Kingston Libraries - Children & Families - February-June 2025 by City of Kingston

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a responsible adult while in the library.

Phone 1300 135 668

Email library@kingston.vic.gov.au

Web library.kingston.vic.gov.au

Library Locations

Chelsea 1 Chelsea Road

Cheltenham 12 Stanley Ave

Clarinda 58 Viney St

Dingley Village 31C Marcus Rd

Highett 310 Highett Rd

Parkdale 96 Parkers Rd

Patterson Lakes 54 Thompson Road

Westall 35 Fairbank Rd Clayton South

For opening hours and to book events, visit library.kingston.vic.gov.au

All dates and time correct at time of printing. Changes may be made in line with Government regulations. Please check our website for updates.

The City of Kingston acknowledges the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this land, and pay respects to their Elders past and present. OUR PROGRAMSREGULAR RUN DURING SCHOOL TERMS ONLY

Baby Time

Where & when

Chelsea Library

Mondays 11:30am

Parkdale Library

Tuesdays 11:30am

Clarinda Library

Wednesdays 2:30pm

Dingley Village Library

Thursdays 11:30am

Cheltenham Library

Thursdays 2:30pm

Patterson Lakes Library

Fridays 11:30am

Ideal for 0 - 18 month olds.

Begin a lifelong love of language, reading and literacy with your baby at our Baby Time program.

Enjoy a librarian led 20-minute session full of songs, rhymes, finger play and books. Learn techniques to develop your baby’s pre-literacy skills and discover the perfect books to choose for baby, while in the company of other babies and parents in your community space.

No bookings required. During school terms only.

Toddler Time

Where & when

Chelsea Library

Mondays 10:10am

Parkdale Library

Tuesdays 10:10am

Cheltenham Library

Tuesdays 2:30pm

Dingley Village Library

Thursdays 10:10am

Patterson Lakes Library

Fridays 10:10am

Westall Library

Fridays 2:30pm

Ideal for toddlers 18 months - 3 years old.

Encourage enjoyment of stories and songs with your child at our Toddler Time program.

Join our interactive 20-minute session, sing lots of songs, listen to some stories and have a boogie. Learn techniques to develop your child’s early literacy skills and watch them grow.

No bookings required. During school terms only.

Storytime

Where & when

Highett Library

Mondays 10:10am

Parkdale Library

Mondays 10:10am

Cheltenham Library Tuesdays 10:10am

Chelsea Library Thursdays 10:10am

Ideal for 3 - 5 year olds.

Enjoy stories, songs, and movement. Be inspired by books and authors to develop early literacy at our Storytime program.

All sessions will use a visual clock and schedule board to help participants follow what will happen next. Each session will include a simple craft activity related to the theme.

No bookings required. During school terms only.

Sensitive Storytime

Where & when

Cheltenham Library

Fridays 10:15am

Ideal for 3 - 5 year olds.

This Storytime will be run with reduced noise and crowding and is especially welcoming for children with sensory differences and families who are looking for a smaller, more adaptive Storytime.

The small group setting is used to engage your child in activities supporting literacy development.

Each session focuses on a different theme, with songs and stories, as well as a group reading of one story.

All sessions will use a visual clock and schedule board to help participants follow what will happen next.

No bookings required. During school terms only. Please note spaces are limited.

Auslan Storytime

Where & when

Chelsea Library

1st Wednesday of each month

2:30pm

5 February

5 March

2 April

7 May

4 June

2 July

Ideal for 3 - 5 year olds.

Come and experience a visual language with our monthly Auslan Storytime. Auslan is the sign language of the Australian Deaf community. All welcome.

No bookings required. During school terms only.

Weekend Storytimes

5

A wonderful opportunity for busy parents and families with young children to enjoy Storytime at the library.

For primary school children.

Collect a take-home craft kit from the library each month.

The kit will be themed to match an author, illustrator, or special day of the month. It will include a simple craft to do at home and a list of suggested books to borrow and read.

Available from all branches, but supplies are limited so get in quick.

Where and When:

Released on the 1st of each month, February to June.

For more information visit library.kingston.vic.gov.au/crafty-readers

COME JOIN THE FUN!

Library membership is FREE for everyone. Please ask staff to join, or join online.

Did you know at the library you have free access to many different items and resources?

For example:

• Early Readers

• Picture books

• Chapter books

• Information books

• eBooks & eAudiobooks

• STEM Kits to borrow

• Free computer access

• Nintendo Switch games

• Game consoles at Chelsea, Clarinda, Cheltenham & Westall Libraries ...plus much more!

