Have you tapped into this valuable resources in our area? Local libraries provide engaging and fun activities for children of all ages, from newborns to teens. Here is a list of Cedar Rapids area library story times and activities from October to December. Unless registration is required, most activities are free!

As always, make sure to double check each library’s calendar for any scheduling changes or holiday closings.

Cedar Rapids Public Library Story Times

Mondays

9:30-10:30 a.m. | Mother Goose on the Loose for newborns to kinder kids at the Ladd Library

10:00-10:30 a.m. | Parachute Fun! Games and songs for preschool-kinder kids at the Downtown Library (first Monday of the month)

4:30-6:30 p.m. | Virtual Reality for teens to adults at the Ladd Library (biweekly starting September 17)

Tuesdays

10:00-10:30 a.m. | Story Time for preschool-kinder kids at the Downtown Library (except November 20 and December 18)

3:30-5:30 p.m. | Board to Bits games for teens at the Downtown Library (starting September 18)

Wednesdays

9:30-10:25 a.m. | Mother Goose on the Loose (story time and nursery rhymes) for newborns to kinder kids at the Downtown Library (except November 21, December 19 & 26)

Thursdays

10:00-10:30 a.m. | Story Time for preschool-kinder kids at the Ladd Library (except December 20 & 27)

4:40-6:30 p.m. | Virtual Reality for ages 10+ at the Downtown Library (starting September 20)

6:30-7:00 p.m. | Reading to Dogs for elementary school kids at the Ladd Library (on third Thursdays)

Fridays

9:30-10:25 a.m. | Mother Goose on the Loose (story time and nursery rhymes) for newborns to kinder kids at the Downtown Library (except November 21, December 19 & 26)

10:00-10:30 a.m. | Parachute Fun! Games and songs for preschool-kinder kids at the Ladd Library (October 5, November 9, December 7)

1:30-3:30 p.m. | Anything Could Happen! (themed activities) for teens at the Downtown Library (starting September 21; except November 30, December 20 & 28)

Sundays

2:00-4:30 p.m. | Scholastic Chess Club elementary-teens at the Downtown Library (first and third Sundays of the month, starting September 16)

Special Programing:

Sep 15 | 10:00-11:30 a.m. | Ozobot Playtime at the Downtown Library

Oct 27 | 10:00-11:30 a.m. | Halloween Monster Mash at the Downtown Library

Oct 31 | 4:30-6:30 p.m. | Halloween Dance Party at the Ladd Library

Nov 03 | 9:30-10:30 a.m. | Dance Me A Story: The Nutcracker at the Downtown Library

Nov 17 | 10:30-11:15 a.m. | Iowa Birds of Prey at the Downtown Library

Dec 01 | 10:00-10:45 a.m. | Time for Slime at the Downtown Library

Closed: September 2 & 3, November 12 & 22-23, December 25

Marion Public Library Story Times

Mondays

3:30-5:00 p.m. | Cooking Club for Teens (3rd Mondays of the month)

3:30-5:00 p.m. | STEAM Mondays for Teens (4th Mondays of the month)

6:30-7:30 p.m. | Family Time (activities appropriate for all ages—crafts, movies, games, etc.) September 10, 17, & 24, October 29.

Tuesdays

10:00-10:20 a.m. | Toddler Time (18 months – 3 years old)

10:45-11:15 a.m. | Preschool Story Time (3 years to 5 years old) Doodlebugs once a month during this time.

3:00-5:00 p.m. | Teen Game Day

5:00-7:30 p.m. | Teen Pathfinder Club (roleplay games for middle and highschoolers)

Wednesdays

10:45-11:15 a.m. | Preschool Story Time (3 years to 5 years old). Except December 26.

Thursdays

10:30-11:00 a.m.| Baby Time (Birth to 18 months) Except December 27.

