top of page
Kids Reading Book in Park

Children's Events and Programs

Registration opens two weeks before repeating events and programs

Registration for Story Time and Story Tots within a month opens two weeks before the first program date.

Registration opens one month before one-time events or programs

Storytime Groups

Childrens Repeating
Baby Bounce Square.png.webp

Baby Bounce

Thursdays at 10:30am  |  Suggested for 0-18 months

​Simple songs, movements and stories with Miss Tara that introduce infants and their caregivers to learning and literacy.

Please register for each date you plan to attend. Registration opens two weeks before program date.

Storytots (squares) (1).png.webp

Story Tots

Wednesdays at 10:30am | Suggested for 18-36 months

Join other parents and their children for Miss Tara's engaging stories, flannels, and songs.

Registration required for each date you plan to attend. Registration for all programs within the month opens two weeks before the first program date.

Story Time(Square) (1).png

Story Time

Mondays at 10:30am  |  Suggested for ages 3-5 years

Join Miss Tara for stories, songs/rhymes, and activities that focus on essential pre-reading skills.

Please register for each date you plan to attend. Registration for all programs within the month opens two weeks before the first program date.

Ongoing Events

Square—LEGO Club SRP26.png.webp

LEGO Club

Third Tuesday of the month at 5pm | Ages 5-12

Join us for a one hour drop-in, free play LEGO building session! Children will have the opportunity to use our many bins of LEGOs to build their own creations. Creations will be on display in the Children's area for one month until the next LEGO Club meeting. An optional monthly LEGO challenge is also available!

Square—PAWS to Read SRP26.png.webp

PAWS to Read w/ Wally

Select Tuesdays at 4:30-5:30pm | Recommended for ages 6+

 

Make a 15-minute appointment to practice your reading skills with the cutest listener ever, a golden retriever named Wally! Sign up to secure one of the four available time slots. Up to two siblings per registration. Bring a book or two, but no toys. 

Registration opens two weeks before program date.

Incan Gold.png

Board Game Club

Every second Saturday of the month at 10am | Ages vary by game.

Learn to play a new game every month!

September 19: Incan Gold (ages 8+)

October 17: Disney: Villainous (ages 10+)

November 21: Obscurio (ages 10+)

Children and Teacher in Kindergarten_edi

KidsPlayZone

Second Friday of the month at 11am | Ages 3-6 

A once-a-month indoor playtime for kids during the winter that includes any combination of recess games, activities, music/movement and a craft.

Currently on hold for the warmer months, but will restart in November.

AEnB2UqDcxFb48peb9T7EZsPzUpa0zmKcCwxl14HBgNlDvFG3PTbOgNTrkbnH5VXGt1k54kk8wKG5E-2BBi-4k797D

Yoga for Kids, presented by Ivy Rehab

One Thursday a month at either 11:15am or 1pm | Ages 1-6 with caregiver.

Experience the elements of yoga (breathe, move, rest) in a fun and engaging way with age-appropriate poses and a focus on breathing, relaxation, and meditation. This is a wonderful way for children to stretch their bodies and calm their minds.

 

Loose clothing recommended to allow for comfortable movement. Bring your own yoga mat or blanket.

Square—STEMsters-SRP26.png.webp

STEMsters

First Tuesday of the month at 5pm | Ages 8-12

STEMsters, the Mars High School Chapter of a national nonprofit, strives to develop a love for STEM among young students through an interactive activity-based learning experience. A typical lesson from STEMsters starts with a presentation that goes over instructions for an experiment that students will build with hands-on guidance. Experiments are tested and the science concepts behind the projects are explained.

Square—Handwriting Help SRP26.png.webp

Handwriting Help (Ages 3-4)

Select Wednesdays at 1pm | Ages 3-4

​A 45-minute, multi-sensory program to help kids ages 3 to 4 master handwriting. Presented by Ivy Rehab for Kids

Square—Handwriting Help SRP26 (2).png

Handwriting Help (Ages 5-6)

Select Wednesdays at 1pm | Ages 5-6

​A 45-minute, multi-sensory program to help kids ages 5 to 6 master handwriting. Presented by Ivy Rehab for Kids

Ruff Writers.png

Ruff Writers Take-and-Make Craft & More

Once a month | Multigenerational

Pick up some craft resources and stories for multigenerational family time. This brown bag program provides craft materials, instructions, and a recommended picture book story to open conversations and share positive life stories across different generations of family and friends.

Image by Randy Fath

Youth Chess Class

Saturdays, September 12, 19, 26 at 1pm | Children to Teens

An instructor from Queen's Gambit Chess will visit the Mars Library for a series of weekly chess classes for youth interested in learning about one of history's most famous games.

Square-CraftKit Series-Fall26 (1).png.webp

Craft Kit Series

Mondays, September 21, October 5 and 19 | Infants to Children

Pick up a craft kit in the Children's Room. Complete at home or in the library.

Browsing Book Sale

Fall Book Sale

Donations: Monday, September 28 to Wednesday, September 30 during regular library hours.

​Book Sale: Thursday, October 1 to Saturday, October 3 from 10am to 6:30pm and Sunday, October 4 from 10am to 2pm.

Stop by the Mars Area Public Library for the Fall Book Sale, held by the Friends of the Library!

Square-Holidays Around World Fall26.png.webp

Craft Kit Series: Holidays Around the World

Mondays, November 9 and 23, December 7 and 21 | Infants to Children

Pick up a craft kit in the Children's Room. Complete at home or in the library.

Square-Winter Reading Challenge-Fall26.png.webp

Winter Reading Challenge

Monday, December 21 to Sunday, January 17 | Children to Teens

Snuggle up this winter with books! The Mars Library's Winter Reading Challenge available through Beanstack is open to kids, ages 0-12 years. Read for a total of 4 hours (240 minutes) over 4 weeks to meet this challenge, then choose a book from the book cart to take home! Earn virtual raffle tickets (VRTs) automatically for hitting milestones and doing fun activities at home. Use VRTs for chances to win a grand prize! 

