- Updated: 8/11/2025
- 7 min. read
- Accessible Activities, Early Education, Free, Upcoming
Looking for the best children’s storytimes in the DMV? Whether you’re a parent of a curious toddler, an energetic preschooler, or a book-loving big kid, the DC metro area is packed with free and low-cost storytime events designed to spark imagination and foster a love of reading.
From cozy library corners to vibrant local bookstores and even museum pop-ups, this guide covers the top storytime experiences across the DMV. Bookmark this page and start planning your next literary adventure!
Links (blue text) will either navigate to the host’s calendar of events or directly to the registration page for the particular event/activity. Times listed are start and/or opening time.
This blog will be reviewed and updated on a regular basis; however, things can change at any moment. Please make sure to click the links and confirm that the event/activity is in fact happening prior to heading out!
No affiliate links are included in this blog. Happy Planning!
In This Blog...
Storytimes in Washington, DC
DC Public Library
DC Public Library hosts weekly storytimes throughout its 26 locations for young children and their families. Most weekdays you’ll find events like:
- Family Story Time (Best for ages 0-5)
- Baby Lap Time (Best for 0-12 months)
- Toddler Story Time (Best for 12 -36 months)
- Preschool Story Time (Best for ages 3-5)
These storytimes often include song and dance too. DCPL does a great job of including accessible storytimes in their line-up as well like Story Time for the Spectrum that runs on Saturdays. And there are more specific events like Pajama Story Time on Thursday afternoons.
Smithsonian & Other Museums
The Smithsonian and other museums around DC host a wide range of weekly and monthly storytimes like:
- 10:15 am on Tuesdays & Thursdays | Little Artists, Big Stories at Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum (Best for 18 months – age 7)
- Through September 25th!
- 11:45 am on Tuesdays | Great Hall Story Time at the National Portrait Gallery
- 10:00 am on Wednesdays | Storytime Studio at The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
- 2:30 pm on Wednesdays | STEAM Story Time at the National Children’s Museum ($) (Best for ages 1 – 4)
- 10:00 am on second Thursdays | Story Time at the Capital Jewish Museum
- 10:30 am on Thursdays | Storytime at the National Building Museum
- 11:00 am on Thursdays | Story Time at the National Air and Space Museum
- 10:00 am on first Fridays | Storytime at the National Gallery of Art
- 10:00 am on Fridays | Story Time at the National Postal Museum
You can also find both virtual and in-person storytimes through museums like the National Air and Space Museum and the National Postal Museum.
More Storytimes in DC
Additional recurring storytimes in DC include:
- 10:30 am on first Thursdays | Toddler Storytime with DC Public Library at Union Market
Spotlight: National Building Museum
Building Stories at the National Building Museum
There's an ongoing exhibit at the National Building Museum called Building Stories that you should check out! "Building Stories brings kids and adults alike on an immersive exploration of the world of architecture, engineering, construction, and design found in the pages of children’s books. Geared toward an intergenerational audience, with special attention paid to children in grades K-3 and their parents and caregivers." I love the interactiveness of this exhibit as well as the classic books that are highlighted. Tap the title above for more info!
Building Readers Club at the National Building Museum
Storytimes in Maryland
Maryland Public Library Systems
The Maryland Public Library Systems are full of daily – weekly story time events for babies, preschoolers & toddlers.
For the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System, look for these storytimes throughout their 19 branch libraries:
- Ready 2 Read Storytimes (Best for ages 0-5)
- Play and Grow (Best for ages 0-3)
PGCML branches also host fun STEM-themed storytimes and music & movement events.
For Montgomery County Public Libraries, look for these daily storytimes throughout their 22 public libraries across the county
- Family Storytime (all ages)
- Baby Lapsit Storytime (Birth to Pre-walk)
- Baby/Toddler Storytime
- Preschool Storytime (Preschool aged children)
From Rockville to Silver Spring, MCPL offers themed storytimes as well like Pajama Storytime & Bilingual Storytimes in Spanish, French, and Mandarin. Most sessions are indoors and free — no registration required.
Bookstores & Other Storytimes
Maryland has additional in-person, storytime events at bookstores and other community-based venues like
- 10:30 am on Third Mondays | Storytime on Screen at Greenbelt Cinema
- 9:00 am on Fridays | Babies & Books! at People’s Book Takoma (Best for ages 0-3)
- Monthly | Storytime Station at History Park next to the Gaithersburg Community Museum (Best for ages 2-6)
Spotlight: RUAK (Random Unselfish Acts of Kindness)
Pre-K Bilingual Story Hour in Greenbelt MD
Second Fridays at 10:30 am at the Springhill Lake Recreation Center, RUAK (Random Unselfish Acts of Kindness) with the Prince George's County Memorial Library System presents engaging lively stories and activities for young children and their caregivers to help build early literacy skills. This monthly program is an introduction to reading aloud to children as a way to instill the love of literature. After the readings, the children can STAY AND PLAY in the gym. FREE children's books & healthy nutritious snacks! As a parent said upon leaving,"IT WAS A BLAST"! No registration needed.
Special Note: Robert Goldberg-Strassler of RUAK (Random Unselfish Acts of Kindness) is a volunteer of Black Children’s Books DMV+. He served as our on-site volunteer coordinator for the first Black Children’s Book Fest in 2023. If you visit this storytime, please let him know we sent you ♥
Storytimes in Northern Virginia
Public Libraries in Northern Virginia
Arlington Public Library offers weekly storytimes as well, mostly on weekdays. Look for
- Family Storytime (Best for ages 0-5)
- Baby Lapsit Storytime (Best for 0-12 months)
- Tales Together (Best for ages 3-6)
- Stop in for Stories (All Ages)
Arlington Public Libraries also have themed storytimes like Tunes and Tales and Cuentos para niños – bilingual storytimes for kids and families.
Alexandria Library branches have similar weekly storytimes like
- Family Storytime (Best for ages 0-5)
- Baby Storytime (Best for 0-14 months)
Alexandria Libraries also host seasonal storytimes like Storytime in the Reading Garden (Best for ages 0-8) and Fables and Fun (Best for ages 0-5).
Bookstores & Other Storytimes in Northern Virginia
Virginia, like Maryland, has recurring, in-person storytime events at bookstores and other community-based venues like
- 11:00 am & 11:30 am on Thursdays | Story Time at the Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly
- 2:30 pm on first and third Thursdays beginning in September 2025 | Playful Storytime at The Toy Nest in Falls Church ($)
- 10:00 am on second Saturdays | ETC Beginnings at R.E.A.D. Booknook at Ballston Quarter in Arlington
5 Tips for Making the Most of Storytime
- Arrive early to not only get a good seat but to explore the venue, especially if it’s a library or bookstore.
- Bring snacks and water for afterwards, especially if you have a full day of adventure ahead.
- Try bilingual storytimes even if your child doesn’t speak the language — they’re fun and often magical!
- Follow your favorite libraries and bookstores on social media for updates on cancellations and special event announcements.
- Explore local theaters as a storytime option! Most theaters with performances for children remake stories into shows to bring the books to life.
