Kids’ Events

Storytime Sessions

January 17 – February 23 (Registration begins January 3)
March 13 – April 19 (Registration begins February 28)

Babies, Books and More
12- to 24-months and caregivers. Limit 15.
Tuesdays or Wednesdays: 9:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Thursdays: 9:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

Toddler Time
2-, young 3-year-olds and caregivers. Limit 15
Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays: 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Preschool Book Break
3-6 year olds will enjoy stories, songs and creative dramatics at this fun program. Limit 25.
Tuesdays: 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Wednesdays or Thursdays: 2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Language Stars: Foreign Language Family Storytime
10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. for Toddlers, Preschoolers and their caregivers
Tuesday, March 6 – Mandarin (registration begins February 21)
Wednesday, March 7 – Spanish (registration begins February 22)
Full immersion storytime program run by native speakers of the language. Listen to stories, sing songs, make animal noises and more.

Programs and Events

PALS with the Hinsdale Humane Society: Pet Assisted Learning
Kindergarteners through Fourth Graders
Saturdays,  February 11, March 10, April 14, May 12
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
What? Dogs can’t read, but they can be great listeners. Students will meet with a trained therapy dog and its handler for 15-minute reading sessions to share stories and practice reading skills. The Hinsdale Humane Society’s program had been developed in conjunction with the national Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) program. Registration begins on the Saturday two weeks prior to each session. Registration will be taken in consecutive 15-minute increments until the sessions are full.

The World of Pooh
Monday, February 6, 6:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
Meet the fun and lovable characters of the Hundred Acre Wood. Pooh, Tigger and friends will dance and sing their way into your hearts. Perfect for Preschoolers through Third Graders and their families. Registration begins January 23.

Toddler Art (and Stories, Too)
Fridays, February 10 and April 13
10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Join Miss Anne as she reads a story and leads toddlers and caregivers in a fun, hands-on wintertime craft. Registration begins two weeks prior to program. Limit 20.

HCHS Book Buddies
Sundays, February 26 through March 18
3:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Students from Hinsdale Central will be matched with First through Fourth Graders for reading sessions. Younger buddies will share stories and practice reading with their HCHS buddy, then work on a craft project together. Refreshments will be served. Limit 10. Register for the full four-week session beginning February 12, including online registration.

Music & Movement
Wednesday, February 29 from 10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
For Toddlers and Preschoolers with caregiver. Enjoy music and movement while you play instruments and listen to favorite songs. Dance with scarves. Play with the microphone. Fun for you and your active ones! Limit 20 pairs. Registration begins February 15.

KIDS READ Special Events
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick has been selected as the title for the second annual Kids Read community reading program. Kids Read was developed to run in conjunction with The Big Read. So, pick up a copy of this Caldecott Award winning novel. Through words and detailed drawings we learn about twelve-year-old Hugo, an orphan living and repairing clocks within the walls of a Paris train station in 1931, who meets a mysterious toy seller and his goddaughter, which jeopardizes his undercover life and his biggest secret.

Paris Treats: Family & Food
Thursday, March 8
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Grades 3-5 with parent
Join Chef Lisa Williams as she takes you on a trip through the process of making crepes. Chef Williams will demonstrate how to make the batter and cook the crepes, with help from the audience. Then everyone will have a chance to make whipped cream and stuff the crepes with tasty fillings. Yum! Chef Williams will also discuss how to adapt to recipes to an allergen-free lifestyle. Limit 15 families. Registration begins February 23.

Family LEGO® Club
Sunday, March 11 from 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The Invention of Hugo Cabret edition. Limit 25 families. Registration begins February 26.

Mad Science: The Science of Magic
Saturday, March 17 from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Grades 2 – 5
The Mad Science team will guide you through various magic tricks and show you the science behind them. All participants will also make invisiballs — balls that absorb water and disappear when held under water. Limit 25

Hooray for Hugo: Book Party
Monday, March 19
4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Grades 2 – 5
Make your own special notebook, build a train, test your skills with some Hugo related challenges, talk about the book and more. Limit 30. Registration begins March 5.

More Programs and Events

Teacher Tales
Once each month, teachers from District 181 visit the Library to share favorite stories with you and your family from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Please join us Wednesday, February 15 (The Lane School), Wednesday, March 21 (Madison School) and Wednesday, April 11 (Monroe School). Refreshments will be served. No registration is required.

Stuffed Animal Sleepover
Drop off – Thursday, April 5, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Pick up – Friday, April 6, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
For 3- to 8-year-olds
Bring your favorite or second favorite stuffed animal friend to the Library for an Animal Sleepover! Next day pick up your animal, enjoy a snack and make a scrap book using photos taken during your stuffed animal’s sleepover. What do you think they will be up to while you are snug in your bed at home? Registration begins March 22. Limit 25.

National Library Week performer Chris McBrien
Tuesday, April 10, 6:30 p.m.
For Families!
Registratrion begins March 27
Chris McBrien comedian, magician and puppeteer will present Read to Succeed with Dewey Duck. Chris is known to thousands of schools and hundreds of libraries at The Magic Storyteller and has performed for former President George Bush Sr. and the Queen of England!

Piggy Bank Pageant: Money Smart Week and Storytime
Tuesday, April 24
4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Kindergarteners through Second Graders.
Come join us as we learn the value of work, saving and working together through the story of the Little Red Hen. We will work together in a class “bakery” and make our own piggy banks for the 2nd Annual Piggy Bank Pageant. Sponsored by Hinsdale Bank & Trust, Hinsdale Public Library, Economic Awareness Council, Young Illinois Saves. Limit 25. Registration begins April 10.

Local Celebrity Storytime
Tuesday, May 8 from 4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Celebrate Children’s Book Week with Police Officer Mike Coughlin and Firefighter Tim McElroy as they read favorite stories and answer your questions about their important work. All ages are welcome. Refreshments will be served. Registration begins April 24.

To view the complete Hinsdale Public Library Calendar of Events or register online, click here.