Library Programs

The Scotch Plains Public Library’s Youth Services Department offers a wide range of programs for children and teens.

Library Specials – Spring Break Events

Leap into Science – Monday, March 25 (Families ) at 6:00pm and Wednesday, March 27 (Children ages 3-5) at 10:00am. Leap into Science is a nationwide program that integrates open-ended science activities with children’s books. Registration is required.

Family Movie Matinee – Tuesday, 26 at 11:30am. March Pack a lunch and join us for a showing of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2010)! Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is rated PG and runs 90 minutes. Registration is required.

Magic Show – Wednesday, March 27 at 3:00pm. The library is proud to bring back magician Joe Fischer for a fun, interactive magic show! This program is ideal for children 4 and over. Registration is required.

Featured Storytime Events

Pajama Storytime – Grab your favorite stuffed animal and wear your pajamas for a fun evening of stories and songs. ASL interpretation will be provided. Registration is required.
Starting in 2024 – Saturday Storytime – The entire family is welcome to join us for this storytime each Saturday! Children and their caregivers can increase language development and comprehension with our stories, songs, and rhymes.

For Little Ones 0-23 Months – Resumes the week of April 15

Baby Time Storytime (babies up to 17 months)

Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 10am

Delight and stimulate your baby’s senses with short books, music, and movement activities. This baby program, which is designed for children from birth to 17 months and their caregivers, encourages early language development in a fun and engaging environment. Registration required.

Read, Play, Learn (toddlers 18-35 months)

Wednesdays at 11am & Thursdays at 10am

Read, play, and learn with us! This program is an interactive experience for toddlers aged 18 to 35 months and their caregivers. Development and literacy is encouraged through reading, singing, and playing. Join the fun as we enjoy classic picture books, learn songs and rhymes, and explore play and movement activities. Registration required.

For Little Ones 24 months and Up – Resumes the week of April 15

Read, Play, Learn (toddlers 18-35 months)

Wednesdays at 11am & Thursdays at 10am

Read, play, and learn with us! This program is an interactive experience for toddlers aged 18 to 35 months and their caregivers. Development and literacy is encouraged through reading, singing, and playing. Join the fun as we enjoy classic picture books, learn songs and rhymes, and explore play and movement activities. Registration required.

Terrific Twos (toddlers 24 months to 35 months)

Wednesdays at 11am

Travel the path to literacy at our fun and engaging program designed just for two-year-olds. Caregivers will interact with their children through books, music, and movement activities while exploring letters, sounds, and counting! Registration required.

Preschool Play (Children ages 3-5)

Tuesdays at 2pm

Our interactive storytime program will help your 3 to 5 year old child get ready for kindergarten while having fun. First we’ll share some stories, songs, and activities together. Then, we welcome you to stay, play, and enjoy the library’s toys and exploration stations. Registration required.

*Online registration is required for all programs. Registration opens the Monday one week prior. The first four days of registration are limited to children who are residents of Scotch Plains only. When registering, please use the child’s card number. Need a Scotch Plains Library card? Contact us at 908-322-5007 for more information or stop by the library. Neighboring LMxAC families can sign up the Friday one week prior to the event.

Library Programs

Building Club Club – Select Saturdays at 3pm
Open to the entire family, our building club encourages children and their grown ups to work together in order to design and build unique creations in the Children’s Room of the library. The library will supply the blocks, you supply the imagination!

Let’s Create Studio – April 3 at 4:00pm for grades 3-7
Students in 3rd to 7th grade are invited to participate in this monthly hands-on creativity workshop. Each month will feature a new challenge or project. Registration required.

Newspaper Club – Wed., March 13 at 4:00pm for grades 2-6
Newspaper Club is an opportunity for young writers, artists, and photographers to collaborate and create their own online local newspaper! The club is founded and run by a teen volunteer with experience in local journalism. It will meet once a month and publish one issue every three months. Snacks will be provided at all meetings.

Books & Beyond – Thursday, April 18 at 4:00pm for grades K-2
Books are only the beginning! Students in Kindergarten to 2nd grade are invited to this program which will feature a non-fiction book and then continue to a hands-on related activity. Registration required.

Paw Buddies – Wednesday, March 20 at 4:00pm for grades K-5
Our Paw Buddies program geared for students in grades K-5 who want to practice their reading skills! This program is ideal for not just emerging readers, but all readers! Registration is required.

Gaming Club – Tuesday, March 26 at 3:30pm for grades 3-5
Students in Grades 3-5 are invited to stop at the library to play retro games on the library’s switch, play board games and more. Registration is required.

*Online registration is required for all programs. Registration opens the Monday one week prior. The first four days of registration are limited to children who are residents of Scotch Plains only. When registering, please use the child’s card number. Need a Scotch Plains Library card? Contact us at 908-322-5007 for more information or stop by the library. Neighboring LMxAC families can sign up the Friday one week prior to the event.

Programs for Middle & High School Students

Teen Programs – Looking for teen programs? Check out our teen page!