Youth Programs

The Pillsbury Free Library offers programs, events, and resources for children of all ages and abilities. See our blogs of past and upcoming Children’s Events and Teen Events, and Teen services page

Preschool Programs

Story time at the library every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. in the children’s room includes stories, finger-plays and songs, and a simple craft. Monthly Saturday Story Times are held October – May (check events calendar). These are a repeat of the Thursday event.

Teddy Bear Picnic: an expanded Story time the last Thursday in May at 10:30 a.m. All welcome! Bring a lovey, and enjoy story time outside (indoors if raining), and a project, followed by a potluck picnic. This years date is Thursday, May 28, 2026.

1000 Books Before Kindergarten: Download an easy-to-keep reading log of how many books you and your child read. Turn in the log every 100 books for a prize, and a place on the wall!

Programs

Summer Children’s Program for grades K-5, meets Tues. at 9:30AM and Wed. at 1:30PM, July-August. Registration required. In 2026 it starts July 7 and the awards party is August 12.

After School Craft events: once a month for elementary age students, October to May. These last about 1 hour. Preregistration is required due to limited space. Free.

The Book Nook activity group for grades four and up. This is a branch-off of the Great Stone Face reading program doing various activities, including an Autumn Party, (Costume required) and a Great Stone Face voting party in April. RSVP and sign up for a pot luck meal. Other activity suggestions and book recommendations are welcome.

Annual Spring Play: sign-ups in December, rehearsals weekly January – April, performance in early May. May 9, 2026 the performance is “A Christmas Carol based on the book written by Charles Dickens. It was adapted by Kathryn Schultz Miller through ArtReach plays for children. Entrance fee is a donation for the food pantry. A bake sale is held at intermission with proceeds going to the library.

POKEMON Club: Meets 2nd Tuesday of the month in the Children’s room, after school, October-June.

Story Walk

Read a story on the Rail Trail between Depot Street and West Joppa Road, along the Warner River! Start at the Library near the entrance on Depot Street. Walk downhill on the sidewalk and cross the street to the trail. Includes twenty-one podiums, each with a page of a book, about 1/3 mile each way. Ends at the covered bridge on W. Joppa Rd. The book is changed monthly. For details of this and other rail trails in the area, see https://clsrt.org/clsrt-trail-maps/

Reading Lists

Ladybug List for picture book readers in grades 1-3, selected by the New Hampshire Center for the Book. Great Stone Face reading list chapter books and Graphic novels for grades 5 & 6. A new section has been created for grades 3 & 4 called the Purple Finch list.
See Teen Pages for reading lists for grades 6-8 and 9-12.

STEAM to GO Kits

These include a book, a game, and projects; a great way to learn and have fun together.

Many of these STEAM kits were purchased with funds from a NH State Library Summer Learning Grant, provided by the Jack and Dorothy Byrne Foundation, Cogswell Benevolent Trust, Children’s Librarians of NH (CLNH) and other funds administered by the NH State Library and Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Additional Information

Borrowing via curbside pickup is still available on request. You can make requests by placing holds in the catalog, and letting us know your pickup preference with a reserve note, online contact, or phone call to 603-456-2289.

For more information about youth programs, contact the Children’s Librarian using our Children’s Librarian contact form.

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