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KIDS

EVENTS & STORY TIMES
Bilingual Storytime - Hora de cuentos bilingue
Tue, Sep 16, 10:30am - 10:45am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Youth Services Area
This Hispanic Heritage Month, start your morning with stories, rhymes and songs in English and Spanish!
Playtime! - ¡Hora de jugar!
Tue, Sep 16, 10:30am - 11:15am
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Meet your old friends and make new friends at an unstructured, outdoor playtime in the library's Reading Garden! Toys will be supplied. Ages 0-5 with an adult.
Baby and Toddler Time - La hora de los bebés y los niños
Tue, Sep 16, 11:00am - 11:40am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - First Floor,Youth Services Area
Just right for ages 0-23 months. Songs, games, movement activities, and bubbles.
Creatives' Club
Tue, Sep 16, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Draw, paint, craft, and create! ¡Dibuje, pinte, haga artesanía, y cree!
Tuesday We Play (ages 5-12) - Martes de juegos (De 5 a 12 años)
Tue, Sep 16, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Story Room
Build with Lego, make art, play games, and more! Ages 5-12. Kids under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.
Whimsical Wednesdays
Wed, Sep 17, 10:15am - 10:45am
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
New story time, same story tellers. Come join Ms. Venetta and Mr. Josstin for engaging stories that are worth gathering for. Great for toddlers and siblings. Ages 0-5.
1s and 2s Time - Tiempo para niños de 1 y 2
Wed, Sep 17, 10:30am - 11:05am
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2
Just Babies - Solo Los Bebés
Wed, Sep 17, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Youth Services Area
Just for babies ages 0-12 months.. Sólo para bebés de 0 a 12 meses
Whimsical Wednesdays
Wed, Sep 17, 11:15am - 11:45am
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
New story time, same story tellers. Come join Ms. Venetta and Mr. Josstin for engaging stories that are worth gathering for. Great for toddlers and siblings. Ages 0-5.
1s and 2s Time - Tiempo para niños de 1 y 2
Wed, Sep 17, 11:30am - 12:05pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2
September Sewing - Zenkis!
Wed, Sep 17, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Story Room
Zenkis are hand sewn plushies packed with personality. Get creative! All supplies will be provided.  For ages 8-18.
1000 Books Story Time - Story Times for ages 2-5
Thu, Sep 18, 11:00am - 11:40am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Youth Services Area
Stories, songs, movement and more for ages 2-5
Baby Bounce - for babies 0-14 months and their caretaker(s)
Thu, Sep 18, 1:15pm - 2:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Baby storytime, plus opportunities to build relationships with other caretakers of young children! For ages 0-14 months, accompanied by an adult. 15 months and older, please attend 1s and 2s.
Preschool Storytime
Thu, Sep 18, 4:00pm - 4:30pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room
Join Miss Amy for stories, songs, movement, and activities just right for preschool children. Ages 3-5 with adult.
TCG Library League
Thu, Sep 18, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Come learn and play Magic: The Gathering or Pokemon TCG!
Coding Game Night - ages 6-12 - Hands-on fun in programming, robotics, and electronics!
Thu, Sep 18, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Story Room
Drop in and play with our coding board games, card games, toys, and robots -- and check out some of our coding books for kids! Ages 6-12.
Summer Film Series - "KPop Demon Hunters" (Sing-Along Edition)
Fri, Sep 19, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Please join us for a sing-along edition of the 2025 animated film.
Borrow a Board Game
Sat, Sep 20, 10:00am - 4:45pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Use the library's board and card games while hanging out in the youth services area!
Dungeons & Dragons at the Library
Sat, Sep 20, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
Come play Dungeons & Dragons. No experience necessary. Open to ages 8-13.
This event is full
Preschool STEAM Sundays
Sun, Sep 21, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Bring your preschooler to the Duncan Library on Sunday afternoons to explore STEAM activities (science, technology, engineering, art, and math)! This is a drop-in event. Recommended ages 3-6
The Order Of The Zine (T.O.O.T.Z.) | Week #1 - The Zine of Introductions
Mon, Sep 22, All day
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
The Order of the Zine (T.O.O.T.Z.) has come to Alexandria. Each week, pick up your not-so-secret assignments (zine-making kits) and check out your peer's zines in our Zine Library. Ages 7-14.
Baby Time
Mon, Sep 22, 10:15am - 10:45am
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Wiggle, crawl and clap at Baby Time! Fingerplay and songs for Ages 0-14 Months.
Storytime in the Reading Garden - Cuentos en el jardín de lectura
Mon, Sep 22, 10:30am - 11:00am
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Children love to be outdoors! Join us in Beatley Central Library's beautiful outdoor Reading Garden for stories, songs and movement. Ages 0-5 with an adult.
Baby Time
Mon, Sep 22, 11:15am - 11:45am
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Wiggle, crawl and clap at Baby Time! Fingerplay and songs for Ages 0-14 Months.
The Order Of The Zine (T.O.O.T.Z.) | Week #1 - The Zine of Introductions
Tue, Sep 23, All day
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
The Order of the Zine (T.O.O.T.Z.) has come to Alexandria. Each week, pick up your not-so-secret assignments (zine-making kits) and check out your peer's zines in our Zine Library. Ages 7-14.
Bilingual Storytime - Hora de cuentos bilingue
Tue, Sep 23, 10:30am - 10:45am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Youth Services Area
This Hispanic Heritage Month, start your morning with stories, rhymes and songs in English and Spanish!
Playtime! - ¡Hora de jugar!
Tue, Sep 23, 10:30am - 11:15am
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Meet your old friends and make new friends at an unstructured, outdoor playtime in the library's Reading Garden! Toys will be supplied. Ages 0-5 with an adult.
Baby and Toddler Time - La hora de los bebés y los niños
Tue, Sep 23, 11:00am - 11:40am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - First Floor,Youth Services Area
Just right for ages 0-23 months. Songs, games, movement activities, and bubbles.
Tuesday We Play (ages 5-12) - Martes de juegos (De 5 a 12 años)
Tue, Sep 23, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Story Room
Build with Lego, make art, play games, and more! Ages 5-12. Kids under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.
See all events


 

DIGITAL FUN

 





Room to Read
Comics Plus teens
 Comics Plus children

 


 

READING LISTS


Here's a sampling of great books from our collection. Don't limit yourself to these -- we have many more that you're sure to love!

Any staff member at the children's desk is happy to make recommendations!

Babies & Toddlers

Preschoolers

K-3rd Grades

4th-6th Grades

6th-8th Grades

Don't forget to check out our Early Literacy Guide for more resources!

Last updated: June 2025