Children | Portland Library

Fingerplay of the Day

To encourage storytime practices, we are posting some of our favorite rhymes and fingerplays. Today's rhyme is "Ten Little Bubbles." This song encourages counting, repetition and movement.

Unplugged Family Activities

Build a blanket fort
Let your kids be your hairdresser, manicurists and make-up artists for the day!
Set the table for a fancy dinner....then eat dinner by candlelight!
Write letters to family and friends
Have a picnic lunch outdoors
Make an obstacle course
Build a house with playing cards
Make a time capsule
Learn a new card game or board game

Have you done any of these things? Do you have another idea we haven't mentioned? We would love to see photos of how you're spending your family time!

Email us at portlandlibrary@portlandct.org.

Virtual Events, Field Trip and Activities

English and Other Languages

The Spanish Experiment (free Spanish lessons and listen to stories read in Spanish)
Duolingo
Transparent Language (Portland library cardholders can use your library barcode to log in)
Story Line Online (picture books read aloud and activity guides)
Scholastic Book Flix (Portland library cardholders can use your library barcode to log in)
ABCYa (educational games for grades preK-6; free accounts available)

Outdoor Activities

Letterboxing and Geocaching in Connecticut

Art, Crafts and Curious Minds

PBS Kids
Hello Kids (drawing)
Scholastic Learn at Home (day by day projects to keep kids reading, thinking and growing)
Wonderopolis (answers different who/what/how/when/why questions every day)
WhatdoWeDoAllDay (indoor activities for kids)

Math

Science

Discovery Mindblown (app through Apple or Google Play)
NASA Kids Club
Amazing Space

Social Studies

Reading Lists

Not sure what to read next? Check out these book lists for some new ideas.

Adventures for Children

Books for Animal Lovers in Grades 3-5
Character Counts: Picture Books about Kindness and Caring
Diary of a Wimpy Kid Readalikes
Historical Fiction for Children
Mysteries for Children
Ready for School

Scary Stories for Kids
Science Fiction for Children

Computers in the Children's Area

Early Literacy Computer Station Added

In September 2014, the Youth Services Department added an AWE Early Literacy Computer Station to its list of services. Stocked with more than 40 games that build skills in the areas of reading, words and phonics; science and nature; math and problem solving; reference; music and arts; writing and computer skills; and social studies and geography, this colorful touch-screen computer is great for kids between the ages of 2-8. Users may sign up at the children’s reference desk to use the computer.

Portland Library Computer Information

We have two computers with Internet access in the Children's Department that can be used by patrons under the age of 11. Only children or others accompanied by children are allowed to use these computers.

Please note the following when using the computers:

Parents and guardians will have to sign a Public Computer Procedures form the first time their child uses a computer.
If others are waiting, use is restricted to 30 minutes per user.
There is filtering software on the computers in the Children's Department.
Please, no eating or drinking at the computer.
Our printing rates are as follows: Each user is allowed two free black and white pages. Additional pages are $.15 per page. Color copies are always $.50 per page.

Recommended Websites for Children:

American Library Association's Great Websites for Children

Cool Math Games

Disney Fairy Online Games

1000 Books Before Kindergarten

Raise a reader! 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is a national reading initiative that encourages parents and caregivers to provide positive, nurturing early experiences by reading aloud daily to their children from birth to age five. Reading to children builds important vocabulary and language skills that are needed for kindergarten. We invite you to participate in this exciting, free program open to children birth to age five.

How long will it take to read 1,000 books? This is a self-paced program that depends on how often you read together. Reading three books together a night—approximately 15 minutes—will mean you will have read 1,095 at the end of one year.

Come into the library and pick up your 1,000 Books Before Kindergartenwelcome packet in the children’s department.

Thank you to the Friends of the Portland Library for funding this program.

Not able to come to the library but want to get started on your next reading journal? Print them out here!