It’s no secret that the Wichita Public Library is an awesome resource for children’s books and storytimes. But some folks don’t know that the library also has a ton of fun things for kids to do in addition to reading.
A couple of play tables in the Children’s Pavilion will attract kids’ attention and encourage learning through play.
These events take place at various library branches around town, including the beautiful new Advanced Learning Library branch near downtown, which makes it really convenient to participate in kids’ library activities near you.
P.S. If you aren’t looking for kids’ or teens’ activities at the library, check out the library’s adult classes and events and the technology classes and workshops. You might be surprised at how many there are, and they are every bit as fun and educational!
All of these events for kids and teens are FREE unless otherwise noted.
Just take a scroll through all of the upcoming events. They’re in two sections: one for teens and one for kids. Make note of the ones that require registration so that you don’t miss out!
Events for Teens at the Wichita Public Library
Some of the adult and/or technology events at the library may be suitable for teens, so check those out too.
TeenView Magazine
- Saturday, August 03, 2019
- 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Advanced Learning Library, 711 W 2nd St
Join us for the monthly launch of TeenView Magazine, a local digital publication created by teens, for teens. Be among the first to see the new issue of TeenView, listen to a panel of teen writers discuss featured articles, and learn more about how you can become involved. For teens ages 12-17.
Events for Children at the Wichita Public Library
Related: The Ultimate List of Story Times in Wichita
The Advanced Learning Library’s Childrens Pavilion has books, computers, learning play areas, and comfy seating for both parents and kids.
Little Astronauts
Monday, July 01, 2019
10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Evergreen Branch Library, 2601 N Arkansas
Not your ordinary storytime. Join us as we move to the beat, listen to stories, and have fun with crafts all with an outer space theme. For ages 3-6.
Mr. Brewster’s Invigorating Invention
Tuesday, July 02, 2019
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Rockwell Branch Library, 5939 E 9th St
Opera Kansas presents Mr. Brewster’s Invigorating Invention, a story about the history and science of the kaleidoscope. This English language opera for children has a STEAM theme (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics). Sir David Brewster was a Scottish physicist who invented the kaleidoscope in 1816. Soon millions of kaleidoscopes were in homes across the world. He has been called, “the father of modern experimental optics.” For youth aged 5-15.
CreateSpace
Tuesday, July 02, 2019
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Westlink Branch Library, 8515 Bekemeyer
Complete LEGO blocks challenges and wow us with your freestyle creations! For ages 5-12.
Family Adventure Time
Wednesday, July 03, 2019
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Advanced Learning Library, 711 W 2nd St
Families with children ages 3-8 will enjoy crafts, songs, and more! This experience is designed for children and their caregivers to enjoy together as you build literacy skills through fun activities. Use all five senses to play, sing, rhyme, dance, and have a great time!
Music Is Everywhere
Friday, July 05, 2019
10:30 AM – 11:15 AM
Evergreen Branch Library, 2601 N Arkansas
Learn more about musical instruments from around the world as well as the countries and cultures using those insruments.. Musician Trevor Stewart will then guide children through the process of creating a shared original song. For children ages 5-11.
Toddler Move and Groove
Friday, July 05, 2019
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Westlink Branch Library, 8515 Bekemeyer
Experience how rhythm and movement make learning fun with guided and freestyle dancing. For ages 1-3.
Family Movie Fridays: The Iron Giant
Friday, July 5, 2019
2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Advanced Learning Library, 711 W 2nd
Enjoy a family friendly movie in which a giant metal machine befriends a nine-year-old boy and discovers its own humanity. Rated PG, 84 minutes.
Family Movie Fridays: Wall-E
Friday, July 12, 2019
2:30 PM – 4:15 PM
Wichita Public Library (Rockwell Branch), 5939 E. 9th
Join the misadventures of the last robot on Earth, circa 2800, who romances a sleek, high-tech android. Rated G, 98 minutes.
Tanganyika: Nocturnal Animals
Monday, July 08, 2019
10:30 AM – 11:15 AM
Advanced Learning Library, 711 W 2nd St
When the sun goes down, nocturnal animals come out to play! During this live animal show, Tanganyika’s Education Department will introduce four fabulous nocturnal critters. At the end of the program, children will even get to pet one of them! For children ages 3-11.
