Activities and resources for babies and toddlers
Cadbury Heath Library is closed for refurbishment from 21 September 2026. The library will reopen on 14 December 2026.
Check below for rearranged sessions.
There are lots of activities and resources for babies and young children at our libraries.
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Bookstart
Bookstart is a national programme that encourages parents to share books, 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 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 Monday 10.45am to 11.15am, term time only
- Stories and play Friday 11am to midday, term time only
- Dad’s Rhymetime Saturday 9.30am to 10am, every 2 weeks, term time only:
3, 17, 31 October
14 and 28 November
12 December
Cadbury Heath Library
Rhymetime will continue at Cadbury Heath Children’s Centre, Fridays 9.30am to 10am while the library is closed for refurbishment.
These sessions are funded by Bitton, Oldland and Siston parish councils.
Chipping Sodbury Community Library
- Rhymetime Friday 10am to 10:30am, term time only
Downend Library
- Rhymetime Wednesday 10.30 to 11am, all year
Emersons Green Library
- Storytime Tuesday 9.30am to 10am, all year
- Rhymetime Thursday 9.30am to 10am, all year
These sessions are funded by Emersons Green town council.
Filton Library
- Rhymetime Wednesday 10.30am to 11am, term time only
Hanham Library
- Rhymetime Monday 10.30am to 11am, all year
- Thursday fun: rhymes, stories and more Thursday 10.30am to 11am, all year
Kingswood Library
- Stay and play Monday 10am to 11am, term time only
- Rhymetime Wednesday 9.30am to 10am, all year
- Friday fun: rhymes, stories and more Friday 9.30am to 10am, all year
Rhymetime and Friday fun sessions are funded by Kingswood town council.
Patchway Library
- Rhymetime Tuesday 10.30am to 11am, term time only
- Stay and play Wednesday 10.30am to 11.30am, term time only
Scholars Chase Library
- Rhymetime Tuesday 11am to 11.30am, term time only
- Storytime Thursday 11am to 11.30am, term time only
Staple Hill Library
- Storytime Monday 10.30am to 11am, all year
- Rhymetime Thursday 9.30am to 10am, all year
Rhymetime is funded by Staple Hill and Mangotsfield parish council.
Thornbury Library
- Rhymes and stories Monday 9.30am to 10am, all year
- Stay and play Monday 10am to 11am, all year
- Rhymetime Friday 9.30am to 10am, all year
- Stay and play Friday 10am to 11am, all year
Rhymetime and Rhymes and stories are funded by Thornbury town council.
Winterbourne Library
- Rhymetime Wednesday 10am to 10.30am, term time only
- Storytime Friday 10am to 10.30am, term time only
Yate Library
- Tuesday fun: rhymes, stories and more Tuesday 10.30am to 11am, all year except school summer holiday
- Rhymetime Friday 10.30am to 11am, 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
Library closed for refurbishment from 21 September 2026. The library will reopen on 14 December 2026.
Downend Library
Wednesday 11am to 11.30am, all year
Emersons Green Library
Friday 1pm to 2pm, all year
Filton Library
Monday 11am to 11.30am, all year
Hanham Library
Thursday 11am to 11.30am, all year
Kingswood Library
Friday 10am to 10.30am, all year
Yate Library
Tuesday 11am to 11.30am, all year except school summer holiday
Friday 11am to 11.30am, all year
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.