Top Kids Storytimes in the Twin Cities

Once upon a time, preschool storytimes were an integral part of my weekday routine as a stay-at-home mom with toddlers and preschoolers.

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This post is brought to you by our partner Red Balloon Bookshop! With a cozy shop, a sweet selection of books, and lots of fun activities, they are one of the best indy shops in the Twin Cities!

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The time we spent at bookstores, libraries and other tot spots around town made up a big piece of our social life. We’d see familiar faces, discover new stories, and I would often take away valuable nuggets of parenting advice. The list below of toddler and preschool story times are hosted at highly kid-friendly venues around the Twin Cities. And, with a couple noted exceptions, each program is completely free entertainment for your young ones. (These times were verified and updated  on 11/3/18).

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Monday

• Wild Rumpus Tale Time | Wild Rumpus Books, Minneapolis. Time: 10:30am ongoing Mondays. Details: Arrive early if you want to get a decent spot at this popular story time. Stick around to see how many critters (yes, animal critters) you can spot slinking around the store!
• Storytime w/ Mama Ray / Storytime with Sarah & Bruno | Moon Palace Books, Minneapolis. Time: These currently run alternating Mondays, 10:30-11am. We recommend calling ahead or checking the link above to verify. Details: Cozy up on the colorful shag rug for stories by local authors, songs, poems and fingerplays. Best for preschool-aged kids and their caregivers.

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Tuesday

• Story Time with Engineer Paul | Choo Choo Bob’s Train Store, St Paul. Time: 10am most  Tuesdays – please check the link first. Details: Wonderful stories, songs and preschool activities with a (no surprise) train slant. Stick around to play at one of the 7 train tables set up at the back of the store.
• Book Club Storytime | Pottery Barn Kids, find your closest location here. Time: 11-11:30am ongoing Tuesdays. Details: Become a book club member and your kid is eligible for a special prize after attending five storytimes.
• Tent Tales for Tykes | L.L. Bean at the Mall of America. Time: 12:30-1:30pm ongoing Tuesdays. Details: Join Creative Kidstuff at L.L. Bean for storytime in a tent. Nature stories, activities, games and crafts. (Toddler Tuesdays are also at the MOA from 10 am to 12pm)
  

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Wednesday

• Preschool Storytime | Red Balloon Bookshop, St Paul. Time: Currently 10:30am ongoing Wednesdays; please check for the most recent schedule. Details: Themed stories, songs, puppets and other preschool pleasures. Red Balloon also hosts many weekend family events celebrating local authors.
• Furry Tails Storytime | Golden Valley Animal Humane Society. Time: 10am each 2nd Wednesday of the month. Details: Call 763-489-2221 to reserve a spot – these fill very quickly! The 45-minute program includes a story, craft and time with an animal.
• Theatre Explorers Storytime | Steppingstone Theatre, St Paul. Time: 10am. These sessions run on the same schedule as classes. Check the link for current schedule. Details: $10.00/family. Drop in program. Pay at the door.
  

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Thursday

• Lil Explorer Thursdays Storytime | Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, St Paul. Time: The free program runs 10am – noon, ongoing Thursdays through April 28, 2016. Two themed storytimes are held during this time. Details: 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.
• Furry Tails Storytime | Woodbury Animal Humane Society. Time: 10am each 1st Thursday of the month. Details: Call 763-489-2221 to reserve a spot – again, these fill very quickly. The 45-minute program includes a story, craft and time with an animal.
• Preschool Storytime | Red Balloon Bookshop, St Paul. Time: 10:30am ongoing Thursdays. Details: Themed stories, songs, puppets and other preschool pleasures. Red Balloon also hosts many weekend family events celebrating local authors.
• Sensory Friendly Story Time | Wild Rumpus Books, Minneapolis. Time: 9:30am second Thursdays. Details: A calmer, less busy storytime.
• Storytime at the Arborteum  | Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska. Time: 10:30am Details: Adults will still need to pay admission ($15), unless you are a member.
  

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Friday

• Barnes and Noble Storytime | Galleria Shopping Center, Edina. Time: 10am ongoing Fridays (and Wednesdays – at this location). Details: For a listing of all local Barnes and Noble story events, click here.
• Preschool Story Time | Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center, Hastings. Time: One Friday each month, 10 – 11am. Call ahead to register, 651-437-4359. Cost/Details: 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.
  

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Saturday

• Barnes and Noble Themed Storytimes | Various Barnes & Noble Stores. Time: 11am ongoing Saturdays. Details: These story time themes are chosen by corporate headquarters and offered all over the country. Not all Barnse & Noble stores participate, but a good many local locations do. Sometimes there will be more than one national theme and possibly a local author scheduled. We were told by the Galleria store that they’ll just share all the books when this is the case. You can check for participating stores here.
• Author or Themed Storytimes | Red Balloon Bookshop, St Paul. Time: These events are not necessarily weekly or at a set time, but you kind find upcoming special story times here.

Sunday

• Magical Story Time | Boneshaker Books, Minneapolis. Time: 11am-noon Details: It’s storytime with a mission – to call address a need for greater diversity in kid lit and encourage empathy in the youngest book lovers.

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• St Paul Public Library Storytimes
• Hennepin County Library Storytimes
• Ramsey County Library Storytimes
• Dakota County Library Storytimes
• Washington County Library Storytimes
• Anoka County Library Storytimes
• Carver County Library Storytimes
• Scott County Library Storytimes

Know of another great gathering spot for stories in your neighborhood? Please drop us a line so we can share your suggestion with other families.

 

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