The Puppet Portal is a free, drop-in creative participation experience for children aged 4–10 years and their families, taking place across Carlow Libraries in August and September 2026. Through a live-stream "Puppet Portal", children will have the opportunity to connect and interact in real time with children in another library location using puppets they have created themselves.

Using a wide range of open-ended and recycled materials, children will be free to design and make their own unique puppet creations. This process-led experience encourages imagination, creativity, and self-expression, allowing children to follow their own ideas and interests.

The Puppet Portal will take place over two dates. On Friday 28th August, Tullow Library will be linked with Bagenalstown Library as part of the libraries' Summer Stars’ Reading Programme. On Saturday 26th September, Carlow Library will be linked with Borris Library for a 2nd Puppet Portal experience.

Facilitators in each location will support children to explore, play and communicate through their puppets, creating opportunities for connection, collaboration and imaginative interaction. Designed to be inclusive & welcoming to all children, The Puppet Portal celebrates creativity, visual expression and play while bringing families together through a shared creative experience in their local library.

Friday 28th August: 2.30pm-4.30pm

Sat 26th September: 10.15 am-12.15 am 

Children must be supervised at all times by a parent/guardian

Please note that the details of events listed above are provided by the relevant Local Authorities.