Ages

Storytimes are for babies, toddlers, and children up to age 5. The Children's Library offers other programs for children up to age 12.

Registration for Winter
Registration runs from Monday, 1/6 to Monday, 1/20. Notification by Saturday, 1/25.

Schedule

Registered storytimes are offered in the Fall, Winter, and Spring seasons. All Summer storytimes are drop-in and do not require pre-registration. Programs for older kids during the school year are held after school, evenings and weekends. Darien Library provides approximately 20 programs a week during a registered session. Drop-in storytimes are available year-round — check the Storytime calendar for more information.

How to Register

Parents/caregivers may register online during the specified registration period. Each child can participate in one registered program per session. Registration is a lottery. Register your infants and 1-year-olds based on their ability to walk. Register children ages 2 and up based on their age. Registered storytimes are for children whose parents are Darien residents, employed full-time in Darien, or Friends of Darien Library who contribute annually at the $300 level. Parents will need a Library card to register.

Please only register for one class per session.

Early Literacy Texts

Sign up for our weekly early literacy texts to get easy tips sent right to your phone! It’s totally free (though standard messaging rates apply), and is a service of Darien Library. Your librarians will send a text every Monday with something simple you can integrate into your daily life that will help prepare your child (under 5-years-old) for reading and writing. Text messages will begin on the first day of Registered storytimes. Sign up for text messages

Registered Programs

All Together Now
Birth to 5-year-olds
Tuesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Bring all of your kids to sit together at this sibling storytime!

Giggles and Rhymes
Pre-walking babies
Mondays from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Join us for fingerplays, songs, rhymes, and movement.

Born to Read
Walkers (up to 24 months)
Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
This introduction to storytime features books, rhymes, and movement activities.

Side By Side
2-year-olds to 3-year-olds
Mondays from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
This fast-paced storytime for lively toddlers includes books, songs, fingerplays, and movement.

Young Yogis
3-year-olds to 5-year-olds
Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Relax. Refresh. Regroup. Your little Yoginis will be introduced to Yoga movement and a story.

Drop-In Programs

No registration needed!

Bookworms Mondays at 4:15 p.m.
Ages 4 to 7. Join us for a weekly craft storytime. Read a book, have a discussion, and get crafty!

Toddler Tales Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m.
Walkers (up to 36 months) and a parent/caregiver. This fast-paced storytime for lively toddlers includes books, songs, fingerplays, and movement.

Preschool Art Party Wednesdays at 2 p.m.
Ages 3 to 5 with a parent/caregiver. Explore art concepts through a picture book lens, with a fun art creation session following!

Baby Laptime Thursdays at 9:30 a.m.
Pre-walking babies and a parent/caregiver. Join us for fingerplays, songs, and bounce rhymes in this lapsit storytime.

Toddler Talk and Play Fridays at 10:15 a.m.
Ages 18 to 36 months with a parent/caregiver. Have you made time to play today? Explore collaborative play in the Toddler Room with your toddler. Meet other caregivers in this interactive setting as you engage together in creative play.

Beats and Bops Fridays at 11:15 a.m.
Walkers (ages 1 to 3) with a parent/caregiver. Get ready to bop in this musical storytime with Mr. Ray! Dance and shake to classic children's songs and brand new beats with your little one. This interactive program is intended for caregivers and children to engage in together. *Space is limited, tickets will be issued 15 minutes prior to the start time.

Storytime Saturday Saturdays January 4th, February 1st, and March 7th at 11 a.m.
All ages storytime with a parent/caregiver. This weekend storytime for families will include some of our favorite books, rhymes, and fingerplays.