For Kids
TCPL Children’s Services is for all kids from infancy through 7th grade. Our collection has materials to promote early literacy skills, beginning readers for early elementary kids, and chapter books for older elementary and tween readers. We also provide services for caregivers and educators.
For Class & Group Visits, please contact the Children’s department at 617-376-1300 x4
An encyclopedia built for kids. Browse or search for articles on animals, biographies, geography, and more, with adjustable reading levels.
A Spanish-language resource for native speaker, bilingual students, and students learning Spanish. Designed for students in grades K-5 (Primaria) and 6-8 (Secundaria).
An encyclopedia for students with resources for a variety of grade levels. Choose between Elementary, Middle, and High School levels.
Search magazines and reference books for information on current events, the arts, science, popular culture, health, people, government, history, sports, and more. Designed for students in kindergarten through grade 5.
Covers a wide range of topics for students in grades 6 through 8, drawing from periodicals, journals, reference books and more.
A fun, easy-to-use language-learning program for young learners. Available languages: Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish.
PebbleGo is a database specifically geared toward the needs of K-2 learners. It helps students learn foundational research skills plus provides critical early-reader supports like audio voice overs and text highlighting. Available modules include animals and biographies
Printable lesson plans, resources, and activity sheets for every subject, in any grade (K-8).
Bedtime Book Club
Each month we will choose either a short book or a section of a longer book to read together before the meeting. Caregivers should be willing to read the selections with children before each meeting and to stay and participate in the discussion.
Chickadees Book Club
A cross between a book group and a storytime. Where our book clubs for older readers meet once per month, the Chickadees meet weekly on the same schedule as our weekly storytimes. The group reads and works through a book each week bit by bit. Please note that this is NOT a tutoring or reading instruction class.
Double Booked
This new book discussion group is for parents/caregivers and children in grades 4-7. Each month, the kids and the adults will read the same book, then meet at the library to discuss it.
Night Owls Book Club
Kids attending this book club are encouraged to participate in an open discussion of a different book each month, sharing their opinions and questions with the group. At the end of each session, the group helps to select the next book to be read from options presented by a children’s librarian. Meets monthly.
Page Turners Graphic Novel Club
Each month this book group for 3rd-7th graders will meet and discuss a different graphic novel…and make our own!
Review Crew
Do you like talking about books, movies, or video games? The Review Crew meets on the third Thursday of each month to present and discuss our thoughts, write reviews, and put together displays to share our favorite books, graphic novels, movies, and games!
Mother Goose Explores Science
A science program series for some of our youngest library patrons and their caregivers. Activities at this program series introduce basic science topics such as colors, shapes, and sounds, and encourage early literacy and motor skills.
Preschool Discovery
Drop in with your preschooler for fun with science! Activities, experiments, and instructions will be provided each month on a different science topic that you can complete with your child. This program travels!
StoryLab
StoryLab is a combination storytime and science activity for children ages 4-8. We will use stories to introduce a science concept or topic, then explore that topic further with science demonstrations, activities, and experiments.
STEAM Team
For 1st-3rd graders interested in STEM. We’ll have tons of fun learning together through experiments, hands-on projects, and technology.
Coding Club – Grades 2-3
Currently on hiatus. Coding Club for grades 2-3 will return later in the year.
Coding Club – Grades 4-5
This five week series meets at the Main Library and will introduce coding in Scratch. This series is for beginners who have little to no coding experience. Please only register if your child can anticipate attending each session.
E.X.P.L.O.R.E
EXPLORE (Experiment, Play, Learn, Observe, Read, Examine) is a series of monthly hands-on science workshops for children ages 8-12, covering a wide variety of topics. Each workshop has a short portion of instruction and then exploration and experimentation. Topics range from forensic science to bubbles and parents/caregivers are welcome to participate alongside their children.
Please Note: All kids attending Story Time programs must be accompanied by an adult.
Rock-A-Bye Baby
This story time series provides an introduction to stories, songs, nursery rhymes and gentle movement exercises for very young children.
Mother Goose
A story time for Rock-a-Bye Baby graduates. Includes stories, songs, finger puppets, and creative movement for young children.
Toddler Story Time
Introduces simple stories and concepts to young children. Songs, rhymes, finger puppets, and felt board activities will be used to reinforce concepts.
Family PJ Story Time
Join us for a family story time for kids age 1-5. We’ll read stories, sing songs, recite rhymes, and more. Kids are encouraged to wear their pajamas to this story time.
ABC Story Time
This series meets each week to explore a different letter of the alphabet. We’ll read stories, sing songs, and play games all centered around the letter of the day.
Arabic Story Time
Join us at the Adams Shore Library for this program which will be conducted primarily in Arabic with the intention of helping young Arabic language learners to improve their skills. The Library is pleased to be working with dedicated community members to help offer this program.
Toy Time
Imaginative play activities for small children and toddlers. This program is perfect for both encouraging motor and social skills in children, and allowing parents and caregivers to meet and socialize.
Art in the evening
A new monthly Art Program for kids and their caregivers. All grownups must be accompanied by a child.
Homeschool Hangouts
This program is intended to help homeschooling families with library resources and instruction. Each month we will cover a different topic, rotating through STEM, History, Literature, and library instruction topics.
Super Awesome Hangout Club
3rd, 4th, and 5th graders are welcome to come hangout with us on the third Wednesday of each month in the Kid’s blue program room. This event will feature arts and crafts and a chance to get to know other kids.
Tween Crafternoon
A monthly craft program for kids in grades 5-8. This event will feature a different craft project each month suitable for middle schoolers.
Dungeons & Dragons
Each month we will meet to play Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. This group has an ongoing adventure and new players are welcome! You don’t need to have played before to join us.