PAWS to read

One-Time Programs

1c07cf11320cc64da5130d33b4e5a175_800x.webp

Puffy Paint

Wednesday, September 16 at 4:30pm | Children to Teens

Learn a recipe for D.I.Y. puffy paint that really pops off the page. Dress for a mess.

Ver 2 Stop Motion File.jpg

Stop-Motion Animation Station

Wednesday, September 23 at 4:30pm | Children to Teens

Learn the technology behind stop-motion animation, then plan and record your own brief videos. Materials provided.

Square-Fall Festival-Fall26.png.webp

Fall Festival

Saturday, September 26 at 2pm | Children

Come celebrate the start of autumn with a kid-friendly festival that includes outdoor activities, seasonal crafts and family fun at nearby Adams Ridge Pavilion, located behind the Adams Ridge Clubhouse. Click here for directions.

Square-Costume Exchange-Fall26 (2).png.webp

Kids Costume Exchange

Tuesday, October 6 from 1:30pm to 6:30pm | Infants to Tweens

The Mars Library's Kids Costume Exchange is an opportunity for members of our community to trade in their children's clean, gently used ("like new") Halloween costumes that are now too small or no longer wanted for the possibility of finding something in a larger size or more in line with their children's current interests. With this FREE swap, we are helping our community reduce, reuse, and recycle costumes that may otherwise only be worn once as well as assisting families facing challenging financial times.

Snap circuits.jpeg

Snap Circuits

Wednesday, October 7 at 4:30pm | Children to Teens

Learn the basics of circuitry to create lights, sounds, and more with Snap Circuits.

Learn to Draw Spooky Edition.png

Learn to Draw: Spooky Edition

Saturday, October 10 at 10am | Children

Join Miss Katie for a spooky-themed drawing class! Kids in grades 1-3 will learn step by step how to draw fun, not too scary Halloween creations.

c100f6c3f12c25756dafa0836d61c641a1e5863e1d85107480d149c301b1c0a2_edited.jpg

Mario-Kart Open Play

Wednesday, October 21 at 4:30pm | Children to Teens

Drop by the library for an evening of Mario-Kart on Nintendo Switch. Choose your character, outfit your kart, and race to the finish!

FEP9Y64KST8YXGN.webp

Halloween Scribble Monsters

Wednesday, October 21 at 4:30pm | Children to Teens

A STEM-focused Halloween craft to take home. A few simple items combine to make a scribbling monster-bot.

Square-Fire Safety for Kids-Fall26.png.webp

Fire Safety For Kids

Saturday, October at 11am | Children

Meet some real-life firefighter heroes, peek inside a fire truck, and enjoy some fun activities at this interactive and educational event.

images (1).jpeg

Marbled Paper Art

Wednesday, November 4 at 4:30pm | Children to Teens

Learn the art of Japanese paper marbling, Suminagashi. All materials provided. Dress for a mess.

images (1).jpg

Friendsgiving

Saturday, November 14 at 11am | Children

Listen to a story from Primary Center Principal, Mrs. Semler and celebrate friendship and giving thanks with special crafts and activities.

Fairy Door.png

Fairy/Castle Doors Craft

Saturday, November 14 at 12pm | Children to Teens

Use provided crafting supplies to create your own unique fairy or castle door. A quaint and cozy craft. Program brought to you by the Mars Library's Teen Advisory Board.

Board Game Club (3).png

Galaxy Slime

Wednesday, November 18 at 4:30pm | Children to Teens

Take your slime game to the next level with Galaxy Slime. All materials provided. Dress for a mess.

children-drawing-at-thanksgiving-table-royalty-free-image-1689189761.avif

Thanksgiving Crafts

Wednesday, November 25 at 4:30pm | Children to Teens

Simple make-and-take crafts just in time for Thanksgiving Day.

Child Whispering Santa

Here Comes Santa Claus

Saturday, December 15 at 11am

Take a photo with Santa Claus, drink hot cocoa and participate in activities to celebrate the Holiday! Ho, Ho, Ho, we hope to see you there!

Sock-snowman-square.jpg

Sock Snowman Craft

Wednesday, December 16 at 4:30pm | Children to Teens

​Learn to make a snowman out of socks, buttons, and a few other common items. Perfect for the holidays.

Square-Read-In Afternoon-Fall26 (1).png.webp

Read-In Afternoon

Tuesday, December 29 at 1pm | Children to Tweens

​Stop by the library for a cozy "read-in" session during winter break. Kids can bring a pillow, blanket or other comfy items and enjoy time in a quiet space to just read. This time can also be used toward their Winter Reading Challenge minutes. Light snacks will be provided. Please bring your own water bottle. Kids can come and go as they like.

Jan. 2—1st Choice.png.webp

Movie Matinee: Toy Story 5

Wednesday, December 30 at 11am | Everyone

Join us for a free movie matinee. Bring a picnic blanket and snacks to enjoy a family friendly movie right at the library.

The mission of Mars Area Public Library is to inform, educate, entertain, and culturally enrich by providing books,​ library materials, facilities, and professional
services for all individuals in our area.

Hours

 

Mon-Thurs: 10am-7pm
 

Friday: 10am-3pm
 

Saturday: 9am-4pm (10am-2pm between Memorial Day and Labor Day)

Contact

 

724-625-9048
 

jcallihan@bcfls.org

 

107 Grand Avenue/P.O. Box 415

Mars, PA 16046

Subscribe to our eNewsletter

​Content Copyright 2025. Mars Area Public Library. All Rights Reserved.

bottom of page