Find a list of winter 2020 story times here.
There’s no question reading aloud to kids is good for them. In fact, research shows kids benefit from being read to as early as birth! Lucky for you, Des Moines boasts plenty of opportunities for your kids to hear their favorite books. And, it’s not just public libraries that offer these fun events. You can find someone reading stories aloud in the darndest places, including the Iowa Historical Museum and at ARL. Lastly, did we mention they’re all FREE! Check out our list.
Please verify information before heading to a story time, since information may change.
2017 Fall Story Times in Des Moines:
Public Libraries
Altoona Public Library
The Altoona Public Library offers multiple story times each week.
Babies and Books: Mondays at 9:30 am and Thursdays at 10:30 am
Toddler Time: Mondays at 10:30 am and Thursdays at 10:00 am
Storytime: Wednesdays at 10:00 and 10:30 am
Ankeny Public Library
During the month of October, the Ankeny Public Library is offering several story time options.
Toddler Story Time: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9:30 am
Preschool Story Time: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10:00 am
Babies and Books: Saturdays at 9:30 am
Clive Public Library
Registration is required for most of Clive Public Library’s Story Times. They currently don’t have many drop-in story times available. Check their website for a complete list of story times offered and to register.
Des Moines Public Library
Story times and reading adventures abound at Des Moines’ six branch libraries.
Central Library
Family Storytime: Tuesdays at 6:30 pm
Mother Goose on the Loose: Wednesdays at 9:30 am
Baby Rhyme Time: Wednesdays at 10:15 am
Preschool Storytime: Thursdays at 10:15 am
Toddler Storytime: Fridays at 10:15 am
East Side Library
Preschool Storytime: Thursdays at 10:30 am
Toddler Storytime: Fridays at 10:30 am
Forest Avenue Library
Storytime: Wednesdays at 11:15 am
Bilingual Storytime: Thursdays at 6:30 pm and Saturdays at 10:15 am
Franklin Avenue
Preschool Storytime: Mondays at 10:15 am
Baby Rhyme Time: Tuesdays at 10:15 am
Family Storytime: Tuesdays at 6:15 pm
Toddler Storytime: Wednesdays at 10:15 am
Toddler Storytime: Wednesdays at 10:50 am
North Side
Family Storytime: Wednesdays at 6:30 pm
Toddler Storytime: Thursdays at 10:30 am
South Side
Family Storytime: Mondays at 6:30 pm
Toddler Storytime: Wednesdays at 10:00 am
Preschool Storytime: Thursdays at 10:00 am
Grimes Public Library
Storytimes are offered Tuesday through Friday for little ones ages 0 to 5 at the Grimes Public Library.
Toddler Time: Tuesdays at 9:30 and 10:00 am
Preschool Storytime: Wednesdays at 9:30 and 10:00 am
Storytime: Thursdays at 6:30 pm and Fridays at 10:00 am
Baby Lapsit: Fridays at 11:00 am
Indianola Public Library
Toddlers and Preschoolers can enjoy story time at the Indianola Public Library.
Toddlers Wiggle: Tuesdays at 10:30 am
Preschoolers Jump: Thursdays at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm
Johnston Public Library
The Johnston Public Library offers story times for kids starting as young as newborns.
Storytime: Mondays at 9:30 and 10:00 am
Wee Read: Wednesdays at 10:00 and 10:30 am
Babies & Books: Thursdays at 11:00 am
Pleasant Hill Public Library
The Pleasant Hill public library offers story times to toddlers and preschoolers.
Toddler Time: Wednesdays at 10:00 am
Preschool Storytime: Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10:30 am
Urbandale Public Library
The Urbandale Public Library has plenty of regularly scheduled story time options.
Book Babies: Mondays and Tuesdays at 9:00 am and 2nd & 4th Saturdays at 9:30 am
Toddler Time: Mondays and Tuesdays at 10:00 am
Family Story Time: Tuesdays at 7:00 pm; Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9:30 and 10:15 am; 2nd & 4th Saturdays at 10:30 am
Waukee Public Library
The Waukee Public Library is closed for renovations until October 6th, 2017. Once they re-open they have a number of story times scheduled for young kids.
Books and Babies: Mondays at 10:00 am and Tuesdays at 11:00 am
Toddler Time: Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:00 am and Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 11:00 am
Preschool Storytime: Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10:00 am; Tuesdays at 2:00 pm and Wednesdays at 11:00 am
West Des Moines Public Library
In addition to the story times listed below, the West Des Moines Library has several story times that you can register for. Visit their website for times and to sign-up.
Nighty-Night Storytime: Mondays at 6:45 pm
Drop-In Family Storytime: Wednesdays at 9:30 and 10:30 am
Drop-In Oliver’s Puppy Tales: Thursdays and Fridays at 10:30 am
Local Book Stores
Beaverdale Books
Plan to visit Beaverdale Books every Thursday at 11:00 am for Storybook Time.
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
With two locations in West Des Moines it shouldn’t be too hard to find a story time this fall at a Barnes & Noble. Activities and crafts follow the events.
The Shoppes at Three Fountains
Storytime: Saturdays at 11:00 am
Jordan Creek
Storytime: Wednesdays and Fridays at 10:00 am and Saturdays at 11:00 am
Plot Twist Bookstore
All ages are welcome at Plot Twist Bookstore’s Wednesday Storytime on Wednesdays at 10:30 am.
Attractions, Museums & Other Spots
ARL
ARL’s story time Tales with Tails occurs on the first Tuesday of every month from 11:00 – 11:30 am. Visit their website to RSVP.
Des Moines Art Center
Gaze into a painting and listen to child-friendly stories at 1:30 pm on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at the Des Moines Art Center’s story time Books and Blankets.
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Join the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden on Fridays for Story Sprouts at 10:30 to 11:00 am.
Racoon River Park Nature Lodge
West Des Moines Parks and Recreation invites you to Story Hour at the Lodge, Thursdays, October 5-26, 2017 at 12:00 noon.
State Historical Museum of Iowa
Join Goldie’s Kids Club and enjoy The Hatchling Storytime program on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 9:30 to 10:15 am.
Cowles Commons
Drake Theatre People will be reading children’s literature during Saturday Story & Sketch at 9:00 to 10:30 am through the end of October.
Reiman Gardens
Reiman Gardens hosts Caterpillar Club weekly on Thursdays at 10:00 to 11:00 am.
Do you have a favorite story time in Des Moines? Tell us about it in the comments.
Take a look at our calendar to find a story time happening each day of the week!
