Best Kid-Friendly Libraries in Chicago and the Suburbs

Public libraries with open play areas and kids programming.

Libraries have become so much more than a collection of books & materials and a quiet place outside of the home. These days, a library also provides an area of imaginative play and exploration for little kids. It’s a great option for parents to get their kids out of the home and in an educational setting. The best part about it is it’s FREE!

From Cook County to Kane, to McHenry to Will County, read on to find our favorite kid-friendly libraries in the city and chicagoland areas.

Cook County- In the City

Photo of Thomas Hughes Children’s Library by Eric Rogers via openhousechicago.org

Thomas Hughes Children's Library

Harold Washington Library
400 S State St 2nd Floor
Chicago IL 60605

Located on the 2nd floor of the Harold Washington Library, the Thomas Hughes Children’s Library is separated into 3 different “neighborhoods” for preschoolers, elementary learners and tweens. Activities and resources include imaginative play, STEAM-based activities and a digital media space. Library events focus on storytime, open play, music and crafts.

Other kid-friendly libraries in the city with play spaces or kids events & programs.

Chicago Public Library:
Bucktown-Wicker Park Branch
1701 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago IL 60647'

Chicago Public Library:
Sulzer Regional Library
4455 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago IL 60625

Chicago Public Library:
Little Italy Branch
1336 W Taylor St
Chicago IL 60607

Chicago Public Library:
Chinatown Branch
2100 S Wentworth Ave
Chicago IL 60616

Chicago Public Library:
Richard J. Daley Branch
3400 S Halsted St
Chicago IL 60608

Chicago Public Library:
Back of the Yards Branch
2111 W 47th St
Chicago IL 60609

Chicago Public Library:
South Chicago Branch
9055 S Houston Ave
Chicago IL 60617

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Cook County- North / Northwest Suburbs

Photo of Indian Trails Public Library District by Pioneer Press via chicagotribune.com

Indian Trails Public Library District

355 Schoenbeck Rd
Wheeling IL 60090

Newly renovated in 2017, the Indian Trails Public Library District has a large open area for kids imaginative play, as well as other educational features such as an art creation station and a makerspace for collaboration. The addition of the Launch Pad features hands-on technology resources, such as 3D printers, laser cutters and traditional arts & crafts. There is also a digital media lab with sound recording equipment and a green screen.

Other kid-friendly libraries in the North & Northwest suburbs with play spaces or kids events & programs.

Evanston Public Library
1703 Orrington Ave
Evanston IL 60201

Skokie Public Library
5215 Oakton St
Skokie IL 60077

Wilmette Public Library
1242 Wilmette Ave
Wilmette IL 60091

Glenview Public Library
1930 Glenview Rd
Glenview IL 60025

Des Plaines Public Library
1501 Ellinwood St
Des Plaines IL 60016

Mount Prospect Public Library
10 S Emerson St
Mt Prospect IL 60056

Elk Grove Village Public Library
1001 Wellington Ave
Elk Grove Village IL 60007

Arlington Heights Public Library
500 N Dunton Ave
Arlington Heights IL 60004

Palatine Library District
700 N North Ct
Palatine IL 60067

Schaumburg Township District Library
130 S Roselle Rd
Schaumburg IL 60193

Poplar Creek Public Library
1405 S Park Ave
Streamwood IL 60107

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Cook County- West Suburbs

Photo of La Grange Public Library via mykidlist.com

La Grange Public Library

10 W Cossitt Ave
La Grange IL 60525

At La Grange Public Library, children ages 0-5 can visit the play space that has enriching and fun activities. For the older kids, they can gather in the Tween space and check out the Oculus Quest 2 Virtual Reality Headset or foster their STEAM skills with a variety of tabletop toys.

Other kid-friendly libraries in the West suburbs with play spaces or kids events & programs.

