Jane's Midlife Journey

Wriggle & Rhyme sessions are free 30 minute long interactive sessions for babies and toddlers and their parents or carers. The sessions, which are run by library staff, are aimed at children under 2 years of age. There are a total of 34 sessions on offer weekly in libraries across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. The sessions are a great way to introduce young children to the world of language, storytelling and reading.

Orla loves visiting the library – lots of new books to read and toys to play with. She isn’t totally convinced about Wriggle & Rhyme and goes very quiet when the singing starts. But the familiarity of the songs has helped her to slowly acclimatise (it also helps grandma remember the words!)

So far, we have attended Wriggle & Rhyme at Pokesdown & Southbourne, Boscombe, Tuckton and Canford Heath Libraries. So I can confirm that the sessions are broadly the same across the various libraries, although some librarians are significantly more enthusiastic than others! We’ve experienced everything from the super exuberant to total disinterest.

Wriggle & Rhyme Schedule

Below is the most current list of Wriggle & Rhyme sessions across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Most, but not all, run throughout the year. I have marked the ones which are term time only.

Day	Time	Library
Monday	10:30 am – 11 am	Canford Heath
Monday	10:15 am – 10:45 am	Christchurch
Monday	10:30 am – 11 am 11:30 am – 12 pm	Creekmoor
Monday	10 am – 10:30 am 11 am – 11:30 am	Kinson
Monday	10 am – 10:30 am 11 am – 11:30 am (term time only)	Pokesdown and Southbourne
Tuesday	9:30 am – 10 am	Poole
Tuesday	10:45 am – 11:15 am	Broadstone
Tuesday	10:30 am – 11 am 11:30 am – 12 pm	Creekmoor
Tuesday	10:30 am – 11 am	Rossmore
Tuesday	10.30 am – 11 am	Bournemouth
Tuesday	10 am – 10:30 am	Westbourne
Tuesday	10 am – 10:30 am	West Howe
Tuesday	11 am – 11:30 am	Branksome
Tuesday	11 am – 11:30 am	Springbourne
Wednesday	10:30 am – 11 am (term time only)	Hamworthy
Wednesday	10:30 am – 11 am	Oakdale
Thursday	10 am – 10:30 am	Boscombe
Thursday	10 am – 10:30 am	Charminster
Thursday	10 am – 10:30 am	Highcliffe
Thursday	10.30 am 11 am	Parkstone
Friday	10 am – 10:30 am	Castlepoint
Friday	10:15 am – 10:45 am	Christchurch
Friday	10:45 am – 11:15 am	Broadstone
Friday	10:30 am – 11 am	Canford Heath
Friday	10 am – 10:30 am	Highcliffe
Friday	10:30 am – 11 am	Rossmore
Friday	10 am – 10:30 am	Tuckton
Friday	10 am – 10:30 am 11 am – 11:30 am	Winton
Saturday	10 am – 10:30 am	Tuckton

Access

All BCP libraries have easy access. For more details, check with the specific library via the links in the table. If you are bringing a pushchair, you may be asked to leave it in a specific place upon arrival.

Price

There is no fee for attending Wriggle & Rhyme.

Suitable for age

The recommended age for Wriggle & Rhyme is from birth to around 18 months. From 18 months onwards, Toddler Time is probably more appropriate, as it introduces an element of storytelling.

Details

Songs and Rhymes

The 30 minute sessions consist mainly of singing nursery rhymes and songs with actions, which the older children can join in with. There are interactive elements, like a bubble machine and percussion instruments for children to shake and rattle.

The above photograph is from Canford Heath Library, where you have the luxury of sitting on chairs. In other libraries, participants must sit on the floor.

Books

Sessions take place in the Children’s Section of the library, so there is ample opportunity to explore the books on offer. There are plenty of board books and lift the flap books for younger children.

Puzzles and Toys

Most libraries either leave out a selection of toys, or introduce toys at the end of the session for additional playtime opportunities.

Arts and Crafts

There is usually a table with pencils, crayons and paper for children to do some colouring before or after the session. In addition, some libraries also offer a craft activity. Below, is Orla having fun making an Elmer the Elephant after Wriggle & Rhyme at Tuckton Library.

Food & Drink

Food and drink is not usually provided. There may be exceptions, for example we attended a session at Easter and there was a chocolate egg hunt (with grapes offered as an alternative).

Toilets/Changing Facilities

All BCP libraries have toilets with changing facilities. For more details, check with the specific library via the links in the table above.

Note: Baby changing at Boscombe is downstairs, and is usually locked. You must go upstairs and ask for it to be unlocked, then back downstairs to use the facilities. Not ideal with a toddler in tow.

• Updated: February 2025

For more inspiration on things to do in and around Bournemouth with young children, check out my 101 Things to do in Bournemouth with Babies and Toddlers here.