Activities and resources for babies and toddlers
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There are lots of activities and resources for babies and young children at our libraries.
Bookstart
Bookstart is a national programme that encourages parents to share books and stories and rhymes with their children.
Bookstart Baby Pack
Every child aged 0-12 months is eligible for a free Bookstart Baby Pack.
The content varies, but will include a book, a finger puppet and a booklet of tips and ideas for sharing books with children from a very young age.
Baby Packs are given out by health visitors or another health professional. If you haven’t received Baby Pack, you can pick one up from your local library.
Book packs for children with additional needs
The following packs are available:
- Bookshine for children who are deaf
- Booktouch for children who are blind or partially sighted
- Bookstart Star for children with conditions affecting their fine motor skills
For more details you can contact our Bookstart co-ordinator by email Bookstart@southglos.gov.uk .
Dual language books
If English is not your first language, you may be able to get a book in another language as part of your Bookstart pack. Email Bookstart@southglos.gov.uk to check availability.
Rhymetime, storytime and play sessions
You can enjoy and learn new rhymes and stories to share with your baby or toddler. There are lots of free sessions available at our libraries. Details of all of our libraries can be found on our Find a library page.
9:30am sessions are before the library opens at 10am. Staff are ready to let you in to attend in time for 9:30am.
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Bradley Stoke Library
- rhymetime Mondays 10.45am to 11.15am, term time only
- stories and play Fridays 11am to 12pm, term time only
- dad’s rhymetime for all menfolk with young relatives. Monthly on Saturdays 9.30am to 10am. For more details drop in or email BradleyStoke.Library@southglos.gov.uk.
Cadbury Heath Library
- rhymetime Fridays 9.30am to 10am, all year
Chipping Sodbury Community Library
- rhymetime Fridays 10am to 10:30am, term time only
Downend Library
- rhymetime Wednesdays 9.30 to 10am, all year
Emersons Green Library
- storytime Tuesdays 9.30am to 10am, all year
- rhymetime Thursdays 9.30am to 10am, all year
Filton Library
- rhymetime Wednesdays 10.30am to 11am, term time only
- stories and play Mondays 11.15am to 11.45am, term time only
Hanham Library
- rhymetime Mondays 9.30am to 10am, all year
- rhymes & Stories Tuesdays 9.30am to 10am, all year
Kingswood Library
- rhymetime Wednesdays 9.30am to 10am, all year
- Friday Fun: Rhymes & Stories 9.30am to 10am, all year
Patchway Library
- rhymetime Tuesdays 10.30am to 11am, every week except during the school summer holidays
Scholars Chase Library
- rhymetime Tuesdays 11am to 11:30am. All year except for August
Staple Hill Library
- storytime Mondays 10.30am to 11am, all year
- rhymetime Thursdays 9.30am to 10am, all year
Thornbury Library
- rhymes & stories Mondays 9.30am to 10am, all year
- rhymes & stories Fridays 9.30am to 10am, all year
Winterbourne Library
- rhymetime Wednesdays 9.30am to 10am, all year
- rhymes & stories Fridays 9.30am to 10am, term time only
Yate Library
- storytime Tuesdays 9.30am to 10am, all year
- rhymetime Thursdays 9.30am to 10am, all year
- rhymetime Friday 9.30am to 10am, all year
Mini builders
A free drop-in session for pre–school children. Listen to a story and play with the mini blocks. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Cadbury Heath Library
monthly sessions held on a Saturday 10am to 11am
For more details drop in or email Cadbury Heath Library
Emersons Green Library
monthly sessions held on a Friday 1pm to 2pm
For more details drop in or email Emersons Green Library
Hanham Library
monthly sessions held on Saturday 10am to 11am
For more details drop in or email Hanham Library
Kingswood Library
monthly sessions held on a Saturday 10am to 11am
For more details drop in or email Kingswood Library
Yate Library
weekly sessions held on Tuesdays and Fridays, 10.30am to 11.30am, term time only
Books to help your child with life’s challenges
We have a collection of picture books for you to share with your child which help to explain life experiences, situations and milestones.
These include topics such as:
- visiting the doctor
- the arrival of a new baby
- starting school or playgroup
- coping with bereavement
- understanding different fears and feelings.
They are all free to borrow and reserve on a child’s library card.