Alien Adventure Storytime
Tuesday, July 09, 2019
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Angelou Northeast Branch Library, 3051 E 21st St
The aliens have landed and they’ve invaded the library! Join us for an alien adventure storytime, and make an alien headband. For ages 3-6.
STEAM Camp: Hovercrafts
Tuesday, July 09, 2019
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Westlink Branch Library, 8515 Bekemeyer
Hovercrafts! We’ll watch the Story from Space reading of Rosie Revere, Engineer and then decorate a paper plate and attach a balloon to make it glide away! Ages 8-11.
LEGOs in Space
Wednesday, July 10, 2019
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Alford Branch Library, 3447 S Meridian
In 2012, two teens sent a Lego man into space aboard a homemade weather balloon, capturing the plastic astronaut’s journey on camera. Learn about their adventure and build your own space inspired LEGO creations. For ages 5-12.
Create a Rocket
Wednesday, July 10, 2019
2:30 PM – 3:15 PM
Angelou Northeast Branch Library, 3051 E 21st St
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to make and fly your own rocket. Educators from Exploration Place will lead you through the process of making your own rocket. Learn more about the principles of thrust and drag that propel them forward. Registration is required, beginning June 26; call 688-9580 or register online. Ages 8-11.
STEAM Camp: Solar System
Wednesday, July 10, 2019
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Westlink Branch Library, 8515 Bekemeyer
Travel the Solar System! Navigate a team Rover Mission on Mars. For ages 8-11.
Creative Crafters
Thursday, July 11, 2019
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Advanced Learning Library, 711 W 2nd St
Kids will have the opportunity to get crafty and creative with us this summer. We’ll spend time inside and outside the library making art, building things, and making new friends. For children ages 6-8 only. Seats are limited; tickets will be available up to 30 minutes before the program in the Children’s Pavilion for entry.
• July 18: Slime
Curiosity Seekers
Thursday, July 11, 2019
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Advanced Learning Library, 711 W 2nd St
Take things to the next level. Older children will enjoy projects and challenges based on books each week. For children ages 9 & 10 only. Seats are limited; tickets will be available up to 30 minutes before the program in the Children’s Pavilion for entry.
• July 18: Get Dirty & By The Grace of Todd
STEAM Camp: Icy Orbs
Thursday, July 11, 2019
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Westlink Branch Library, 8515 Bekemeyer
Icy Orbs! Melt ice with salt and add a dash of food coloring to observe the changes. For ages 8-11.
Blast Off Through the Solar System with Storyteller Jo Ho
Friday, July 12, 2019
10:30 AM – 11:15 AM
Evergreen Branch Library
2601 N Arkansas
Zoom into an out-of-this world space adventure with stories and songs that introduce children to the planets, stars, sun, moon, and more. Suit up and get ready for a countdown of informative and rocket-powered tales told by Storyteller Jo Ho! For children ages 3-10.
Teddy Bear Clinic with Wesley Children’s Hospital
Friday, July 12, 2019
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Rockwell Branch Library, 5939 E 9th St
Bring your bear in for a check-up and surgery. Child life specialists and other staff from Wesley Children’s Hospital will show you how to make sick bears feel better. Bring your favorite stuffie, and take it through the clinic where youcan check vitals, give the bear a safe shot and pretend the bear is having surgery! For ages 3-8; participants need to bring a stuffed animal from home that needs a little “TLC.”
Family Movie Fridays: Race to Witch Mountain
Friday, July 12, 2019
2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Advanced Learning Library, 711 W 2nd St
Come cool off with a movie on your Friday afternoon. Race to Witch Mountain (2009) tells the story of a taxi driver who picks up two teen runaways who possess paranormal powers. Run time 98 minutes, rated PG.
Summer Movie: Wall-E
Friday, July 12, 2019
2:30 PM – 4:15 PM
Rockwell Branch Library, 5939 E 9th St
Join us for a showing of the oscar-winning CGI-animated delight about the misadventures of the last robot on Earth, circa 2800, who romances a sleek, high-tech android. Rated G; 98 mins.
STEAM Camp: Water Rockets
Friday, July 12, 2019
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Westlink Branch Library, 8515 Bekemeyer
Water Rockets! Worker together to create a rocket to blast off outside. For ages 8-11.
Little Astronauts
Monday, July 15, 2019
10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Evergreen Branch Library, 2601 N Arkansas
Not your ordinary storytime. Join us as we move to the beat, listen to stories, and have fun with crafts all with an outer space theme. For ages 3-6.
