Summer Learning for Kids
June 7 - August 9

All children from birth through 8th grade are invited to join our “Read, Renew, Repeat” Summer Learning Program. Children who are not yet readers can participate if someone reads to them. Learn more at our Summer Reading page or visit the Children’s Room.

Prizes will be provided by our generous sponsors:

Wonderful Wednesday Stories
Wednesdays, 10 a.m.
Picture Book Room

Come listen to wonderful stories that will transport you to far away places. For ages 2-5.

Roblox Meetup
Fridays, 2:30 p.m.
Computer Classroom

Come play Roblox at the library! Bring friends or make new ones. For ages 5-14.

Coding Club
Wednesdays, 3:30 p.m.
Computer Classroom

Have fun learning to code with one of our librarians.

For Grades 3-12. Younger children may need adult assistance.

Little Movers Story Time
Thursdays, 10 a.m.
Picture Book Room

Join us for a story time with music, dance, nursery rhymes, and fables.  For ages 2 - 4.

Manic Mondays
Mondays, June 10, July 8, August 12, 1 p.m.
Children's Room

Join us each month for a different STEAM craft using everyday household items. For ages 7-14.

Leggo My Lego
Mondays, June 24, July 29, August 26, 1 p.m.
Children's Room

Come build a LEGO creation using your imagination or one of our LEGO Plans. Completed projects will be displayed in the Children’s Room.

Timber Tuesdays
Tuesdays, June 11, July 9, August 13, 2 p.m.
Children's Room

Come decorate a wood toy. For ages 4-12. 

Pokémon Club
Thursdays, June 13 & 27, July 11 & 25, August 8 & 22, 1 p.m.
Children's Room

Come meet other kids who share your love of Pokémon. Join us for Pokémon Go, Pokémon cards, Pokémon manga, and Pokémon crafts! Adult supervision required for trading cards. For ages 5+

Where in the Library is Silas the Cat?
Wednesdays, June 12, July 24, August 21, all day
KidZone

Use clues provided by our librarians to find where Silas the Cat, our stuffed animal, is hiding. When you find him, take a photo to show the librarian and win a prize! For ages 2+

Books, Babies & Bubbles
Fridays, June 14, July 12, August 9, 10 a.m.
Picture Book Room

UConn Waterbury’s CAP Lab will share a story followed by bubbles of fun. Bubbles are visually engaging and offer infants an opportunity to exercise their fine motor development by grabbing, pinching, and clapping them. For ages 2 and under.

Bilingual Story Time
Fridays, June 7, July 12, August 2, 11 a.m.
Picture Book Room

Join us for a story in English and Spanish.

Animal Menagerie With Sharon Audubon
Friday, June 7, 3:30 p.m.
Main Reading Room

Get started on your “Read, Renew, Repeat” Summer Learning with different types of animals from Sharon Audubon! Meet animals who are depending on us to care for the environment and learn about how they live.

Father's Day Craft
Thursday & Friday, June 13 & 14, all day
Children's Room

Stop by the Children’s Room to make a card for Father’s Day.

Harriet Tubman: A Woman With a Railroad
Friday, June 14, 4 p.m.
Children's Room

Join us for a Juneteenth celebration, when history comes alive! Acclaimed performer Adwoa Bandele-Asante portrays Harriet Tubman’s struggle for freedom from slavery and inclusion as an American citizen. For ages 8+

Butterfly House Decorating
Tuesday, June 25, 1 p.m.
Children's Room

Come decorate a butterfly house with paint, markers, stickers, and other art supplies, then take the house home with you. Supplies are limited. Register in advance in the Children’s Room to reserve a butterfly house. For ages 7+ (adult assistance may be needed)

Wizard Wand Workshop
Friday, July 12, 4 p.m.
Children's Room

Join Cyril the Sorcerer in learning to move, dress, and perform magic in a wizardly fashion. Attendees are encouraged to have their own wand, robe and hat when tuning in so that they can join in the workshop fun!

The Little Mermaid Story Time
Friday, July 19, 3:30 p.m.
Children's Room

Join us for a special story time and sing-along with the City Youth Theater’s cast of The Little Mermaid.
For ages 3+

Geo Bee With Mr. C
Monday, July 22, 5 p.m.
Children's Room

Geography can “bee” fun! Join us for a friendly competition to test your knowledge of climate, culture, countries, cities, and other categories. Hope you will “bee” able to rise to the challenge! For Grades 4 through 8. Register for the bee at 203-574-8212 or bronsonkids@waterburyct.org.

Harry Potter Day
Friday, July 26, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Front Plaza

We’ll have book give aways, slime making, and wand making in front of the library as part of Harry Potter Day in downtown Waterbury.

Bug Jar Craft
Thursday & Friday, June 13 & 14, all day
Children's Room

Come decorate a bug jar, then take it home and start collecting! Supplies are limited. Register in advance in the Children’s Room to reserve a bug jar. For ages 5+

Family Talent Night
Monday, August 5, 5 p.m.
Main Reading Room

Show off your talent on stage at this fun event for the whole family, whether it’s playing a musical instrument, dancing, singing, sharing your poetry, magic, or acting. All members of the family are invited to participate.

To reserve a spot, contact us at 203-574-8213, bronsonkids@waterburyct.org, or in person in the Children’s Room.

Ice Cream Social
Friday, August 9, 3 p.m.
(Rain Date: August 16, 3 p.m.)
Patio

Celebrate your summer reading with an ice cream social! Children who participated in our “Read, Renew, Repeat” Summer Learning program will be treated to a free ice cream from an ice cream truck. We’ll also be handing out summer reading prizes and doing raffle drawings.

Magic Show: Once Upon a River
Friday, August 9, 3:30 p.m.
Patio

After you eat your ice cream, get ready for a magical show celebrating this year’s summer reading theme: Read, Renew, Repeat!

Read with me, Mr. C
YouTube Story Time

Our very own Mr. C has been hard at work preparing storytimes for you to enjoy at home when you can't get to the library! Favorites like Strega Nona by Tomie DePaola are ready to be enjoyed anytime!

The videos are available on Mr. C's YouTube channel.

Read 1000 Books Before Kindergarten

 It's a lot easier than you think! All sorts of reading can count towards this goal. If you’re a parent with a child in a school readiness or prekindergarten program, give them the best head start with our reading program! Earn stars for reading!

Please ask a librarian for more information.

World Book Online

The World Book is more than just an encyclopedia. Their online resource includes biographies, science projects, research guides, tools for teachers, puzzles, games, and craft ideas. Available in English and in Spanish.

Please ask a librarian for more information.

Ebooks for Kids!

The Libby app connects you to our ebooks and audiobooks on your smartphone or tablet. The app includes special filters to help you find books for kids.

Please ask a librarian for more information.

Parent & Teacher Book Collection

Whether you’re a parent looking for how-to books or a teacher in need of extra resources, we have a special collection of books just for you.

Please ask a librarian for more information.

Grade-Level Reading Lists

Wondering what books are best for your child’s reading level? We have recommended reading lists organized by grade level which you can download from our website or pick up in the KidZone. We also keep special carts in the KidZone with a selection of books organized by grade level.

Please ask a librarian for more information.