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Bouncing Babies

Fri 17/07/2026, 10:00-11:00 Basildon Library

Childrens
Family
Social

Are you a parent with a baby under 12 months? Do you want to give your baby’s early communication a boost?  Then why not come and join in with our new Bouncing Babies Stay and Play sessions! Have some fun with your baby through rhymes and songs and m ...

Event Details
Are you a parent with a baby under 12 months? Do you want to give your baby’s early communication a boost?  Then why not come and join in with our new Bouncing Babies Stay and Play sessions! Have some fun with your baby through rhymes and songs and meet friends. This group is suitable for new parents of children up to 12 months. No booking required.  

Read to a Therapy Dog

Sat 18/07/2026, 10:00-11:00 Dunmow Library

Childrens
Reading and Literature

Join us and Mani, the gorgeous Golden Retriever from Essex Therapy Dogs, along with his owner. Come and read to Essex Therapy Dog Mani, a friendly and calm dog, trained to help children build their literacy skills, concentration and confidence.  This is a bookable event. Please email dunmow.library@essex.gov.uk or come into the library to book your 15 minute slot.

Event Details
Join us and Mani, the gorgeous Golden Retriever from Essex Therapy Dogs, along with his owner. Come and read to Essex Therapy Dog Mani, a friendly and calm dog, trained to help children build their literacy skills, concentration and confidence.  This is a bookable event. Please email dunmow.library@essex.gov.uk or come into the library to book your 15 minute slot.

LEGO® in Libraries - Coding and Building

Mon 20/07/2026, 15:45-16:45 Dunmow Library

Childrens
IT & Technology

In our LEGO® in libraries sessions, your child will get the chance to improve their maths and English skills, while having fun playing with relatable LEGO® characters! Using LEGO® Education kits and Chromebooks, children will guide characters through ...

Event Details
In our LEGO® in libraries sessions, your child will get the chance to improve their maths and English skills, while having fun playing with relatable LEGO® characters! Using LEGO® Education kits and Chromebooks, children will guide characters through compelling stories and use problem-solving, literacy and coding skills to complete each unit. This is a free, bookable event, which can be attended by up to 5 children. If the event is full, you will join a waiting list and will be informed if an additional space becomes available. Please let the library know if your child cannot attend a session, otherwise we reserve the right to cancel your booking for future sessions.

Men's Gaming Cove

Mon 20/07/2026, 17:00-18:30 Maldon Library

Advice and Information
Diversity & Inclusion
Health & Wellness
IT & Technology
Social

The Men's Gaming Cove - created by Essex Libraries is back!The focus behind the Gaming Cove is to create a safe space for men to create new social groups, start open conversations while playing the best video games on the market. Multi-player to spli ...

Event Details
The Men's Gaming Cove - created by Essex Libraries is back!The focus behind the Gaming Cove is to create a safe space for men to create new social groups, start open conversations while playing the best video games on the market. Multi-player to split screen. What Street Fighter character will you be? Or are you more of a Lewis Hamilton racing driver? Or get your fellow player with a GoldenEye 007 shot! The group is also a space to seek help for mental health, health and family issues with information from charities and other partners with their literature and leaflets displayed on a specially created table.

Read to the Beat Children's Crafts

Tue 21/07/2026, 10:00-12:00 Buckhurst Hill Library

Childrens
Crafts and Creative
Cultural
Reading and Literature

Every Tuesday throughout the Summer holidays, join us for a music-themed craft session to celebrate this year's Summer Reading Challenge, 'Read to the Beat'. Materials will be provided to make something different every week. 

Event Details
Every Tuesday throughout the Summer holidays, join us for a music-themed craft session to celebrate this year's Summer Reading Challenge, 'Read to the Beat'. Materials will be provided to make something different every week. 

Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures presents Doorstep Duets

Wed 22/07/2026, 11:00-11:30 Colchester Library

Family
Cultural

Matthew Bourne’sNew Adventures presents Doorstep Duets, featuring The Bench choreographed by Glenn Graham Have you ever sat on a park bench and wondered who came before you, who might come after, what they were thinking, and what hopes and fears they ...

Event Details
Matthew Bourne’sNew Adventures presents Doorstep Duets, featuring The Bench choreographed by Glenn Graham Have you ever sat on a park bench and wondered who came before you, who might come after, what they were thinking, and what hopes and fears they were hiding? The Bench, by choreographer Glenn Graham, and performed by stars of Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, tells the story of three people whose lives overlap in unexpected ways. It is a poetic and moving exploration of memory, connection, and the quiet moments that shape us. Dance from Matthew Bourne’s legendary New Adventures on your doorstep Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures is a dance company known for telling familiar stories through dance in theatres all over the world. This July, they will be across Essex sharing apiece from their Doorstep Duets programme. If you’ve never seen a dance show before, this could be the perfect opportunity. The performance is free, just 20 minutes long and you don’t need to book, just turn up.

Summer Reading Challenge Craft Table

Wed 22/07/2026, 13:00-14:00 Basildon Library

Childrens
Crafts and Creative
Family

Summer Reading Challenge Crafts It’s that exciting time of the year when Basildon Library has our Summer Reading Challenge themed Craft Table. Over the six-week school holidays come make a Summer Reading Challenge themed craft and earn one of the sti ...

Event Details
Summer Reading Challenge Crafts It’s that exciting time of the year when Basildon Library has our Summer Reading Challenge themed Craft Table. Over the six-week school holidays come make a Summer Reading Challenge themed craft and earn one of the stickers towards your certificate and medal. The craft table will be open every Wednesday from 10am to 4pm from Wednesday 22 July until Wednesday 26 August.   No booking required but there will be staff to help just pop in and have some fun. This free event is for children aged 4+.

Mini Music Writers

Wed 22/07/2026, 14:00-15:00 Dunmow Library

Childrens
Crafts and Creative

Join us for a creative writing and drawing workshop, with a fun music theme. Have a go at writing your own song, and design your own album cover. Collect a sticker for the Summer Reading Challenge by attending this event. No booking required. Suggested age 6+. 

Event Details
Join us for a creative writing and drawing workshop, with a fun music theme. Have a go at writing your own song, and design your own album cover. Collect a sticker for the Summer Reading Challenge by attending this event. No booking required. Suggested age 6+. 

Bouncing Babies

Fri 24/07/2026, 10:00-11:00 Basildon Library

Childrens
Family
Social

Are you a parent with a baby under 12 months? Do you want to give your baby’s early communication a boost?  Then why not come and join in with our new Bouncing Babies Stay and Play sessions! Have some fun with your baby through rhymes and songs and m ...

Event Details
Are you a parent with a baby under 12 months? Do you want to give your baby’s early communication a boost?  Then why not come and join in with our new Bouncing Babies Stay and Play sessions! Have some fun with your baby through rhymes and songs and meet friends. This group is suitable for new parents of children up to 12 months. No booking required.  

London Vegetable Orchestra workshop

Sat 25/07/2026, 09:30-10:15 Harwich Library

Childrens
Crafts and Creative
Cultural

Children will make their own instrument from a vegetable (with help from an accompanying adult),  discover how instruments produce sounds and learn a simple song, with time for a question and answer session. Children must be accompanied by an adult, but adults do not need to purchase tickets. A National Year of Reading and Summer Reading Challenge event.

Event Details
Children will make their own instrument from a vegetable (with help from an accompanying adult),  discover how instruments produce sounds and learn a simple song, with time for a question and answer session. Children must be accompanied by an adult, but adults do not need to purchase tickets. A National Year of Reading and Summer Reading Challenge event.