Children
Section Links
Youth Services Programs
Super Bowl Sunday Family Dance with Peter, Paul, and George
2:00 - 3:00 pm
Dutcher Community Room
Preschoolers, Toddlers, & Babies Programs
Registration Procedures for Preschool Programs:
Beginning Saturday, January 7 everyone may register, regardless of residency, for all toddler and preschool
story times, story/art, story/music, and/or the parent/child workshops. Stop by the Children's Room or call
518-584-7860, option 3. Register once for the entire series.
Note: Preschool programs will not meet February 20-25 and April 6-14 due to the holidays.
For bad weather cancellations please call the library at 518-584-7860.
Toddler Story Time
Dates: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays, January 17 - May 9
Time: Mondays, Tuesdays, or Thursdays: 9:30-9:50 a.m.
Time: Wednesdays: 11:00-11:20 a.m.
Location: Crawshaw Story Room
Ages 24-42 months with parent or caregiver
This interactive program is designed to foster a love of stories, as well as encourage the development of pre-literacy skills. Children will be introduced to stories, rhymes, and songs that they can enjoy together.
Preschool Story Time
Dates: Wednesdays and Thursdays, January 18 - May 10
Time: 10:15 - 10:45 a.m.
Location: Crawshaw Story Room
Ages 42 months - 5 years
A children's librarian will read aloud, offering stories and visuals that will help build your preschooler's vocabulary and spark their imaginations. Children will enjoy, learn, and develop emerging literacy skills through this popular story time program.
Library Babies
Days/Times: Fridays January 20 - May 11, 2011, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Saturdays January 21 - March 24, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Location: Crawshaw Story Room
Children under 2 with parent or caregiver
This is an informal playgroup for babies under the age of 24 months with their parent or caregiver. During the Friday program a children's librarian will start the program with 15 minutes of finger-plays, rhymes, and simple books. Registration is not required.
Saratoga Springs Area Preschool Fair
Date: Saturday, January 21
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: H. Dutcher Community Room
The fair will include more than a dozen area preschools. Information about the schools and programs will be available as well as school representatives to answer questions. Sponsored by: The Waldorf School, Katrina Trask Nursery School, The Beagle School, and Saratoga Springs Public Library. Preschools attending:
- Abundant Life Preschool
- Apple-A-Day Nursery
- Apple Blossom Bunch Day Care
- Katrina Trask Nursery School
- Malta Montessori School
- National Museum of Racing Preschool
- Saratoga Independent School
- Small Wonders Christian Preschool
- Spa Christian Preschool
- St. Clements Regional Catholic School
- St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
- Storybook Academy
- The Beagle School
- The Early Childhood Center at Skidmore College
- The Waldorf School of Saratoga Springs
- Saratoga Regional YMCA Preschool
Saturday Family Story Time
Date: Saturdays, January 21 - March 24
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Crawshaw Story Room
Ages 2-5, with parent or caregiver - siblings welcome too!
Children ages 2-5, with their parent or caregiver. Siblings welcome too! Registration is not necessary for this program.
Parent/Child Workshops
Dates: Mondays January 23 - May 7
Times: 9:15-10:30 a.m., 10:45-12:00 p.m.
Location: H. Dutcher Community Room
Ages 1-3 years with a parent or caregiver
Children and their parent or caregiver will participate in interactive hands-on learning and play stations. A children's librarian will lead a circle-time with songs and movement activities. Register for one of the two offered workshop times.
Preschool Story/Music Program
Session 1: Mondays January 23 - May 7 - 10:15-10:45 a.m.
Session 2: Tuesdays January 17 - May 8 - 2:00-2:30 p.m.
Location: Crawshaw Story Room
Ages 42 months - 5 years
Register for one of the sessions. Children will have fun with age appropriate musical instruments and enjoy interactive storytelling led by a children's librarian.
Preschool Story and Art Program
Session 1: Tuesdays March 6, 13, 20, 27 - 10:15 a.m.-10:45 a.m.
Session 2: Wednesdays March 7, 14,, 21, 28 - 2:00-2:30 p.m.
Location: Crawshaw Story Room
Ages 42 months through 5 years
Register for one of the sessions. Children will enjoy engaging stories and a new hands-on craft activity each week.
