Every day in San Diego, tales are being brought to life all over the city in story time sessions designed to make a kid’s imagination soar. Looking for a ‘novel’ way to brighten any weekday? From train-themed stories to a story hour led by firemen, read on to see where to book it.
photo: City of Carlsbad
Carlsbad Libraries
They’re playing our tune! You can sing along at storytime at the Carlsbad Libraries where you’ll find sessions geared for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Even more, you can go big at the Dove Library Friday Story Time Theater stories that feature special guests and puppet shows. Or mellow it out with the mindful movement story time at the Cole Library.
Wednesday
10-10:20 a.m.; Dove Library; Baby Rhymetime (for pre-walkers); introduces babies to books, simple songs, fingerplays.
10-10:45 a.m. (Cole); preschool Story Time (3 to 5 years); includes stories, songs and fingerplays.
11-11:45 a.m. (Cole); Mindful Movement (3 to 5 years); stories mixed in with simple yoga poses, mindfulness, meditation and music.
Thursday
10-10:45 a.m. at (Dove); preschool Story Time (3 to 5 years); includes stories, songs, and fingerplays.
10-10:45 a.m. (Cole); preschool Story Time (3 to 5 years); includes stories, songs, and fingerplays.
11-11:45 a.m. (Cole); Mindful Movement (3 to 5 years); stories mixed in with simple yoga poses, mindfulness, meditation, and music.
Friday
10-10:30 a.m. (Dove); Story Time Theatre (2 years old); stories, songs and a puppet show related to the stories with occasional special guests. Arrive early and pick up a free ticket. Space is limited.
Dove Library
1775 Dove Lane
Carlsbad, Ca
760-602-2047
Online: carlsbadca.gov/libraries
Cole Library
1250 Carlsbad Village Dr.
Carlsbad, Ca
760-434-2872
San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum
If your littles love nature, then this is your story time. Your budding reader can get their hands dirty while learning about plants and the earth. Likewise, an art activity is done with each story. And don’t miss Farm Animal Fridays on the last Friday of every month, where kids will learn about and meet a new animal and get an opportunity to get up close and personal with the animals, hear a special story time and participate in a themed craft or activity.
Monday thru Friday
10-11 a.m.; Outdoor Explorer Series (3 & up); story time and art activity; included with museum admission; $6 per person
San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum
320 N. Broadway
Escondido, Ca 92025
760-233-7755
Online: sdcdm.org
photo: Bonita-Sunnyside via Facebook
Bonita-Sunnyside Library
It’s more than story time for babes and littles at this library branch. Miss Sara adds in movement, singing and dancing on special days. Good to know: keep an eye out for the story times with the local firemen or in the theater.
Monday
10:30 a.m.; Toddler Story time (1 to 3 years); Movement, songs and story time with Miss Sara.
Tuesday
10:30 a.m.; Preschool Story time (3 to 5 years); Stories, songs and movement with Miss Sara.
Wednesday
10:30 a.m.; Preschool Story time (3 to 5 years); Stories, songs and movement with Miss Sara.
Thursday
10:30 a.m.; Story time Dance Party (all ages); Stories, music, movement and dancing.
11:30 a.m.: Bilingual Story time (3 & up); Songs, stories, activity and a craft.
Friday
11 a.m.; Baby Story time (pre-walkers); introduces babies to stories, songs, rhythms and movement.
Bonita-Sunnyside Library
4375 Bonita Rd.
Bonita, Ca
619-475-4642
Online: sdcl.org/bn
Warwick’s La Jolla
You’ll hear the latest books at Warwick’s in La Jolla, which is the oldest family-owned and operated bookstore in the country. An added perk: there’s a craft to do after the reading. After the tale ends, hop in the stroller and explore this beautiful coastal town.
Tuesdays monthly, 11 a.m. (check calendar)
7812 Girard Ave.
La Jolla, Ca
Online: warwicks.com
The New Children’s Museum
Although it’s not weekly, this toddler story time deserves a mention. Hosted by folks who know how to engage the littles, it’s interactive with puppet shows, skits and more. Toddler story time is included with museum admission.
Fridays
10 a.m.(check schedule); Toddler Time; cost, $13 per person; free for children under age one
200 West Island Ave.
San Diego, Ca
619-233-8792
Online: thinkplaycreate.org
photo: Tony L. via Yelp
Barnes and Noble
Not only are the story times free (in the kids section), but there’s also usually a cookie to enjoy too. Plus, you stay up to date on the new little reader books. Check their event calendar (there’s one for each respective store location) for special visits from authors who read their book during story times and host book signings. *Also included, a Saturday story time listed below if you can’t make it during the week!
Friday
10:30 a.m.; Story time Spectacular (2 to 8 years); story time popular books.
Saturday
11 a.m.; Story time (All ages); story time with activity to follow.
Mira Mesa MarketCenter
10775 Westview Parkway
San Diego, Ca 92126
858-684-3166
Other San Diego locations: barnesandnoble.com
Poway Branch Library
You’ll learn early reading/literacy tips at these fun story times which include songs and movement to get the wiggles out of tiny bookworms. We especially love the story time and games on the outside patio on Fridays.
Monday
10:30 a.m.; Toddler Story time (1 to 3 years); Learn and play with stories, music and literacy tips.
Tuesday
9:45 a.m.; Baby Story time (birth to 12 months); songs, rhymes, stories and early literacy fun.
10:30 a.m.; Toddler Story time (1 to 3 years); Learn and play with stories, music and literacy tips.
Wednesday
9:45 a.m.; Baby Story time (birth to 12 months); songs, rhymes, stories and early literacy fun.
10:30 a.m.; Preschool Story time (3 to 5 years); Stories, music and literacy tips.
Thursday
10:30 a.m.: Bilingual Story time (3 & up); Songs and story in Spanish.
Friday
10:30 a.m.; Preschool Play Story time (3-5 years); Story time plus games on the patio.
Poway Branch Library
13137 Poway Rd.
Poway, Ca
858-513-2900
Online: sdcl.org/pw
Pottery Barn Kids
Make a morning of it! First, enjoy the activities and story hour at Pottery Barn Kids. Then, let the littles run around the outdoor padded playground in the mall. They’ll leave inspired and tired!
Tuesday, 11 a.m.
Westfield UTC
4575 La Jolla Village Dr.
San Diego, Ca
858-824-9079
Online: potterybarnkids.com
San Diego Model Railroad Museum
Fans of the rails will love the meet-up, “Trains, trestles and Tracks Play Group” every Friday in Mac’s Kids Corner of the museum. A train table takes center stage in this room and plastic tubs of train-related toys go choo choo for the little hands that set them in motion. A locomotive-themed train story is read at each session and supplies to make a craft related to the narrative are made available. There’s even a set of toy engines that will parade around the track sometime during this get together!
Friday, 10 a.m.
1649 El Prado, Balboa Park
San Diego, Ca
619-696-0199
Online: sdmrm.org
Do you know of a great story time in San Diego? Share with us in the comments!
––Nikki Walsh
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