Enjoy an outing with your children to your local library to borrow books, toys and more. Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Hunter libraries offer free programs for families such as Baby Book Time and Story Stomp sessions. There’s also lots of school holiday activities to keep school-aged kids entertained. Best thing of all is that library membership is free.
Newcastle Libraries
Newcastle Libraries offers a number of fantastic programs for babies and kids at their Newcastle (City) and Wallsend branches.
Baby Book Time (for babies 0-12 months)
Baby Book Time is a wonderful way to introduce your baby to books. Designed for parents with babies under 12 months, the program uses stories, songs, rhymes, dancing, music and toys to develop early literacy skills. The Baby Book Time program is a 4 week program consisting of 4 x 1 hour sessions.
Baby Book Time sessions are held at Newcastle (City) Library and Wallsend Library. Sessions are free but you need to book a spot via the Newcastle Libraries website.
If you can’t make it out, there are Baby Book Time – Online Sessions. 4 x 20 minute online sessions to nurture your child’s love of reading anywhere, anytime! Available to watch on YouTube via the Newcastle Libraries website.
Wayapa Baby Time (for babies aged 0-12 months)
Wayapa Baby Time is a special Wayapa program for babies and their carers.
Wayapa® is an earth connection practice that is based on ancient Indigenous wisdom, focusing on taking care of the Earth as the starting point for creating Earth Mind Body Spirit well-being. Mindfulness and Indigenous inspired movements allow for a healing space through yarning, sharing and connection.
Wayapa Baby Time sessions are 45 minutes in length and are held weekly at Wallsend Library. Sessions are free but you need to book a spot via the Newcastle Libraries website.
Rock n Rhyme (for children aged 1-3)
Once kids are moving around, Rock and Rhyme time is a fun interlude at the library for those who don’t want to sit down and read. These action- packed sessions are perfect for developing children’s early literacy skills. Enjoy songs, nursery rhymes, dancing, music, stories and lots of fun! Each session runs for 30 minutes.
Rock n Rhyme sessions are held at Newcastle (City) Library and Wallsend Library. Sessions are free but you need to book a spot via the Newcastle Libraries website. Does not run during school holidays or on public holidays.
If you can’t make it out, there are 4 x Rock n Rhyme – Online Sessions. Available to watch on YouTube via the Newcastle Libraries website.
For Mandarin speaking families and those who would like to experience the language there is Mandarin Rock n Rhyme Time for children aged 0-5. These half hour sessions are held monthly at Newcastle (City) Library.
For Spanish speaking “familias” and those who would like to experience the “lenguaje” there is Spanish Rock n Rhyme Time for children aged 0-5. These 45-minute sessions are held fortnightly at Newcastle (City) Library.
Story Stomp (for children aged 3-5)
Children aged 3-5 can stomp their way through these weekly, fun, themed sessions of stories, songs, games and craft developed to stimulate, engage and grow their minds. Each session is 45-minutes in length.
Story Stomp sessions are held at Newcastle (City) Library and Wallsend Library. Sessions are free but you need to book a spot via the Newcastle Libraries website. Does not run during school holidays or on public holidays.
Rainbow Storytime (for children of all ages)
Rainbow Storytime is a special glitter-filled Storytime extravaganza with Newcastle’s own Timberlina! As a part of Newcastle City’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, families are invited along to join in a singing, dancing and storytelling celebration.
Rainbow Storytime sessions are 35 minutes in length and are held monthly at Newcastle (City) Library. Sessions are free but you need to book a spot via the Newcastle Libraries website.
Newcastle Toy Library (for children aged 0-8)
Newcastle Libraries also hosts a Toy Library at New Lambton Library where families can borrow up to 3 toys per child and up to 6 toys per family at a time.
Newcastle Toy Library is open from 9:30-11:45am on Saturdays.
LEGO® Club
Kids aged 5-12 can join in the weekly LEGO® Club sessions at Newcastle (City) Library or Wallsend Library to share their skills, master cool builds and make new friends. With bucket loads of LEGO® and a different challenge every week, fun is guaranteed! Sessions run weekly during the school term. No bookings required, just drop in!
Newcastle Libraries offers members free access to Storybox Library, a wonderful world of Australian children’s literature through film. Storybox Library provides a vibrant, interactive experience through a range of everyday and extraordinary storytellers and is compatible with mobile devices, perfect for families ‘on the go’.
Newcastle Libraries’ eLibrary also contains some great resources for kids including stories on film, eAudiobooks, eBooks, eMagazines and information resources for homework.