After School Programs
Registration Procedures for After School Programs:
If you are a parent or guardian residing in the Saratoga Springs City School District, you may register
your child in-person beginning Saturday, January 14 at 9:00 a.m. for the after school programs. Beginning
Saturday, January 21 at 9:00 a.m. telephone registrations (518-584-7860, option 3) will be accepted from both
residents of the Saratoga Springs City School District and out-of-district residents.
Note: Preschool programs will not meet February 20-25 and April 6-14 due to the holidays. For bad
weather cancellations please call the library at 518-584-7860.
Story Time Science with Library Staff
Dates: Mondays, January 23, 30, February 6, 13
Time: 4:30 - 5:15 p.m.
Location: Crawshaw Story Room
Grades K-2
Register once for the series. Each week a story and a hands-on science activity will be presented by staff from the Children's Room.
Hola-La: Pepa In the Winter
Dates/Time: (Ages 2.5 - 5 years) Thursdays February 2, 9, 16: 4:30-5:15 p.m.
Dates/Time: (Grades K-2) Thursdays March 1, 8, 15, 22: 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Location: Crawshaw Story Room
In "Pepa en el invierno/Pepa in the winter," Pepa has a snow day! She wakes up in her house, gets her winter clothes on and plays outside in the snow with her friend "Manolo" the snowman! Pepa and Manolo will have fun on Pepa's snow day playing winter sports, building an iglu, and enjoying hot chocolate by a cozy fire! As always, practical language will be incorporated throughout the session.
International Dances with Lily Loveday
Dates: Mondays March 26, April 2, 16, 23
Time: 4:45 - 5:45 p.m.
Location: Crawshaw Story Room
Grades K-2
Participants will listen to and move to music from three different cultures. Children will explore different types of movement, participate in a circle dance, and learn about traditional dances.
Children's Special Events & Programs
Gingerbread House Workshops
Dates/Times: Saturday, December 3 at 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., or noon
Tuesday, December 6 at 4:30 p.m. or 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, December 8 at 4:30 p.m. or 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 10 at 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., or noon
Location: Crawshaw Story Room
Grades K-6
Children may only register for one of the listed dates/times. Children will learn the art of Gingerbread House making. Please bring an empty tissue box to use as a base. This program is only open to Saratoga Springs School District Residents, please register in-person in the Children's Room.
For the Holidays
Date: Sunday, December 4
Time: 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Location: H. Dutcher Community Room
Ages 4+
Storyteller, Anna Sugarman, will share stories of holiday traditions, a delight for young and old alike. Registration is not required.
The Puppet People Presenting - A Christmas Carol
Date: Thursday, December 29
Times: 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m.
Location: H. Dutcher Community Room
Ages 5+
A Charles Dickens' holiday classic, this show features beautiful handcrafted marionettes, shadow puppets, gorgeous masks, lavish costumes, vivid sets, a professional soundtrack that includes many holiday favorites, and a giant 9-foot parade puppet. Free tickets will be available in the Children's Room beginning Saturday, December 3, 2011.
LEGO CLUB!
Date: December 7, January 4, February 1
Time: 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Crawshaw Story Room
Grades K-5
We will use our imaginations to create buildings, creatures, and other objects. In addition, we may have Lego games and "challenges". This program will not include Lego robotics. Children's Parents and caregivers are also welcome to attend. Registration is not required, but space is limited.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Diversity Program: Dream Something Big
Date: Monday, January 16
Time: 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Crawshaw Story Room
Ages 3+ and families
We will read the picture books "Dream Something Big" by Diana Hutts Aston and "The Big Orange Splot" by Daniel Pinkwater. Both books celebrate imagination, creativity, and individuality. The children will each create their own sculpture using a variety of materials. This program is appropriate for children ages 3 and older and their families. No registration is required.
Family PJ Story Time
Date: Thursdays January 19, February 16
Time: 7:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Location: Crawshaw Story Room
Kids, parents, grandparents, and caregivers
Get cozy in your comfy jammies, snuggle with your favorite stuffed animal and listen to some bedtime stories. No registration necessary.
Family Movies
Dates: Sunday, January 22 (The Smurfs)
Monday, February 20 (The Lion King)
Monday, April 9 (Tangled)
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: H. Dutcher Community Room
Ages 5+
Come in from the cold this winter and join us for family movies! Kids, feel free to bring your favorite picnic blanket to throw down and get comfy with. Grown-ups, we will have chairs too! No registration is necessary.
