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
STEM Club Sunday Edition: Egg Drop (Grades K-4)
Can you drop a raw egg without it breaking? Test out your design and engineering skills at this special STEM Club Sunday edition. We'll prep our eggs inside then head out to the Library Lawn to let them drop! 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+.
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.
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.
Crafternoon (Grades K-4)
Join us for our monthly crafting program for kids! Registration is required. 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+.
Food Allergies
We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy, or other allergens.
Messy Program Alert
This program involves getting messy. Please wear appropriate clothing.
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!
Let's Make: Friendship Bracelets & Necklaces (Grades K-4)
Make your own necklaces and bracelets, and browse some book selections featuring awesome stories of friendship! Registration Required. 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+.
Community Storytime at Wonder Works Children's Museum
Community Storytime at Wonder Works Children's Museum
Join your favorite librarians from the RFPL Children's Room at Wonder Works Children's Museum for a special storytime! Non-members, stop by the Children's desk for a free admission ticket, while supplies last. For families.
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.
Nature Art Studio (Grades K-4)
Come learn about the natural world with fun demonstrations. Then we'll create a piece of art to take home! Registration is required. 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+.
Messy Program Alert
This program involves getting messy. Please wear appropriate clothing.
Family Fun Bags
Pick up a bag of fun activities to do together at home. Bags are available while supplies last.
Disclaimer(s)
Material Pickup Required
This program requires materials to be picked up at our service desk prior to the program.
Tuesday Tales (Ages 0-6)
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.
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. Two-week checkout, no renewals. River Forest Library cardholders only.
Check out a theme or skill-building kit which include hands-on activities, manipulatives, and books for young patrons to explore and learn about relevant topics.
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.