As a mother of young children, one of my favorite free activities is checking out the various story times in the Birmingham area! Many local libraries host story times for kids. Want to know the best part? There is SO much variety! Some story times include music, some include crafts, and some even allow for free play.
With all the story times around town, you can find fun, FREE, educational activities for you and your kiddos for nearly every day of the week. Here’s a roundup of story times that you can check out in Jefferson and Shelby counties. You can also find these and other library events listed on our monthly events calendar!
Upcoming Story Times and Library Events
For a full list of upcoming story times and other library events, check out our monthly events calendar!
September 17, 2024
September 19, 2024
September 20, 2024
September 24, 2024
September 26, 2024
September 27, 2024
October 1, 2024
October 3, 2024
October 4, 2024
October 8, 2024
October 10, 2024
October 11, 2024
October 15, 2024
October 17, 2024
October 18, 2024
October 22, 2024
October 24, 2024
October 25, 2024
October 29, 2024
October 31, 2024
November 1, 2024
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Jefferson County Library Story Times
Avondale Regional Branch Library
Address: 509 40th St. S, Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: (205) 226-4000
Time for Tales with Ms. Cas and Ms. Marie
Description:Preschool Storytime with stories, songs, and lots of fun for everyone; groups welcome! 24-hour advance registration appreciated.
Day: Thursdays
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
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Bessemer Public Library
Address: 400 19th Street North, Bessemer, AL 35020
Phone: (205) 428-7882
Little Language Learners Storytime
Description: Join us for a fun and energetic storytime with catchy songs, games, language development and fun crafts. Ages 0-4.
Day: Tuesdays
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
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Center Point Public Library
Address: 533 Sunhill Road, Center Point, AL 35215
Phone: (205) 536-7750
Tots and Tales
Description: Bring your little one to Tots and Tales with Miss Emily! Provide your child with the opportunity to practice their early literacy, social, and motor skills! Ages 2+
Day: Thursday, June 20th & Friday, July 19th
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
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Gardendale Public Library
Address: 995 Mt Olive Road, Gardendale, AL 35071
Phone: (205) 631-6639
Toddler Time
Description: Enjoy stories, singing and dancing with your 0-4 year old children.
Day: Twice a month during the summer (6/7, 6/28, 7/19, 7/ 26)
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
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Homewood Public Library
Address: 1721 Oxmoor Road, Homewood, AL 35209
Phone: (205) 332-6600
Preschool Story Time
Description: While it’s hot out, bring in your toddlers for a fun storytime with our favorite storytellers every week!
Day: Wednesdays except 6/19
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
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Hoover Public Library
Address: 200 Municipal Drive, Hoover, AL 35216
Phone: (205) 444-7810
Baby Playdate
Description: Enjoy a brief story time activity and open ended play. Ages 0-18 Months. Register online (opens one week ahead of time).
Day: Mondays 6/14 & 7/5
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Movers & Shakers
Description: Come enjoy stories and songs for 18 to 36-month-olds. Register online (opens one week ahead of time).
Day: Thursdays (6/6, 6/13, 6/20, 6/27, 7/11, 7/18)
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Preschool Story Time
Description: Dance and play in this interactive movement story time! Designed for children 4 and under.
Day: Mondays (6/3, 6/10, 6/17, 6/24, 7/1, 7/8, 7/15)
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (6/17 @9:30 ONLY)
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Irondale Public Library
Address: 105 20th St S, Irondale, AL 35210
Phone: (205) 951-1415
Preschool Storytime
Description: Join Ms. Ginny as she reads stories about friendship, kindness, and community, sing songs, and plays with bubbles! (Ages 0-6)
Day: Wednesdays 6/26, 7/3, 7/17
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
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Leeds Jane Culbreth Library
Address: 8104 Parkway Drive, Leeds, Alabama 35094
Phone: (205) 699-5962
Check our Facebook page or website for fun activities all summer long!
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Mountain Brook – O’Neal Library
Address: 50 Oak Street, Mountain Brook, AL 35213
Phone: (205) 445-1192
Patty Cake
Description: This lapsit, caregiver-directed storytime has activities for boosting baby development in babies up to around 18 months.
Day: Tuesdays
Time: 9:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
LOL Story Adventure
Description: (K-2nd Grade) This live action storytime has puppet stories, crafts, games, and performers!
Day: Tuesdays
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Toddler Tales
Description: This directed movement storytime establishes routines while building attention and literary skills for kids up to 3 years.
Day: Wednesdays
Time: 9:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
Movers & Makers
Description: This kindergarten prep storytime for 3-5 year olds helps foster cooperation, enthusiasm for reading, and school readiness skills through movement, stories, and other activities.
Day: Wednesdays
Time: 1:30 p.m.
All Together Storytime
Description: This informal storytime with lively music is for all ages and seeks to build positive relationships with books. It is outside when the weather permits.
Day: Thursdays
Time: 9:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
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Springville Road Regional Branch Library
Address: 1224 Old Springville Rd, Birmingham, AL 35215
Phone: (205) 226-4081
Preschool Storytime
Description: Enjoy this storytime with music, movement, and exploratory play!
Day: Tuesdays in June & 7/9, 7/16
Time: 10:30 a.m.
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Trussville Public Library
Address: 201 Parkway Drive, Trussville, AL 35173
Phone: (205) 655-2022
Children’s Story Time
Description: Join Ms. Alicia for stories, songs, bubble time, and lots of fun! Designed for ages 0-4.
Day: Thursday 6/13, 6/27, 7/11, 7/25
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. and 10:30 – 11:00
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Vestavia Hills Public Library
Address: 1221 Montgomery Highway, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216
Phone: (205) 978-0155
Toddler A-Go-Go
Description: The perfect story time for toddlers on the go! Singing, dancing, and moving, with some stories thrown in, will make this one of your favorite weekly activities! Ages 18-36 months.
