Story hours have always been one of our favorite outings with children from babies through school age. While each program is unique, besides great stories, you can expect most story times to also offer age-appropriate activities for kids — rhymes, finger-plays, simple crafts and free playtime — all designed to encourage early childhood learning and a love of reading.
This list includes some of the most dependable, regularly-scheduled story times. We encourage you to also check our Toddler/Preschool Calendar for special one-time story times.
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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. This program includes a story and naturalist-led activities. No Monday session in June or July. $6/resident-$7/non-resident. Find specific dates on our calendar.
Tuesday Story Times
Wild Rumpus Books
2720 W 43rd St, Minneapolis, MN 55410
Arrive early if you want to get a decent spot at these popular weekly story times. These fun activities are 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. FREE. Learn more here.
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 events for the whole family celebrating local authors and new releases. Wednesday & Thursday mornings at 10:30am. FREE. Learn more here.
Jump in a Book with Jen @ Kiddywampus – Hopkins
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 Wednesdays thru May 29, 2024. 10:30am.
Thursday Story Times
Tiny Tots Storytime @ Big Hill Books
Weekly preschool adventures abound at Tiny Tots Storytime is every Thursday from 10:30-11 am. While it is intended for children ages birth to 5, all are welcome. Learn More Here.
Jump in a Book with Jen @ Kiddywampus – Chanhassen
860 W 78th St, Chanhassen, MN 55317Interactive 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 30, 2024. 10:30am.
Excelsior Bay Books – Third Thursdays
Preschool Story Time on the third Thursday of every month. 9:30am-10:15am. 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.Â
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 story time events celebrating local authors. Wednesday & Thursday mornings at 10:30am. Learn more here.
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 Thursdays at 10am,  April 15th thru October 15, 2024.
In 2024, winter storytimes were held Thursdays at the Trailhead. Watch for them again in 2025.
EBWG’s openings are weather dependent. We recommend checking ahead before heading out, especially in spring/fall.
Rockin Lunch Hours: Thursdays, June 13-August 15, 2024. Arrive by 11:30 am for Rockin Readers.
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.Â
Thursday Storytime at the Arboretum
3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska, MN 55318
The Arb is a beautiful place to spend time year-round. Storytime at the Arborteum is held at the Andersen Horticultural Library weekly on Thursdays. Free with with Arb admission (Entrance Tickets: $20/adult; Free for Kids).Â
If you plan to a attend regularly, a membership my be your best price.
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!
Arb Final Friday Story HoursÂ
3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska, MN 55318
Besides the weekly Thursday Storytimes at the Arborteum, the Andersen Horticultural Library also offers a monthly story hour on the last Friday.Â
Free with with Arb admission (Kids are free, adults $20).Â
One Friday each month, 10 – 11am. Accompanying adults are free. $5/child. Registration is required.
Monthly Preschool Story Time
Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center, 12805 St Croix Trail S, Hastings, MN 55033
Call ahead to register for Preschool Story Time. This program includes a story, craft, and nature & animal education.Â
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Puppet Story Time
Westwood Hills Nature Center, 8300 W. Franklin Ave., St. Louis Park, MN 55426
This program includes storytelling with wacky puppets and naturalist-led activities. $6/resident – $7/non-resident.
Monthly Monday & Friday Story Times, 10am-11:30am. Advance registration is required.
Saturday Story Times
EBWG’s openings are weather dependent. We recommend checking ahead before heading out, especially in spring/fall.
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 Saturdays at 3pm, April 15th thru October 15, 2024.Â
Barnes and Noble Themed Story Times
These story time themes are chosen by corporate headquarters and offered at B&N bookstores 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!
First Chapter Story TimeÂ
Stories and related activities offered every Saturday. This is always the second Saturday of each month at 10:30-11am. Learn More Here.
Second Saturday at Big Hill BooksÂ
Second Saturday Storytime sessions are 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.
Library Storytimes - Baby, Family & Preschool Storytimes
Libraries are your best bet for finding a baby story time. Plus, the children’s librarian will often offer resources for parents for introducing early literacy activities and pre-reading skills to preschool children. Parents can continually learn new storytelling techniques for your own child’s bedtime stories and different ways to introduce early learning concepts into everyday interactions.
Literary Family Fun to Encourage a Love of Books
Looking for Sensory Activities?
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.
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.
Thank you Ashlee! That is exciting. I am following up with them right now so I can add it to the list.
Joy.
Thanks again, Ashlee. It’s added. You didn’t mention that you were the host. I could have added faster. 🙂