Featured Children's Events
Click Here to see ALL upcoming Young Minds programming!
Find Sam the Stegosaurus
Monday, October 2, 3 pm & Saturday, October 21, 12 pm | Fair Haven
Kids 12 and under: We'll be hiding Sam the Stegosaurus inside our building on different days and times. Be the first to find Sam and then complete a unique learning challenge. If you do, you'll receive a prize donated from Yale Peabody Museum's gift shop. Consolation prizes will be awarded to the next 3 finders too. Watch for our flyers and calendar posts to know the next time Sam will go into hiding.
Makey Makey
Wednesday, October 4, 4-5 pm | Mitchell
It’s first Wednesday Makerspace with Buley Library. We’ll be learning about circuits with Makey Makey.
STEAM Explorers!
Wednesdays, 4-5 pm | Ives
STEAM Explorers is a space for science and technology exploration for kids! Let's explore science with fun, hands-on activities.
October 4: LEGOs
October 11: Outer Space
October 18: Making Music
October 25: Coding with Ozobots!
Hispanic Heritage Storytime and Craft
Wednesday, October 11, 4-5 pm | Mitchell
We’ll read a cool story and make a paper mola craft. This folk art from Panama celebrates color and shapes.
Solar Eclipse Event
Thursday, October 12, 3 pm | Fair Haven
Saturday, October 14, 10-11:30 am | Stetson
Saturday, October 14, 10-11 am | Wilson
Saturday, October 14, 11:30 am | Mitchell
Saturday, October 14, 11:30 am | Ives
Themed story time and craft, plus free, special solar viewing glasses. Fair Haven will offer a take-home craft and solar glasses.
Exploring Artism at Wilson Library
Saturday, October 14 & 28, 11 am-12 pm | Wilson
Explore works of art, practice social skills, and make a no-fail art project with educators from the Yale Center for British Art! A free program for children on the autism spectrum (5–12 years old) and their parents, siblings, and other relatives. Quiet area available with sensory toys and blankets. Please preregister by emailing ycba.education@yale.edu or calling 203-432-2858.
Cantando y Jugando with Elba Llantin
Saturday, October 14, 11 am-12 pm | Fair Haven
All ages can sing and dance with Elba Llantin's Spanish-language songs to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month! Her interactive program includes bilingual songs and games, to get everyone up and moving. Don't miss it!
LEGO Club
Wednesday, October 18, 4-5 pm | Mitchell
We'll bring the LEGOs, you bring the creativity!
Children's Authors and Illustrators Series:
Nohra Bernal and Rubén Rodríguez Ferreira
Saturday, October 21, 11-11:30 am | Ives
Local author Nohra Bernal and illustrator Rubén Rodríguez Ferreira will do a read-aloud of their children's book The Child and the Tree, published in both English and Spanish. The book tells the story of the special relationship between a child and a tree. A group, interactive activity will follow that engages kids to think more about the book and its message. Event will take place in the Children's Room (2nd floor).
Halloween Movie Screening: A Nightmare Before Christmas
Wednesday, October 25, 4-5:30 pm | Wilson
Get into the Halloween spirit and join us for a screening of "A Nightmare Before Christmas." Rated PG.
Spooky Nail Art Workshop
Wednesday, October 25, 4-5 pm | Mitchell
Learn to create tiny, spooky works of art on your nails, just in time for Halloween. Local nail artist and business owner, Kate Proulx of SickNails, returns to teach us how to be nail artists too.
Lead Prevention Activity
Thursday, October 26, 4-5 pm | Mitchell
A lead prevention activity for children, sponsored by the City of New Haven.
Click Here to see ALL upcoming Young Minds programming!
Featured Teen and Tween Programs
Making Comics + Zines with the Yale Center for British Art
Wednesday, October 4, 11 & 18, 3-5 pm | Ives
Explore comic and zine making with educator/artist James Vanderberg in the NHFPL Teen Center! Create diary comics and zines using fun and easy prompts. All materials provided; no previous experience nor skills necessary.
Queer Youth Game Space
Saturday, October 14, 1-3 pm | Ives
Come join Q+ and NHFPL Teens on the first Saturday of every month for two hours of board game fun in a respectful and inclusive environment. Pizza and snacks will be provided! Open to all teens.
Boo! A Madea Halloween (2016): Horror Movie Series
Tuesday, October 17, 5-7 pm | Wilson
Take-no-prisoners matriarch Madea battles ghouls and ghosts on Halloween night, all while making sure a teenage relative doesn't sneak off to a frat party she's forbidden to attend. Rated PG-13. Open to teens and adults.
Coding Club Powered by Girls Who Code
Wednesday, October 25, 5-6 pm | Ives
Join the NHFPL Teens Coding Club and learn to create a game using Scratch! Open to all New Haven Teens, regardless of gender. Meetings every Wednesday from 5-6 in the Teen Center.
Library Updates
Library Holiday Closures:
The New Haven Free Public Library will close at all locations for Italian Heritage Day & Indigenous People’s Day on Saturday, October 7 and Monday, October 9.
For all our 2023 holiday hours, please refer to our Holiday Closings.
