Babies, Toddlers & Preschoolers

Babies, Toddlers & Preschoolers

Explore, read, sing, and play with your little ones - at the library and beyond.

Kids Area

Inspire little ones to put thoughts into words, tell stories, share, and problem-solve with this ever-changing interactive play area.

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten

Unlock your child's potential with this reading challenge. For ages 0-5.

Story Trails

Enjoy the fresh air, a stroll...and a story! This literacy adventure builds reading skills and creates memories. For all ages.

Featured Events

Costume Swap: Accepting Donations

Aug 1st - Sep 15th | All day
Donate your new or gently used costumes and accessories for this free swap. Donations should be clean and in good condition.

Gymboree on the Go! (Ages 0-5), part of a series

Play, learn, dance & grow with Gymboree teachers. Discover age-appropriate music, & movement activities, including parachute time & bubbles.

Apple Cidering | Bring the Farm to You

Sep 13th | 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Learn about apple cider making (and taste testing!) your own sweet treat. Registration required.

Costume Swap: Free Shopping Day

Sep 20th | 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Shop between 1-5pm for new & gently used costumes & accessories donated by community members. No cost and no donation required.

Visit with a Fire Truck (Outside)

Sep 21st | 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Hanby Park
Explore a fire truck provided by the Westerville Division of Fire. Ask questions about fire safety and learn about the different parts of…

Donate to the Hobbit Pantry

Oct 1st - Oct 31st | All day
Whether you're preparing for second breakfast, elevenses, or afternoon tea, there's always room in the hobbit pantry for more food. Help…

Fantasy LEGOs on Display

Oct 1st - Oct 31st | All day
Immerse yourself in your favorite fantasy universes with this display of magical LEGO creations built by members of…

Back to the Future: Scavenger Hunt in the Museum

Oct 1st - Oct 31st | 9:00am - 6:00pm
Great Scott! From the flux capacitor to a hoverboard, spot the Back to the Future "easter eggs" hidden within the museum's current…

Storybook Tales | Bright Star Theatre (Ages 2+)

Oct 4th | 10:00am - 10:45am
Delight in a live performance of Pinocchio and Hansel & Gretel starring comedy performers from Bright Star Theatre.

Reptile Show | Paul's Cool Scales

Oct 5th | 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Learn about reptiles and amphibians including Bumese pythons, lizards, tortoises, and more. Then get up close with a reptile and maybe…

Descendants Villainous Bash

Oct 6th | 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Celebrate the Descendants films with tunes and activities. Party with your favorite fairy-tale villains through trivia, BINGO, and crafts.

BINGO: Wizards & Wands Edition

Oct 9th | 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Play a few rounds of fantasy-themed BINGO. Prizes and fun for the whole family!

Paper Dragon Eggs (Ages 2-7)

Oct 11th | 9:30am - 2:00pm
Drop in to create your own magical paper dragon egg or choose from printed coloring sheets. All supplies provided. While supplies…

Life-Sized Candyland: Magical Forest Edition

Oct 11th | 10:00am - 2:00pm
Follow the rainbow path through a magical forest of sweet and fantastical surprises. Discover unicorns and dragons while earning sweet…

How to Train Your Dragon: Training Camp

Oct 12th | 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Become a dragon-riding Viking and celebrate the How to Train your Dragon film franchise. Make a Viking helmet and shield, complete a…

Fairytale Ball (Ages 0-3)

Oct 17th | 10:00am - 11:00am
Put on your fanciest clothes and your dancing shoes! Take a ride in a royal carriage, dance along to tunes featuring your favorite magical…

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Unlock your child’s potential with tips, storytime alerts, book recommendations & more from your library. Already receive emails from us? Update your preferences. 

In the Kids Area

Play Area

Inspire little ones to put thoughts into words, tell stories, share, and problem-solve with this ever-changing interactive play area.

Building Table

Enjoy hours of open-ended play with this station full of building blocks.

Mirror Door

Look into a distorting mirror that bends and twists your reflection!

Board Games for Families (In-Library Use Only)

Play a game while you're at the library! A rotating collection of board games is available in the children's area.

Interactive Projector

Wave your hands over it and watch as the image changes. You never know what it might do next, so revisit often for a new adventure.

Light Table

Experience a calming glow and stretch your attention span during play time.

Treehouse in the Kids Area

Make a new friend or enjoy a cozy reading nook in this interactive treehouse.

Peg Bright Wall

Explore limitless possibilities and encourage imagination with this giant light wall.

Services & Amenities

Sustainable Play: Make a Book About Me (Online Class)

Create a personalized journal packed with guided prompts to help children fill the pages with their own words and drawings.

