16 Best Children's Libraries around Cleveland
If you've been following along on our social media pages over the last year, you've likely noticed that we LOVE going to children's libraries. Cultivating a love for reading is such an important part of childhood development, and libraries with fun & unique children's spaces make the connection between reading and fun that much easier. We have organized this blog post by cities in and around Cleveland in alphabetical order that have children's libraries.
You can click the name of each library in this post, and it will take you to the Google Map listing. The address is also below each heading. Lastly, you'll find some important details for each library underneath the photos.
There's also an interactive Google Map below (available on Desktop view only) that has the best children's libraries in and around Cleveland to help you scan whatever area you find yourself in. Clicking the Google Map listing will not take you to the section of the blog where the playground is described. It's just meant to help you scan the area when you're out and about and to help when you're desperately searching "best children's library near me" 🤣.
We hope this post inspires you to get your child into fun, learning environments to cultivate a love of reading, imagination, and learning!
16 of the Best Children's Libraries around Cleveland
(Alphabetized by City)
Best Children's Libraries: Avon Lake
Discovery Works at the Avon Lake Library
32649 Electric Blvd, Avon Lake, OH 44012
(See it on Instagram)
Discovery Works at the Avon Lake library is a free, hands-on learning environment that offers a variety of multi-sensory experiences.
Half of the room is geared towards younger kids. A couple of my kid’s favorite activities in the younger play space are the build your own brick house and the create your own garden space. The other half of the room has more advanced activities, mostly related to science experiments. This area is for kids 5yrs and up ONLY. They will not allow anyone under 5 into this area, even if they are being held or in a stroller.
Also, kids 5-8 yrs old MUST be accompanied by an adult. This means if you have a child who is 5-8yrs and another who is younger, you won't be able to bring the younger child in with you, and your 5-8 yr old won't be allowed in by themself. This is why we usually visit only when my husband and I can both be present. It's still TOTALLY worth checking out, though!
We played games, did puzzles, explored sound, programmed little robots, built houses, made ball runs, and stood on a scale to see what we would weigh on different planets. Another thing to keep in mind when visiting is that this special room has hours that differ from the main library.
Be sure to check to see when it’s open before going. (I included the most current hours as of Feb 2022 below).
DiscoveryWorks Day Times
Monday–Thursday: 10:30am–12:30pm, 2:30pm–5pm
Friday & Saturday: 10:30am–12:30pm, 2:30pm–4:30pm
Sunday: 1pm-4:30pm
DiscoveryWorks - Evening Times
Monday & Tuesday: 6pm-8pm
Best Children's Libraries: Bay Village
Bay Village Branch |
Cuyahoga County Public Library
27400 Wolf Rd, Bay Village, OH 44140
(See it on Instagram)
The Children's space at this library is on the smaller side, but even still, my kids loved it.
Here are some of the things I love about this library.
✅ The Children’s Space is in its own room with doors. This made it very easy to keep my eye on the kids, and I didn’t feel as self-conscious when they got loud because it was an enclosed space.
✅ There’s a family bathroom attached to the Children’s Space.
✅ I love the diner theme and the fun pops of color they chose. Even though there isn’t any play food out yet, my kids just pretended some of the other toys were food, and they made up fun names for their “crazy” foods. I thought it was adorable. 🤩
✅ There’s a magnet wall that allows kids to build their own ball run. My kids absolutely loved this!
✅ They will be adding a light wall once all the supplies come in. We’re excited to check that out.
✅ Something super unique about this library is the outside terrace upstairs. We brought a picnic lunch and ate in the fresh open air, which was marvelous. ☺️ The kids also thought it was super cool to be on the roof of the library.
✅ All of the librarians we talked to were so sweet and helpful and their passion for reading and education really comes through.
Best Children's Libraries: Brook Park
Brook Park Branch
Cuyahoga County Public Library
6155 Engle Rd, Cleveland, OH 44142
Best Children's Libraries: Fairview Park
Fairview Park Branch
Cuyahoga County Public Library
21255 Lorain Rd, Fairview Park, OH 44126
(See it on Instagram)
This children's library area is set up like an "airport." ✈️
There's a small food court, an air control tower, three planes, an airplane hangar (with a large map), and a ticket and luggage pick-up window.
My kids are really into imaginary play right now, so they had a blast pretending to fly all over the country yesterday. 🛫📍
If your kids aren't into that type of play, they also have toys, a train table, and a few puzzles.
Best Children's Libraries: Hudson
Hudson Library & Historical Society
96 Library St, Hudson, OH 44236
(See it on Instagram)
Oh my--this is easily one of the most beautiful and unique children's libraries on our list! It's decorated like the book Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. There are some fun games in the children's space, but honestly, the best part for us is walking around and seeing how they brought the whimsical world of Alice in Wonderland to life. We don't make it out here too often, but it's one of our favorites and easily the prettiest children's library space we've found.
Best Children's Libraries: Lakewood
Lakewood Public Library:
Main Library Branch
15425 Detroit Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107
(See it on Instagram)
My daughter has always loved playing in boats, so the Lakewood Public Library Main Brand has always come in as a favorite for us when it comes to children's libraries.
One big bummer is that they don't have a very great selection of toys here. However, what makes this branch great are the activities attached to the walls and the imaginative play environments like the big boat.
If you have a kid who loves to use their imagination for play, they'll probably love this location!