Oak Park Public Library
834 Lake St
Oak Park IL 60301

River Forest Public Library
735 Lathrop Ave
River Forest IL 60305

Northlake Public Library
231 N Wolf Rd
Northlake IL 60164

Hillside Public Library
405 N Hillside Ave
Hillside IL 60162

Berwyn Public Library
2701 S Harlem Ave
Berwyn IL 60402

Stickney-Forest View Public Library District
6800 43rd St
Stickney IL 60402

North Riverside Public Library
2400 Des Plaines Ave
North Riverside IL 60546

Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library
3541 Park Ave
Brookfield IL 60513

Thomas Ford Memorial Library
800 Chestnut St
Western Springs IL 60558

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Cook County- South Suburbs

Photo of Orland Park Public Library via Orland Park Public Library Facebook page

Orland Park Public Library

14921 S Ravinia Ave
Orland Park IL 60462

Kids of all ages can enjoy the Orland Park Public Library. Little kids can visit “The Backyard” nature center, or take a break in the “Sensory Space” where they can play with handheld manipulatives or the tactile wall tiles. For the tweens, there’s “The In-Between” area, and for teens, the “Teen Loft”. The Tech Center is filled with digital media technology, including 3D printers, a VHS-to-DVD convertor, a cricut maker and so much more.

Other kid-friendly libraries in the South suburbs with play spaces or kids events & programs.

Evergreen Park Public Library
9400 S Troy Ave
Evergreen Park IL 60805

Alsip-Merrionette Park Library
11960 S Pulaski Rd
Alsip IL 60803

Oak Lawn Public Library
9427 Raymond Ave
Oak Lawn IL 60453

Green Hills Public Library District
10331 Interlochen Dr
Palos Hills IL 60465

Lemont Public Library
50 E Wend St
Lemont IL 60439

Tinley Park Public Library
7851 Timber Dr
Tinley Park IL 60477

Homewood Public Library
17917 Dixie Hwy
Homewood IL 60430

Park Forest Public Library
400 Lakewood Blvd
Park Forest IL 60466

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DuPage County

Photo of Downers Grove Public Library via Downers Grove Public Library Yelp page

Downers Grove Public Library

1050 Curtiss St
Downers Grove IL 60515

In addition to the kids area, Downers Grove Public Library has a Kids Room where there are children’s librarians, books related to specific homework assignments and local tutors. Different digital media technologies can be checked out, such as a VHS to DVD converter, a GoPro camera, laptops and more!

Other kid-friendly libraries in DuPage County with play spaces or kids events & programs.

Elmhurst Public Library
125 S Prospect Ave
Elmhurst IL 60126

Addison Public Library
4 Friendship Plaza
Addison IL 60101

Roselle Public Library
40 Park St
Roselle IL 60172

Glenside Library
25 E Fullerton Ave
Glendale Heights IL 60139

Oak Brook Public Library
600 Oak Brook Rd
Oak Brook IL 60523

Glen Ellyn Public Library
400 Duane St
Glen Ellyn IL 60137

Wheaton Public Library
225 N Cross St
Wheaton IL 60187

Hinsdale Public Library
20 E Maple St
Hinsdale IL 60521

Clarendon Hills Public Library
7 N Prospect Ave
Clarendon Hills IL 60514

Indian Prairie Public Library
401 Plainfield Rd
Darien IL 60561

Woodridge Public Library
3 Plaza Dr
Woodridge IL 60517

Lisle Library District
777 Front St
Lisle IL 60532

Nichols Library
200 W Jefferson Ave
Naperville IL 60540

Warrenville Public Library District
28W751 Stafford Pl
Warrenville IL 60555

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Lake County

Photo of Wauconda Public Library via mchenrylife.com

Wauconda Public Library

801 N Main St
Wauconda IL 60084

Wauconda Public Library has a whole floor dedicated to kids ranging from birth to 8th grade. In addition to the plethora of kids events & programming, take-home arts & crafts and hands on educational materials available, the Kids City play area at the Wauconda Public Library is astounding. Newly renovated in 2019, Kid City stands out from others of its kind, with a large spaceship play structure and slide, different play zones for activities like STEM kits and arts & crafts, and other play based fun such as the train table, kitchen area and giant light up wall.

Other kid-friendly libraries in Lake County with play spaces or kids events & programs.

