Wichita has many free indoor story times to fuel your child’s imagination and keep you out of the ever-changing Kansas weather. We have scoured the city and created the Ultimate List of Free Story Times in Wichita and the surrounding area!
(We also have a great big list of other free and cheap things for kids to do, as well as a whole page of free and inexpensive indoor places to play.)
Now if you’re like me, you probably already have lots and lots of children’s books at home or you’re thinking ‘Why do I need to go to a story time? I can just check them out at the library?’ While that may be true, story times are about so much more than just reading a book. There are the silly songs, the dancing, the excitement of having someone new read the stories and the interaction with the other kids. Story times are a great, inexpensive way to get out of the house. Most storytimes are 30 minutes to an hour long.
If you’ve never been to a storytime, here is a brief breakdown of what happens. For the most part, children and parents sit together on the floor on reading mats or carpets. The storyteller starts off with interactive rhymes, silly songs or even a dance. Then he or she reads a main story and maybe one or two other books to get the kids excited about reading. Depending on the story time location, there may even be a small craft too. At the end of the story time, you will have the chance to browse other books to check out at the library or to purchase if it’s at a bookstore.
We’ve compiled a comprehensive day-by-day list of local story times to get your children interested in reading at an early age. Also, see below for links to the many public libraries that offer regular ongoing children’s story times and activities. We’ve also listed special storytime events that are happening soon.
Don’t forget to share this list with your friends and family! Tell us in the comments below: What is your favorite storytime location?
Weekly Story Times in and Around Wichita:
Updated 2024
Calling all parents and caregivers in Wichita – Get ready for story time! Enjoy special free story time sessions with your littles ones and learn all about the wonderful world of books. Start a lifetime of reading and make cherished memories today! Always make sure to double-check the days and times.
Monday Free Story Times:
- Alford Library – Family Story Time
- 10:30 am – 11:00 am
- Share a love of stories and learning with children in these storytime sessions aimed at engaging the broad range of developmental stages between ages 0-6.
- Alford Library Website
- Andover Public Library – Two’s Time
- 10:30 am – 10:50 am
- Two’s Time: This early literacy program is specially designed for two-year-olds. Fun activities include rhymes, songs, puppets, action activities, and stories. The 20-minute program is followed by coloring and activity sheets.
- Andover Public Library Website
- Goddard Public Library
- 9:30 am – 10:00 am
- Children listen to stories, sing, dance, and make a craft
- Goddard Public Libray Website
- Derby Public Library – Family Night (First Monday Each Month)
- 6:30 pm – 7:00 pm
- Family Night is an evening storytime designed for children age 3-7 and their families, but all ages are welcome. Come for a before bedtime sharing of books and music, followed by a family craft or activity.
- Derby Library Website
Tuesday Free Story Times:
- Advanced Learning Library: Preschool Story Time
- 10:30 am – 11:00 am
- Children ages 3-6 will develop literacy skills through active listening, singing, movement, and sharing a love of stories in a group setting.
- Advanced Learning Library Website
- Advanced Learning Library: Baby’s First Storytime
- 10:40 am – 11:00 am
- Babies newborn to 18 months can come together to instill a love a learning with music, rhymes, activities and stories.
- Advanced Learning Library Website
- Walters Library – Family Storytime
- 11:30 am – Noon
- Share a love of stories and learning with children in these storytime sessions aimed at engaging the broad range of developmental stages between ages 0-6.
- Walters Library Website
- Derby Public Library – Preschool Storytime
- 10:00 am – 10:50 am
- Ages 3 -5
- Read, sing songs, finger play, and enjoy a puppet show.
- Derby Public Library Website
- Naftzger Park Story Time – 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the Month (May-October)
- More info
- 10:00 am
- Read along with stories on the big screen and enjoy music, snacks, free books, and an activity for the kids.
- Andover Public Library – Two’s Time
- 9:30 am – 9:50 am
- Two’s Time: This early literacy program is specially designed for two-year-olds. Fun activities include rhymes, songs, puppets, action activities, and stories. The 20-minute program is followed by coloring and activity sheets.
