Programs, Events, Book Recommendations, Reading Challenges and Learning Activities for Kids

# Reading, Learning, and Fun

Jacksonville Public Library has everything kids and their families need to make learning fun: from storytimes filled with music and movement to interactive programs featuring Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (S.T.E.A.M.) concepts and other high-interest topics.

With their library card, children also have access to educational games, databases, and homework help resources online, anytime! Find tons of kid-friendly and age-appropriate content like e-books, movies, music and TV shows on popular Digital Library apps like Libby, Hoopla and Kanopy. Many of these apps even offer a "Kids Mode" or other content filters or parental controls for worry-free browsing. There are also e-book platforms like Tumblebooks that are just for kids (grades K-6)!

Explore the Digital Library Find Educational Games

# Library Programs

Early Literacy & Learning (birth to age 5)

Little Readers, birth to age 5 Want your children to enjoy reading and have all the tools they need to start school? Little Readers Storytime is the toolbox! Each week, we start with a story they'll love, and add music, movement, and other fun to make it all stick.

Have children with sensory sensitivities? Try Sensory Friendly Storytime. It combines storytime components with supportive elements. Note: We’ve also limited attendance to ensure a small, welcoming environment for all.

Find a storytime near you

Click here for more resources for parents and educators.

School Age Children (ages 5-12)

Junior Scientists, ages 5-8 Is your child into Science, Technology, Engineering or Math? Explore S.T.E.M.-based books and hands-on activities with our Junior Scientists program (for ages 5-8) at the Library! If they're more creatively inclined, bring them to Junior Artists (ages 5-8) so they can express themselves! These programs are an opportunity for your child to engage with their peers, enjoy a good story, and participate in themed games or crafts.

Find more elementary age programs

Looking for programs and services for youth, ages 12-18? Check out our teens page.

# Upcoming Events and Programs

Take Home Book Bundles and Themed Activity Kits

Make family time learning time when you bring the library home!

Traveling Tales Book bundles and activity kits Traveling Tales are a collection of convenient book bundles and themed activity kits for parents of preschoolers, ages two to five, that you can take home! It's a library storytime, any time you want it!

To get a Traveling Tales Kit, you'll first need to pick a theme and place a hold. Materials for each theme are contained in a sturdy bag and can be picked up (and returned) at any library location.

Choose a theme

Find a StoryWalk® in Jacksonville

If you've never seen one, a StoryWalk® is a series of mounted posts, found on walking trails and in public parks, featuring pages from a children’s picture book. You can find the newest StoryWalk® along the LaVilla Link of the Emerald Trail (near the Butterfly Garden) on Johnson Street, between W. Duval Street and W. Church Streets. It is presented by Baptist Health, in collaboration with the Library Foundation of Jacksonville and Groundwork Jacksonville.

You'll find another StoryWalk® in Historic Eastside at A. Philip Randolph Heritage Park (1096 A. Phillip Randolph Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32206). This StoryWalk® is presented in collaboration with Jax Parks, Historic Eastside Community Development Corporation, Lift Jax and Read Jax.

Let's Get Duval Reading!

Mayor Deegan's River City Readers: Read 20 minutes per day. Join the Challenge. Mayor Deegan’s River City Readers is a citywide literacy challenge for students of all ages. Participants are asked to read 20 minutes a day and to log their reading in Beanstack, a reading challenge app. Readers are rewarded with digital badges for logging multiple days in a row and for completing other reading-related activities. At the end of the year, the city’s top young readers are given prizes! Click below to learn more:

Download Beanstack

# A New Bookmobile Supporting River City Readers

Look for the River City Readers Bookmobile in your neck of the woods soon for book giveaways, literacy resources and more. Sign up for a library card on the Bookmobile and let the librarians help you choose the perfect book! Find out where in the community it will appear next!

Follow the Bookmobile

Please note: The Bookmobile is operated by Jacksonville Public Library and was purchased with generous grants to the Library Foundation of Jacksonville from the Lucy Gooding Foundation and PNC Bank Foundation.