Families in Bootle, Merseyside, can take part in new weekly creative play sessions at Bootle Library starting on 3 February 2026. The Squish Creative Play programme is part of the At The Library programme (produced by Rule of Threes) and offers slow, sensory activities for toddlers and opportunities for parents to meet others in the community.
The sessions are led by professional artists from the At The Library collective (produced by Rule of Threes) and are designed for children aged 12 months to 3 years. The workshops focus on tactile ‘slow play’ using household sensory materials such as homemade playdough, coloured rice and cardboard dens rather than over-stimulating digital toys, helping children learn through sensory exploration and social interaction.
Organisers at Sefton Libraries have updated the Bootle Library on Stanley Road (220 Stanley Road) to include a community kitchen and a library garden. These sessions form part of a broader programme to reposition the building as a welcoming civic hub where residents can find support and friendship close to home.
The events will run every Tuesday throughout February 2026 (At The Library’s standard morning slot is 10:30am) and are offered free of charge or at low cost. Because space is limited, parents are encouraged to book in advance via Sefton Libraries’ LibCal booking system to reserve their places.