- Andover Public Library Website
- Andover Public Library – Preschool Story Time
- 10:30 am – 10:55 am
- Preschoolers can exercise their imaginations and get ready for reading with fun rhymes, songs, puppets, movement activities, and stories. The 25-minute program is followed by a craft time that coordinates with the weekly theme.
- Andover Public Library Website
- Angelou – Family Pajama Storytime
- 6:30 pm – 7:00 pm
- Join us for stories and songs before bedtime. Don’t forget to dress in your jammies and bring along your favorite stuffed toy for snuggles and fun! For children ages 3-8 and their families.
- Angelou Library Website
- Rockwell Library: Nursery Rhyme Time
- 10:30 am – 10:50 am
- Children ages 2 and under will develop a love of learning as they sing, dance, and enjoy simple stories. Caregivers will also learn tips to encourage their child’s early learning development.
- Rockwell Library Website
- Valley Center Library
- 10:30 am – 11:00 am
- Infants through age 2
- Valley Center Library Website
- PBS Kids Cochener-Garvey Children’s Education & Discovery Center
- 10:30 am
- Once a month. Upcoming dates: Tuesday, February 13th, Tuesday, March 12th
- PBS Kids Center Website
Wednesday Free Story Times:
- Great Plains Nature Center
- 10:00 am -10:30 am
- Critter Tails
- 6232 E. 29th Street North
- Great Plains Nature Center Website
- Barnes & Noble
- 11:00 am
- Crafts or activities will follow the reading of the newest best book for kids
- Barnes & Noble Website
- Tanganyika Wildlife Park
- 9:00 am – 9:30 am
- Cub Club: Read a book, sing a song, and meet an animal
- (Accompanying adult is free but children ages 1-11 are $5. This one isn’t totally free but getting to meet an animal from the story might be worth it on this one!) *Gold and Silver Pass Holders are free*
- Tanganyika Cub Club Website
- Andover Public Library – Preschool Story Time
- 10:30 am – 10:55 am
- Preschoolers can exercise their imaginations and get ready for reading with fun rhymes, songs, puppets, movement activities, and stories. The 25-minute program is followed by a craft time that coordinates with the weekly theme.
- Andover Public Library Website
- Rockwell Library -Preschool Storytime
- 10:30 am – 11:00 am
- Children ages 3-6 will develop literacy skills through active listening, singing, movement, and sharing a love of stories in a group setting.
- Rockwell Library Website
- Park City Public Library: Lap sit
- Newborns – 23mo
- 9:30 am – 9:50 am
- Introduce your baby to books during this 20 min program including songs, rhymes, playtime and fun!
- Story Time usually begins the week of Martin Luther King day. There is no Story Time in May, August, or December.
- Park City Library Website
- Park City Public Library: Preschoolers
- 10:30 am – 11:00 am
- Ages 2-5
- This 30 minute program includes books, songs, fingerplays, a fun craft, and free play at the end.
- Story Time usually begins the week of Martin Luther King day. There is no Story Time in May, August, or December.
- Park City Library Website
- Derby Public Library: Preschool
- 10:00 am – 10:40 am
- 30-minute early literacy program for children age 3-5. Read books, sing songs, learn finger plays, and enjoy puppet shows!
- Derby Library Website
- Mulvane Public Library: Preschool
- 10:30 am – 11:00 am
- Come read stories, sing songs, and pick up a craft to take home and make!
- Mulvane Library Website
- Valley Center Public Library: Preschool
- 10:30 am – 11:00 am
- Ages 5 and under
- Valley Center Library Website
- PBS Kansas Kids! (Bilingual storytime)
- 10:30 am
- Current dates: Wed. January 24, February 7th, 21st, March 6th, 20th
- This storytime also comes with a take home packet (also available to download on their website) which includes the story in both English and Spanish, and activity, craft, recipe and vocabulary words
- PBS Kansas Kids Website
Thursday Free Story Times:
- Botanica
- 10 am
- You must pay general admission but story time is free with admission or if you are a member.
- Botanica Website
- Derby Public Library – Baby Story Time
- 10:00 am – 10:20 am
- Birth – 12 months
- Each week parents and caregivers and their babies will share board books, rhymes, bounces, and action songs that are consistent with infant development.