Monkey Mischief Storytime
Monday, July 15, 2019
6:00 PM – 6:45 PM
Linwood Branch Library, 1901 S Kansas
Learn interesting facts about these silly animals, play games, and create a monkey craft at this drop in storytime. For ages 2-6.
The Dragon Hunt
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Evergreen Branch Library, 2601 N Arkansas
What’s an animal-loving prince to do when the king demands you capture a ferocious, fire-breathing dragon, and the only dragon you can find is friendly? You’ll find out in this puppet show for children ages 3-6.
Teddy Bear Clinic with Wesley Children’s Hospital
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Alford Branch Library, 3447 S Meridian
Bring your bear in for a check-up and surgery. Child life specialists and other staff from Wesley Children’s Hospital will show you how to make sick bears feel better. Bring your favorite stuffie, and take it through the clinic where youcan check vitals, give the bear a safe shot and pretend the bear is having surgery! For ages 3-8; participants need to bring a stuffed animal from home that needs a little “TLC.”
Space Crafts
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Rockwell Branch Library, 5939 E 9th St
Create crafts that are out of this world! Let your creativity shine as we create a variety of space-themed crafts. For ages 5-7. Pre-register online here.
Create a Rocket
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
2:30 PM – 3:15 PM
Advanced Learning Library, 711 W 2nd St
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to make and fly your own rocket. Educators from Exploration Place will lead you through the process of making your own rocket. Learn more about the principles of thrust and drag that propel them forward. Registration is required. beginning July 3; call 261-8516 or register online. Ages 8-11
Family Adventure Time
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Advanced Learning Library, 711 W 2nd St
Families with children ages 3-8 will enjoy crafts, songs, and more! This experience is designed for children and their caregivers to enjoy together as you build literacy skills through fun activities. Use all five senses to play, sing, rhyme, dance, and have a great time!
Creative Crafters
Thursday, July 18, 2019
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Advanced Learning Library, 711 W 2nd St
Kids will have the opportunity to get crafty and creative with us this summer. We’ll spend time inside and outside the library making art, building things, and making new friends. For children ages 6-8 only. Seats are limited; tickets will be available up to 30 minutes before the program in the Children’s Pavilion for entry.
Curiosity Seekers
Thursday, July 18, 2019
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Advanced Learning Library, 711 W 2nd St
Take things to the next level. Older children will enjoy projects and challenges based on books each week. For children ages 9 & 10 only. Seats are limited; tickets will be available up to 30 minutes before the program in the Children’s Pavilion for entry.
Create a Rocket
Thursday, July 18, 2019
2:30 PM – 3:15 PM
Rockwell Branch Library, 5939 E 9th St
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to make and fly your own rocket. Educators from Exploration Place will lead you through the process of making your own rocket. Learn more about the principles of thrust and drag that propel them forward. Registration is required, beginning July 3; call 688-9361 or register online. Ages 8-11
Dog Man Party
Thursday, July 18, 2019
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Westlink Branch Library, 8515 Bekemeyer
When Greg the police dog and his cop companion are injured on the job, a life-saving surgery is performed and Dog Man is born. Join us for activities and games based on the graphic novels by Dav Pilkey. For children ages 7-11.
Family Movie Fridays: Treasure Planet
Friday, July 19, 2019
2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Advanced Learning Library, 711 W 2nd St
Join treasure hunter Jim as he searches for Treasure Planet, a world where space pirates have stashed their loot. Rated PG, 95 minutes
Mr. Brewster’s Invigorating Invention
Friday, July 19, 2019
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Westlink Branch Library, 8515 Bekemeyer
Opera Kansas presents Mr. Brewster’s Invigorating Invention, a story about the history and science of the kaleidoscope. This English language opera for children has a STEAM theme (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics). Sir David Brewster was a Scottish physicist who invented the kaleidoscope in 1816. Soon millions of kaleidoscopes were in homes across the world. He has been called, “the father of modern experimental optics.” For youth aged 5-15.
We’ll try to keep this as updated as possible, but the library just keeps adding fun things to their schedule! Be sure to visit the WPL event calendar for more information and for future activities.
Rockwell Branch Library
5939 E. 9th Street North
Wichita, KS 67208
(316) 688-9361