Deerfield Public Library
920 Waukegan Rd
Deerfield IL 60015

Highland Park Public Library
494 Laurel Ave
Highland Park IL 60035

Highwood Library & Community Center
102 Highwood Ave
Highwood IL 60040

Vernon Area Public Library
300 Olde Half Day Rd
Lincolnshire IL 60069

Aspen Drive Library
701 Aspen Dr
Vernon Hills IL 60061

Fremont Public Library
1170 N Midlothian Rd
Mundelein IL 60060

Lake Bluff Public Library
123 E Scranton Ave
Lake Bluff IL 60044

Warren-Newport Public Library
224 O'Plaine Rd
Gurnee IL 60031

Lake Villa District Library
140 N Munn Rd
Lindenhurst IL 60046

Antioch Public Library District
757 N Main St
Antioch IL 60002

Round Lake Area Public Library
906 Hart Rd
Round Lake IL 60073

Grayslake Area Public Library
100 Library Lane
Grayslake IL 60030

Ela Area Public Library
275 Mohawk Trail
Lake Zurich IL 60047

Barrington Area Library
505 N Northwest Hwy
Barrington IL 60010

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Kane & McHenry Counties

Photo of Gail Borden Public Library District via downtownelgin.com

Gail Borden Public Library District

270 N Grove Ave
Elgin IL 60120

The inviting KidSpace area at the Gail Borden Public Library, is a large open play space where kids will enjoy playing on the wooden structure & tunnel, the toy kitchen and other activities like puzzles and games.

Other kid-friendly libraries in Kane & McHenry Counties with play spaces or kids events & programs.

Kane County Libraries

Gail Borden Public Library District: South Elgin Branch
127 S McLean Blvd
South Elgin IL 60177

St. Charles Public Library
1 S 6th Ave
St. Charles IL 60174

Town & Country Public Library
320 E North St
Elburn IL 60119

Geneva Public Library District
227 S 7th St
Geneva IL 60134

Batavia Public Library
10 S Batavia Ave
Batavia IL 60510

Santori Library
101 S River St
Aurora IL 60506

McHenry County Libraries

Algonquin Area Public Library: Main Library
2600 Harnish Dr
Algonquin IL 60102

Algonquin Area Public Library: Branch Library
115 Eastgate Dr
Algonquin IL 60102

Fox River Grove Memorial Library
407 Lincoln Ave
Fox River Grove IL 60021

Crystal Lake Public Library
126 W Paddock St
Crystal Lake IL 60014

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Will, Kendall & Grundy Counties

Photo of Homer Township Public Library via engberganderson.com

Homer Township Public Library

14320 W 151st St
Homer Glen IL 60491

Between storytime, music & movement classes, and clubs designed specifically for kids, the Homer Township Public Library has educational activities for all ages. The Children’s room is a large family activity area with arts & crafts, Wonderbooks and STEM kits to go.

Other kid-friendly libraries in Will, Kendall & Grundy Counties with play spaces or kids events & programs.

Will County Libraries

Fountaindale Public Library District
300 W Briarcliff Rd
Bolingbrook IL 60440

Plainfield Area Public Library
15025 S Illinois St
Plainfield IL 60544

White Oak Library District: Romeoville Branch
201 W Normantown Rd
Romeoville IL 60446

White Oak Library District: Lockport Branch
121 E 8th St
Lockport IL 60441

White Oak Library District: Crest Hill Branch
20670 City Center Blvd
Crest Hill IL 60403

New Lenox Public Library District
120 Veterans Pkwy
New Lenox IL 60451

Mokena Community Public Library District
11327 195th St
Mokena IL 60448

Frankfort Public Library District
21119 S Pfeiffer Rd
Frankfort IL 60423

Manhattan-Elwood Public Library District
240 Whitson St
Manhattan IL 60442

Three Rivers Public Library District:
Channahon Library
25207 W Channon Dr
Channahon IL 60410

Grundy County Libraries

Three Rivers Public Library District
Minooka Branch
109 N Wabena Ave
Minooka IL 60447

Coal City Public Library District
85 N Garfield St
Coal City IL 60416

Kendall County Library

Yorkville Public Library
902 Game Farm Rd
Yorkville IL 60560

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Where is your favorite library hangout with your kids? Let me know in the comments!