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.
TWIN CITIES STORYTIMES THIS WEEK
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
⚈ 10:30 am - 11:30 am: Highland Park Preschool Storytime (FREE) - Highland Park Library, Saint Paul⚈ 10:30 am - 11:00 am: Wild Rumpus Books Weekly Storytime (FREE) - Wild Rumpus Books, Minneapolis
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
⚈ 10:00 am - 11:00 am: Carpenter Wisconsin Preschool Storytime (FREE) - Hein Visitor Center – Carpenter Wisconsin Campus, Hudson⚈ 10:30 am - 11:00 am: Music & Movement Storytime (FREE) - Park Grove Library, Cottage Grove
⚈ 10:30 am - 11:00 am: Red Balloon Bookshop Storytime (FREE) - Red Balloon Bookshop, Saint Paul
Thursday, March 19, 2026
⚈ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm: Como Little Explorers Thursday (FREE) - Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, Saint Paul⚈ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm: Nature Storytime at The Trailhead (FREE) - Theodore Wirth Trailhead, Minneapolis
⚈ 10:30 am - 11:00 am: Andersen Horticultural Library StoryTime - Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska
⚈ 10:30 am - 11:00 am: Red Balloon Bookshop Storytime (FREE) - Red Balloon Bookshop, Saint Paul
⚈ 10:30 am - 11:00 am: Tiny Tots Storytime (FREE) - Big Hill Books, Minneapolis
Friday, March 20, 2026
⚈ 10:00 am - 10:30 am: Barnes & Noble Storytime (FREE) - Barnes & Noble Galleria, Edina⚈ 10:00 am - 11:00 am: Carpenter Preschool Storytime: Tree Tappin' Time (FREE) - Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center, Hastings
⚈ 10:30 am - 11:15 am: Storytime with Engineer Paul! - Choo Choo Bob’s Train Store, Saint Paul
Saturday, March 21, 2026
⚈ 10:00 am - 10:30 am: Eagan Barnes & Noble Storytime (FREE) - Barnes & Noble Promenade, Eagan⚈ 10:00 am - 11:00 am: Saturday Story Hour (FREE) - Avant Garden Bookstore, Anoka
⚈ 10:30 am - 11:00 am: Music & Movement Storytime (FREE) - RH Stafford Library, Woodbury
⚈ 10:30 am - 11:30 am: Stories & Crafts in the Gallery (FREE) - The Museum of Russian Art, Minneapolis
⚈ 10:45 am - 11:30 am: First Chapter Storytime (FREE) - Next Chapter Booksellers, St Paul
Sunday, March 22, 2026
⚈ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm: Braver than Bullies: Stories of Courage, Wit, and Wise Helpers with Rose Arrowsmith - American Swedish Institute, MinneapolisMonday, March 23, 2026
⚈ 10:00 am - 11:30 am: Linden Hills Baby Storytime (FREE) - Linden Hills Library, Minneapolis⚈ 10:30 am - 11:00 am: Columbia Heights Family Storytime (FREE) - Columbia Heights Library, Columbia Heights
⚈ 10:30 am - 11:15 am: Storytime with Engineer Paul! - Choo Choo Bob’s Train Store, Saint Paul
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
⚈ 10:00 am - 10:30 am: Kiddywampus Storytime St Louis Park (FREE) - Kiddywampus St Louis Park, St Louis Park⚈ 10:30 am - 11:30 am: Oakdale Discovery Center Storytime (FREE) - Oakdale Discovery Center & Nature Preserve, Oakdale
⚈ 11:15 am - 11:45 am: Kiddywampus Storytime Hopkins (FREE) - Kiddywampus Hopkins, Hopkins
Thursday, March 26, 2026
⚈ 10:30 am - 11:00 am: Kiddywampus Storytime Chanhassen (FREE) - Kiddywampus Chanhassen, ChanhassenFriday, March 27, 2026
⚈ 10:30 am - 11:00 am: Andersen Horticultural Library StoryTime - Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, ChaskaSaturday, March 28, 2026
⚈ 10:30 am - 11:30 am: Red Balloon Saturday Storytime (FREE) - Red Balloon Bookshop, Saint Paul⚈ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm: Kids Are Artists Too! Free Art Class - Hallberg Center for Creative Arts, Wyoming
TWIN CITIES FEATURED STORYTIMES
This list includes some of the most dependable, regularly-scheduled story times in the Twin Cities. However, there will always be exceptions. If you value your time we beg you to check the venue’s official link (we try always to provide this) before heading out. The majority of the storytimes we highlight are free; when registration and/or fees are required, we take note.
