Story time can be one of the best ways for a new mom to try getting out of the house for a children’s activity or to fill a rainy day. In addition to reading a book, story time will usually include songs, playtime and sometimes a craft. Plus you may also find that the moms, caregivers and kids hang out afterward for some much needed social time!
There is a vibrant network of libraries on the North Shore and most of them host a weekly story time. Check out our list below for Fall 2019 story times, organized by day of the week, and as always, if you have any additional suggestions please feel free to email them to us at [email protected].
(Story times are often not held on holidays, so be sure to click the link to the library’s calendar before visiting.)
Mondays
First Friends Story Time
10:15 – 11 am
Hamilton-Wenham Public Library
Children ages 0 to 5 years old and their parent/caregivers are invited play, move, explore instruments, sing, read, and have fun with Paige Menchini of Early Childhood Partners.
Monday Morning Story Time
10:30 am
Barnes & Noble Peabody
Held in the Children’s Department every Monday morning. Includes coloring and activities after the story. Fun for all ages!
Tuesdays
Mother Goose on the Loose Lapsit
9 – 9:30 am
Ipswich Public Library
New early literacy offering designed especially for caregivers with infants through pre-walkers. An interactive program of songs, stories and finger-plays for caregivers and babies to enjoy together.
Mother Goose on the Loose
10 – 10:30 am
Ipswich Public Library
New early literacy offering designed especially for caregivers with infants through 2 year olds. An interactive program of songs, stories and finger-plays for caregivers and babies to enjoy together.
Books & Babies
9:30 – 10 am
Beverly Public Library
Read simple board books and do rhymes and bounces, tickles and hugs. Best for babies ages 0 to 18 months.
Baby Story Hour
10 – 10:45 am
Peabody Institute Library, (Alternates locations weekly between the Main Branch and South Branch.)
Includes stories, bounces, tickles, rhymes and songs in this lapsit program designed for babies ages 0 to 18 months.
Story Hour
10 – 11 am
Peabody Institute Library, Danvers
All ages welcome for sharing stories and a craft each week.
Yoga Story Time
10 – 11 am
T.O.H.P. Burnham Library, Essex
Join Christine for this free fun music and movement story time designed for children ages 2 to 5 years old with parent/caregiver.
Toddler Story Time
10 – 10:45 am
Peabody Institute Library, (Alternates locations weekly between the Main Branch and South Branch.)
Includes stories, rhymes and songs in this program designed for toddlers ages 18 months to 3 years old.
Toddler Story Time
10:30 – 11 am
Beverly Public Library
Best for ages 18 months to 3 years old. Children and their caregivers listen to three or four stories and participate in circle games, singing songs and learning finger plays led by a cheerful and experienced librarian.
Story Time
10:30 – 11:30 am (begins mid-October)
Topsfield Public Library
Tiny Bookworms
11 am
Boxford Town Library
A toddler storytime for kids under age 3, featuring books and songs with Cheryl Mallory. Advance registration required.
Toddler Story Time
11:15 – 11:45 am
Beverly Public Library
Best for ages 18 months to 3 years old. Children and their caregivers listen to three or four stories and participate in circle games, singing songs and learning finger plays led by a cheerful and experienced librarian.
Books & Babies
12:30 – 1 pm
Beverly Public Library
Read simple board books and do rhymes and bounces, tickles and hugs. Best for babies ages 0 to 18 months.
Storytime
1:30 pm
Boxford Town Library
Storytime for kids ages 3 to 5 years old – come for great books, puppets, and crafts! Advance registration required.
What’s the Big Idea?: Math & Science Story Time
3:30 – 4 pm
Beverly Public Library
Based on the What’s the Big Idea? program by the Vermont Center for the Book; this story time incorporates math and science into a story time and activity. For children ages 4 to 6 years old.
Wednesdays
Wee Ones Story Hour
9 – 9:30 am (begins in October)
T.O.H.P. Burnham Library, Essex
Join April, the Children’s Librarian, for songs, rhymes, stories and creative play. Best for ages 0 to 2 years old.
Toddler Story Time
9:15 – 9:45 am
Beverly Public Library
Best for ages 18 months to 3 years old. Children and their caregivers listen to three or four stories and participate in circle games, singing songs and learning finger plays led by a cheerful and experienced librarian.
Story Time
10 – 10:45 am
Ipswich Public Library
This program lasts about 30 minutes. Adults interact with the child in their care while listening to stories, participating in large motor skill activities and crafts together. Participants are invited to stay and play/chat afterwards. Best for ages 2 to 4 years old.
Story Hour
10 – 11 am
Peabody Institute Library, Danvers
All ages welcome for sharing stories and a craft each week.
Preschool Story Hour
10 – 11 am
T.O.H.P. Burham Library, Essex
Join the Children’s Librarian for songs, rhymes, stories and a craft. Best for ages 3, 4 and 5 years old with a caregiver.
Toddler Time
10:30 – 11 am
Flint Public Library, Middleton
Enjoy stories, rhymes, songs, and a craft with Miss Jessica, the Children’s Librarian. Best for ages 3 and under.