3:00-5:00 p.m. | Teen Game Day

Fridays

10:00-10:20 a.m. | Toddler Time (18 months – 3 years old)

3:30-4:30 p.m. | Youth Advocating Kindness (Judgement-free zone for teens) (Except October 26, December 7 & 28)

Special Programming:

Sep 22  | 10:00-11:30 a.m. | Coffee & Conversations for Parents, playtime for the kids & coffee for the grownups

Oct 26  | 5:00-8:00 p.m. | Paranormal Teen Lock-In (registration required)

Oct 31  | All Day | Scavenger Hunt for Teens

Closed: September 3, November 22-23, December 24-25

Hiawatha Public Library Story Times

Mondays

6:30-7:00 p.m. | Paws to Read. Oct 01, Nov 05 and Dec 03.

6:30-7:45 p.m. | Youth Chess Club.  Sep 24, Oct 29, Nov 26, 

Tuesdays

10:30-11:00 a.m. | Toddler Time (Except Nov 20

4:00-5:00 p.m. | Lego Club (preschool-5th grade) Sep 18, Oct 16, Nov 20 and Dec 18

Wednesdays

10:30 a.m. | Preschool Story Time (3-5 years) (Except Nov 21)

Thursdays

10:00-11:30 a.m. | Play & Learn (0-5 years) (Except Nov 15 & Nov 22)

Saturdays

9:30-10:00 a.m. | DoReMi Music Therapy (kids with Down Syndrome)  Sep 8, Oct 13, Nov 10

Special Programming:

Sep 7  | 2:00 p.m. | Middle School Makers: Relief Print Book Marks (registration required)

Sep 14  | 3:00 p.m. | Friday Flicks: Show Dogs

Sep 21  | 10:30 a.m. | Alpha-Bits Special Llama Edition!

Sep 21  | 3:00 p.m. | Craft for Kids: Apple Cores!

Sep 27  | 4:00-6:00 p.m. | Teens and Tweens: Anime-niacs!

Oct 06  | 10:30 a.m. | This Little Piggy Story Time!

Oct 08 & 09  | 2:00-4:00 p.m. | Wizarding School (teens and tweens, registration required)

Oct 12 | 2:00-4:30 p.m. | Harry Potter Interactive Movie (teens and tweens)

Oct 13  | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | West Music’s Instrument Petting Zoo

Oct 15  | 6:30-7:15 p.m. | Spooky Songs and Stories

Oct 24  | 4:00 p.m. | Spooky Cupcake Creations! (teens and tweens, registration required)

Oct 27  | 1:00-3:00 p.m. | Creepy Cool Art (teens and tweens, registration required)

Closed: September 3, November 22-23, December 24-25 & 31.

Ely Public Library Story Times

Mondays

10:00-10:20 a.m. | Toddler Time (3 and under)

10:30-11:15 a.m. | Alphabet Art

Tuesdays

7:00 p.m. | Bedtime Books (all ages, pajamas encouraged)

Thursdays

10:00-10:45 a.m. | Preschool Story Time (3 and over)

Special Programming:

Closed: September 3, October 8, November 10 & 22-23, December 25 & 31.

Cole Library Story Times (Mount Vernon)

Mondays

5:00-7:00 p.m. | Teen RPG (Role Playing Games) Group

Tuesdays

3:30-4:30 p.m. | Lego Club (email Grace Rowray to join gchamberlain@cornellcollege.edu)

Thursdays

9:30-10:00 a.m. | Story Time (preschool)

Fridays

3:30 p.m. | Crafternoons (elementary) Oct 13 & 27

Special Programming:

Sep  5 & 19 | 3:30-4:30 p.m. | Wednesday Workshops (elementary-aged kids)

Sep 12 (recurring on Mount Vernon’s Early Out days) |  1:30 p.m. | Early Out Movie Days 

Lisbon Public Library Story Times

Thursdays

10:30-11:00 a.m. | Story Hour (all ages)

Call or stop by these other Cedar Rapids area libraries for more information on their programs:

Fairfax Public Library

Shellsburg Public Library

Swisher Community Library

Quick tip: With all the Holidays coming up in the fall, make sure to check each Cedar Rapids area library’s website for program disruption or special activities before you head out the door!

Make sure you never miss out on a parenting or community-related blog post: sign up to receive CRMB posts in your inbox.  While you’re at it, join our VIP List to ensure you’re one of the first to know about upcoming Cedar Rapids Moms Blog events and promotions!!