Top Kids Storytimes in the Twin Cities

Top Kids Storytimes in the Twin Cities

Story hours have always been one of our favorite outings with children from babies through school age. While each is unique, you can expect story time programs generally to offer a story along with age-appropriate kids activities, rhymes, finger-plays, maybe a simple craft and free play time. This list includes some of the most dependable story times. Check our calendar regularly for special one-time story times.

Kids participating in summer camp at Lundstrum Performing Arts. Text: "Minnesota's premier training program for dance, voice and drama. 'Lundstrum is an amazing place with heart and soul that nurtures the creative part of every child who comes through the door.' - Lundstrum Parent. Lundstrum Performing Arts. Dance. Voice. Drama.

Meet FFTC's Partner in Play

Lundstrum Performing Arts is Minnesota's premier training program for dance, voice and drama. Our teachers are Broadway veterans and industry professionals with the expertise to guide students to launch professional careers. We are passionate about helping students of all ages discover their gifts in mind, body and spirit. Lundstrum Performing Arts works with students of all skill levels in a supportive community that welcomes all and recognizes each student's unique talents. Our classes start at $190 for a 10 week session.
We're located at 1617 North Second Street, Minneapolis, MN 55411

As always, if you know of a story time that we have missed, please leave it in the comments and we'll share with the community.
Community

Monday Story Times

Puppet Story Time

Westwood Hills Nature Center, 8300 W. Franklin Ave., St. Louis Park, MN 55426
Monthly Monday & Friday Story Times, 10am-11:30am
Stories about a different nature theme each month told by the Westwood puppets. There is a fee of $4-$5/pp for this program which includes a story, naturalist-led activities.
Registration is required.

Two puppets in a story time about maple syrup at Westwood Nature Center in St. Louis Park, Minnesota
Story time themes change monthly

Tuesday Story Times

Wild Rumpus Books

2720 W 43rd St, Minneapolis, MN 55410
Weekly story times have returned to Wild Rumpus as of April 2023. Arrive early if you want to get a decent spot at this popular story time geared towards toddlers and preschoolers with their caregivers. Stick around to see how many critters (yes, animal critters) you can spot slinking around the store! 10:30am ongoing Tuesdays. Learn more here.

Tailtime sign at Wild Rumpus in Minneapolis Minnesota. Sign says: "tailtime. nothin' like a good storytail. Mondays at 10:30a.m. Tots and Kids Welcome.
Story Times are Now Tuesday Mornings

Wednesday Story Times

Red Balloon Bookshop

891 Grand Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55105
Themed stories, songs, puppets and other preschool pleasures. Red Balloon also hosts many weekend family events celebrating local authors. Wednesday & Thursday mornings at 10:30am. Learn more here.

Toddler pulling book "Mouldy Monsters" from shelf at the Red Balloon Bookshop in St. Paul, Minnesota

Kiddywampus

1023 Mainstreet, Hopkins, MN 55343
Interactive stories, songs & rhymes for kids ages 2-5 at one of the coolest independent toy shops in the Twin Cities. No registration required. Spring storytime runs Thursdays thru May 10. 10:30am.

kiddywampus - an inspired place for kids - square logo

Thursday Story Times

Big Hill Books

405 Penn Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55405

Tiny Tots Storytime is every Thursday from 10:30-11 am. While it is intended for children ages 5 and under, all are welcome. Learn More Here.

Big Hill Books

405 Penn Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55405

Tiny Tots Storytime is every Thursday from 10:30-11 am. While it is intended for children ages 5 and under, all are welcome. Learn More Here.

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory

1225 Estabrook Dr, St Paul, MN 55103
The wonderful Lil Explorer Thursdays program includes two themed storytimes. This is a fantastic free event aimed at preschoolers and includes all kinds of hands-on activities, manipulatives, games and crafts. Meet in the Visitor Center. Ongoing Thursdays, 10am-noon. 

Young girl plays with Toys at a Lil' Explorer Thursday at Como Zoo in Saint Paul, Minnesota
Lil Explorer Thursdays - Story Times, Toys, Activities and more

Red Balloon Bookshop

891 Grand Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55105
Themed stories, songs, puppets and other preschool pleasures. Red Balloon also hosts many weekend family events celebrating local authors. Wednesday & Thursday mornings at 10:30am. Learn more here.

