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.
Pizza Mania
Tuesday, February 05, 2019
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Alford Branch Library, 3447 S Meridian
Celebrate the food everyone loves with games and crafts! Decorate your own pizza charm, test your pizza knowledge, and of course do some taste testing. For ages 12-17.
Girls Make Games
Saturday, February 09, 2019
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Advanced Learning Library
711 W 2nd St
Girls will work in teams & design narrative, interactive games with Ren’Py, an engine based on the Python programming language. No prior coding experience is needed! Artists and creative writers are encouraged to attend. For girls ages 9-17. Registration is required for the entire program series starting Dec. 29, 2018; call 261-8516 to register.
Boys Make Games
Saturday, February 09, 2019
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Advanced Learning Library
711 W 2nd St
Boys will work in teams; design narrative, interactive games with Ren’Py, an engine based on the Python programming language. No prior coding experience is needed! Artists and creative writers are encouraged to attend. For boys ages 9-17. Registration is required for the entire program series starting Dec. 29, 2018; call 261-8516 to register. http://wichita.evanced.info/signup/eventdetails?EventId=7828
Drawing with Digital Tablets
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Advanced Learning Library
711 W 2nd St
Become a digital artist and learn how to draw with a stylus and a digital tablet. These tablets can be used in place of a mouse to draw or paint digitally as well as edit photos. You will learn basic setup tips and then explore creating your own digital art using free software in this hands-on program. Registration is required, beginning Dec. 1, 2018; call 261-8511, or register online.
http://wichita.evanced.info/signup/eventdetails?EventId=7769
Anti-Valentine Party
Thursday, February 14, 2019
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Rockwell Branch Library
5939 E 9th St
You are invited to a very different kind of Valentine party. Make anti-valentine crafts and decorate broken heart cookies for eating here or taking home. For ages 12-17.
K-pop Dance Party
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Advanced Learning Library, 711 W 2nd St
Let your inner love for K-pop out! Discuss your favorite bands and their members, enjoy Korean snacks, and dance to your favorite songs with us. Bring a friend! For ages 12-18.
Nailed It! Family Cake Challenge
Sunday, February 24, 2019
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Westlink Branch Library
8515 Bekemeyer
Can your family work as a team to replicate an amazingly decorated cake? No baking necessary, just minimal frosting skills and a sense of humor. Cake and supplies will be provided. For ages 5-17 and their families. Please register each child and adult individually by calling 337-9456 or registering online. Registration begins February 10.
http://wichita.evanced.info/signup/eventdetails?EventId=7035
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.
Hands-On Engineering
Saturday, February 02, 2019
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Advanced Learning Library
711 W 2nd St
Come-and-go hands-on engineering demonstration presented by a local engineer. Co-sponsored by the American Society of Civil Engineers. For ages 5 and older.
CreateSpace
Saturday, February 02, 2019
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Rockwell Branch Library
5939 E 9th St
Complete LEGO blocks challenges and wow us with your freestyle creations! For ages 5-12.
Related: LEGO fun in Wichita
Make and Take: Happy Hearts
Monday, February 04, 2019
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Linwood Park Branch Library
1901 S Kansas
Share your love with this sweet heart craft. A make and take activity for ages 3-6.
Community Storytimes: My Name Is Truth
Tuesday, February 05, 2019
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Angelou Northeast Branch Library
3051 E 21st St
Celebrate African-American History Month with stories about or written/illustrated by African Americans and read by local leaders and doers in our community. Whether we’re teachers or community helpers…we’re all storytellers. Jean Pouncil-Burton, a member of the Wichita Griots, a local storytelling group, will delight children with My Name is Truth: The Life of Sojourner Truth, an important leader of the abolitionist and women’s rights movements during the Civil War period. Children and adults will work at creating their own powerful words. For ages 6-11.
Explore and Play
Friday, February 08, 2019
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
Rockwell Branch Library
5939 E 9th St
Join us for sensory exploration designed just for babies and toddlers. Activities will build neural connections in the brain and set the stage for their pre-reading skills. Children and caregivers will explore the areas of the room together where children’s senses will be engaged with interesting textures and simulating environments. For ages 1-3.