Best Children's Libraries: Maple Heights
Maple Heights Branch
Cuyahoga County Public Library
5225 Library Ln, Maple Heights, OH 44137
(See it on Instagram)
When it comes to a fun time, this is by far one of our favorite children's libraries near Cleveland.
The kids' space encompasses the whole upstairs. They even have a special room called the "tinker space," which is a hands-on and interactive space designed to encourage creativity.
My kids will play here for hours and still not want to leave. I think it's the perfect library for a rainy day!
Best Children's Libraries: North Olmsted
North Olmsted Branch
Cuyahoga County Public Library
27403 Lorain Rd, North Olmsted, OH 44070
(See it on Instagram)
Okay, My kids are a bit too old for this space now so we don't visit as much, but I still think this is one of the cutest kids' spaces, thanks to the fun barn theme.
This children's library space has a good amount of toys,plus some interactive games that are attached to the wall. My kids love to spend their time using their imagination in the farm.
Best Children's Libraries:
North Ridgeville (CLOSED FOR REMODEL)
North Ridgeville Branch Library (CLOSED FOR REMODEL)
35700 Bainbridge Rd, North Ridgeville, OH 44039
(See it on Instagram)
THE KIDS AREA IS CURRENTLY CLOSED FOR REMODELING!
The kids' area has little buildings similar to what you'd find at safety town, except they can go inside. Which is super fun!
There's a post office, schoolhouse, grocery store, library, and pet clinic. 🏣 🏘 🏤
They also have a train table and plenty of toys to help with imaginative play. 🛤 🚃
We spent over two hours playing and exploring the North Ridgeville Branch Library. It was a huge hit for my kiddos!
Best Children's Libraries:
North Royalton
North Royalton Branch
Cuyahoga County Public Library
5071 Wallings Rd, North Royalton, OH 44133
(See it on Instagram)
The woodland theme for this children's library is super cute and this location has a sense of relaxation and calm. The library even has a fireplace on the opposite end of the kids' section, which is super cozy.
The kids' space is pretty small at this location. It's probably not something worth driving a far distance for, but if you’re in the area, I’d definitely recommend swinging by and checking it out.
My daughter loved the little question-and-answer/matching games that are connected to the wall. My son was over them pretty fast but my daughter wanted to do each and every one of them.
They also have a cute search and find woodland creatures on the tall wooden trees when you enter the kids' section. My kids thought that was super fun!
Best Children's Libraries:
Orange/Pepper Pike
Orange Branch
Cuyahoga County Public Library
31975 Chagrin Blvd, Pepper Pike, OH 44124
(See it on Instagram)
The play area at this children's library is on the smaller side but it’s very beautiful and whimsical.It’s another library that I would say isn't worth a far drive, but if you find yourself in the area it's worth checking out. You probably won't spend too much time here.
They have a cute little puppet show area. A play kitchen, and a gorgeous (😍) antique dollhouse that was donated. You can get a scavenger hunt of things to spot in the house from the librarians.
If you've been following our posts, you probably know that my littles are OBSESSED with scavenger hunts. So this was another activity they loved.
Best Children's Libraries: Rocky River
Rocky River Public Library
1600 Hampton Rd, Rocky River, OH 44116
(See it on Instagram)
I love visiting this library because the building itself brings my heart so much joy! It’s an old building with huge windows and I think it’s stunning. 🤩There is a cute little kids' area upstairs for kids to read, learn, and play. They also have toys out, which is always a plus.We spent most of our visit playing board games and making puzzles.
Best Children's Libraries: Shaker Heights
Shaker Heights Public Library
16500 Van Aken Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44120
(See it on Instagram)
Newly renovated! They have a cute little area with toys, a puppet show, a magnet board, board games, a couple of iPads, and a fun interactive screen. Super cute and super fun!
Best Children's Libraries:
South Euclid/Lyndhurst
South Euclid-Lyndhurst
Cuyahoga County Public Library
1876 S Green Rd, South Euclid, OH 44121
Probably one of the most unique children's libraries in the Cuyahoga County Public Library system. One huge bummer is that when we last visited in August 2022, they still didn’t have the toys back out yet!Even without the toys, there are still a few things to play with that are attached to the walls. My kids do pretty well using their imagination, so they play with the boat and the huge glass tree.It was frustrating that their favorite part (the huge magnet wall with a ball tunnel) wasn’t back out. They also normally have fun wooden blocks and toys. I would recommend calling ahead before going to see if the toys have made their way back out so you don’t have disappointed kiddos.
Best Children's Libraries:
Vermillion
Ritter Public Library
5680 Liberty Ave, Vermilion, OH 44089
(See it on Instagram)
It’s been a couple of years since we’ve been to this library (it's a far drive for us), but they have this awesome ship in their play area that my kids loved!
Best Children's Libraries: Westlake
Westlake Porter Public Library
27333 Center Ridge Rd, Westlake, OH 44145
(See it on Instagram)
The kids' space isn’t huge but it’s cute and they have some great toys.
We’ve also heard great things about their story time, so be sure to check out their website to register for a fun time.
That's the end of our list!
Didn't see your favorite children's library on our list? Let us know by sending us a DM or email at clewithkids@gmail.com.
We'd love to add it to help inspire other families to cultivate a love of reading and learning in their kiddos!
P.S. if you're looking for the best playgrounds in the Cleveland area then check out our blog: 60+ BEST CLEVELAND AREA PLAYGROUNDS