During COVID, Newcastle Libraries created some great online resources for children as well. These include Crafternoon virtual craft sessions, the Create with Liz Anelli: Online Workshop Series and more. Check them out under the Children’s Programs section of the Newcastle Libraries website.
Newcastle Libraries also run some fantastic school holiday programs.
For more information visit the Newcastle Libraries website.
Lake Mac Libraries kawumalyikilba
Lake Macquarie City Library offers a number of great programs for babies and kids at their branch libraries in Belmont, Cardiff, Charlestown, Edgeworth, Morriset, Redhead, Speers Point, Swansea, Toronto, Wangi Wangi and Windale. They also have after-school activities and school holiday activities that run after each school term.
Babies into Books (for babies aged 0-1)
You can help develop your baby’s language and pre-reading skills at this six week program for parents/carers and babies under one. Enjoy and learn songs, finger plays and rhymes you can continue to share together at home.
Babies into Books sessions are free and are held at Morisset Library, Toronto Library and Wangi Library Creative Hub.
Books & Babies (for babies aged 0-1)
Share stories and rhymes with your baby and nurture an early love of reading. Enjoy time with your baby and meet other parents.
Books & Babies sessions are free and held at Belmont Library, Cardiff Library, Charlestown Library, Speers Point Library and Swansea Library.
Read & Rhyme Time (for children aged 1-3)
Toddlers can move and groove with stories, songs and musical instruments. Encourage imagination, build language skills and have fun.
Read & Rhyme Time sessions are free and are held at Belmont Library, Cardiff Library, Charlestown Library, Morisset Library, Speers Point Library, Swansea Library and Toronto Library.
Storytime (for children aged 3-5)
Listen to stories, sing songs and create something crafty with your pre-schooler. Prepare kids for school and encourage a love of reading, imagination and social interaction.
Storytime sessions are free but bookings are essential. Sessions are held at Belmont Library, Morisset Library, Toronto Library and Wangi Library Creative Hub.
Sharing Culture Storytime (for children aged 3-10)
Celebrate Aboriginal culture by joining in a Sharing Culture Storytime at Charlestown Library or Belmont Library.
Sharing Culture Storytime sessions are free but bookings are essential.
BaRK Reading Program (for primary aged children)
BaRK Reading Program is a free eight-week program run during school terms, that allows children to practice reading on a one-to-one basis to a trained therapy dog.
The dogs, trained through Delta Therapy Dogs, remove stress and peer pressure for the reluctant read, making reading fun. The child can read to the dog in a relaxed atmosphere without fear of criticism or intimidation.
Teachers or parents can nominate primary aged children for this special reading program.
Kids can also participate in some great After-School Programs offered through Lake Mac Libraries including Lego Builders, Lego Mindstorm Robotics, Creative Writing, Stories After School and more!
Lake Mac Libraries also run some fabulous school holiday programs including creative arts, storytimes and Lego building workshops.
For more information visit the Lake Mac Libraries kawumalyikilba website.
Maitland Library
Maitland Library includes branches in East Maitland, Maitland, Rutherford and Thornton. All branches run programs for families.
Baby Book Club (for babies aged 0-18 months)
Baby Book Club is a fun program of stories, songs and rhymes to support your baby’s early language learning. You can meet other parents and carers in a caring and supportive environment and learn about books your baby will enjoy.
Baby Book Club sessions are held at all Maitland Library branches. No bookings are required, just come along.
You can continue the fun at home by borrowing a Baby Book Club Pack full of stories and music.
Storytime (for children aged 2-5)
Storytime is a fun 30 minute session of stories, songs and rhymes introducing children to a wide range of books, stimulating new ideas and interests, helping develop language skills and providing a chance to make new friends in a safe library space.
Storytime sessions are held at all Maitland Library branches. No bookings are required, just come along.
Saturday Storytime: Dreamtime Stories & Craft with Aunty Michelle (for children aged 3-7)
Saturday Storytime sessions run on the first Saturday of the month. Learn about First Nations concepts, cultural perspectives and history with some fun stories and craft! All materials are provided. This program runs during the school term.
Saturday Storytime sessions are held at East Maitland Library. It is a free session but bookings are required as spaces are limited.
Lego Club (for primary school aged children)
Lego Club takes place weekly during the school term from 3.30pm to 4.30pm. Kids can take on one of the special challenges, collaborate with friends or let their ideas run wild.
Lego Club is held at all Maitland Library branches. No bookings are required, just turn up!
Maitland Libraries also run some school holiday programs.
For more information visit the Maitland Library website.
Cessnock City Library
Cessnock City Council operates library branches in Cessnock and Kurri Kurri.
