11 Best Libraries for Kids around Boston

Erynn:  Theater workshops, yoga storytime, and music time for preschool-and-under tots are a few programs that run year-long at Wayland Public Library. Visits from community members like Corbyn the dog (along with dog-themed stories) and a Wayland firefighter (with his fire truck!) delight kids of all ages!

Erynn:  Drop-in craft and regular story times cater to tweens and under, while teens have their own book clubs and gaming clubs. Library programs include improv for middle school kids, Minecraft coding for 8-13's, kids' game nights, and a special monthly sensory story time for children with special needs. Also check the calendar for balloon animal demos, chess nights, and other varied events.

Erynn:  A range of kids' events make Newton Free Library a great spot to spend family time. Songs and stories for tots, puppet shows, and tween activities mean there's something for every age group. Fun events like Pajama Storytime, Family Sing Along, Yoga Dance parties, magic shows, Saturday movies, and Story-Activities expand beyond the basic story and craft times at most libraries!

Erynn:  Regular kids' events at Robbins include Crafternoon time for tots and up, LEGO and Knex play time, and special events like archery! You can also download e-books, e-audiobooks, and stream videos through Robbins Library's Overdrive program. Get content on a laptop, tablet, or phone for kids to enjoy anywhere. Plus, a cozy kids' area with comfortable chairs, bean bags, reading nooks, computers, and toys (including American Girl dolls!) will delight all ages!

Erynn:  Tons of inclusive kids' events like literacy for immigrant families, cultural performances, and science/technology activities make the Brookline Village location a sweet spot for families. Ongoing programs for toddlers to tweens include S.T.E.A.M. for Pre-K's, lapsit programs, drop-in stories and crafts, and Friday movies for the younger crowd.

Erynn:  Drop-in story/playtimes for younger toddlers, sing and dance playtimes, and weekend events let families enjoy all of Coolidge Corner's amenities. Events like Russian Language Storytime and magic shows bring the kids' room to life! During the summer, Stories Outdoors at Winthrop Park attract families with kids of all ages to enjoy some outside playtime with friends.

Erynn:  Cambridge's kids' library spans the entire 3rd floor, catering to kids 13 and under. Weekly recurring events include Sing Alongs, Library LEGO Time, Preschool Story Time, science-themed storytelling, book groups for school-age kids, plus Nooks/iPads and games for kids to use while at the library.

Erynn:  The colorful and imaginative children's section of the Boston Public Library's Central Library is home to regular programs for kids and their parents, with program offerings for babies through teens. Story time in the courtyard, open-ended early education programs, science exploration activities, summer movies for teens, sing-alongs, family story times, and live-action games are just a few offerings currently scheduled!

Erynn:  This library features a preschool room with board and picture books, along with a delightful aquarium and cozy window seats. For older kids, there's a separate area with reading and study spaces. The Children's Library offers regular weekly programs and special monthly events as well as events and activities for teens. Also, family tours let you explore the entire building, including the movable basement bookshelves and the Drum Stack with its glass floors.

Amanda Banta:  The Tufts Library is one of the best for kids on the South Shore. The children's room has enough toys and activities to keep kids busy for hours (in addition to all the books!) and there is even a playground on site. The Weymouth Library network offers the popular 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, a program to encourage literacy in young readers. Just as the name says, it encourages little ones to read 1,000 books before they start kindergarten. Parents track the progress and kids are rewarded with great fanfare when they complete the challenge.

Amanda Banta:  The children's department at the Scituate Town Library is a parent's dream library. The library hosts a vast variety of children's events regularly, from infant/toddler storytimes to teen lip sync battles, and everything in between. There truly is something always going on at this place! The department maintains an active presence on social media as well. I started following their dedicated Facebook page when I moved to a nearby town and I still am amazed by the events they offer. Other highlights are Music with Mama Steph, Mother/Daughter book club; Guys Read, teen and tween events.