Find a list of winter 2020 story times here.
The benefits of story time for babies, toddlers and preschoolers are abundant. We’re lucky that here in Des Moines there are story times each and every day of the week at local libraries, bookstores and museums. And, the great thing about story time is that it’s FREE! Here is our ultimate list of local story times to check out in Des Moines. Be sure to let us know about your favorite!
Please verify information before heading to a story time, since information may change.
2018 Winter 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 11:00 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 January, 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: Fridays at 9:30 am
Clive Public Library
Clive Public library offer several drop-in story times, as well as, story times that require advanced registration.
Baby Bear Laptime: Wednesdays (January 15 – February 24, 2018) at 11:00 am
Teddy Toddler Storytime: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays (January 15 – February 24, 2018) at 9:30 and 10:00 am
Big Bear Storytime: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays (January 15 – February 24, 2018) at 10:30 am
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
Mother Goose on the Loose: Tuesdays at 10:30 am
Preschool Storytime: Thursdays at 10:30 am
Forest Avenue Library
Baby Rhyme Time: Mondays at 10:15 am
Storytime: Wednesdays 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
Family Storytime: Fridays at 10:30 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 9:30, 10:00 and 10:30 am
Babies & Books: Thursdays at 11:00 am
Pleasant Hill
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 1st & 3rd 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; 1st & 3rd Saturdays at 10:30 am
Waukee Public Library
The Waukee Public Library has 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 11:00 am on the 1st Thursday 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 (February 2 thru April 27, 2018) for Story Sprouts at 10:30 to 11:00 am.
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.
Reiman Gardens
Reiman Gardens hosts Caterpillar Club weekly on Thursdays at 10:00 to 11:00 am.
Do you have a favorite story time that we missed? Let us know about it in the comments below.
Take a look at our calendar to find a story time happening each day of the week!
Norwalk Easter Public Library has storytimes as well.
* BABY TIME Mondays at 10:30 AM
A special story time for babies up to about 18th months and their grownups. Learn lots of songs, rhymes, and bounces!
* READING TIME Tuesdays at 10:30 AM
This storytime focuses on books and pre-reading skills. Read books, sing songs, and do activities!
* RHYME TIME Thursdays at 10:30 AM
This storytime focuses on songs and rhymes. Shake shakers, sing, move, and read some short books!
* PAJAMA TIME 2nd & 4th Thursdays at 7:00 PM
Join us in the evening to read funny stories. Great for all ages, pajamas welcome.
Dates for Winter/Spring 2018: Jan. 11 and 25, Feb. 8, special Feb. 22 magic show, Mar.8 and 22, Apr. 12 and 26