Boys Make Games
Saturday, February 09, 2019
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Advanced Learning Library
711 W 2nd St
Boys will work in teams; design narrative, interactive games with Ren’Py, an engine based on the Python programming language. No prior coding experience is needed! Artists and creative writers are encouraged to attend. For boys ages 9-17. Registration is required for the entire program series starting Dec. 29, 2018; call 261-8516 to register.
http://wichita.evanced.info/signup/eventdetails?EventId=7828
Make and Take: Happy Hearts
Saturday, February 09, 2019
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Angelou Northeast Branch Library
3051 E 21st St
Share your love with this sweet heart craft. A make and take activity for ages 3-6.
STEAM Saturday: Lightless Lava Lamp
Saturday, February 09, 2019
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Westlink Branch Library
8515 Bekemeyer
Mix and pour household ingredients into a bottle to capture mesmerizing lava like bubbles. For ages 8-11.
Girls Make Games
Saturday, February 09, 2019
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Advanced Learning Library
711 W 2nd St
Girls will work in teams & design narrative, interactive games with Ren’Py, an engine based on the Python programming language. No prior coding experience is needed! Artists and creative writers are encouraged to attend. For girls ages 9-17. Registration is required for the entire program series starting Dec. 29, 2018; call 261-8516 to register.
Guess How Much I Love You 25th Anniversary
Monday, February 11, 2019
6:30 PM – 7:15 PM
Westlink Branch Library
8515 Bekemeyer
Celebrate the anniversary of Sam McBratney’s Guess How Much I Love You with a reading of the book and interactive family play. For children ages 2-8.
Community Storytimes: Counting on Katherine
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Angelou Northeast Branch Library
3051 E 21st St
Celebrate African-American History Month with stories about or written/illustrated by African Americans and read by local leaders and doers in our community. Whether we’re teachers or community helpers…we’re all storytellers. Teketa Paschal, a school counselor and professional soloist, will share Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13. Children will have a chance to sharpen their math skills by creating a magic math triangle. For ages 6-11.
Toddler Dance Party
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
11:00 AM – 11:20 AM
Rockwell Branch Library
5939 E 9th St
Stay after Nursery Rhyme Time for a Toddler Dance Party. Enjoy both group dancing and impromptu dancing as you and your child groove with the music. For ages 2 and 3.
Puppet Show: That’s Not Fair, Hare & The Mysterious Egg
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
2:30 PM – 3:15 PM
Advanced Learning Library
711 W 2nd St
A hare and a turtle try to settle an argument over who gets to eat all the cabbage, while a hungry fox who wants to make a meal out of an egg learns that Pig has other plans. Children ages 3-8 and their families will enjoy trying to predict how our animals will resolve their predicaments!
Commmnity Storytime: A Nation’s Hope
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Angelou Northeast Branch Library
3051 E 21st St
Celebrate African-American History Month with stories about or written/illustrated by African Americans and read by local leaders and doers in our community. Whether we’re teachers or community helpers…we’re all storytellers. Thomas Marty Hanks, retired county humane officer and actor, will read A Nation’s Hope: The story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis. Children will use their hands to make a craft to inspire others the way Joe did. For ages 6-11.
Nailed It! Family Cake Challenge
Sunday, February 24, 2019
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Westlink Branch Library
8515 Bekemeyer
Can your family work as a team to replicate an amazingly decorated cake? No baking necessary, just minimal frosting skills and a sense of humor. Cake and supplies will be provided. For ages 5-17 and their families. Please register each child and adult individually by calling 337-9456 or registering online. Registration begins February 10.
http://wichita.evanced.info/signup/eventdetails?EventId=7035
Giraffe Storytime
Monday, February 25, 2019
6:00 PM – 6:45 PM
Linwood Park Branch Library
Giraffes are the tallest mammals in the world. Learn about these long necked creatures, listen to stories, and make a craft. For ages 2-6.
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.
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