Saratoga Reads Junior Discussion Series for Grades 4-6
Date: Thursdays February 2, 9 (16 as snow date)
Time: 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: H. Dutcher Community Room
Grades 4-6
Fourth, fifth and sixth graders join high school and college students in a two-part discussion of the 2012 Saratoga Reads
Jr. Selection. This novel will be selected by Saratoga Reads to complement the 2012 Saratoga Reads winning novel, which
will be read by adults throughout the Saratoga community.
To register email: kids@saratogareads.org.
Please note that students must be able to attend both sessions.
Super Bowl Sunday Family Dance with Peter, Paul and George
Date: Sunday, February 5
Time: 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Location: H. Dutcher Community Room
All ages
Whether you are 2 or 102, enjoy these toe-tapping tunes consisting of reels, jigs, polkas, hornpipes and waltzes. This program is appropriate for all ages. No registration is necessary.
America in 1764 in Nez Perce Territory, Meet Kaya and friend Two Hawks
Date: Saturday, February 18
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: H. Dutcher Community Room
Ages 3+
This family event features American Girl Kaya and her friend, Two Hawks. Hear their daring story of escape from an enemy tribe. See a miniature tipi (teepee) and real artifacts from Native Americans. To register for this program call 518-584-7860, option 3 beginning January 7.
Andrew Simmons' Wildlife
Date: Tuesday, February 21
Time: 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Location: H. Dutcher Community Room
Ages 6+ and their families
Educator, naturalist, and wildlife expert, Andrew Simmons brings with him a crew of creatures that you will get to know. The audience will be entertained as they learn about the live animals Simmons will bring to this exciting and informative program. Space is limited. Free tickets available in the children's room beginning Saturday, February 4, 2012.
Animal Tracking Snowshoe Hike
Date: Wednesday, February 22
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Location: Crawshaw Story Room / Congress Park
Ages 5-12 and parents or caregivers
Shabana Hoosein from Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park and Laura Clark, Children's Librarian, will lead a Family Snowshoe Hike in Congress Park for children ages 5-12 and their parents or caregivers. Participants will meet in the Crawshaw Story Room to receive animal footprint identification cards and loaner snowshoes, courtesy of Wilton Wildlife. We will then walk as a group to Congress Park, put on our snowshoes and look for animal tracks. This program is limited to 20 families, or when the snowshoes run out, so register early!! Please bring your own snowshoes if you have them. Children must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver. Register in the Children's Room or by calling 518-584-7860, option 3 beginning January 7.
The Puppet People presenting - The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Date: Friday, February 24
Time: 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m.
Location: H. Dutcher Community Room
Open to all; Recommended for ages 6+
A thrilling, comic rendition of Washington Irving's classic story, this show features handcrafted marionettes, two life-sized puppets, special lighting, and smoke effects accompanied by both classical and traditional folk music. Free tickets will be available in the Children's Room beginning Saturday, February 4.
Parenting Programs
Registration is required for all programs, unless noted otherwise. Beginning Saturday, January 7 register in the Children's Room or by calling 518-584-7860 option 3.
CANCELLED - Anger Management for Children and their Parents
Dates: CANCELLED
CANCELLED - For Children in Grades 5-8 with parents joining for the final session. Facilitated by the Saratoga Center for the Family staff. Participants will learn how to identify triggers as well as develop coping skills, healthy expressions of anger and de-escalation techniques. Please plan on attending all six sessions.
Is Your Child Ready for Kindergarten?
Dates: Thursday, February 9
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Location: Crawshaw Story Room
Denise Warren of Capital District Beginnings will discuss kindergarten readiness including tips for determining whether your child is ready, how you can make a smooth transition, and more.
Parents as Advocates
Dates: Thursday, February 16
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Location: Susman Room
Parents as Advocates is an Educational/Advocacy group for parents of children with developmental delays. This meeting will be an open forum where parents can meet other parents with similar concerns, share resources, and offer support. Facilitated by Mary Fornabia. No registration necessary.
How to Pay for College Without Going Broke
Dates: Tuesday, February 28
Time: 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: H. Dutcher Community Room
Pierce Mahar of Educational Funding Specialists explains how to make college affordable by developing a financial plan, increasing tax deductions, maximizing financial aid and negotiating awards.