Wallingford Public Library Children's Programs - October 2023

Check out the fun programs we have for you this October!

Registration is required unless otherwise noted. Registration opens 4 weeks prior to the program date. Click on registration links for more details.

Homeschool Tour & Meetup

Tuesday, October 3rd | 10:30am | ages 5-11 | Children's Room | Registration encouraged

 Join Miss Kari for a tour of the children's room and learn about helpful resources available through the library. After the tour, stick around to meet and talk with other area homeschooling families. The resources outlined during this program will be geared to kids ages 5-11, but all homeschooling families are welcome.

Book Snacks

Thursday, October 5th | 6:30pm | Grades K-2 | Children's Program Room

Let's combine two awesome things: books and food. We'll make a snack, then read a book together.

Reading Buddies

Friday, October 13th | 6:30pm | Grades K-2 | Children's Room | Registration encouraged

Spend a Friday evening reading with a high school buddy! Choate volunteers will join us to do some group read-alouds, small group reading practice, and other fun activities. 

This program is offered in conjunction with Choate Rosemary Hall and the Wallingford Rotary Interact Club.

Gaming Club

Saturday, October 14th | 10am- 12pm | All ages | Wonder Room | Registration encouraged

There are a ton of games to play at gaming club! Come play chess, D&D, Mario Kart, board games from the library, or even share your favorite game from home!

Pokémon Club

Saturday, October 14th  | 2-4pm | All ages | Wonder Room | Registration encouraged

Come hang out and play/talk Pokémon with Mr. Josh! Whether you're a new trainer who wants to learn to play, or you're a champion looking for a challenge, there is fun to be had at the Pokémon club.

Create and Take Club: Halloween Luminaries

Monday, October 16th| 5:30pm | Grades K-2 | Children's Program Room

Don't let these Halloween luminaries scare you! Decorate your luminary with the Halloween character of your choice and with the addition of a tea light, watch as it comes to life (well.. light!)

Leaf Man Collage Story Time

Tuesday, October 17th | 4:30pm | Grades K-3 | Children's Program Room

Come learn about fall leaves and build a leaf man collage with the Wallingford Garden Club! We will read stories, sing songs, and create a collage out of leaves.

Story Walk with Mrs. Stowe

Tuesday, October 17th | 9:30am OR 1:30pm | Ages 3-5 | Marcus Cooke Park 

Take a walk in nature and listen to a story! Join retired kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Stowe, to find hidden pages from a book along a trail through the woods and learn about nature along the way! Meet under the pavilion at Marcus Cooke Park in Wallingford.

Wonderful World of Bats

Thursday, October 19th  | 2:30pm | Grades K-5 | Children's Program Room

Early release day fun! Visit the exotic world of bats! Children will learn how vital bats are for maintaining a healthy environment (did you know that a little brown bat eats up to 1,000 mosquitoes in one night?) Via interactive dialogue and slides, move beyond old stereotypes and come to an understanding of the importance of bats for everyone. Then, create a special bat t-shirt to take home!  

If possible, please bring a plain white t-shirt for your child. If that's not possible, the library will provide a shirt. 

Trading Card Battle Club

Tuesday, October 24th  | 4-7pm | Grades 4-8 | Children's Room | Registration encouraged

Calling all trading card sharks! If you have the urge to battle, come bring your Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh, and Magic the Gathering cards down to the library to test your skills and compete for prizes. Premade decks can be provided by the library, but bringing your own is encouraged.

Craft Lab: Spin a Spider's Web

Thursday, October 26th | 6:30pm | Grades 3-5 | Wonder Room 

Make some spooky decor for your room. We'll create a spider and web using yarn and an embroidery hoop.

Registration opens at 9am weekly on the Sunday prior to the program. Please remember, you may only register your child for one program and/or time slot. Please ask us if you need help deciding which program is the best fit for your child. Click here to register.

Bouncing Babies

Ages 0-18 months | 10 am or 11am | Wonder Room

Mondays, October 2nd- November 13th

This class introduces babies, toddlers, and their grown-ups to the library and each other while learning how to support their growth and development through songs, puppets, rhymes, and books. Includes playtime afterwards.

Waddling Ones & Twos
Ages 18 mo – 35 mo | 10:30am | Community Room

Tuesdays, October 3rd- November 14th

This class is great for active toddlers. Songs, rhymes, movement, parachute play, books, and a whole lot of fun help children learn more about how language works. Includes play time afterwards.

Happy Feet
Ages 2-3 | 10:30am | Children's Program Room

Thursdays, October 5th- November 16th

Full of music, movement, and stories, this program is perfect for children who are working on making the transition to Preschool Story Time.

Preschool Story Time
Ages 3-5 | 10:30am | Children’s Program Room
Wednesdays, October 4th- November 15th

Books, puppets, and songs will reinforce your child’s pre-reading skills through repetition and rhyme. A craft is included that will help kids develop their fine motor skills.

Pajama Family Story Time
Ages 0-5 | 6:30pm | Community Room

Wednesdays, October 4th- November 15th 

This early literacy enriched story time will explore books, songs, and rhymes for all ages. Join Miss Kari in wearing PJs for added fun!

Silly Story Time

Saturday, October 28th | Ages 0-5 | 10:30am | Children's Program Room | Registration Encouraged

Saturdays are for being silly! In this family story time we will sing goofy songs and read funny books.

Do you have an emerging reader at home? Check these out!  

We have updated our Reading Readiness kits! These kits contain materials to help your emerging reader with foundational literacy skills, such as letter recognition, letter sound practice, rhyming, and more! You can now find these located on the top shelf in the Beginning Reader's section of the Preschool room. Ask one of our children's librarians to learn more!