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
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.
Dec. 18 @ 10 a.m.
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.
Dec. 18 @ 11 a.m.
Mind Mysteries LIVE
School-age kids in grades 1-6 can join Dr. Ben Balas from NDSU Psychology. We'll have all-new experiments to learn how kids' brains understand what they see. Join us to make your mark for science!
Dr. James Carlson Library, 10 a.m. to noon
Dec. 20
Edible Christmas Crafts
To eat or not to eat? That will be your question as we make fun Christmas-themed crafts using sugar cones, marshmallows, frosting, candy and more at the Main Library on Dec. 20 at 10 a.m. Decorate your home or save for a sweet snack - you decide! This program is geared towards kids ages 5-12. Pre-registration is required and opens Dec. 2.
Dec. 20 @ 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.
Dec. 22 & 23: Wooden Gnomes
LEGO Mania Design Contest
Show off your creativity at the Fargo Public Library's annual LEGO Mania Design Contest! Kids 12 and under are invited to build an original creation at home, then bring it to the Main Library on Dec. 30 between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. Judging will begin at 12 p.m. and winners will be announced at 12:45 p.m. Games and other activities will take place in the Children's Room to pass the time while we await the judges' decisions. Pre-registration is required and may be completed beginning Dec. 2 by calling 701.241.1495 Please check our rules and guidelines before you begin to build. Good luck!
Happy Blue Year: A Bluey Noon Year's Eve Party!
Ring in the New Year with Bluey and Friends - before bedtime! Get ready for an unforgettable afternoon of giggles, games and good times at our "Noon Year's Eve" celebration inspired by everyone's favorite blue heeler - Bluey! Perfect for young fans (ages birth to 5) and their families, this daytime event at the Main Library on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at 10:30 a.m. is packed with crafts, music, dancing and a special countdown to "midnight" at noon with confetti and cheer.
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.
Dec. 30: Knotty Gnomes and Nisse
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.
Jan. 3 @ 10 a.m.
Feb. 7 @ 10 a.m.
March 7 @ 10 a.m. featuring a Seuss-tastic themed storytime and craft
April 4 @ 10 a.m.
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.
Jan. 8 @ 10 a.m.
Feb. 12 @ 10 a.m.
March 12 @ 10 a.m.
April 9 @ 10 a.m.
May 14 @ 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.
Jan. 10
Feb. 14
March 14
April 11
May 9
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!