
About Children’s Services
The River Forest Public Library serves children birth through 4th grade and their caregivers. Explore resources for kids below, and be sure to check out our YouTube channel for virtual storytimes, crafts, and more!
Kids Events
Tuesday Tales
Join us for stories, songs, and lots of movement in this fun and engaging, interactive story time! For ages 0-6, with caregiver.
Disclaimer(s)
Accompanying Adults for Early Childhood Programs
This program is designed for young children to attend with a caregiver. Please plan to be engaged with your child during this program. Children under age 5 must be in the immediate supervising vicinity of a caregiver at all times while at the library.
Read to a Dog, Read with Me (grades K-4)
Join library staff and PAWSitive and read to a dog! This exercise allows emerging readers to get comfortable practicing with the best listener around, a dog!
Disclaimer(s)
Accompanying Adults for Children's Programs
Children age 7 and younger must have a caregiver (age 12 or older) with them at all times while at the library, including during programs. Children may not be left unattended at the library unless they are age 8+.
Stories in the Forest
Disclaimer(s)
Accompanying Adults for Children's Programs
Children age 7 and younger must have a caregiver (age 12 or older) with them at all times while at the library, including during programs. Children may not be left unattended at the library unless they are age 8+.
Accompanying Adults for Early Childhood Programs
This program is designed for young children to attend with a caregiver. Please plan to be engaged with your child during this program. Children under age 5 must be in the immediate supervising vicinity of a caregiver at all times while at the library.
Sensory Play
Kids can explore their five senses through this engaging sensory playtime. This program will be held outside, weather permitting and will be moved indoors in the case of rain. Dress for mess! Registration required.
Disclaimer(s)
Accompanying Adults for Children's Programs
Children age 7 and younger must have a caregiver (age 12 or older) with them at all times while at the library, including during programs. Children may not be left unattended at the library unless they are age 8+.
Accompanying Adults for Early Childhood Programs
This program is designed for young children to attend with a caregiver. Please plan to be engaged with your child during this program. Children under age 5 must be in the immediate supervising vicinity of a caregiver at all times while at the library.
Messy Program Alert
This program involves getting messy. Please wear appropriate clothing.
Baby Storytime
Come join us for books, songs, and motions in this lap-sit interactive story time! This storytime is designed for pre-walkers ages 0-1. Registration is required.
Disclaimer(s)
Accompanying Adults for Early Childhood Programs
This program is designed for young children to attend with a caregiver. Please plan to be engaged with your child during this program. Children under age 5 must be in the immediate supervising vicinity of a caregiver at all times while at the library.
Messy Mondays
Join us for some tactile art. Dress for mess! For grades K-4, registration required.
Disclaimer(s)
Accompanying Adults for Children's Programs
Children age 7 and younger must have a caregiver (age 12 or older) with them at all times while at the library, including during programs. Children may not be left unattended at the library unless they are age 8+.
Messy Program Alert
This program involves getting messy. Please wear appropriate clothing.
Special ZAP! Storytime at the Zoo! with Miss Jenn at Brookfield Zoo!
Special ZAP! Storytime at the Zoo! with Miss Jenn at Brookfield Zoo!
Join Miss Jenn and staff from the Brookfield Zoo for a very special story time all about animal movement! The ZAP! Storytime at the Zoo! will take place at the Hamill Family Nature Plaza.
Disclaimer(s)
Accompanying Adults for Children's Programs
Children age 7 and younger must have a caregiver (age 12 or older) with them at all times while at the library, including during programs. Children may not be left unattended at the library unless they are age 8+.
Accompanying Adults for Early Childhood Programs
This program is designed for young children to attend with a caregiver. Please plan to be engaged with your child during this program. Children under age 5 must be in the immediate supervising vicinity of a caregiver at all times while at the library.
LEGO Club
Come join us for LEGO Club! Get creative and use your imagination to create some cool designs! This is a drop-in program that meets the last Wednesday of the month. For grades K-4.
Disclaimer(s)
Accompanying Adults for Children's Programs
Children age 7 and younger must have a caregiver (age 12 or older) with them at all times while at the library, including during programs. Children may not be left unattended at the library unless they are age 8+.
Stories in the Forest
Disclaimer(s)
Accompanying Adults for Children's Programs
Children age 7 and younger must have a caregiver (age 12 or older) with them at all times while at the library, including during programs. Children may not be left unattended at the library unless they are age 8+.
Accompanying Adults for Early Childhood Programs
This program is designed for young children to attend with a caregiver. Please plan to be engaged with your child during this program. Children under age 5 must be in the immediate supervising vicinity of a caregiver at all times while at the library.
TumbleBooks

Novelist K-8 Plus

Reading recommendations for kids’ fiction and nonfiction that you can search by Lexile, subject, and grade level.
Kits for Kids

Borrow an American Girl doll and accessories. One doll per household at a time. 2 week checkout, no renewals., River Forest Library cardholders only.

Check out a theme kit and explore hands-on activities and books on fun and relevant topics for kids!
Visit the Children’s Library
The River Forest Public Library’s Children’s Room offers a lively environment for kids from birth through 4th grade and their caregivers. Visit and browse a large, dynamic selection of books, movies, video games, American Girl dolls, Wonderbooks, Discovery Kits and more.
Our well loved play area features a kitchen set, a vet set, magnatiles, cars and trucks, puzzles, puppets, and other fun toys. Kids can write a letter to our Children’s Room mascots, S’more the Rottweiler, Gelato the Himalayan cat, and Cheesecake the baby seal. We also offer scavenger hunts, I Spy, passive crafts, coloring sheets, and a Guesstimation Jar. Check our calendar for our wide selection of monthly programming.
