Children's Services
Welcome to the Children's Area!
Books for all ages from birth through elementary school
Educational toys, puppets, and puzzles available for free play
Outdoor play area with sidewalk games
DVDs, magazines, audiobooks, storytime kits, and science kits
Coloring/craft table always open
Private nursing room and family restrooms
AWE computers (educational software; no Internet)
Homework computers (connected to the Internet)
Adult computers with baby playpen
Printing station
ParenTalk parenting book collection
Bookingham Palace (dedicated children's program room)
School Year Weekly Programs
No registration required! Drop in anytime. These programs run from the first Monday after Labor Day in September to the first Friday in May, except holiday breaks. Check the library's online event calendar for more details and special events.
To sign up daycares, preschools, or groups of 6 or more, please call at least 48 hours ahead at 308-385-5333 so we can have enough craft supplies prepared.
Pajamatime
Family Storytime with Craft
Mondays at 6:15 PM
Ages 11 & under
Bookbop
Music and Movement Storytime
Tuesdays at 10:30 AM
Ages 5 & under
Preschool Storytime
Storytime with Craft
Wednesdays at 10:30 AM
Ages 3 - 5
Baby & Toddler Lapsit
For Babies and Their Caregivers
Fridays at 10:30 AM
Ages birth - 2
Summer Weekly Programs
Summer programs kick off every year in mid-May, with eight weeks of programs beginning the Monday after Memorial Day and ending in late July/early August. Check the library's online event calendar for more details and special events.
The annual Summer Reading Challenge is run through the Beanstack website and app. The more kids read, the more chances to win prizes and rewards they earn!
To sign up daycares, preschools, or groups of 6 or more, please call at least 48 hours ahead at 308-385-5333 so we can have enough craft supplies prepared.
Summer Reading Camp
Pre-registration Required
2025 dates & times TBD
Grades 1st - 5th
Registration opens in May
Summer Tween Programs
New Activities Every Week!
2025 dates & times TBD
Ages 10 - 13
Summer Mega Mondays
BIG Programs for All Ages
Mondays at 10:30 AM
Summer
Stories & Crafts
Tuesdays at 10:30 AM
Grades pre-K - 5th
Summer Big Kids Club
New Activities Every Week!
Tuesdays at 2:00 PM
Grades 3rd - 5th
Summer
Baby & Toddler Lapsit
For Babies and Their Caregivers
Fridays at 10:30 AM
Ages birth - 2
Summer Golden Sower Fun Club
With This Year's Golden Sower "Little Bluestem" Nominees
2025 dates & times TBD
Grades pre-K - 2nd
Special Programming
The library offers these and other special programs during school breaks. Check the library's online event calendar for more details and other special events!
Edith Abbott
Victorian Tea Party
at the Historic Hargis House
Saturday, September 14, 2024
2:00 - 3:00 PM
Ages 6-11
Pre-registration required
Celebrate the birthday of Edith Abbott, our library's namesake. A social worker, educator, and author who was instrumental in promoting the professional practice and academic discipline of social work in the U.S., Edith Abbott was born in Grand Island on September 26, 1876.
Breakfast with Santa
Saturday, December 14, 2024
9:30 AM
All Ages
Enjoy activities and a free photo opportunity with Santa. A light breakfast is served to children ages 11 and under while supplies last. Photos taken by library staff will be posted to the library's Facebook page the following week.
Dr. Seuss
Birthday Bash
March 2025
Ages 3 & up
Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, was born March 2, 1904. Celebrate his birthday at the library with games, activities, treats, read-alouds, and special guests!
Bear Fair
Annual Health and Safety Fair for Preschoolers and Their Families
Monday, April 14, 2025
Morning & Afternoon Sessions
Ages 3 -5
Bring your favorite teddy bear and participate in fun, educational activities that include early literacy, health, and safety information from local agencies and organizations. Meet community helpers, listen to Bear Tales, do some "Bearobics," learn about dental and eye care, make bear crafts, have your face painted, enjoy some bear treats, learn about police and fire safety, and more. And don't forget to stop by the Bear Cave to hear a story read by a local celebrity guest!
Prime Time Family Reading
Bilingual Family Program Presented by Humanities Nebraska
Prime Time is a free 6-week bilingual English/Spanish program designed to encourage families to read and discuss literature together. The program introduces humanities themes and topics like fairness, courage, and loyalty through award-winning classic children’s books.
Prime Time is held twice a year, in the spring and fall, and separate programs are available for elementary-aged children and preschoolers. Call the library at 308-385-5333 or check the library's online event calendar for the next session dates. Pre-registration is required.
Other Programs
Check library's online event calendar for more details and one-time special events!
Reading Initiatives and Challenges
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
The concept is simple, the rewards are priceless. Read a book (any book) to your newborn, infant, and/or toddler. The goal is to have read 1,000 books before your precious one starts kindergarten. Read more here!
Sign up to track your progress and earn rewards on the Beanstack website/app! (Scroll down and choose the "1,000 Books Before Kindergarten" challenge. Rewards can be picked up at the library.)
Summer & Winter Reading Challenges
All our reading challenges are run on the Beanstack website/mobile app. Check here for our current challenges, sign up, and earn rewards and chances to win prizes from the library!
Summer reading runs for 10 weeks between mid-to-late May and early August. Winter reading challenges run in December and January.
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting books free of charge to children from birth to age five. The Heartland United Way sponsors this program for residents of Hall, Hamilton, Merrick, and Howard Counties. Click here to sign up!
