Children Activities by Samuels Public Library for the Month of October

These are the events being presented by the Youth Services Department at Samuels Public Library during the month of October 2026. More information about Samuels Library and the programs and services available can be found at www.samuelslibrary.net or by calling (540) 635-3153.

Thursday, October 1

• 10:00 AM – 48^th Holiday Writing Contest (ages 5-18). Attention writers and artists!  Submit your short story, poem or an illustration about a winter holiday or winter theme (NO AI permitted). Pick up entry form at reference desk in the library and turn it in by October 30^th.
• 10:30 AM – Grand Story Time (ages 2 – 6). Join us for a magical time of storytelling with “grandparents”, nursery rhymes, and a creative craft to take home!

Monday, October 5

• 10:15 AM – Music & Movement for Babies (ages 0 – 23 months).
• 11:15 AM – Music & Movement for Toddlers (ages 2 – 5).
• Join us for a fun and joyful time with your little ones! We listen to music while learning some basic movements and engage in multisensory activities designed to delight your child!

Tuesday, October 6

• 4:00 PM – Patriotic Printing (ages 8 – 14).  Step back in time and discover how colonists printed papers and crafted unique design stampers! Join us for a hands-on workshop where you’ll use traditional tools (including sharp utensils) to create your own custom design to take home. Experience history, creativity, and fun – all in one event! Registration is required.

Wednesday, October 7

• 10:15AM – Toddler Story Time (ages 0 – 3 ½).
• 11:00AM – Preschool Story Time (ages 3 ½ – 5).
• Come in for an enjoyable hour filled with stories, exciting sing-alongs, finger plays, and a craft! The theme will be “Harvest”.

Thursday, October 8

• 10:30 AM – Grand Story Time (ages 2 – 6). Join us for a magical time of storytelling with “grandparents”, nursery rhymes, and a creative craft to take home!

Monday, October 12

• 10:15 AM – Music & Movement for Babies (ages 0 – 23 months).
• 11:15 AM – Music & Movement for Toddlers (ages 2 – 5).
• Join us for a fun and joyful time with your little ones! We listen to music while learning some basic movements and engage in multisensory activities designed to delight your child!

Tuesday, October 13

• 10:30 AM – Homeschool Hub (ages 6 – 11). Join us for hands-on science fun as kids team up to explore the scientific method, conduct exciting experiments, gather real data, and discover amazing conclusions together! Perfect for young scientists ready to learn and play. This week’s theme is Frankenworms! Turn ordinary motionless gummy worms into creepy, wriggling “Frankenworms” using a bit of chemical reactions! Registration is required.

Wednesday, October 14

• 10:15AM – Toddler Story Time (ages 0 – 3 ½).
• 11:00AM – Preschool Story Time (ages 3 ½ – 5).
• Come in for an enjoyable hour filled with stories, exciting sing-alongs, finger plays, and a craft! The theme will be “Sunflowers”.

Thursday, October 15

• 10:30 AM – Grand Story Time (ages 2 – 6). Join us for a magical time of storytelling with “grandparents”, nursery rhymes, and a creative craft to take home!

Saturday, October 17

• 11:00 AM – Youth Create: A Showcase for Rising Artists and Authors (all ages). Come take a look at artwork and hear real published stories, all from our local youth! Some books and artwork will be available for sale. Contact us if you’d like to be a part of the showcase! Artists and authors must be 18 years of age or under.

Monday, October 19

• 10:15 AM – Music & Movement for Babies (ages 0 – 23 months).
• 11:15 AM – Music & Movement for Toddlers (ages 2 – 5).
• Join us for a fun and joyful time with your little ones! We listen to music while learning some basic movements and engage in multisensory activities designed to delight your child!

Wednesday, October 21

• 10:15AM – Toddler Story Time (ages 0 – 3 ½).
• 11:00AM – Preschool Story Time (ages 3 ½ – 5).
• Come in for an enjoyable hour filled with stories, exciting sing-alongs, finger plays, and a craft! The theme will be “Apples”.

Thursday, October 22

• 10:30 AM – Grand Story Time (ages 2 – 6). Join us for a magical time of storytelling with “grandparents”, nursery rhymes, and a creative craft to take home!

Saturday, October 24

• 10:00 AM, 10:20 AM, 10:50 AM, 11:10 AM Paws to Read (ages 6 – 18). Paws to Read is a program where kids and teens read aloud to therapy dogs, which helps improve their reading skills, confidence, and attitudes toward reading. This program provides a non-judgmental and stress-free environment, as the dogs are calm, attentive listeners who don’t correct mistakes, making it less intimidating for both children and teens. Bring your own book or use one of ours! Registration is required – you may register for any of the four times listed above.

Monday, October 26

• 10:15 AM – Music & Movement for Babies (ages 0 – 23 months).
• 11:15 AM – Music & Movement for Toddlers (ages 2 – 5).
• Join us for a fun and joyful time with your little ones! We listen to music while learning some basic movements and engage in multisensory activities designed to delight your child!

Tuesday, October 27

• 4:00 PM – Oak Spring Garden Foundation (ages 6 – 11) – Woven and Crocheted Tapestries (This one is for the kids!) Registration is required.
• 4:00 PM – Oak Spring Garden Foundation (ages 12 – 18) – Woven and Crocheted Tapestries (This one is for the teens!) Registration is required.

Wednesday, October 28

• 10:15AM – Toddler Story Time (ages 0 – 3 ½).
• 11:00AM – Preschool Story Time (ages 3 ½ – 5).
• Come in for an enjoyable hour filled with stories, exciting sing-alongs, finger plays, and a craft! The theme will be “Spiders”.

Thursday, October 29

• 10:30 AM – Grand Story Time (ages 2 – 6). Join us for a magical time of storytelling with “grandparents”, nursery rhymes, and a creative craft to take home!
• 6:00 PM – Ghost Hunting (ages 12 – 18). Join us for a night of ghost-hunting in the garden here at the library! Learn about some local legends and cryptids, as well as tools that people use for ghost hunting in real life! In the end, you decide for yourself – is it all fact, fiction, or a mixture of both? Registration is required.

Saturday, October 31

• 11:00 AM – Chess (ages 10 – 18). Enjoy a fun session of chess with us! Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned player, all skill levels are welcome. Registration is required.