Free Kids Activities in Canberra: Story Time at Libraries ACT

Looking to keep your toddler or preschooler entertained? Look no further than Story Time at Libraries ACT, one of the best free kids activities in Canberra!

Story Time is a wonderful free weekly event in Canberra that develops kids’ pre-reading, listening and language skills, and helps to foster a love for reading from an early age. It also helps little ones develop friendships and prepare for pre-school and beyond. 

What is Story Time?

Story Time at Libraries ACT is a free weekly event held at various libraries across the ACT for children aged 3-5. The interactive sessions include reading, rhymes and songs that make learning fun, and help foster a love of reading from an early age. 

How do I find a Story Time location?

Story Time is held in multiple locations across ACT Libraries, including Tuggeranong, Kippax, Woden (pop-up library), Belconnen, Dickson, Erindale, Kingston and Gungahlin. 

What will I find at Story Time?

Story Time is one of the best free kids activities in Canberra. It is run in a group setting where parents, children and other family members (you’re welcome to bring grandparents, siblings or the whole family along) sit together to listen to stories, sing along to songs, and do a craft activity together. 

The sessions are led by one or two staff members from the library, and all of them are incredible at keeping kids engaged and excited. They read carefully selected stories, usually centred around a certain theme, and discuss what’s happening in the story with the children. The interactive nature of the sessions means that kids have input into what’s being discussed, further helping their understanding of concepts and ideas being explored. They read three stories in total, and in between each book, they sing a song with movements that gives kids the chance to have a bit of a wiggle. 

The session is finished off with a craft activity related to the theme of the week. This helps kids to develop fine motor skills, and gives parents the opportunity to work with their child to create something. The craft activities encourage social interaction between kids, where they can share materials and see what other kids are creating. 

Parents are encouraged to stick around after the sessions to connect and meet other parents/carers, and little ones can get to know each other better as well. 

Libraries ACT hold Sensory Story Time sessions, which are designed to be inclusive of neurodivergent children or other children with sensory challenges, however all children are still welcome at the sessions. 

There are also monthly Vietnamese, Hindi, Tamil and Spanish bilingual Story Time sessions, where kids can learn more about language and culture.

Best bits about Story Time

• Free event

• Makes learning engaging and fun

• Warm and welcoming environment 

• Run throughout the term and in the school holidays

Things to consider

• Some locations have limited space for prams

How to get to Story Time at a Libraries ACT venue

All locations have car parking and bus routes that run close by. 

Cost

Free - registration is required for each weekly session, and registrations open seven days before each session. Register at the Libraries ACT website. 

Hours

Each location will have its own weekly Story Time schedule - check the website for details.