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 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.

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

Monday Story Times

Puppet Story Time

Westwood Hills Nature Center, 8300 W. Franklin Ave., St. Louis Park, MN 55426

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

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.

Reservations are required.

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.

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

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

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.

kiddywampus - an inspired place for kids - square logo

Thursday Story Times

Tiny Tots Storytime @ Big Hill Books

405 Penn Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55405

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.

kiddywampus - an inspired place for kids - square logo

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

Excelsior Bay Books, 36 Water Street, Excelsior, MN 55331

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. 

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
Summer Reading Programs at Local Bookstores

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.

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

EBWG’s openings are weather dependent. We recommend checking ahead before heading out, especially in spring/fall.

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

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. 

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). 

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

If you plan to a attend regularly, a membership my be your best price.

Friday Story Times

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

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 Hours 

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. 

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

Free with with Arb admission (Kids are free, adults $20). 

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

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. 

 

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.

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

Monthly Monday & Friday Story Times, 10am-11:30am. Advance registration is required.

Saturday Story Times

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

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. 

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!

Storytime & Activities Sign at Barnes & Noble, Woodbury Minnesota

First Chapter Story Time 

Next Chapter Books, 38 Snelling Ave South, Saint Paul, MN 55105

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 Books 

Big Hill Books, 405 Penn Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55405

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.

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

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.

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.

Learn more about how to be added to this article or how you can be a Family Fun Twin Cities partner here.

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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