MONDAY STORYTIMES
ST LOUIS PARK Westwood Puppet Storytime
8300 W Franklin Ave, St Louis Park, MNÂ 55416
Stories covering a different nature theme are told humorously by the Westwood puppets. This paid program includes a story and naturalist-led activities. Held most months of the year, one Monday and one Friday. $6-$7/pp, registration required – see link.
ST PAUL Story Time with Engineer Paul
Choo Choo Bob’s Train Store, 214 4th Street East, Saint Paul, MN 55101
Included in pay-to-play admission, the longtime and beloved Engineer Paul shares train stories, songs and jokes. Offered most Mondays and Fridays,10:30am. $10/child; $2/adult.
TUESDAY STORYTIMES
LINO LAKESÂ Once Upon a Story Time
Wargo Nature Center, 7701 Main Street, Lino Lakes, MN 55038
Kids ages 2+ and their parents can attend this monthly storytime. In lovely weather you’ll want to stick around and enjoy Maple Hollow, Wargo’s nature play area. In crummy weather, the hands-on indoor exhibits are diverting. Held most first Tuesdays of the month, 9-10am. FREE.Â
MINNEAPOLIS Wild Rumpus Books Weekly Storytime
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 most Tuesdays. FREE.
WEDNESDAY STORYTIMES
HOPKINS Kiddywampus – Jump in a Book with Jen
1023 Mainstreet, Hopkins, MN 55343
Jen jumps over to Hopkins to hit a second Twin Cities Southwest Metro location most Wednesdays. 11:15am. FREE.
ST LOUIS PARK Kiddywampus – Jump in a Book with Jen
Kiddywampus, 1665 West End Blvd, St Louis Park, MN 55416
Interactive stories, songs & rhymes for kids ages 2-5 at one of the coolest independent toy shops in the Twin Cities. No registration required. Most Wednesdays, 10am. FREE.
ST PAUL Red Balloon Bookshop
891 Grand Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55105
Themed stories, songs, puppets and other preschool pleasures are presented weekly at this charming independent shop. Red Balloon also hosts many weekend events for the whole family celebrating local authors and new releases. Wednesday & Thursday mornings at 10:30am. FREE.Â
THURSDAY STORYTIMES
CHANHASSEN Kiddywampus – Jump in a Book with Jen
860 W 78th St, Chanhassen, MN 55317
Today, Jen brings her preschool storytime to the Chanhassen branch of the toy shop. Most Thursdays, 10:30am. FREEE.
CHASKA Thursday Storytime at the Arboretum
3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska, MN 55318
The Arb is a beautiful place to spend time year-round. Storytime is held at the Andersen Horticultural Library weekly on Thursdays. Free with with Arb admission ($20/adult in advance; under 16 are FREE).Â
EXTRA! Storytime at the Arboretum is also held the last Friday of the month.
MINNEAPOLIS Big Hills Books Tiny Tots Storytime
Weekly preschool adventures abound at Tiny Tots Storytime most Thursdays. While it is intended for children ages birth to 5, all are welcome. 10:30am, FREE.
MINNEAPOLIS Eloise Butler Garden Storytime
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 and consider bringing a blanket to sit on. NOTE: This is a seasonal story time hosted most Thursdays, early May through early October. 10am, FREE.
MINNEAPOLIS Storytime at the Trailhead
1221 Theodore Wirth Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN 55422
Join a naturalist for storytime and an activity (10-10:30am) at The Trailhead in Theodore Wirth Park. This will be followed by a guided nature walk from 11:30am-12pm. NOTE: This is a seasonal storytime hosted most Thursdays early January through mid-March. FREE.
