Looking for some fun and educational activities for your little ones? Attend a library storytime. Our public libraries in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Cessnock and Port Stephens have got you covered with a variety of storytimes that are perfect for kids of all ages.
In this blog post, we’ve rounded up a list of A – Z storytime sessions offered by libraries, where your children can enjoy hearing a story, learn a new language or culture, meet new friends, and develop a love for reading.
Baby Book Time
Baby Book Time will provide you with the tools and resources to nurture your child’s love of reading. This program includes time to chat to other new parents and for your child to enjoy age-appropriate toys.
Ages: 0-12 months
Cost: Free
No bookings required
Frequency: Held weekly at Newcastle City and Wallsend Libraries during school term
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Baby Bounce
Baby Bounce is a fun program of stories, songs and rhymes to support your baby’s early language learning. Meet other parents in a caring and supportive environment and learn about books your baby will enjoy. The free 30-minute sessions are held weekly during school terms for babies and their parents/carers. Ideal for babies aged 0 – 12 months who are not yet walking.
Ages: 0-12 months
Cost: Free
No bookings required
Frequency: Held weekly at East Maitland, Maitland, Rutherford and Thornton libraries during school term
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Books & Babies
Meet other parents and nurture an early love of reading as you enjoy time with your baby.
Ages: 0-12 months
Cost: Free
No bookings required
Frequency: Held weekly at Belmont, Cardiff, Charlestown, Morisset, Speers Point, Sugar Valley Library Museum, Swansea, Toronto and Windale Hub Libraries during school terms
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Digitales: Storytime and Art
Come and enjoy a morning of fun with a story on the big screen, and then fun hands-on activities with Lake Mac Libraries. A unique storytime experience in the Multi-Arts Pavilion (MAP mima) using projection and digital stories, followed by art-making and shadow play. There is a different theme each month.
Ages: Suitable for children age 2-5.
Cost: Free
Bookings are essential
Frequency: Held monthly at MAP mima in Speers Point Park
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Dreamtime Storytime with Aunty Michelle
Join Maitland Libraries’ special guest Storyteller Aunty Michelle Napanangka Earl on the first Saturday of the month. Learn about First Nations concepts, cultural perspectives and history with some fun stories and craft! Materials are provided, and spaces are limited.
Ages: Suitable for children age 3-7.
Cost: Free
Bookings are essential
Frequency: Held monthly at East Maitland Library
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Rainbow Storytime 🏳️🌈
A special glitter filled Storytime extravaganza with Newcastle’s own Timberlina. Families of all ages are invited to join Newcastle Libraries for an all singing, dancing and storytelling celebration of our city’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Ages: All ages
Cost: Free
Bookings essential
Frequency: Held monthly at Newcastle City Library
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Read and Rhyme
Encourage imagination, build language skills and have fun with these sessions presented by Lake Mac Libraries.
Ages: Suitable for children age 1-3.
Cost: Free
Bookings essential
Frequency: Held weekly at Belmont, Cardiff, Charlestown, Morisset, Speers Point, Sugar Valley Library Museum, Swansea, Toronto and Windale Hub Libraries during school terms
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Read and Rhyme (Port Stephens)
A free weekly program providing an introduction to books, music and rhymes for carers and their babies.
Ages: 0-2 years
Cost: Free
Bookings required
Frequency: Held weekly at Tomaree and Raymond Terrace Libraries during school terms.
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Rhymetime
Bring your baby to the library for a special storytime 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.
Ages: 0-2 years
Cost: Free
No bookings required
Frequency: Held weekly at Cessnock and Kurri Kurri Libraries
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Rock n Rhyme Storytime
Enjoy songs, nursery rhymes, dancing, music, stories and lots of fun! These action- packed sessions are perfect for developing the early literacy skills of children aged 0 – 3.
Ages: Suitable for children age 0-3.
Cost: Free
No bookings needed, just drop-in!
Frequency: Held twice weekly at Newcastle City and Wallsend Libraries during school terms
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Russian Rock n Rhyme Storytime 🇷🇺
Join Newcastle Libraries for fun, stories, rhymes, songs and music in Russian. For Russian speaking families and those who would like to experience the language.
Ages: Suitable for children age 0-5.
Cost: Free
No bookings needed, just drop-in!
Frequency: Held monthly at Wallsend Library
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Sharing Culture Storytime
Uncle Amos Simon from Muurrung Marai is generously sharing Awabakal and Gathung language and culture through song, dance, puppets, guitar and yadaki (didgeridoo). Join Newcastle Libraries in Sharing Culture on the first Saturday of every month during school term. Interactive and fun!
Ages: All ages
Cost: Free
No bookings needed, just drop-in!
Frequency: Held monthly at Wallsend Library
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Spanish Rock n Rhyme Storytime 🇪🇸
Join Newcastle Libraries for for fun, stories, rhymes, songs, and music in “Español”! For Spanish speaking “familias” and those who would like to experience the “lenguaje”. Los esperamos!
Ages: Suitable for children age 0-5.
Cost: Free
No bookings needed, just drop-in!
Frequency: Held monthly at Newcastle City Library
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Story Explorers
Join in Story Explorers at Newcastle Museum for stories and adventures exploring different items in the Newcastle Museum collection. All children must be supervised by an adult.
Ages: Aimed at ages 3-5, however all ages are welcome.
Cost: Free
No bookings needed, just drop-in!
Frequency: First Wednesday of each month (during school term only), at Newcastle Museum
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Story Stomp
Stomp your way through a weekly fun filled session of stories, songs, games and craft developed to stimulate, engage and grow the minds of 3-5 year olds presented by Newcastle Libraries.
Ages: Suitable for children age 3-5.
Cost: Free
No bookings needed, just drop-in!
Frequency: Held weekly at Newcastle City and Wallsend Libraries during school terms
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Storytime
Come along to Storytime presented by Cessnock City Library. Children under six love stories. Reading to them helps to develop their communication and language skills. Storytime is an opportunity to foster a love of books. Children are able to interact with stories enriching their minds and imaginations.
Ages: Suitable for children age 2 -6
Cost: Free
No bookings required
Frequency: Held weekly at Cessnock and Kurri Kurri Libraries
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Storytime Sessions
Storytime is a fun filled 30-minute session at Maitland Libraries that helps develop language skills, sparks new ideas and interests while making friendships in a safe environment.
Ages: Suitable for children under 5
Cost: Free
No bookings required
Frequency: Held weekly at East Maitland, Rutherford and Thornton Libraries during school terms.
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Storytime and Craft
Port Stephens Library presents Storytime and Craft, a free weekly program providing an introduction to the magic of books and reading for children ages 2 to 5 years.
Ages: Suitable for children 2-5
Cost: Free
No bookings required
Frequency: Held weekly at Tomaree and Raymond Terrace Libraries during school terms.
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Tunes & Tales for Tots
Enjoy lively stories, sing-alongs, and interactive activities that spark imagination and foster a love for reading. Perfect for toddlers and their caregivers to bond, laugh, and learn together.
Ages: Suitable for toddlers
Cost: Free
No bookings required
Frequency: Held weekly at East Maitland and Maitland Libraries
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Wayapa Wuurk Family Friendly Program
Join Indigenous health practitioner Sarah Corrigan from Rainbow Crow Cultural Collective for a special Wayapa program for families and children 0-5 years. 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.
Ages: 0 – 5
Cost: Free
No bookings needed, just drop-in!
Frequency: This is a four week program at Wallsend Library
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