April Programs For Kids, Teens At Middletown Public Library

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Spring is here, and so is a fresh line-up of programs for kids and teens at the Middletown Township Public Library.

April is packed with opportunities to learn, create, and have a blast. Registration is required for most programs. Visit mtpl.org to sign up and save your spot!

The Brainy Bunch – Wednesdays at 4:30 pm: Join a weekly STEM-based program for Grade K–5 combining education, experimentation and fun.

Duplo Free Play – Fridays at 11 am: Bring your little builders for open-ended Duplo playtime! Ages 2+ are invited to get creative, build big, and have fun together — no registration needed.

Snapology’s Amazing Race for ages 9–12 – Wednesday, April 1 at 2 pm: Participants will explore topography, weather, architecture, traditions, and language pertaining to countries with LEGO® building projects and creative imagination.

Teen Volunteer Pinwheel Making – Wednesday, April 1 at 3 pm: Create paper pinwheels for use in observance of Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) month. Volunteer Hours will be offered for each pinwheel. Limit 3 pinwheels for a total of 3 hours. For ages 12-18.

Lambs of Love – Thursday, April 2 at 11 am: Ana’s World of Minis will bring young lambs for children to gently hold while learning about sheep, farming, and animal care.

Lenape Coil Pots – Thursday, April 2 at 2 pm: Learn with WILD Jersey about New Jersey's native people, the Lenape, and how they lived! A hands-on program where kids will get to make traditional coil pots out of clay and learn more about their local history in celebration of America's 250th. This program is in collaboration with The New Jersey Council for the Humanities and part of our New Jersey Community History Grant.

Read to the Small Animals with 4-H Tails & Trails – Friday, April 3 at 11 am: Bring a book from home or pick one from the library and read for 5-10 minutes to a friendly Tails and Trails small animal club member — including rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, rats, chickens, and more! For ages 5-8.

“Sea Creatures” Family Storytime and Craft – Saturday, April 4 at 10 am: Celebrate World Aquatic Animal Day with fun sea animal stories, then make a sea creature craft to take home. For ages 3+.

Tween LEGO Club – Monday, April 6 at 6 pm: Learn to build fun creations with rotating themed challenges, STEAM-focused activities, and free build time. For ages 9-12.

Tween Game Night – Tuesday, April 7 at 7 pm: Bring a friend or make a friend while playing games like Trivia, Bingo, Pictionary, HeadsUp and more. For ages 9-12.

Cards for a Cause – Wednesday, April 8 from 3–5 pm: Drop in to make spring greeting cards for Middletown seniors. Volunteer Hours will be offered for each card with a limit of 5 cards for 5 hours. For ages 13-18.

Gymboree for Walkers/Babies – Thursday, April 9 at 10 am and 11 am: Gymboree of Red Bank will offer gym classes for toddlers and babies.

Read to a Dog – Thursday, April 9 at 4 pm and Monday, April 20 at 6 pm: Improve the literacy skills of children by reading ten minutes to a certified therapy dog. Four sessions are available on each date. For independent readers in Grades K-5.

Sensory Family Storytime – Monday, April 13 at 11 am: Read, sing, dance, and play, then explore our interactive sensory stations! Designed for ages 0–3.

Tween Book Club – Tuesday, April 14 at 4:15 pm: Tween ages 9–12 will meet to discuss PAWS: Gabby Gets It Together by Nathan Fairbairn and Michele Assarasakorn, enjoy a related activity, and socialize during the second half of the program.

Bookworms Book Club – Thursday, April 16 at 4:15 pm: Join the Bookworms Book Club for grades K–3 to share your love of reading and join the Bookworms Reading Challenge!

Rocket Ship Storytime and Craft with Monmouth Museum – Friday, April 17 at 10 am: Join Monmouth Museum volunteer Denise Hibell for a special rocket ship-themed storytime and craft based on an exhibit in the museum's Becker STEAM Wing.

Community Leader Storytime with a Library Director – Saturday, April 18 at 10 am: In Celebration of National Library Week, join a special story time with MTPL director Kate Hammond and learn all about libraries. For all ages

Teen Anime Club – Monday, April 20 at 4 pm: Join the Anime Club as we get creative and storyboard our own original manga ideas! For ages 10+.

Pokémon Trading Night (Ages 5–8) – Thursday, April 23 at 6 pm: Join fellow Pokémon fans to trade cards, chat about Pokémon books and movies, and play the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Bring your own deck!

Pokémon Trading Night (Ages 9–12) – Thursday, April 23 at 6:30 pm: Join fellow Pokémon fans to trade cards, chat about Pokémon books and movies, and play the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Bring your own deck!

Crafternoon – Monday, April 27 at 4 pm: Paint a wooden butterfly house for a garden or backyard while learning about butterflies and how to create safe habitats to help them thrive. Best suited for students in grades K–5.

National Superhero Day Activity & Craft – Monday, April 28 at 4 pm: Celebrate National Superhero Day with a superhero-themed sticker-decorating, and a cape door hanger craft — all while exploring what makes a hero, from fictional favorites to everyday heroes like teachers, nurses, and firefighters! Superhero attire welcome but not required.

Tween Craft Night, America 250th Edition – Tuesday, April 28 at 6:45 pm: Join us for a special Tween Craft Night and make a colonial-inspired Bean Pot and/or Jam Jar out of model magic. For ages 9–12.

Virtual! On Writing Beloved Characters and Powerful Portrayals of Resilience in Virtual Conversation with Jason Reynolds – Thursday, April 30 at 7 pm: Join an online conversation with bestselling author Jason Reynolds as he discusses Coach, the fifth and final book in his beloved middle grade Track series, exploring who Coach was before he became the inspiring leader we know.

Visit mtpl.org to read more or to sign up for upcoming programs. Please contact Jenna O’Donnell at jodonnell@mtpl.org for additional information.