Babies Books & More
10:30 – 11 am
Manchester-by-the-Sea Public Library
Children ages 0 to 3 years old and their caregivers are invited to this story time with a circle of music, movement and simple stories.
Preschool Stories & Craft
10:30 – 11:30 am
Peabody Institute Library, Main Branch
Join Ms. Patty for stories and crafts every Wednesday! This popular story time for kids ages 3 to 5 years old and their caregivers continues to offer interactive fun with stories, rhymes and other early literacy activities plus a craft that’s just right for preschool-aged children to complete.
Preschool Story Time
10:45 – 11:15 am
Beverly Public Library
Preschool Story Times consist of three or four stories, songs, stretches, and fingerplays, followed by a simple craft. Children are able to attend on their own, but caregivers are always welcome. Ages 3+.
Toddler Story Time
11 – 11:30 am (begins in October)
Beverly Public Library – Farms Branch
Best for ages 2 to 3.5 years old. Songs and rhymes and silliness!
Story Hour & Craft
12:30 – 1:15 pm
Flint Public Library, Middleton
Best for ages 3 to 5 years old. Join Children’s Librarian Miss Jessica and friends for stories and a craft project.
Storytime
1:30 pm
Boxford Town Library
Storytime for kids ages 3 to 5 years old – come for great books, puppets, and crafts! Advance registration required.
Thursdays
Sensory Story Time
9:30 – 10:15 am
Peabody Institute Library, Main Branch
This is a story time with visual supports and sensory activities for children ages 18 month to 5 years old with autism spectrum disorders, sensory integration issues, other developmental disabilities AND their typically developing peers. Includes gentle stories and songs and activities in an open, nurturing environment with experts from Northeast Arc. If your child has difficulty sitting through one of our other story times, this program may be just right! Free and open to the public but space is limited and registration is required.
Sensory Story Time
10 – 10:30 am
Beverly Public Library
Sensory Story Time is a small group story time ideal for preschool children on the autism spectrum, children with sensory integration or attention challenges as well as their typically developing peers. Join us for an interactive program of stories, songs, movement and sensory exploration. This inclusive story time welcomes children of all abilities along with their caregivers and siblings. Children are welcome to bring a comfort or transitional item with them. There will be time for children to enjoy free play and for caregivers to socialize after sensory story time. Pre-registration required as spots are limited.
Transitional Story Time
10 – 10:30 am
Ipswich Public Library
This weekly story time is a lovely bridge between Ipswich Library’s Mother Goose on the Loose and traditional Story Time. For children ages 2 to 3 and their caregivers, this story time continues the rhymes and fingerplays of Mother Goose on the Loose, while introducing slightly richer picture books and a simple craft.
Toddler Time
10:30 – 11 am
Flint Public Library, Middleton
Enjoy stories, rhymes, songs, and a craft with Miss Jessica, the Children’s Librarian. Best for ages 3 and under.
Sensory Story Time
10:30 – 11:30 am
Peabody Institute Library, Main Branch
This is a story time with visual supports and sensory activities for children ages 18 month to 5 years old with autism spectrum disorders, sensory integration issues, other developmental disabilities AND their typically developing peers. Includes gentle stories and songs and activities in an open, nurturing environment with experts from Northeast Arc. If your child has difficulty sitting through one of our other story times, this program may be just right! Free and open to the public but space is limited and registration is required.
Preschool Story Time
11 – 11:45 am
Beverly Public Library – Farms Branch (begins in October)
Best for ages 3.5 to 6 years old, with or without caregiver. Songs and rhymes and silliness!
Preschool Story Time
1:15 – 2 pm
Beverly Public Library
Preschool Story Times consist of three or four stories, songs, stretches, and fingerplays, followed by a simple craft. Children are able to attend on their own, but caregivers are always welcome. Ages 3+.
Wendy’s Story Art
3:15 – 4 pm
T.O.H.P. Burnham Library, Essex
Wendy will read a story and lead your child in an art based craft. Best for ages 0 to 5 years old with a parent or caregiver.
Fridays
Mother Goose on the Loose
10 – 10:30 am
Ipswich Public Library
New early literacy offering designed especially for caregivers with infants through 2 year olds. An interactive program of songs, stories and finger-plays for caregivers and babies to enjoy together.
Science Fridays Story Time
2 – 3 pm
Hamilton-Wenham Public Library
Join Melanie Ward for STEM-/STEAM-based fun! Parents/Caregivers of children ages 0 to 5 years old will enjoy stories, sing songs, explore science, technology, engineering, art and math ideas.
Weekends & Other
* Follow Storytime with Cheryl for more local story hours at places like Whole Foods in Lynnfield.
* Beverly Public Library offers a Baby & Toddler Saturday Story Time and a Preschool Saturday Story Time once a month. Check here for dates and times.
* Barnes & Noble in Peabody offers themed Story Time and Activities on most Saturdays at 11 am and Baby & Me Story Time on most Sundays at 11 am. View their full calendar here.