Kids

child in snow with text that says Childrens Dept

More To Discover

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten

Stop by the Children's Reference Desk, show your Ela Library card and fill out a quick registration form. You will receive a log to keep track of your reading and a sturdy tote bag to carry all of your books. After you complete the program, your child will receive a t-shirt prize and can take a photo with our finisher sign.

 

Storywalks

Enjoy a deconstructed children’s book added to signs and posted along a local path or a trail for you to walk and read at your own pace.

 

Storytimes

Visit our Ela Kids YouTube channel where we share stories, songs, and rhymes for you to enjoy from the comfort of home.

 

Quest for the Dragon Virtual Escape Room

Enjoy an escape room from home with this digital adventure! Solve riddles, puzzles, and more as you seek out the dragon's lair. Recommended for ages 7+, and families.

 

Race to the Ruby Virtual Escape Room

Enjoy an escape room from home with this digital heist! Solve riddles, puzzles, and more as you race to find a precious gem… before a master thief finds it first! Recommended for ages 7+, and families.

 

Candyland Virtual Adventure

Save the day in this Candyland-themed virtual adventure! Solve riddles, puzzles, and more to put a stop to Lord Licorice’s evil plot. Recommended for ages 5+, and families.

 

Hide & Seek at Zany Zoo

Oh no! When the zookeepers arrive at work this morning, all the animals are missing! Can you help them find each animal before the zoo opens? Recommended for ages 5+, and families.

 

Winter Critters Hide & Seek

Play a virtual game of hide and seek with winter wildlife! Can you spot these hidden animals? Recommended for ages 5+, and families.

 

I-Spy Winter Wonderland

I spy with my little eye... a digital scavenger hunt! Find objects in these photos, hidden in plain sight. Recommended for ages 2-7, and families.

View all of the March and April activities provided by the Children's Department.

Find curriculum ideas, books about homeschooling and more on our Homeschool Resources page.

Check out a kit to explore technology, art, geography and nature.

  • Stop by to see what’s currently available.
  • Browse all kits.
  • Kits check out for one week. At this time, no holds are allowed.

We have packaged everything you need to read, sing and play together.

  • Storytime To Go Kits are for ages 0-2 (blue bags) ages 3-5 (red bags) and all ages (black bags.)
  • Stop by to see what’s currently available.
  • Browse all kits.

Kits check out for three weeks. At this time, no holds are allowed.

Through the Museum Adventure Pass Program, you can check out passes for local museums and attractions including the Brookfield Zoo and the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Learn more about the Museum Adventure Pass Program. 

Kids Events