Join us at Wonderland Books and Toys throughout the month for a variety of family friendly local events that help support your neighborhood independent bookstore.
Weekly storytime is always on the calendar and then we are expanding our offerings to include Author Events, off-site pop-ups, and a few more regular monthly and quarterly events throughout the year. Check back regularly to see what’s been added to the schedule. Finally, you can also follow our Facebook page and/or our Instagram account to view upcoming activities.
ENTIRE MONTH OF JULY 2026
Find Waldo Local is taking place in the Greater Manchester Area during the month of July.
Pick up a Scavenger Hunt sheet at a participating location and start your hunt for Waldo throughout the Greater Manchester Area. Visit businesses you know and discover some new spots for you and your family.
Saturday Storytime Drop-In Storytime every week at 3:00PM – In Store
In the neighborhood? Looking for a rainy-day activity? Want to build some reading into your schedule with your child, but you don’t want to do the reading this time? Stop in for Saturday Storytime. It’s very casual and relaxed. Stories are often pre-selected based on time of year, holidays, new book arrival, or based on a whim.
Final choices may have to do with the audience. So, if there are more toddlers or younger in attendance, we may lean more towards board books than story driven options. But, if we have older kiddos, then a more engaging tale may be selected. And, if there’s a mix, then we read a mix as well. Most times we tend to have 3-7 years of age, but we’ve had as young as 6 months and as old as 8 or 9 years of age. Plus, parents or caregivers like to sit and listen as well. Everyone enjoys hearing a story!
Additionally, we will start having Author Events – starting with local authors and hopefully expanding over time. Keep an eye out for those events – there’s one upcoming on March 22 at 11AM. Details are listed below and there’s also a link to our Facebook Event for it as well.
Stuffy Sleepover Storytime 2nd Friday of each month at 6:30PM – In Store
We’ve made Stuffy Sleepover Storytime a monthly event! During 2026, it will take place on the 2nd Friday of the month at 6:30PM. Bring your kiddo in their PJs and their stuffy for storytime. Then, their stuffy will stay and sleepover at the bookstore! When the stuffy is picked up the next day (between 11AM and 8PM) they will have some exciting adventures to share with their kiddo.
Suggested for ages 5 to 8 – but if you think your younger child will be OK leaving a stuffy overnight, they are more than welcome. We recommend it NOT being one they may worry about. They will not be able to pick-up until the next day at 11AM at the earliest. If you have an older child who you think will enjoy this event, please sign them up as well.
FREE to Attend, but please REGISTER using THIS LINK. Here is a list of all the upcoming dates for 2026. When you sign-up, you can select any or all dates + up to five (5) children at a time on the same sign-up. ~ January 9 ~ July 10 ~February 13 ~ August 8 ~ March 13 ~ September 12 ~ April 10 ~ October 10 ~May 8 ~ November 14 ~June 12 ~ December 12
Family Game Night Saturday after Stuffy Sleepover Storytime each month 5:00PM to 8:00PM – In Store
Looking for a FREE family event outside the house? During 2026, it will take place on the Saturday after Stuffy Sleepover Storytime from 5:00PM to 8:00PM. We have demos of a large number of our games that can be played by your family OR bring a game from home you’d like to try out at the store – maybe with another family.
Games for ages 2+ through adult.
FREE to Attend. Here is a list of all the upcoming dates for 2026. ~ January 10 ~ July 11 ~February 14 ~ August 9 ~ March 14 ~ September 13 ~ April 11 ~ October 11 ~May 9 ~ November 15 ~June 13 ~ December 13
Past Events
HeartstopperVolume 6 Launch Party Monday, July 6 at 11PM – Tuesday, July 7 12:30AM
We’ll be hosting a FREE release party with Heartstopper-themed games and trivia starting at 11PM on Monday, July 6. We’ll have giveaways of stickers, bookmarks, patches, and a drawing for a Heartstopper water bottle. Distribution of pre-orders through Wonderland Books & Toys will be distributed starting at midnight.
We’re excited to host this launch party for the final installment of Heartstopper. The series has been honored with multiple British Book Awards and Goodreads Choice Awards, and author Alice Oseman has been awarded the YA Book Prize Special Achievement Award at this year’s London Book Fair.
Additionally, the final installment of the Netflix adaptation of the graphic novel series, Heartstopper Forever, will premiere worldwide on July 17.
Sunday, November 30, 2025 – 3:00PM to 5:00PM – In Store
Mess-Free Craft Event – FREE Event for ages 4+ Stop by to make a Skillmatics Foil Fun Holiday Ornament to add to your tree or gift to a friend. Limited to the first 25 participants.
Saturday, November 29, 2025 – In Store
Small Business Saturday ~ FREE temporary tattoos for kiddos (and adults if you want) from 1PM to 3PM ~ Saturday Storytime at 3PM w/ guest Storytime Reader and Wonderland Friend, Ashley (you might have met her @ Independent Bookstore Day when she was doing temporary tattoos that day too!).
Friday, November 28 – Sunday, November 30, 2025 – In Store
Thanksgiving Weekend Specials ~ Spend $50 and receive a FREE store branded vinyl tote bag OR $7 off a store branded canvas zip tote bag. ~ First 10 Sales each day can select 3 FREE Wigglitz: adorable 3-D printed critters – regular or holiday designs. ~ Earn 1.5 Rewards Points per dollar spent instead of the standard 1 point for all qualifying purchases.
October 29, 30 & 31, 2025 – 3:00PM to 5:00PM – In Store
Halloween Coloring & Spooky Storytime Starting at 3:00PM Halloween Coloring Pages will be out to select and color each afternoon Starting at 4:00PM Spooky Storytime Coloring can continue throughout Storytime
October 26, 2025 – 3:00PM to 5:00PM – 190 Elm Street, Manchester
Greater Manchester Trunk-or-Treat Join us for some Halloween fun on Sunday afternoon. Lots of trick-or-treating and fun to be had. Look for our red SUV with an underwater theme!
October 24, 2025 – 3:00PM to 8:00PM Hanover Street in Downtown Manchester
Hanover Street Fall Festival Join Manchester businesses coming together for some Fall Fun! There will be vendors, food, music, and fun hosted by The Palace Theatre and Downton Collaborative. We’ll have tent with lots of Halloween goodies and books for sale and lollipops for any trick-or-treaters.
October 24, 2025 – 3:00PM to 6:00PM Stanton Plaza in front of Double Tree Hotel on Elm Street
Downtown Manchester Trick-or-Treat We will have a table at this fun afternoon event with numerous candy options available to choose from! After candy collection, you can head over to the Fall Festival on Hanover Street that’s running from 3:00PM to 8:0PM – details listed above.
March 22, 2025 – 11:00AM to 12:00PM – In Store
Local Author Event Celia Botto, local children’s author, will read her book When Ayden Paints the Sky, lead a painting craft for the children in attendance, and sign books for those who have made purchases. To guarantee a book for purchase, complete the order form by 8:00PM on March 13 by clicking here.