- Derby Public Library Website
- Evergreen -Cuentos Bilingües/Preschool Storytime
- 10:30 am – 11:00 am
- Whether you want to expose your children to another language or they already hear it in the home, enjoy a unique storytime presented in both English & Spanish for children ages 3-5.
- Evergreen Library Website
- Aroma Coffeehouse
- 10:30 am
- Aroma Coffeehouse Facebook
- Derby Public Library – Building Blocks Read and Play
- 11:oo am – noon
- Toddlers will follow the Montessori method of education.
- Derby Public Library Website
- Derby Public Library – Adventures @ the Library
- 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- Grades k-2
- Explore and discover new things after school at the library with this literacy-based program for grades K-2. Program typically includes books read aloud, a craft, a short video, and snack time.
- Derby Library Website
- Andover Public Library – Preschool Story Time
- 1:30 pm
- Preschoolers can exercise their imaginations and get ready for reading with fun rhymes, songs, puppets, movement activities, and stories. The 25-minute program is followed by a craft time that coordinates with the weekly theme.
- Andover Public Library Website
- Rockwell Library: Family Storytime
- 10:30 am – 11:00 am
- Share a love of stories and learning with children between the ages of 0-6
- Rockwell Library Website
- Park City Public Library: Lap sit
- Newborn – 23 months
- 9:30 am – 9:50 am
- Introduce your baby to books during this 20 min program including songs, rhymes, playtime and fun!
- Story Time usually begins the week of Martin Luther King day. There is no Story Time in May, August, or December.
- Park City Library Website
- Park City Public Library: Preschoolers
- 10:30 am – 11:00 am
- Ages 2-5
- This 30 minute program includes books, songs, fingerplays, a fun craft, and free play at the end.
- Story Time usually begins the week of Martin Luther King day. There is no Story Time in May, August, or December.
- Park City Library Website
- Haysville Public Library – Sing & Rhyme Storytime
- 10:30 am
- ages 0-5
- Read stories, sing songs and have fun!
- Haysville Library Website
- Valley Center Public Library – Preschoolers
- 10:30 am – 11:00 am
- Ages 5 and under
- Valley Center Library Website
Friday Free Story Times:
- Advanced Learning Library: Nursery Rhyme
- 10:30 – 10:50 am
- Children ages 2 and under will develop a love of learning as they sing, dance, and enjoy simple stories. Caregivers will learn tips to encourage their child’s early learning development.
- Advanced Learning Library Website
- Kansas Wildlife Exhibit at the Riverside Zoo. (Summer – Mid-October)
- 11 am
- Stories come to life, and most days, they have free popsicles.
- Stay for the noon aminal feeding.
- Derby Public Library – Toddler Time
- 10:oo am & 11:00 am (Spring & Fall)
- Ages 1 -3
- Books, musical instruments and flannel board stories.
- Derby Public Library Website
- Mulvane Public Library – Wee Reads
- 10:30 am – 11:00 am
- ages 0-3
- Storytime is filled with songs, rhymes,lap bounces, scarves, and bubbles.
- PLUS! Stay after for “Chat and Play Cafe” where the kids can play with toys provided by the library while you get some socialization in with a cup of coffee from Jane’s Landing.
- Mulvane Library Website
- Wichita Art Museum
- First Friday of each month 10:30 am – 11:00 am
- Enjoy engaging stories and related activities to make works of art come to life for your young learner.
- Admission is free and you can also explore PLAY, WAM’s interactive space for families afterwards!
- Wichita Art Museum Website
Saturday Free Story Times:
- Goddard Public Library
- Monthly on the 3rd Saturday from 9:30 am – 10:00 am
- Goddard Library Website
- Mulvane Public Library – Family Story Time
- Monthly on the 4th Saturday at 10:30 am
- A chance for families with children of all ages to enjoy storytime together.
- Mulvane Library Website
We did our best to list all the story times above, but it’s always a good idea to double-check. Here are links to some of the more popular libraries.
- Wichita Public Library
- Andover Public Library
- Derby Public Library
- Goddard Public Library
- Haysville Community Library
- Mulvane Public Library
- Valley Center Public Library
Related articles:
Free or cheap things to do with kids in Wichita
Indoor Play Places and Activities for Kids in the Wichita Area
