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 Fall I
Registration runs from Monday, 8/19 to Monday, 9/2. Notification by Saturday, 9/7.

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
Mondays from 11:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. OR Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Bring all of your kids to sit together at this sibling storytime!

Giggles and Rhymes
Pre-walking babies
Tuesdays from 11:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Join us for fingerplays, songs, rhymes, and movement.

Born to Read
Walkers (up to 24 months)
Mondays from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. OR Tuesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 11 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. OR Thursdays from 11:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
This fast-paced storytime for lively toddlers includes books, songs, fingerplays, and movement.

Sign & Play with Chloe's Kids
Walkers (1-year-olds to 3-year-olds)
Wednesdays from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
A musical early-communication class that uses vocabulary from American Sign Language!

Creative Music for Children
Walkers (1-year-olds to 3-year-olds)
Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. OR Fridays from 11:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
Miss Debbie engages children through music and instrument play.

Preschool Art Party
3-year-olds to 5-year-olds
Wednesdays from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Explore art concepts through a picture book lens, with a fun art creation session following!

Wee Like to Move
Walkers (1 to 3-year-olds)
Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Movement, songs, stories, and play will have everyone on their feet in this lively storytime.

Drop-In Programs

No registration needed!

Come On, Everybody Mondays at 10 a.m.
All ages and a parent/caregiver. Storytime for everyone featuring a short picture book movie.

Stories by the Sea Tuesdays July 9, 16, 23, and 30, and August 6, 13, 20, and 27 at 10:30 a.m.
A family storytime for all ages at Darien’s Weed Beach Park. *Participants must have a Darien beach pass to attend this program.

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.

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.