Twin Cities Libraries: “Play and Learn” Spaces

Girl enjoying children's space in Shoreview Library, Shoreview MN. Text: "Play and Learn" Spaces in Twin Cities Libraries. Family Fun Twin Cities.

When the term “library” comes to mind, the action word “read” probably follows. Most likely the word “play” does not follow (perhaps because, at least in my family, playing is often a rowdy, non-library-friendly activity). However, according to the developers of various “Play and Learn” sites installed at several Twin Cities-area libraries, play is paramount when it comes to children’s reading readiness. I hadn’t thought much about that until I started researching libraries for this list. But it makes sense. Play is essential in supporting storytelling, which boosts vocabulary and uses their imaginations to work out real world experiences. My preschooler and I observed National Library Week by visiting libraries throughout the Twin Cities Metro that have been recipients of these “Play and Learn” grants to see what kind of enrichment they’re offering:

Some libraries may have removed children’s play areas in the last few years. We recommend calling ahead to avoid disappointment.

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

St Paul Public Libraries

Arlington Hills Library

1200 Payne Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55130

The newest of Saint Paul’s play and learn spaces, the children’s area was designed to reflect the cultures of the neighborhood including a traditional Somali hut, Hmong story cloth, and Karen weaving. 

Highland Park Library

1974 Ford Parkway, Saint Paul, MN 55116
Thanks to a recent remodel, the Highland Park branch got a brand-new children’s space. The library is housed inside the neighborhood’s expanded community center and also offers a new outdoor playground, a story time room, a reading garden and public art.

Sun Ray Library

2105 Wilson Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55119
Sun Ray is one of the branches of the St Paul Public Library that has a children’s area dedicated to hands-on play. The colorful toddler nook overlooks the outdoor green space where families can borrow a Nature Smart backpack and explore. Indoors, play at an ice cream shop, find walls of word games, and browse stacks upon stacks of books.

George Latimer Central Library

90 West 4th Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102
George Latimer Central Library has introduced new Early Literacy Toys to its children’s room. They’ve added a veterinary clinic just for little ones, including vet tools like stethoscopes and blood pressure cuffs, an exam table, and even an x-ray station. The library encourages parents to enjoy this opportunity to learn and play with their little ones while building skills to begin kindergarten.

Rondo Community Library

461 Dale St N, St Paul, MN 55103
Opened in April of 2023, the newest play-and-learn space in the St. Paul Public Library System, the Children’s Area at Rondo Library has been revamped to encourage creative and imaginative play. 

101 Twin Cities Libraries - Mapped

101 Twin Cities Libraries – Mapped

Libraries are such an important part of family fun and an inexpensive way to explore your kids ever-changing passions. We are lucky to have so many options. The Twin Cities metro area is made up of seven counties, all with their own library system. Plus, Saint Paul operates its own library system. This gives us

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Ramsey County Libraries

Maplewood Library

3025 Southlawn Drive, Maplewood, Minnesota 55109
At Maplewood’s Smart Play Spot, kids might grow a garden of colorful veggies, then take them back to the “kitchen” to whip up a meal. Or, climb inside a hollow tree and discover what critters might call it home.

Roseville Library

2180 Hamline Ave N., Roseville, MN 55113
Oh, the memories we have of the Roseville branch. I still recall bringing my babies to storytime in the old children’s room. The 2010 expansion doubled, maybe even tripled the size of the kid-friendly space which now includes numerous nooks to read, play and learn.

Shoreview Library

4560 North Victoria Street, Shoreview, Minnesota 55126
The new regional library opened its doors on Jan 28, 2017, after operating in a smaller adjacent building since the early ’90s. The space has a large children’s area with colorful seating and tall windows to let in plenty of natural light. A small, interactive treehouse play structure has been installed by the Minnesota Children’s Museum and books for young readers are arranged horizontally for easier access.

Hennepin County Libraries

North Regional Library | Minneapolis

1315 Lowry Ave. N., Minneapolis , MN 55411
Best suited for preschoolers is the beautiful Early Learning Environment. Long after her older siblings took off for the bookshelves, my 3-year-old was busy whipping up picnics for me, planting veggies in the garden, and exploring the alphabet market. Other stations included a café, dance studio, and fire station to encourage the building of literacy skills through dramatic play.

Brooklyn Park Library

8500 W Broadway Ave, Brooklyn Park, MN 55445
Be blown away by the “wind tunnel” and create instant, illuminated art on the giant Lite-Brite Wall. This library location was recently completely rebuilt and updated with fun and educational spaces for kids.

Dakota County Libraries

Galaxie Library | Apple Valley

14955 Galaxie Ave, Apple Valley, MN 55124
In the kid-sized amphitheater at the Galaxie Library, we’re reminded to “Read, Play, Sing & Talk” to develop early reading skills. Young storytellers can put on their own show. The very youngest visitors have a room all their own to explore with hands-on exhibits at just the right height.

The library completed a renovation in September of 2018 that includes an improved children’s area. New features include large colored-light designs on a Lite-Brite wall, and a giant magnetic wall with oversized magnets. Learn more about the renovation here.

Wescott Library | Eagan

1340 Wescott Road, Eagan, MN 55123-1029
While Minnesota Children’s Museum-designed Smart Play Spot has been removed, the library’s large children’s room does still have play areas.  There’s is still fun to be had and lots of space to do it in at this branch of the Dakota County Library.

South St. Paul Library

106 3rd Ave N, South St Paul, MN 55075
The near-century old independent library has a charming space to promote imaginative play experiences. My preschooler loved navigating with the pretend rocket ship and choosing books in “The Little Room”, a cozy space lined with bookshelves and dedicated to youngsters.

Washington County Libraries

Park Grove Library | Cottage Grove

7900 Hemingway Ave S, Cottage Grove, MN 55016
Small, quiet spaces encourage letter and number recognition, a cozy place to curl up and read, and a collection of manipulatives specially designed for infants and toddlers.

Park Grove Library - play and learn

RH Stafford Library | Woodbury

We have been notified that the Smart Play Spot has been removed from this library.

The library’s Smart Play Spot was designed by the Children’s Museum of Minnesota. Shop at an alphabet outdoor farmers market, camp out with cuddly critters in a tree house, drive a motor boat and explore Washington County Parks. The space incorporates the six domains of Minnesota’s Early Childhood Indicators of Progress (reading, playing, singing, writing and talking) with imaginative play opportunities.

These are just a few of the spaces carved out at local libraries for kids to work their imaginations, plump up their vocabularies, and prepare or enhance their reading success. Do you have a favorite branch that promotes play? Let us know so we can share!

Additional libraries with Play and Learn spaces:
Hopkins Library | Hennepin County Library
Mississippi Library | Fridley, Anoka County
Rondo Library | St Paul Public Library
Shakopee Library | Scott County Library

MORE INDOOR PLAY IDEAS FOR KIDS

2 thoughts on “Twin Cities Libraries: “Play and Learn” Spaces”

  1. Thank you for visiting and playing in our play spaces at R.H. Stafford and Park Grove. We are really excited about these new spaces and love seeing the way kids and families engage in playful learning at the library.
    -“Miss Dawn”
    Youth Services Coordinator, Washington County Library

  2. Thanks for visiting! We’re so glad your family enjoyed our Play and Learn space. Check back in May to see our current cafe reimagined as a flower shop and create fun bouquets! 🙂
    -Miss Amy
    Youth Services Librarian, South St. Paul Public Library

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