Children & Families

Frontier Life - A digital collection of primary sources including material from the Hudson Bay Archives and the Glenbow Archives. It is designed to enrich teaching and research, examining settlement, existence and interactions at the edge of the Anglophone world from 1650-1920.

Primary Search Main Edition - Main Edition provides access to popular full-text magazines for elementary school research.

World Book Online - Fill in the form, and receive access to: Early Learning; Kids; Student; Advanced; Timelines; eBooks; Activity Corner; Discover; Dramatic Learning; Kids eLearn; Science Power; Social Studies Power; Other Languages: - Enciclopedia Estudiantil Hallazgos; Banco de Contenidos aualPlanets; L'Encyclopedie Decouverte

Kids in the Kitchen - Back to School Bus Snack - Friday, September 3rd

• Have you ever wondered what it would be like to eat a school bus?
• Supplies needed: 1 slice of bread, 2 slices of thinly cut cheddar cheese (wide enough to cover a slice of bread), 2 slices of white cheddar or marble cheese, 1 cherry tomato, 2 chocolate chips, 2 grapes, 1 slice of bell pepper (any colour), 1 kid-friendly knife and 1 plate.

Minecraft Mondays - Mondays - September 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th

• Can you meet the challenges?  Join us each Monday in September and see what the new challenge is!
• There will be one Minecraft Challenge for the actual game, and one Hands-on one for you to create.
• Send us all your screenshots and pictures for everyone to see!
• For more details, visit our Facebook page

Virtual Storytime is back! - Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. (after Labour Day)

• Starting after Labour Day, join us on Tuesdays at 10am for a weekly virtual Storytime!
• Library staff will present stories, songs and rhymes that you can enjoy from the comfort of your home.
• Storytimes can be found on the Library’s Facebook page.

View the Stars with Dortwood Observatory - Saturday, September 18th - 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

• Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy a few different views of our awesome star The Sun.
• Join the Dortwood Observatory on the lawn of the Cobourg Library (200 Ontario Street) as they explain some of the fascinating things about our solar system.
• Kindly note that COVID-19 protocols will be in place.

Simple Science Sundial - Thursday, September 23rd

• Make this sundial and have fun using the sun to tell time!
• Supplies Needed: Paper plate, crayons, sharpened pencil, push pins, plastic straw, ruler.

Celebrate National Comic Book Day! - Saturday, September 25th

• Check out our Junior and Young Adult Graphic Novel collections and pick up a worksheet to create your very own graphic novel!

Leaf Shading - Tuesday, September 28th

• Capture the beauty of a leaf, or leaves forever!
• How many different leaves can you find?
• Supplies Needed: A leaf or leaves, crayons, blank paper

Be sure to follow us on Facebook or check our Online Calendar for details on these programs and more!

STEM in a Bag - Take & Make Mystery Challenge Kit  - Registration begins July 26th (Ages 5 and up)

• Hey Kids!  Do you have what it takes to complete our STEM Mystery Challenge Kit?
• Visit the Cobourg Public Library today to pick up a bag of mystery materials and get started.
• Pre-register to reserve your kit. Kits will be available for pick up starting August 3rd.

Book Bites with Rhonda - Tuesday, August 3rd

• Check out the final Book Bites video with Rhonda today!  Sadly, she is retiring. 
• Be sure to attend her parade on Friday, August 6^th at 2:15pm.  
• Or send her a message and we will print it for her

Farewell Celebration Parade for Mrs. Perry - Friday, August 6th at 2:30 p.m.

1. Rhonda Perry, our Youth Services Specialist (aka Mrs. Perry), will be retiring after 38 years with the Cobourg Public Library. 
2. While we will be sad to see her go, we want to celebrate her, and all the amazing work she has done for the Library. 
3. Please join us for a Farewell Parade on Friday, August 6th.  
4. Those who wish to participate in the parade will gather in the parking lot at 2:15 p.m., and the parade will begin at 2:30 p.m.  
5. If you would like to share a memory, a message or a photo, please bring it to the Library to add to a keepsake box for her to cherish.
6. If you are not able to come to the Library, please send her a message and/or photo with our online form.

Bewdley Summer Crafternoon - Thursdays August 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th

• Stop by the Bewdley Branch on Thursday afternoons this summer and pick up a free take-home craft kit.  
• Themes vary each week.  While supplies last

Mini Book and Bake Sale - Fridays 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (August 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th)

• Meet us on the West side of the Cobourg Library building (where the chess/checkerboard tables are). Please ensure that you're masked and follow COVID-19 protocols in place at that time.
• You set the price with payments made by donation. Cash only.

Pop-Up Mini Book Sale at the Cobourg Farmer's Market - Saturday, August 7th from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

• Join us at the Cobourg Farmer's Market for a mini pop-up book sale where you can purchase 'Library Loot Bags' full of books.
• You set the price with payments made by donation. Cash only.

Flower Crown Craft - Tuesday, August 10th

• Flower Crowns are a *must* during the spring and summer season, and with materials from your garden you can make your very own using our step-by-step guide! 
• To begin, gather about 3 dozen wild flowers with their stems! (Having extra never hurts in case of mistakes.) Daisies are the ideal flower since their stems are thin and more durable. You can also use dandelions, clovers, and any other flora you like.

DIY Solar Oven Experiment - Tuesday, August 17th

• Use the power of the sun to back a tasty treat!
• Supplies Needed: Pizza box, ruler, marker, scissors, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, glue, tape, black construction paper, a skewer stick and a snack that melts! (s’mores for example).

