Regular library activities for children

Stay & Play

Thursdays 11.00-11.30am

Ages 0-5.

Bring along your pre-school age children to enjoy a great selection of toys and games in a clean and comfortable environment.

Rhyme Time

Thursdays 10.30–11.00am

Ages 0-5.

Sing favourite action songs and nursery rhymes then enjoy a free play session. A variety of musical instruments and interactive, multi-sensory props are always included. Rhyme Time is a great opportunity for children to experience stories, rhymes and music with their parents or carers in a relaxed atmosphere.

Messy Play

First Thursday of the month 10.30-11.30am

Ages 0-5.

A fun squidgy session with paint, foam, pasta shapes, play dough & lots more! All substances non-toxic and safe for little hands. Plus clean-up facilities available afterwards.

Messy play sessions allow under fives to get creative and messy in the library. We advise wearing old clothes and bringing along a change of clothes.

Book Clubs

Tuesdays and Wednesdays

We currently run five reading groups for children aged 7+.  Each group meets once a month for one hour in the Children’s Library and sessions typically consist of talking about books and taking part in other book-related activities.

Owls / Ages 12+

1st Tuesday of the month / 4:30–5:30pm

Eeyores / Ages 10 - 11

1st Wednesday of the month / 4-5pm

Kangas / Ages 10 - 11

2nd Tuesday of the month / 4:30-5:30pm

Piglets / Ages 7 - 9

3rd Tuesday of the month / 4-5pm

Tiggers / Ages 7 - 9

4th Tuesday of the month / 4:30-5:30pm

For further information please contact the Barbican Children’s Library. 

Bookstart Rhyme Time

Mondays 10.45-11.15am

Fridays 10.45-11.15am

All ages welcome.

Get your child’s literacy off to a flying start by coming along to one of our popular Rhyme Time sessions. 

Sing songs and nursery rhymes, listen to stories, then stay and play with our toys!

*Due to limited space, buggies are ticketed. 30 spaces are available. Tickets are available 30 minutes before the start.

Bookstart Story Time

Mondays 4-4.30pm

Ages 3+

Grab a seat and listen to an assorted hand-picked collection of wacky, weird and wonderful stories. 

Fairy tales to modern classics and everything in between.

*Due to limited space, buggies are ticketed. 30 spaces are available. Tickets are available 30 minutes before the start.

Saturday Rhyme Time

Saturdays 10.45-11.15am

All ages welcome.

Listen to stories, join in with the singing, bond with your child and meet other parents…

Dads especially welcome!

*Due to limited space, buggies are ticketed. 30 spaces are available. Tickets are available 30 minutes before the start.

Friday Clubs

Every Friday 4-5pm

All ages welcome.

A different club every Friday! Grab a seat and join in with the fun!

 1^st Friday of the month / Arts club

2^nd Friday / Games Club

3^rd Friday / Puzzle Club

4^th Friday / Monster Club

Saturday Art Club

Saturdays 2-3.30pm

All ages.

Unleash your creativity and join us for an afternoon of artistic and colouring excitement!

(Secret) Film Club

Every 2^nd Thursday of the month, 5.15-7pm

Ages 5+

Fun for the whole family!  Come and watch a film projected on a big screen in the comfort of the Barbican Children’s Library.

Bring your own snacks, popcorn and drink and we’ll supply the movie.

Code Club

Tuesdays 5.30-6.30pm

Ages 9-12.

You will get the chance to learn new digital skills, build apps and play games. No previous experience of coding necessary. All equipment provided.

Free but spaces are limited, please contact the Barbican Children’s Library for more information.

Kids' Philosophy Club

First Thursday of the month 4-4.45pm

Ages 8+

Do you have a curious mind? Do you like thinking about thinking? Join us to learn more about the fundamental questions of life, the universe and everything, discuss new ideas, have fun and expand the limits of your mind.

Stay and Play with Rhyme Time

Tuesdays 10am-12 noon

Ages 0-5

Toys, a simple craft and singing. Join us for this very popular activity.

Baby Bounce

Wednesdays 10.30-11.30am

Ages 0-18 months.

Pre-walking babies only. Singing and multi-sensory fun!

Messy Play at Shoe Lane

Last Thursday of the month, 10.30-11.30am

Ages 0-5

Messy and creative play for the under 5s. Great fun!

Messy play sessions allow under fives to get creative and messy in the library. We advise wearing old clothes and bringing along a change of clothes.

Would your child benefit from some extra help with their reading?

Could you spare an hour a week to help a child improve their literacy skills?

The Read to Succeed scheme, run by Artizan Street and Barbican Children's Library, offers children aged five to 14 years the opportunity to improve their literacy skills and develop a love of reading for life by pairing a child with a volunteer reading partner.

If you can spare an hour a week to help a child develop their reading skills by giving one to one support and encouragement with the aid of full training, or you would like your child to improve their reading, contact the Barbican Children's Library.