In the words of Dr. Seuss, ” You can find magic, wherever you look. Sit back and relax. All you need is a book!” Not only does Columbus have an extensive library system full of story times, but there are many retail options that offer story times as well.
What better way to introduce your children to new information that sparks their interests and imagination? Story hours for our little ones incorporate important early literacy skills and also include music and movement as well. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to embark on a new adventure with your little ones by visiting the numerous locations for story time around the city! {Days and times are subject to change, so be sure to check their website or call before you go.}
Book Store Story Times
Story time and Yoga on most Sunday mornings! Their new location is in Upper Arlington, so be sure to check them out! They also do many author visits and other stories hours throughout the month, so be sure to check the calendar.
Barnes and Noble (Easton location)
Wednesdays (typically) and Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. Share a story, activities and a snack. There are several other locations in Columbus that hold story hour on Saturday as well, but the weekday story hour varies at each location. (Sawmill, Polaris, Upper Arlington, Lennox, Pickerington) FREE!
Fundamentals (in downtown Delaware)
This locally owned bookstore often hosts authors and/or illustrators for special events. Be sure to check their website often!
Many of these events held here are geared towards older children and adults. There’s a monthly book club, author nights, poetry nights and more. Take a look at the Gramercy Books event calendar and don’t forget to stop next door at Kittie’s Cakes for a delicious treat.
As of September 2018, the Grandview location is beginning a new story hour. They hope to do this monthly! After the story, feel free to browse the shop for adorable kid items and stick around for a kid-friendly craft. Stauf’s coffee is located right next door for a treat after too!
Museum Story Times
Nature Storyhour is a story time designed for children ages 3-5. It features a nature story or theme and related activity. The program lasts 30-45 minutes and meets on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. From January to March, story time will be in the Palm House and in April, it will be in the Children’s Garden.
This story time is ideal for ages 3-6 and takes place on the second Sunday of the month, typically at 1:00 p.m. Story time is included with the price of admission into the Ohio History Center.
Retail Business Story Times
Every Tuesday morning at 10:30 a.m., come hear Miss Becky read a story! Afterward, plan to play at the Worthington Mall Play area right outside of the store. FREE!
Join every Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. for a story, activities, and shopping. 🙂 It is located on the upper level between Brio and Saks Fifth Avenue. FREE!
The Cheryl’s location in Westerville offers a wonderful preschool story time for ages 3-6 in the party room of this store. It is offered on Wednesdays from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. The story hour consists of songs, books and a craft. The program is entirely free. Afterward, your kiddo gets a mini FREE Cheryl’s cookie. This information is not on their website, (but posted in the store) so do call to be sure the event is being held that day. This event will start back up in January 2019.
Join them every other Monday morning from 10am-11am! Enjoy story time, color your latest masterpiece, and get a behind the scenes look at how Duck Donuts are made! The event is free to the public, recommended for ages 3-6, but all are welcome!
Metro Park Story Times
10:00 a.m. on Thursdays and Saturdays. After the story, head over to the forest room and explore!
This nature center offers a number of story times and interactive activities for your preschooler up to age 7. It is offered multiple days throughout the week (Typically M, W, Th). Registration is recommended. Free!
They offer a preschool program typically held on Tuesdays and Fridays once a month that includes a story, song and craft. They do recommend registering. This event is free.
This story time is held once a month, typically on Tuesdays (3 time slots) and includes games, activities, a story, and a craft. Registration is recommended and is free to the public.
A preschool time is held once a month on Tuesdays (typically) that includes a story, activity and craft. Free events!
They offer a preschoolers program that incorporates a story, craft, and activity once-twice a month with multiple time slots. This program is free.
A variety of fun activities and stories each month to cover a new topic dealing with nature. It typically takes place on Wednesday. Free fun for the family!
If you want to get outside and explore the Metro Parks before or after story time, check out these posts: 4 Metro Parks to Explore With Kids and Get Outside- Central Ohio Metro Park Style.
Library Story Times
A variety of story hours with playgroups afterward as well. This library has a fun play area too with Magnatiles, blocks, puzzles and legos.
With over 23 locations around the city (Dublin, Hilliard, Hilltop, Canal Winchester, and many more!), there is an opportunity for endless story hours! Baby lap time, Ready for Kindergarten Story time, and Family Story Time just to name a few.
Delaware County District Library
There are four locations (Delaware, Powell, Ostrander, and Orange) offering a variety of story times during the day and evening, as well as special events like Yoga for kids (and another yoga event for teens and adults), Toddler Dance Party, LEGO Club and more. Take a look at the Delaware Library event calendar.
This library holds Music and Movement Story Hour, Baby Games, Tales for Toddlers, and an evening Family Story Time on Wednesday evenings. They also have an outdoor story hour on the lawn during the summer that is a great time!
A variety of story times are offered starting as young as babies. Story times are offered during the day and evening. Click on the Marysville Library event calendar to find out more details.
This local library has Toddler Time, Tots and Tales, Rhyme Time, and special story time events for the whole family such as sensory friendly and story time Saturday style!
Baby time, Tales for Twos and Threes, Preschool Story time, library scavenger hunts, and also craft and activity sessions at their 3 library locations.
Tales for Twos and Threes, Baby time, and a special Pajama Story Time in the evenings (Typically Wednesday from 7:00 – 7:30 p.m.) for families at these three library locations. They also have interactive play areas in the libraries for kids to explore.
Wee Wonders Story hour, STEAM story time, and Rhyme Time are some of the varieties they offer at this library!
Other Story Times
Story hour takes place on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. followed by a craft. This is included in your play admission. This will resume on January 9, 2019.
Wild Story Time is held with preschoolers in mind on the 1st Wednesday of each month. The cost is $5 and will include a visit from an animal ambassador, a story, and a craft to accompany the book.
Come enjoy a special story hour during the 2nd Tuesday of the Month. The cost is $5 per family and there is a unique hands-on experience afterwards depending on the season. This takes place April – October.
Story Time and Reading-Related Links
- 4 Nature-Themed Story Times Around Columbus
- The Imagination Library (get FREE books delivered)
- Why Reading to Your Child is a Non-Negotiable
- Favorite Kiddo Books
- Pick Up a Book: Chapter Books for Children that Encourage the Love of Reading
- Summer Reading Resources
- 8 Wonderful Independent Book Stores in Columbus
- Book Lists (Cap4Kids and The Columbus Metropolitan Library teamed up together to assemble book lists on a wide range of topics like toilet training, divorce, death and grieving, special needs, bullying, new baby, healthy eating and more!)