Parenting

Children's Programs

Whether you are the parent of a newborn (congratulations!) or you are looking for activities for toddlers, preschoolers, or older children, the library offers programs that will help you guide your child towards success by promoting language, literacy and social skills. Coming to library programs with your family helps promote family bonding and helps develop habits that lead to success. These programs are free and offered at branches throughout the city.

Library programs for young children are created to include books, songs, fingerplays, puppets, rhymes and activities. These programs help build early literacy, listening, and group participation skills in preparation for school.

Babytime

  • Nursery rhymes, knee bounces, board books stories, songs and lullabies are basic literacy foundations for your baby and a great bonding experience for you both
  • For babies ages 0-18 months old and a parent or caregiver.

Toddlertime

  • Music, dance, movement, rhymes, books, and story activities like puppets and flannel board
  • For toddlers aged 18 months old to 3 years old and a parent or caregiver.

Storytime

  • Stories, songs, rhymes, book activities like puppets and felts, and maybe a complementary craft!
  • For children ages 19 months to school age.

Family Storytime

  • Stories, songs and rhymes for the whole family to enjoy together.
  • Geared to each audience with something for everyone - children of all ages and their parents.

For older children

The library hosts a variety of free programs and events each year including homework help, reading buddies, book clubs, author visits, musical performances, STEM programming and more. These encourage your child to develop their language and communication skills while exploring topics of interest. While too numerous and varied to list here, our programs can be searched at through our programs and events page. 

Events

  • Monday Sep 8, 2025 at 10:30am
    Monday September 8th, 2025 at 10:30am Drop in for preschool fun! Play with puppets, building blocks, balls and more.
  • Saturday Oct 25, 2025 at 10:30am
    Comment motiver votre enfant à lire?​ Un atelier pour les parents de jeunes enfants.​ Atelier pour les parents à la recherchede ressources pour inculquer l'amour...
  • Saturday Oct 25, 2025 at 2:00pm
    Parents, educators and caregivers – come learn about OPL resources that can benefit your family’s learning at home or students in the classroom. We will...
  • Parenting in Ottawa
    Tuesday Sep 9, 2025 at 1:00pm (series runs until Dec 30, 2025)
    Speak, in person, with a Public Health Nurse to get support around infant feeding and parenting. No appointment is necessary, simply drop in during these...