ST PAUL Red Balloon Bookshop
891 Grand Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55105
Twice sure is nice! Red Balloon Bookshop provides an additional storytime for toddlers and preschoolers on Thursdays at 10:30am.
FRIDAY STORYTIMES
EDINA Barnes and Noble Galleria Storytime
3230 Galleria, Edina, MN 55435
While most Barnes & Noble Stores offer a themed storytime on Saturdays, the Galleria often offers story hours on Fridays. 10am, FREE.
HASTINGS Carpenter Nature Center Preschool Story Time
Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center, 12805 St Croix Trail S, Hastings
Call ahead to register for one of Carpenter’s monthly Preschool Story Times. This program includes a story, craft, and nature & animal education. Registration is required (see link). Held one Friday per month, 10 – 11am. Traditionally, the program has a small fee attached; currently storytime is FREE through August 2026.
ACROSS THE BORDER:Â Carpenter Wisconsin Preschool Storytime is also held monthly outside of Hudson, WI.
ST LOUIS PARK Westwood Puppet Storytime
8300 W Franklin Ave, St Louis Park, MNÂ 55416
The puppets you met above (on Monday) are presented a second time, one Friday, most months of the year. $6-$7/pp, registration required – see link.
ST PAUL Story Time with Engineer Paul
214 4th Street East, Saint Paul, MN 55101
Engineer Paul chugs back into the station most Fridays at 10:30am. $10/child; $2/adult.
SATURDAY STORYTIMES
ANOKA Avant Garden Saturday Story Hour
The book-and-coffee-shop usually offers a Saturday storytime often hosted by a local organization. 10am, FREE.
ST PAUL First Chapter Story TimeÂ
Stories and related activities offered most Saturdays. Parking can be a little tricky to find at this location but it exists and its free. 10:45am, FREE.
MULTIPLE METRO LOCATIONS Barnes and Noble Saturday 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.
SUNDAY STORYTIMES
MINNEAPOLIS Eloise Butler Garden Storytime
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 and consider bringing a blanket to sit on. NOTE: This is a seasonal story time hosted most Thursdays, early May through early October. 10am, FREE.
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.
- ANOKA COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES
- CARVER COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES
- DAKOTA COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES
- HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES
- RAMSEY COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES
- SCOTT COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES
- ST PAUL PUBLIC LIBRARY STORYTIMES
- WASHINGTON COUNTY LIBRARY STORYTIMES
The Importance of Story Times
Your tots aren’t going to remember most of these experiences. So, why is it so important to attend story times?
We attend story times mainly for three reasons.
- It is something fun to get us out of the house today.
- Toddlers and preschoolers who are at home in the library will be at home in the library when they are school age.
- This is the most important one. It teaches (or regularly reminds) us — the parents — how to introduce early learning concepts to our children and how to incorporate them into our own reading time.
One of my favorite blogs, A Proper Noun, written by a local librarian, explains it best:Â
“Everything we do here at storytime is related to one of the five early literacy practices: talk, read, write, sing, and play.”
So, definitely go to story hour to have fun, to help your child discover a love for the library, and to help regularly re-ignite your own enthusiasm for early learning.
P.S. You don’t have to go every week to reap these benefits. Go when it works best for your own family. Even if you only get to story times sporadically, your kids will remember that you were the type of parent who valued reading.
Literary Family Fun to Encourage a Love of Books
More Interactive Toddler Time and Preschool Play for 1-5 Year Olds
Looking for Sensory Activities?
Find resources for grown-ups and children of all abilities, including sensory story time opportunities:
Children’s Storytime at Rafiki Coffee & Cafe
Every Thursday 10:30am – 11:15am
Share books, songs, rhymes and movement with your little ones. Located in the Midway Grigg’s Building and hosted at Rafiki Coffee & Cafe, this story time is geared toward toddlers and preschoolers, but open to all. Join us each week 10:30am – 11:15am to read stories, sing songs, dance and enjoy this imaginative space.
Address: 540 Fairview Ave. N. Suite 101, St. Paul, MN 55104
Parking: Free, ample parking on the north end of the Grigg’s building
For more information: 651-493-9117
See you there!
Thank you, Laura.
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. 🙂