th Dec 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, 26th Nov 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, 28th Nov 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 - Thursday, 27th Nov at 4:30pm 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.
Rathdowney Library – Call 0505 46852 or email rathdowneylibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Family Christmas Craft Table - available in the library every Wednesday in December. Come in an make some lovely Christmas crafts with your family.
Children's Chess Club - meets every Thursday evening from 7pm to 8pm.
Lego Freeplay - available in the library during opening hours.
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.
Stradbally Library – Call 057 8641673 or email stradballylibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Christmas Scavenger Hunt - visit the library in December to take part in the Christmas scavenger hunt for the festive season and find the secret message to win a prize!
Christmas Craft Table - a special Christmas craft table will be available for all the family on Thurs, 19th Dec from 3pm, while stocks last!
Lego for Kids – pop into the library on Saturdays at 11am for Super Saturday Lego Club!