FAMILY PROGRAMS

1000 Books Before Kindergarten

This program promotes reading to newborns, infants, toddlers, and children up to Kindergarten. The goal is to have read 1000 books before your child starts Kindergarten. Sign up in the Children’s Room to get more information, and your first reading record, or print the record and instructions from our website:

Take and Make Crafts

Every Monday the Children's Room will have a new craft ready for pickup for children to do at home on their own anytime!  Stop by the Children's Room or the back door terrace of the Children's Room to pick up, and send a picture of your completed craft to vclkids@rcls.org for a prize and to have it posted on our social media!

No registration.

Crafts available during library hours, while supplies last.

Seasonal Scavenger Hunt

Ages 12 and under

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Starting in September, win a prize each month for finding the seasonal shape (apples, pumpkins, etc.) of the month hidden around the Children’s Room!

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No registration.

Give a Kid a Book

Between October 1 and November 1, the Children’s Room will collect new, unused books to be given as gifts to children through local charities during the holidays.

Celebrate Election Day!

Drop by anytime on Tuesday, November 2 to vote for your favorite book character!

A chance for children of all ages to be part of the democratic process and get prizes.

VIRTUAL FAMILY PROGRAMS

Virtual Pajama Storytime  

Select Wednesdays at 6:30pm

October 13, December 8

Ages 2 and up with adult(s)

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Wear your PJs and grab your favorite snuggly friend for this Family Storytime.

A Zoom link will be sent before the program.  

Register separately for each program.

Virtual Halloween Family Craft Program  

Wednesday, October 27 at 6pm

Ages 3 and up with adult(s)

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Listen to a (not-so) Spooky Story and make some fun crafts as a family! Create a creepy candy bowl and some fun Halloween decorations.

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A Zoom link will be sent before the program, and materials will be available for pickup during the week before the program.

Virtual Make a Gingerbread House

Wednesday, December 15 at 5pm OR 6 pm  (choose one)

Ages 3-10 with adult(s)

[Registration starts Dec. 1 for this program only. Please register for only one Gingerbread program.]

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Decorate a colorful, edible gingerbread house at home as a family, then share your handiwork with the group!

A Zoom link will be sent before the program, and materials will be available for pickup during the week before the program.

Valley Cottage Library on YouTube

Click below to access our YouTube channel anytime! You'll find a variety of children's videos, including at home preschool toddler circle times with Ms. Melinda!

Valley Cottage Library Children's Library Online

Click below to access our Children's Library Online anytime! It is filled with a huge variety of wonderful virtual resources and activities for children.

PROGRAMS FOR AGES 5 and UNDER IN THE LIBRARY

Tiny Tykes

Select Fridays at 10:30am 

Sept. 24, Oct. 8, Oct. 22, Nov. 5, Nov. 19, Dec. 10

Ages 2 months - 23 months with adult

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In-person movement, rhymes & music at the library.

Please make alternate arrangements for other children. 

Register separately for each session. 

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Registration for in-person programming is open to Nyack School District patrons only and will begin one week before each program date.

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PreK Kids

Select Mondays at 10:30am:   Sept. 20, Oct. 4, Oct. 18, Nov. 1, Nov. 15 

Select Thursdays at 10:30am: Sept. 30, Oct. 14, Oct. 28, Nov. 11, Dec. 2, Dec. 16

Ages 2-5 years with adult 

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Join us for storytime at the library with great books, music, movement and beyond!

Please make alternate arrangements for other children.

Register separately for each session. 

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Registration for in-person programming is open to Nyack School District patrons only and will begin one week before each program date.

VIRTUAL PROGRAMS FOR AGES 6 and UNDER

Virtual Craft Program for Ages 3-K 

Select Wednesdays at 4:30pm 

Sept. 29, Nov. 10   

Ages 3-Kindergarten 

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Pick up craft materials the week before the program at the library and then join Ms. Melinda to listen to a story and make a craft.  

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A Zoom meeting link will be sent before the program. 

Register separately for each program. 

PROGRAMS FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN

Virtual Homeschool Happy Hour

Select Mondays at 6pm

Nov. 15, Dec. 13

For parents homeschooling their child(ren)

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Meet other local homeschoolers and find out what Valley Cottage Library has to offer for homeschooling families! Ms. Alexsis, an experienced homeschool mom and Children's Room staff member, will answer your homeschooling questions and facilitate a discussion during this virtual program.

A Zoom link will be sent before the program. 