Day: Tuesdays
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Story Friends
Description: Ms. Lauren will bring stories, music, movement, and fun for all her preschool friends.
Day: Wednesdays
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Spanish Storytime
Description: Join Pablo, a senior at Vestavia Hills High School, as he teaches younger children about Hispanic Culture and the Spanish language with a fun story time!
Day: Mondays
Time: 10:30 a.m.
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Shelby County Library Story Times
Alabaster – Albert L. Scott Library
Address: 100 Ninth Street NW, Alabaster, AL 35007
Phone: (205) 664-6822
Sensory Friends Story Time
Description: Families with special needs will enjoy this inclusive program presented on a preschool level for all ages, children through young adult with autism, sensory processing, or other developmental needs.
Day: 2nd Wednesdays of the month
Time: 3:30 p.m.
PJ Storytime
Description: 2nd Thursdays at 6:15pm. Families with young children. Wear your pajamas and bring your favorite stuffy or blanket to a special evening storytime.
Day: 2nd Thursdays of the month
Time: 6:15 p.m.
Teeny Tiny Time
Description: Join Ms. Karen for stories, music, rhymes, and finger plays–fun for little ones ages 0-2! Let your little one sit, sing, wiggle and waggle for 20 minutes of interactive fun.
Day: Fridays
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 10:20 a.m.
Small Fry Friday
Description: An active storytime of games, songs, stories, crafts, & more! Ideally for ages 3-5. In the Nan Abbott Room.
Day: Fridays
Time: 10:45 a.m.
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Calera – Roy Downs Memorial Public Library
Address: 9700 Highway 25, Calera, AL 35040
Phone: (205) 668-7200
Sweet Pea Story Time
Description: Weekly story time geared towards ages 0-2 years old at the Roy Downs Memorial Library in Calera. Please join us as we sing, dance, read, create a craft, enjoy playtime, and check out books!
Day: Thursdays
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Kids Story Time
Description: Weekly story time geared towards ages 3 and older at the Roy Downs Memorial Library in Calera. Please join us as we sing, dance, read, create a craft, and check out books!
Day: Thursdays
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
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Chelsea Public Library
Address: 16623 Hwy 280, Chelsea, AL 35043
Phone: (205) 618-9735
Tot Time Story Time
Description: Join Mrs. Amy every Wednesday & Thursday at 10:30 at the Chelsea Community Center. Storytime is a great chance to introduce your little one to social settings, a learning environment, and a great chance to teach listening skills, engagement, following, and creativity!
Days: Wednesdays and Thursdays
Time: 10:30 a.m.
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Columbiana Public Library
Address: 50 Lester Street, Columbiana, AL 35051
Phone: (205) 669-5812
Toddler Time
Description: This lapsit program is for toddlers ages 18-36 months and their caregivers includes stories, fingerplays, songs and a simple craft. Registration Required
Day: Thursdays
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Story Time
Description: This program encourages preschoolers ages 3-5 to attend independently and includes stories, fingerplays, songs and a simple craft.
Day: Thursdays
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
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Helena – Jane B. Holmes Public Library
Address: 230 Tucker Road, Helena, AL 35080
Phone: (205) 664-8308
Story Time
Description: Weekly story time with stories and songs.
Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
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North Shelby Library
Address: 5521 Cahaba Valley Road, Birmingham, AL 35242
Phone: (205) 439-5500
Storytime Friends
Description: Perfect for ages 3-5, but all ages welcome. A story program ideal for 0-5 with caregivers nearby. Stories, songs, finger plays, and fun make up a lively 30-minute program.
Day: Wednesdays
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Baby Tales
Description: A short, sweet, 20 minute story time designed especially for babies and their caregivers. Stories and music provide interaction for the babies 0-18 months with time afterwards for caregivers to talk and share with each other.
Day: First Tuesday of the month
Time: 10:30 a.m.
La Hora del Cuento
Description: Ven con tu familia a escuchar cuentos, cantar y divertirnos en español! Esta evento es para niños de todas las edades. Niños menores de 12 años deben estar acompañados de sus padres. Los esperamos! Se require registro. (Come with your family to listen to stories, sing and have fun in Spanish! This event is for children of all ages. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by their parents. We look forward to seeing you! Registration is required.)
Day: Select Saturdays
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
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Montevallo – Parnell Memorial Library
Address: 277 Park Drive, Montevallo, AL 35115
Phone: (205) 667-3052
Mini Music
Description: A FREE music and movement class for kids ages 1 – 4 with a caregiver.
Day: Tuesdays
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 10:40 a.m.
Family Story Time with Mr. Mac
Description: A free family story time for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers with a caregiver present.
Day: Wednesdays
Time: 9:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
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Mt Laurel Public Library
Address: 111 Olmsted Street, Birmingham, AL 35242
Phone: (205) 991-1660
Ukulele Storytime
Description:A story program ideal for 19-36 months and a caregiver. Stories, songs, and bubbles make up a lively 30-minute program designed especially for short attention spans. Siblings welcome!
Day: Fridays
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
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Pelham Public Library
Address: 2000 Pelham Park Boulevard, Pelham, AL 35124
Phone: (205) 620-6418
Preschool Story Time
Description: Ms. Rebecca & Ms. Ashley present stories, songs and more along with a craft and a snack.
Day: Wednesdays
Time: 9:15 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
PJ Story Time
Description: Wear your favorite PJs as you join Ms. Ashley for fun and stories along with a craft and a snack.
Day: Thursdays
Time: 6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.