Summer Reading Programs at Local Bookstores

Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden & Bird Sanctuary

1 Theodore Wirth Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55405
A naturalist hosts a different nature themed story each week within the Garden followed by an activity. Meet just outside the Visitor Shelter. Bring a blanket to sit on. NOTE: This is a seasonal storytime hosted May thru mid-October. Thursdays, 10am & Saturdays, 2pm. 

Young girl using binoculars at the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Little Roos 

122 Pioneer Trail, Chaska MN 
This children’s boutique features local Minnesota authors telling stories, some with crafts plus Little Roos own activities for kids. Summer Storytime runs select Thursdays & Saturdays in 2023. 10:30am. 

Rockin’ Readers

Nicollet Commons Park, 12600 Nicollet Avenue, Burnsville, MN 55337
Arrive early for the Thursday Rockin’ Lunch Hour Concerts (which start at noon), to join educators from Burnsville School District read some of their favorite stories. Then catch a concert and play in the splash pad. 

Kids dancing at a Rockin Lunch Hour Performance at Nicollet Commons Park in Burnsville, MN

Friday Story Times

Barnes and Noble Galleria

3230 Galleria, Edina, MN 55435
While most Barnes & Noble Stores offer a themed storytime on Saturdays, the Galleria offers weekly story hours on Fridays. 10am. FREE!

Story Time featuring Llama Red Pajama at Barnes & Noble Galleria, Edina Minnesota
Galleria Story Time with Llama

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska, MN 55318
The Arb is a beautiful place to spend time year-round. Storytime at the Arborteum is currently held at the Andersen Horticultural Library monthly on the last Friday, but this is subject to change. Free with with Arb admission (Kids are free, adults $15). 

Three girls in front of Butterfly sculpture at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska, Minnesota

Preschool Story Time

Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center, 12805 St Croix Trail S, Hastings, MN 55033
Monthly Friday Story Times, 10am-11am
Call ahead to register for Preschool Story Time. There is a fee of $5 per child for this program which includes a story, craft, and nature and animal education. Accompanying adults are free.
One Friday each month, 10 – 11am. Registration is required.

Boy playing with branches at Carpenter Nature Center in St. Croix Minnesota

Puppet Story Time

Westwood Hills Nature Center, 8300 W. Franklin Ave., St. Louis Park, MN 55426
Monthly Monday & Friday Story Times, 10am-11:30am
Stories about a different nature theme each month told by the Westwood puppets. There is a fee of $4-$5/pp for this program which includes a story, naturalist-led activities.
Registration is required.

Two puppets in a story time about maple syrup at Westwood Nature Center in St. Louis Park, Minnesota
Story time themes change monthly

Saturday Story Times

Barnes and Noble Themed Story Times

These story time themes are chosen by corporate headquarters and offered all over the country. Not all Barnes & Noble stores participate, but a good many local locations do. You can check for participating stores here. Ongoing Saturdays, usually 10:30am (but check this at your own store). FREE!

Storytime & Activities Sign at Barnes & Noble, Woodbury Minnesota

Big Hill Books 

405 Penn Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55405

Second Saturday Storytime intended for early readers ages 4-8 (but anyone is welcome). This is always the second Saturday of each month at 11 am. Learn More Here.

Little Roos 

122 Pioneer Trail, Chaska MN 
This children’s boutique features local Minnesota authors telling stories, some with crafts plus Little Roos own activities for kids. Summer Storytime runs select Thursdays & Saturdays in 2023. 10:30am. 

Library Storytimes - Baby, Family & Preschool Storytimes

Library staff often offer resources for parents for introducing early literacy skills to preschool children. Find family, preschool, infant and toddler storytime opportunities at the links below:

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Find resources for  grown-ups and children of all abilities, including sensory story time opportunities:

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How Do I Get My Story Time Listed?

If you know of or host a regularly-scheduled story time, tell us about it, and we’ll check it out.

This article is currently sponsored through January 31, 2025.

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3 thoughts on “Top Kids Storytimes in the Twin Cities”

  1. Scoops and Stories, a preschool storytime with books, music and more is every Tuesday at 9:30am at Cold Front in St. Paul! Come listen to stories while enjoying coffee and ice cream.

    1. Thanks again, Ashlee. It’s added. You didn’t mention that you were the host. I could have added faster. 🙂

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