Rhymetime (for babies aged 0-2)
Rhymetime is a special story time of songs and action rhymes with musical instruments and props. Introduce your baby to literacy in a close and friendly environment with lots of hugs and laughter. Share time with other new parents who want to give their child a head start in life. No bookings required.
Rhymetime sessions are held weekly at Cessnock Library. Sessions are free, no bookings required.
Storytime (for children aged 2-6)
In a Storytime session children under the age of 6 are able to interact with stories, enriching their minds and imaginations. It is an opportunity for children to foster a love of books.
Storytime sessions are held weekly at Cessnock Library. Sessions are free, no bookings required.
Combined Rhymetime and Storytime (for children aged 0-6)
Combined Rhymetime and Storytime sessions are held weekly at Kurri Kurri Library. Sessions are free, no bookings required.
Saturday Storytime (for children aged 0-6)
Saturday Storytime sessions are held at 10am weekly at Cessnock Library and Kurri Kurri Library.
Dungeons and Dragons (for children aged 10+)
Kids can create their own character and destiny in one of the world’s greatest role playing games. Sessions run during the school term at Kurri Kurri Library. No Dungeons and Dragons experience is necessary.
Kids Crafternoon (for children aged 5-11)
Get creative and maybe a bit messy! There lots of fun to be had at Cessnock City Library’s after-school craft sessions! Sessions are held at Cessnock Library and Kurri Kurri Library weekly. Bookings essential.
Lego Club (for kids aged 5-16)
Lego Club takes place weekly during the school term at both Cessnock Library and Kurri Kurri Library. Lego is supplied, kids just need to bring along their imagination. No bookings are required, just turn up!
Anime & Manga Club (for children aged 11+)
Both Cessnock Library and Kurri Kurri Library host an Anime & Manga Club every week. Tweens and teens aged 11+ can come along to watch an episode and share some snacks. These are free sessions, but bookings are required.
Cessnock City Library also offer a huge range of online resources including eBooks, eMags, eAudiobooks, eFilms, eMusic Manuals, Studiosity and Storybox Library. They also offer unlimited plays in Kanopy Kids, so your kids are free to explore enriching, educational and entertaining films and TV series.
Cessnock City Library also run some fantastic school holiday programs.
For more information visit the Cessnock City Library website.
Port Stephens Library
Port Stephens Library comprises four branches – Raymond Terrace Library, Tomaree Library, Tilligerry Community Library and Mobile Library.
Storytime and Craft (for children aged 2-5)
Storytime and Craft is a free weekly program providing an introduction to the magic of books and reading for children ages 2 to 5 years. Held at Raymond Terrace Library and Tomaree Library.
Read and Rhyme (for babies aged 0-2)
A free weekly program providing an introduction to books, music and rhymes for carers and their babies ages 0 to 2. Held at Raymond Terrace Library and Tomaree Library.
Lego Club (for children aged 4+)
Kids can join in Lego Club on Saturdays and build their masterpieces. No bookings required. Held at Raymond Terrace Library and Tomaree Library.
Kids Crew (for primary school aged children)
A free weekly program for primary school children. Activities change each term and include coding, lego, games, arts and crafts. Please check with the library for current activities and dates as there may be dates when Kids Crew is not on due to other commitments. Held at Raymond Terrace Library and Tomaree Library.
BaRK Reading Program (for primary school aged children)
BaRK is a free weekly program that allows primary school aged children to practice reading aloud on a one-to-one basis to a trained therapy dog. Held every Tuesday and Wednesday during school term at Tomaree Library.
The Lounge at Your Library (for tweens and teens aged 13+)
The Lounge is a safe space for young people to drop in and hang out, make new friends, share ideas and have fun. Enjoy video games, music, board games, access to computers and WIFI. Held every Friday during school term at Raymond Terrace and Tomaree Library.
Stories in the Street
Stories in the Street is a free literacy program for children 0 to 5 years in Raymond Terrace and Medowie. We will visit your home (excluding school holidays and rainy days), read to your children, provide craft stencils, song sheets and leave a selection of books that can be exchanged each week.
Besides their regular activities, Port Stephens Library also hold special events and school holiday programs for children of all ages throughout the year.
For more information visit the Port Stephens Library website.
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Started in late 2012 by a local mum, Newy with Kids has grown into a thriving go-to family guide for the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie & Hunter region. Parents visit the Newy with Kids website to find things to do with babies, kids and teens. Whether it’s local attractions, upcoming events, kids eat free, school holiday activities or birthday party ideas, Newy with Kids is the best website for local parents to find local kid-friendly activities and information 24/7.