Children's Department
The Children's Services Department offers a variety of materials and programming for children and their families.
Check out this short introductory video to meet the Children's Librarians at the Fargo Public Library.
If you need any accommodation in order to participate, we are happy to help to the best of our ability. Please contact us at accessibility@fargolibrary.org or call 701.241.1495 with at least 3 business days advance notice.
Upcoming Events for Kids and Families
Color Our World Summer Reading Challenge
All ages are invited to take part in the 2025 Summer Reading Challenge from June 9-August 23 as we "Color Our World” at the library! Simply register online in Beanstack (or pick up a paper book log at any library location) and then start reading to earn prizes! Kids win a spin of the prize wheel for every 10, 20, and 30 days of reading and a free book after 40 days. Additional weekly prize drawings are conducted from the names of those kids who have logged online at least one day of reading each week. For more information, visit our Summer Reading Challenge page!
For more information, visit www.fargolibrary.org.
Design a Bookmark Contest
The Fargo Public Library is celebrating creativity with the 16th Annual Design a Bookmark Contest. Stop by the library beginning Sept. 2 and pick up an entry form. Fill the space with your most brilliant creation and return it to any library location before close on Sept. 30. The top designs (as voted on by library staff) will be made into full-color bookmarks that will be printed and distributed throughout the following year at library locations and events. The contest is open to children 12 and under.
Sept. 2 — Sept. 30
Winners announced Monday, October 6
Baby Rhyme Time
Babies ages birth to 24 months are invited to join us for the next sessions of lapsit storytimes at the Dr. James Carlson Library. Baby Rhyme Time is an opportunity for parents to share songs, fingerplays, short books, rhythms and rhymes with baby while introducing books and the library! Each session concludes with open play time. No pre-registration required. One child per grown-up lap please.
Aug. 21 @ 10 a.m.
Sept. 4 & 18 @ 10 a.m.
Oct. 2 & 16 @ 10 a.m.
Nov. 6 & 20 @ 10 a.m.
Dec. 4 & 18 @ 10 a.m.
Family Reading Rumpus
Let the rumpus begin! Designed for families to enjoy together, these interactive events invite children and parents to dive into the world of books through storytelling and hands-on activities at the Main Library at 6 p.m. Create lasting memories and bond over stories - all before bedtime! Storytime/activities are geared towards ages 2-6, but children of all ages are welcome to attend. No pre-registration is required.
August 26
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Summer 2025 Tournament
Engage in friendly competition at the Main Library during a Mario Kart Deluxe Tournament for the Nintendo Switch! Prizes will be awarded for 1st-4th place winners. A limited number of controllers are available, but players are encouraged to bring their own. Spectators are welcome. Adults must accompany children under 10 years old. Contact Shane at 701.241.1484 for further details. Registration begins on August 1.
August 30 at 12 p.m. - Jr. Bracket (Age 13 and younger)
August 30 at 2 p.m. - Sr. Bracket (age 14 and older)
Tumble Time
Back for some indoor fall fun, its Toddler/Preschool Tumble Time! Kids ages 2-6 are invited to join in the fun with Fargo All-Stars at the Main Library. Learn some great tumbling moves and even get some wiggles out! We will start with a short storytime and end with some jumping and tumbling. Wear clothes that you can move and groove in! No pre-registration is required.
Sept. 4 @ 11 a.m.
Oct. 2 @ 11 a.m.
Nov. 6 @ 11 a.m.
Dec. 4 @ 11 a.m.
Kindergarten Success! Storytime
Get your child ready for Kindergarten by exploring literacy and STEAM topics through music, stories, songs, and play at the Main Library. Library staff will share tips you can use to instill a love of reading in your child. Activities follow each storytime and all children receive a FREE book! These events are appropriate for children ages 3-5. No pre-registration is required.
Sept. 6 @ 10 a.m.
Oct. 4 @ 10 a.m. - featuring Troll Stories
Nov. 1 @ 10 a.m.
Dec. 6 @ 10 a.m.