The Mailbox Plus

Teachers, get 54,000+ ideas and worksheets that teach essential skills and take the stress out of lesson planning. For grades PreK-6.

Williams Grill: 1887-1975

Examine nearly a century of innovation and social change through the lens of this beloved Westerville restaurant.

Summer Reading Challenge

Challenge yourself to a summer of reading for a chance to earn prizes, May 23-July 31.

Wizards & Wands Festival (October 1-31, 2025)

Experience the spellbinding magic of your library. A month of otherworldly adventure awaits you.

Magic Wands (Online Class)

This is a simple and imaginative project, and the wands can be made and decorated in any style.

ASL Stories Directory (DeafChildren.org)

ASL Stories Directory offers hundreds of free videos of your favorite books. Reading & signing helps promote essential literacy skills.

Coloring Pages

Print out a coloring page. These pages commemorate special holidays, heroes & awareness months! They can be a quiet entry into creativity.

Explora

Find reliable information to finish your homework and research projects.

Educate Station

Take the guesswork out of teaching kids at home with worksheets and learning plans. For grades PreK-5.

Little Artists: A Course for Parent and Child (Online Class)

Make an art box that your kids can have regular access to and learn how to be flexible and receptive to your child's unique process.

Sew Animal Placemats (Online Class)

Make meal times more fun for your little ones with these animal-themed placemats.

Sustainable Play: Make a Dollhouse Cafe (Online Class)

Suzy Ultman shows you how to transform an ordinary cardboard box into an extraordinarily cute dollhouse cafe.

Read & listen to a picture book...with sign language!

Watch free videos of ASL retellings of books for kids. Reading and signing stories together promotes essential literacy skills for all kids.

Puzzle & Game Swap (Take Home)

Take a puzzle or a board game. Leave one. No need to return what you borrow. (Located on the 2nd floor. No missing pieces, please.)

Storytime at Home

Bring storytime to your family room with these songs, activities, and more from your favorite librarians!

Beginning Readers: Getting Started

Beginning Readers: Guided Reading Levels A - D (0 - 150 L)

Kindergarten Favorite Books

Some of our favorite picture books and non-fiction books for kindergarteners.

Preschool Favorite Books

Find great reads for preschoolers here!

Toddler Favorite Books

Try adding some of these titles to your toddler's rotation of favorites. You might find something new!

More Recommendations

Magical Creatures: For Ages 3-8

From mermaids to monsters, these magical picture books are sure to be filled with mystical adventure.

Back to School: Kindergarten (Digital Collection)

Find the perfect content for your student & get ready for Back to School season with these popular, fun & educational titles on Hoopla!

Learning Kits

Encourage curiosity with math, science, and literacy topics. Great for kids with learning differences. Designed for ages 0-8.

It's a bird, it's a plane...

Celebrate the Superman release with books about the Man of Steel, with books and movies that cover all ages.

eBooks for Kids (with Libby!)

Download or stream ebooks and audiobooks for kids - anywhere, anytime, and for free!

Beginning Readers: Getting Started

Beginning Readers: Guided Reading Levels A - D (0 - 150 L)

If you like...An Elephant & Piggie Biggie!

These stories celebrate friends and laughter.

Kindergarten Favorite Books

Some of our favorite picture books and non-fiction books for kindergarteners.

Preschool Favorite Books

Find great reads for preschoolers here!

Toddler Favorite Books

Try adding some of these titles to your toddler's rotation of favorites. You might find something new!

Baby Favorite Books

Snuggle with your little one and share some of these great titles.

Story Trails: Featured Books in 2025

Check out what titles are coming to a story trail near you, or reread a past favorite.

Picture Books That Rhyme

Rhyming is so much fun, but it is also a great way to teach children how to read.

Blueberry Awards 2024

Check out the best nature and climate change books for kids 3 - 10+ from 2024.

Stonewall Book Awards

A group of awards presented for books of "exceptional merit relating to the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender experience."

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award

Awarded annually in the U.S. to the author and illustrator of the most distinguished contribution to beginning reader books.

Library Love

Inspired by book, grandparents build skyscraper in backyard.

Maria and David's 3-year-old grandson came up with the idea to build a skyscraper after reading Up! Up! Up! Skyscraper together.

Kristen C.

When she’s not working with kids here at the library, you might find her on the bike trail or baking up a sweet treat.

Ashleigh M.

Ashleigh loves to see people grow and become their best selves here at the library.

Annamarie C

Annamarie loves all things Disney! When she's not planning her next storytime, she's likely traveling or volunteering at the Columbus Zoo.

Katie R.

Katie knows all of the tricks to start your baby on the path to lifelong reading.
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