8 Great Children’s Story Times on the Seacoast: More than just reading!

Story times are every caregiver’s tried and true activity, but when you have story times that are fun as these we’ve found around the seacoast, you’ve gone and hit the big time.

Also, a reminder that your local library also offers story time for all ages—check their websites for details!

For a comprehensive calendar of local story times and other fun family activities, visit SeacoastKidsCalendar.com!

1. NHSPCA Story Time with the Animals
NHSPCA, 104 Portsmouth Avenue, Stratham NH (603) 772-2921 x134
A donation of $5.00 is suggested and appreciated.

Every Thursday morning at 10:30am, the Learning Center welcomes children 2-5 years old to listen to a story about an animal, color pictures and visit with real animals in the classroom (hamsters, bunnies, birds, chinchillas and sometimes kittens). After story time, you can take a walk around and visit with the kitties that roam and lounge in their shared “bedrooms” or get some tails waggin’ by walking through the dog kennels and saying hello to the canine counterparts. A bag of kitty litter or dog food is always a welcome donation! The perfect story time experience for animal lovers!

2. Barnes & Noble Story Time
45 Gosling Road, Newington NH (603) 422-7733
No registration is required. All events are free and open to the public.

Story times are held in the children’s section of the book store and occur twice a week on Saturdays and Sundays at 11:00am. Each week has a different theme. Story time on Saturdays includes two stories followed by a fun craft. Sunday story time is specifically geared for 0-24 month olds and includes a story and activities featuring sensory growth.  The vibe is always laid back and there are plenty of kids and book to interact with!

3. First Friends Playgroup with Baby Storytime
Children’s Museum of NH, 6 Washington Street, Dover NH 603-742-2002
Free for members. Regular admission applies to non-members. No registration necessary.

Shake-Rattle-andRead! for children ages 6 months – two years is a drop-in opportunity for parents and babies/toddler to play together. Doors open for Baby Storytime at 8:30am and starts at 8:45am in one of the museum’s classrooms. The Storytime is led by Early Childhood Coordinator Meredith Brustlin, MLIS – and focuses on teaching caregivers and little ones important early literacy skills through books, songs, rhymes, puppets, toys and more. Not interested in storytime? Join the First Friends Playgroup, also starting at 8:30am upstairs in the Primary Place exhibit. This informal gathering is a great chance for caregivers to interact, visit, and play in a space specifically designed for babies and toddlers.

4. Wee Ones Wednesdays
Children’s Museum of NH, 6 Washington Street, Dover NH 603-742-2002
$8 for members, $11 or non-members, additional children in a family are $5 each for members and $8 for non-members. No registration necessary. 

Wee Ones Wednesdays is an interactive weekly drop-in program for children ages 2-4. Children and a parent or caregiver enjoy art, music, movement and conceptual learning with a new theme each week. Sessions are offered from 9:00-9:45 am and 10:00-10:45 am on Wednesdays (during the school year).

5. Little Learners Story and Play Time
Children’s Museum of NH, 6 Washington Street, Dover NH 603-742-2002
This drop-in program is free with museum admission and free for museum members.

Children ages 2-5 and their caregivers come together for a variety of activities for this drop-in program offered every Thursday at 2:00pm. Join us for stories, songs, a craft, games/activities and more all revolving around a special weekly theme. This drop-in program is free with museum admission. Participants must check in at the front desk. We can accommodate up to 12 children for this program.

6. Ocean Commotion
Seacoast Science Center, 570 Ocean Blvd. Rye, NH (603) 436-8043
Cost: $5 for member children; $8 non-member children; no cost for adults. No registration necessary.

Ocean Commotion is an active, indoor program that meets Monday mornings from 9:30am-10:30am and teaches about nature through movement, music, stories and games. Check their calendar for weekly activities. Admission applies for non-members who would like to stay and enjoy the Center after the program.

7. Wiggles and Wisdom
Wentworth Senior Living, 346 Pleasant Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801 (603) 436-0169
Cost: $10 for adult with 1 or 2 children, $5 for each additional child

Wiggles and Wisdom brings generations together in our weekly activity classes held in Portsmouth, New Hampshire at Wentworth Senior Living facility. Young children (under 6 years old), their parent/caregiver, and senior residents come together for a joyful and rejuvenating experience for all! Drop in classes are most Thursday mornings from 10:00am-11:00am​. Check the calendar.

8. Furry Tales Story & Adventure Hour
Animal Welfare Society, 46 Holland Road Kennebunk, ME 04043 (207) 985-3244 ext. 109
No registration is required and this story time is free, although donations are always appreciated

Preschoolers and their families explore the exciting world of animals with stories, playtime, crafts, songs, movement and plenty of animal time. Each week is a new adventure! Furry Tales takes place on Thursdays at 10 am, during the school year.

 

 

 

 

 

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