Register separately for each session. 

Picture Book Pals: Book Clubs for Grades K-2 in the library

Select Tuesdays at 5pm in the library

Grades K-2

Books will be available at the Children’s Room Desk one week prior to the program. Registration for in-person programming is open to Nyack School District patrons only and will begin one week before each program date.

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Oct. 19: Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson. We’ll read the book together, then make a flying witch like the one in the story.

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Nov. 16: Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet. We’ll read the book together, then make our own mini Thanksgiving parade.

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Dec. 14: Bear Came Along by Richard T. Morris. We’ll read the book together, then create a wintry bear craft to welcome winter.

Bookaneers: Book Clubs for Grades 3-5 in the library

Select Tuesdays at 5pm in the library

Grades 3-5

Books will be available at the Children’s Room Desk one month prior to the program. Registration for in-person programming is open to Nyack School District patrons only and will begin one week before each program date.

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Oct. 12: Billy Miller Makes a Wish by Kevin Henkes. We’ll discuss this story then create our own colorful wishes to take home.

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Nov. 9: Who Were the Brothers Grimm? by Avery Reed. We’ll discuss their story and then make a cool owl craft.

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Dec. 7: The Creature of the Pines: The Unicorn Rescue Society by Adam Gidwitz. We’ll discuss this adventure and then make a magical unicorn using stickers.

S.T.E.A.M.* PROGRAMS FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN THE LIBRARY

* Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math 

Fun with Tangrams

Ages 5 and up

What is a Tangram?  A Chinese geometric puzzle consisting of a square cut into seven pieces that can be arranged to make various other shapes. 

Every month the Children's Room will have a new tangram project ready for pickup for children to do at home on their own anytime!  Stop by the Children's Room or the back door terrace of the Children's Room to pick up, and send a picture of your completed tangram to vclkids@rcls.org by the end of that month for a prize and to have it posted on our social media!  

No registration. (Crafts available while supplies last.)  

Children’s Crafts for Grades 2-5    

Select Mondays at 5pm 

Sept. 27, Oct. 11, Nov. 22, Dec. 20 

Gr. 2-5 

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Join Ms. Meredith at the library to make a cool craft! 

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Register separately for each session. 

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Registration for in-person programming is open to Nyack School District patrons only and will begin one week before each program date.

Planetary Fun

Wednesday, Nov. 3 at 4:15pm

Gr. 1-5

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Join us at the library for a fun look at our solar system. We’ll compare planet sizes, look the differences between planets’ rotations and orbits, and answer the question, “What on earth is Foucault’s Pendulum?”

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Registration for in-person programming is open to Nyack School District patrons only and will begin one week before each program date.

VIRTUAL S.T.E.A.M.* PROGRAMS FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN

* Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math 

Virtual Building Club 

Select Thursdays at 4:15pm

Oct 28, Nov. 18, Dec. 16

Grades 1-5

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Show us what you can build!  Register in advance to receive an email with the building challenge theme of the month. Use clay, building blocks, LEGO® bricks, etc. to build something at home fitting the theme, then join Ms. Jen on Zoom to share your finished project.

A Zoom link will be sent before the program.  If you cannot join the program on Zoom, you can send a photo of your finished project to vclkids@rcls.org.

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Register separately for each session.

Virtual Tech Time

Wednesday, Dec. 8 at 4:30pm

Grades K-5

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Build a winter lantern to light the winter nights. We’ll supply the technology, you supply the creativity!

A Zoom link will be sent before the program and materials will be available for pickup during the week before the program.

Children's Registration 

Register for Fall 2021 Programs

below. 

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Masks are required for all people in the Library regardless of vaccination status.

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Curbside pickup service is available by appointment. Click on the green button at the top of this page to schedule your appointment.

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Fall 2021

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Registration for Fall 2021 virtual programs is open. 

Fall Programs will run until December 31.

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Registration for in-person programming is open to Nyack School District patrons only and will begin one week before each program date.

For programs in the library, Covid safety measures will be followed, including masks and social distancing.

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• Registration is required for all programs (unless noted otherwise) and group size is limited.

• Using the CHILD's name, register by clicking below.

• Please notify us of cancellations in order to allow more children to attend our programs. Wait-listed patrons will be contacted only if there is room in the program.

• Programs are free and are designed for the intended age group.

• Please note, registration requires an active email account. The program will send a confirmation and reminder to your email. Please check your SPAM folder or contact the library if you do not see a confirmation or reminder email.

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