Crafternoons
This Fall, Crafternoons has a new schedule! Makers ages 15 and younger are welcome to stop by the Dr. James Carlson Library on Mondays or the Northport Branch on Tuesdays twice a month to get their craft on! Crafts will be available the 2nd and 4th weeks of the month between 3 and 4:30 p.m. Note that the same weekly project will be done at both locations. No pre-registration is required.
Sept. 8 & 9: Axolotl Paper Bag Puppet
Sept. 22 & 23: Monster Wreath
Namaste Toddler/Preschool Yoga
Introducing Toddler/Pre-School Yoga by Mojo Fit! It's never too soon to learn how to relax, breathe, pose, and find your center, all while having fun at the Main Library with a certified yoga instructor from Mojo Fit. Come dressed to stretch and move. We have a few mats available for kiddos to use, but if you have your own, bring it along! This class is best suited for ages 2-6. No pre-registration required.
Sept. 11 @ 10 a.m.
Oct. 9 @ 10 a.m.
Nov. 13 @ 10 a.m.
Dec. 11 @ 10 a.m.
Paws for Reading
Reading therapy pets from Pet Partners of the Red River Valley are available on the second Saturday of each month (through May) to listen to children practice their reading in a relaxed, informal setting. Kids in Kindergarten to 6th grade are invited to register for a 15-minute session with one of our non-judgmental listeners. Sessions begin at 10 a.m. at the Main Library. Bring your own books to read or choose from a selection of library books. Call the Children’s Services desk at 701.241.1495 to register for the current month.
Sept. 13
Oct. 11
Nov. 8
Dec. 13
Troll Storytime
Are you ready to growl, scowl, and dance like a troll? Troll Storytime will have little trolls singing, moving, and active troll storytelling with our resident Scandinavian Studies and accordion-playing Children’s Librarian. This One Book One Community-related event will take place at the Dr. James Carlson Library on Sept. 13 at 10 a.m., and is geared towards kids ages 3-6 and their families. No pre-registration is required.
Fall Storytime
Another season of storytime begins Sept. 15 and runs through Dec. 3! The Fargo Public Library offers storytime opportunities at all library locations for families to spend quality time sharing stories, learning school-readiness skills, and preparing for a lifetime love of reading. Through the use of age-appropriate stories, songs, and fingerplays in a group setting, library staff help parents and caregivers learn how to foster early literacy skills - all while having super storytime fun! Storytimes are geared toward kids ages 2-6 years old. No pre-registration is required. Check the storytime page for days and times.
Wondery Art and Adventure
Step into a world of creativity and exploration at the library! Kids ages 3-5 (with an accompanying adult) are invited to join us each month at the Main Library to explore fine art concepts like color, shapes and composition through hands-on activities. Pre-registration is required and opens two weeks in advance of each session.
Sept. 18 @ 11 a.m.
Oct. 16 @ 11 a.m.
Nov. 20 @ 11 a.m.
Dec. 18 @ 11 a.m.
Intro to Engineering for Kids
Calling all creative problem solvers and the curious in Kindergarten – 6th grade! Learn about the wide world of engineering through hands-on demonstrations of mechanical, civil, and electrical engineering (and more!) with NDSU’s Society of Women Engineers. This is an open house event taking place at the Northport Branch on Sept. 20 from 9 to 11 a.m. No pre-registration is required.
Dial-A-Story
If you’ve ever wished you could listen to a story, a poem, or even a joke at any time, day or night, now you can! Call the Library’s Dial-A-Story phone line at 701.298.6927 anytime and choose the children’s option; new recordings are available every Monday. Selections are recorded by Children’s Library staff and are up to 5 minutes in length. Dial-A-Story recordings can be accessed by any phone.
Library Program Evaluation
Attended one of our programs? Tell us about your experience! This is a post-program survey to help us bring more events to our patrons. Your feedback means a great deal to us; thank you for your time in filling out this form.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or comments, please contact the Children's Services Department. We'll be happy to help!