For a small fee you can also print and photocopy, or try out our 3D Printer. There are no fees if you are late to return items.

Kids Movie Club

A great opportunity for primary school aged kids to get together after school and relax with some snacks and a movie. Movies will be rated G or PG.

No bookings required. During school terms only.

STEAM Club

Where & when

Dingley Village Library

Tuesdays

3:30pm - 4:30pm

Westall Library

Wednesdays

3:30pm - 4:30pm

For primary school children.

Join us at our weekly STEAM Club for primary school aged children. Activities will revolve around Science, Technology, Engineering, Art or Maths (STEAM).

Explore, discover, learn, design, engineer, build, problem solve and create.

No bookings required, just drop in. During school terms only.

Kingston Miners

Where & when

Patterson Lakes Library

Mondays

4:00pm - 5:00pm

Chelsea Library Tuesdays

4:00pm - 5:00pm

Cheltenham Library Wednesdays

4:00pm - 5:00pm

Parkdale Library Thursdays

4:00pm - 5:00pm

Clarinda Library Fridays

4:00pm - 5:00pm

For kids aged 8 - 12*

Using a selection of specially crafted content maps ranging in difficulty levels for beginner to intermediate crafters, our Minecraft sessions aim to develop a variety of skills including basic computer skills, problem solving, working collaboratively, being a good cyber citizen, resilience, and persistence, all while having a ton of fun.

Limited spaces, so bookings are essential. During school terms only.

*If your child is just outside the age range, please have a chat to the facilitator and considerations may be made on a case to case basis.

To book:

Please phone 1300 135 668, visit us in person at any branch or via our website.

Please arrive on time as places may be given to other people unless we are advised of your delay.

YA Chat

For ages 13+

Keen to hang out with like-minded young people? Come and chat about pop culture, music, TV, books… anything really!

Have a snack, play a game, chill out!

No bookings required. During school terms only. Supported by Kingston Youth Services.

Dungeons and Dragons

Where & when

Westall Library

Fortnightly on Fridays 4:00pm - 6:00pm

7 February

21 February

7 March

21 March

4 April 2 May 16 May 30 May 13 June 27 June

Parkdale Library

Fortnightly on Mondays

4:00pm - 6:00pm

10 February

24 February

24 March

5 May 19 May 2 June 16 June 30 June

For ages 12 - 17

Learn to play Dungeons & Dragons, then join us for a series of epic adventures in a friendly, fun and relaxed atmosphere. Each session is self-contained, so don’t worry if you can’t join us for all of them.

Bookings required. During school terms only.

To book:

Please phone 1300 135 668, visit us in person at any branch or via our website.

Please arrive on time as places may be given to other people unless we are advised of your delay.

Digital Library – Play and Learn

Story

Box Library 2-8 years

Videos of stories written by Australians, being read aloud by a range of fantastic Australian storytellers.

Busy Things 3-6 years

Fun activities based on listening, reading, and numeracy skills as well as developing kids’ creative problem solving.

Lote4Kids 3-10 years

Kids can now enjoy digital books in over 30 languages, together with English translations. Auslan available.

eBooks

and eAudiobooks All ages from BorrowBox

Read or listen to both eAudiobooks and eBooks. Stories for all ages. Available on your iPhone, Android, PC or Mac.

Digital magazines from Libby All ages

Sign up for free access to Libby magazines. Over 70 kids’ magazine titles can be viewed on your computer or via the Libby app.

Kanopy Kids movie streaming 2-8 years

Kanopy Kids provides entertaining and educational movies, TV shows and storybooks for kids. You can also learn about history, science, or languages.

Era Books Online 3-8 years

With over 1,400 educational books, exercises and learning guides, created by trusted educators and supported by childhood literacy research to improve reading, writing and comprehension skills for children.

Comics Plus for Children

All ages

Enjoy unlimited access to thousands of children’s and teen digital comics, graphic novels, and manga—24 hours a day, 7 days a week - on your computer, tablet, or phone. There are no holds, no wait lists, and no limits.

LOOKING FOR MORE? JUST DROP IN!

free PLAy

Pop into your local library for drop in LEGO® Free Play, available at all branches! A fun, casual and creative activity for families. Kids of all ages welcome.

GAMING AT THE LIBRARY

Try out our gaming consoles available at Chelsea, Clarinda, Cheltenham

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Call 1300 135 668, visit us in person at any library branch or online at library.kingston.vic.gov.au