BUILDING LIFELONG CURIOSITY THROUGH PLAY

The Bushnell-Sage Library is a play-forward library. Our youth area is set up to inspire and encourage play and exploration. Our play area is surrounded by books, contains no screens or digital toys, and offers open-ended play opportunities from a family-style coloring table to puzzles, and even a play-kitchen. Our youth area is accessible during all open library hours. We only ask that you clean up after yourselves and enjoy the space. We like to encourage enthusiasm for libraries and therefore we are not a “shhhh”-ing space. Kids make noise. We’ve filled our space with toys that encourage interaction. We don’t mind if your children make noise. We do encourage walking over running, and in the warmer months (or for those penguins amongst us) the backyard playground is the perfect place to run, jump, and swing.

We have youth board games an puzzles available for in-library use as well as check-out. New books have their own sections so you can easily find the latest youth acquisitions. Our Youth Services Manager is available Tuesday - Friday for questions, suggestions, or stories about your day.

You’ll find our upcoming programs below (as well as on our library calendar—which can be filtered to just show Youth programs via the Categories link). You’ll also see a sign-up box for our youth-specific email newsletter. Emails are not-too-frequent (except during Summer Reading for weekly challenges) and will inform you about upcoming programs.

Please be sure to review our child policy and contact us with any questions.

Sign Up for Youth Updates

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

Youth Art: "Amate Bark Painting"
Thursday, January 29
2:00 - 4:00 PM

Amate bark painting is a traditional Mexican folk art where colorful paintings are made on pulped and flattened bark. In this program, we will simulate amate paper by using textured kraft paper. We'll create our own Mexican-folk-inspired designs and paint our designs with colorful paint.
This program is best for ages 6 and up. Younger participants will require caregiver assistance.

Spaces are limited, so please sign up.

All children under 6 must be accompanied by a caregiver while in our art studio. Children under 12 must have a caregiver on library premises for the entirety of the program.

ONGOING PROGRAMS

LEGO® CONSTRUCTION ZONE

LEGO® Construction Zone

LEGO® Construction Zone will return February 5, 2026!
Thursdays 3:30 - 4:30 PM
February 5 - May 7

LEGO® Construction Zone is for grades K-8
Kids under 12 must have a parent or guardian on library premises. Kids  under 6 must have a parent or guardian stay with them for the duration  of the program.

Please do not bring LEGO® bricks from home.

SOUTH BERKSHIRE KIDS

Sing & Dance

Sing & Dance
Hosted by South Berkshire Kids
Tuesdays 10:30 - 11:30 AM

A parent/child program that includes songs, music, and movement.

This program is registration only.
This program is currently full.
Check back for openings for the next session or contact South Berkshire Kids.

1,000 BOOKS BEFORE KINDERGARTEN®

It’s official! The Bushnell-Sage Library has launched
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten®!

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten® is a reading program designed to expose young children to as many books as possible while they are squishy, squishy little sponges. It sounds like a lot of books, and it is, but it goes quick! One bedtime story per night will have you wrapping up in just over 3 years. Re-reads count! Books a relative or a teacher reads to you child? Also counts! This is a fun way to track progress and stay motivated to keep sharing books with your child.

Sign up in person at the library!

Do you know a youth artist that would like to show their work in our space? Download the application below. Drop it off at the library, or email it to our Children’s Program Coordinator, Stefanie, at sdangelo@cwmars.org
Our space is open to all levels of artistic ability. Scribbles on newspaper? It’s art! Crayon drawings? Art! Fingerpainting? Definitely art.
For more information, download our info brochure.

EDUCATIONAL FUN ONLINE

RESOURCES FOR PARENTS