View the Stars with Dortwood Observatory - Saturday, August 21st - 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

• Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy a few different views of our awesome star The Sun. Join the Dortwood Observatory on the lawn of the Cobourg Library (200 Ontario Street) as they explain some of the fascinating things about our solar system.
• Kindly note that COVID-19 protocols will be in place.

Ready for Kindergarten - Monday, August 23rd

• Is your child starting Kindergarten this September in Cobourg or Hamilton Township? Why not start them off right with their very own Library card.
• All week long families can visit the Library to sign up for a Library card, check out a school themed book and participate in a search for Pete the Cat's Missing Buttons.

Kids in the Kitchen – Teddy Bear Toast - Tuesday, August 24th

• Once you make this yummy treat - you will want to make it every day!
• Supplies Needed: bread, butter or margarine (if desired), peanut butter or a nut-free alternative, banana, chocolate chips, child-safe knife, toaster and plate

2021 Summer Reading Challenge (Monday, June 28th to Saturday, August 21st)

• We have Challenges for all ages this summer!  
• Be sure to complete your challenges by Saturday, August 21st.
• Login to Beanstack (https://cobourg.beanstack.org/) on your computer or download the Beanstack Tracker app.  
• Choose the Challenge for your age group - then track your reading or checkouts!

The Cobourg Public Library is committed to a zero tolerance policy for harassment or intimidation of any kind at our events. This harassment includes, but is not limited to: vulgar, obscene, and abusive language; name-calling; taunting; and any conduct that demeans a person/group on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, creed, age, or disability.

Any person who violates our Behaviour Policy during our events, webinars or any online convening, will be removed immediately.

• Week #1 - The wheels on the bus
• Week #2 - The cat in the hat
• Week #3 - Train
• Week #4 - Goodnight moon
• Week #5 - Franklin in the dark
• Week #6 - Where the wild things are
• Week #7 - Rosie's walks
• Week #8 - Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see?
• Amos's Sweater
• Counting to Christmas
• My Arctic 123
• Red is best
• Simon and the snowflakes
• Stella, Queen of the snow
• The Mitten
• Thomas' Snowsuit

Try these LEGO Building Challenges!  

• Build a birdhouse
• Build a board game
• Build a bridge
• Build a castle
• Build a dinosaur
• Build a Library
• Build a pirate ship
• Build a toy
• Build a waterpark
• Build something you would find in the ocean
• Build your name
• Create a self portrait
• Create something using only 100 bricks
• Marble maze
• Something to wear
• What's cooking

• Beyond Borders - Books about Refugees
• Books and movies to celebrate Hanukkah
• Choose your own adventures
• Coding for Kids
• Dear Diary
• Explore a new series this summer!
• Just Arrived
• Kids books about Kwanzaa
• Kids Joke books
• Learn a new language - "Welcome to" series with Sesame Street
• Look! Wordless books
• New e-books for Grades K-3
• New Junior Chapter Books!
• Reading Road Trip

• Back to School Bus Snack
• Banana Sushi
• Cinnamon Raisin French Toast
• Cookie "Pizza"
• DIY Ice Cream Sandwiches
• Fruit Kabobs
• Microwave Smores
• No Bake Apple Cookies
• No-Bake Birds Nest Cookies
• Owltastic Snack!
• Snacks - Trail Mix
• Tea Party with Mom
• Teddy Bear Toast
• Veggie Turkey Snack
• Warm Peanut Butter & Banana Quesadillas

• Home bubble solution
• Incredible bouncing raisins
• Magic Invisible Ink
• Magnet Maze
• Make a square bubble
• Orange Fizz
• Static electricity butterfly
• Start Seeds in a Eggshell

• Awesome Audiobooks on Libby
• Bathtub sailboat
• Build a Family Fort
• DIY Stress Balls
• Flashlight Scavenger Hunt
• Kids Nail Salon
• Llama Cardboard Craft - Inspired by Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney. 
  Supplies: cardboard, scissors, yarn, tape, markers.  Optional - pompoms, glue
• Make a card for Mother's Day
• Nature Art
• Paper Ninja Stars
• Popsicle Stick Animals - Bird, Cat/Dog
• Robot Creation Lab
• Screen-free Saturdays - pledge, bingo, tracker
• Shark Book Mark
• Show and Tell
• Sidewalk Obstacle Course
• Summer Painting for Kids
• Teen Tote Bag
• Tips for Gardening with Kids
• Tumblebooks - Sloth at the Zoom
• Victoria Day Fireworks Craft

Join us on Mondays from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Drop-in and visit our unique baby story time!

A 30-minute program of fun ideas you can do with your baby.

Ages 0-24 months. Families Welcome.

Join us Thursdays @ 10:00 a.m. for this relaxed social time filled with rhymes, songs, stories and a "Cup o' Tea".

This program is for infants 0 to 24 months and a caregiver or parent.

Sessions run for 10 weeks.  

Registration is required. Register online or contact the Youth Services Department 905-372-9271 ext. 6130 or email

New sessions start in September, January and April.

Are you ready for some fun?

Join us every Wednesday @ 10:30 a.m. for stories, rhymes, songs and lively activities that help promote reading readiness skills.

This is an energetic 30-minute program with a new theme each week. 

What a great way to meet other families in our community.

Drop-in classes are ongoing.

For ages 0 to 5 years with a caregiver.

Every Wednesday - All year long.

Join us Fridays 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. for this fun family story time. 

We explore a new theme each week.  We sing songs, make a craft & share a snack.  

Drop-in (no registration required).

For ages 0 to 5 years with a caregiver.

September to June.