One of the best free resources we have in Wake county for kids is our massive library system! Local libraries in the area hosts tons of free events for all ages, but our favorite is their baby, toddler, and preschool story time!
What happens at story time?
Library story times follow the same format throughout Wake County, no matter which library you visit. Story times focus on beginning reading concepts like rhyming, letter recognition, and singing. But this is no sit down, hands on your lap, listen to a book story time! The kids will be up stomping, jumping, singing, and dancing their way into reading! Staff lead the kids in fun interactive songs and rhymes, use a felt board to show letters and colors, read educational books, and always end the event with a bubble dance party and a stamp for each kid!
Which Story Time should I attend?
Story times are grouped into ages for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, but they aren’t strict on the age requirement. If you have multiple children you can attend any age story time without any issues. However, baby story time is specifically crawling babies and I wouldn’t really bring older kids if you can help it. Songs are designed for you to lift and hold the baby in your lap, and are great for bonding with the littlest learners. Older kids will be bored and may be distracting, although I’ve seen calm older siblings sitting and interacting quietly with the baby on their mom’s laps. My kids are not these kids.
Toddler story time is designed for walkers under the age of 3. The teacher starts this story time with the saying, “Toddlers, it’s ok to be a toddler!” Kids are expected to move around the room and are not required to stay seated. They also perform more independent movements like jumping and touching their toes. The activities expand a bit more on letter, shape, and color recognition than in baby story time.
Preschool story time is designed for kids aged 3-5. Kids are expected to follow directions more closely and the teachers ask that you keep your children within arms reach. If a kid is having trouble, feel free to step out of the room to calm them down and return when they are ready.
Which Wake County Library should I go to?
Libraries with enclosed Rooms for story time
One of our favorite libraries for story time is North Regional located off of Falls of Neuse Road in North Raleigh. I specifically love North Regional because of the fun, energetic staff and the giant enclosed room they use for story time. I’ve been to other libraries in Wake County, but many of them just hold story time in the middle of the book stacks. That was too distracting for my toddlers and they ended up running through the library. I now limit myself to only go to libraries with enclosed rooms for story time. You can see my top picks in the graphic below, which include Northeast Regional in Wake Forest, East Regional in Knightdale, and Cameron Village near downtown Raleigh.
Popular Libraries use a ticketing system
North Regional is a pretty popular library for story time, so they implement a free ticketing system to limit the number of people that can attend. Once you arrive at the library, check in at the children’s desk and they will give you a ticket. When story time begins you will turn in your ticket at the door to get in. Once space is filled they will no longer give out tickets, so be sure to get there early. A few other popular libraries also have this system in place as well, so be prepared.
Libraries with Playgrounds Outside
Some libraries do not have enclosed rooms, but have playgrounds outside to burn off energy before or after. Green Road Library has a playground outside and is also right next to the community center that hosts open gym. Wake Forest Community Library also has the Kiwanis Park playground and is next door to the Northern Regional Center that hosts a creative play program. Leesville Community Library is adjacent to Leesville Park.
Check the combined calendar of kid events for all Wake County Libraries here. Story time usually goes on a break during the months of April, August, and December so staff can plan.
Check out lots of other fun events on the tot spot calendar!