Your Story Starts Early
Features & Highlights
What's Going on at cfpl for YOUTH
During storytime, we read fun stories, utilize fingerplays, rhyme, and sing songs that will help your child begin the journey of being a lifelong reader as well as develop pre-literacy skills. Pre-literacy skills are the things children know about reading and words before they can read, such as letter shapes and sounds. Scholastic explains it well in this article. We also have crafts!
Are you an educator looking for resources? Look no further than our Youth Services for Educators page.
Coffee, Conversation, and Kids
Thursday, December 18, from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. | Youth Department
Are you craving coffee and conversations with other adults? Are you looking for potential play date friends for your kids? Then this program is for you! Chill, chat, and connect in the storytime area. We'll have snacks, coffee, and toys out for the kids. For parents of children ages 0-6.
New Year's Eve Party
Wednesday, December 31, from 11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. | Meeting Room
Party and count down to noon with us!
Sponsored by The Friends of The Cedar Falls Public Library
Book Bundles
Don’t know what to read next? We’ve got you covered.
Step One
FILL OUR OUR “BOOK BUNDLE REQUEST” FORM BELOW.
Step Two
We’ll let you know when your curated selection of books is ready to pick up.
Step Three
Enjoy a selection of books chosen with you in mind.
Upcoming Programs & Events
Youth Department
Calendar of Events
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Thursday
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Saturday
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1 event,
Youth Department.Have you ever wanted to be a librarian? Well, here is your chance! Kid Librarian at CFPL is where one lucky kid will be drawn every month and picked […] |
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1 event,
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Youth Department. Join us for baby storytime as we sing, read, bounce, and rhyme! It's a great time to cuddle your baby close and have fun while introducing them to […] |
1 event,
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Youth Department. Join us for Preschool Storytime as we read, sing, dance, and play. Parents are encouraged to embrace their inner child and dance and sing along with their child/ren. […] |
2 events,
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Youth Department. Join us for Toddler Storytime as we read, sing, dance, rhyme, and get silly. Storytime is a great way to introduce your toddler to the joy of reading […]
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Co-Lab.Youth. Ages 6-12.Join us monthly for a fun, relaxing, crafty day where you and your kiddo can create awesome art together. Ages 6-12. Registration Required. This month's craft: Fable Felt BookmarkYouth. […] |
2 events,
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Youth Department. Join us for some hands-on learning. Children and their caregivers will navigate sensory stations and discover new ways to learn and play. Ages 0-5 Youth.
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Youth K-3rd, Meeting Room, 2nd FloorMeets on the second Thursday of every month at 4:15 PM in the Meeting Room at the Cedar Falls Public Library.Pack your bags and grab […] |
1 event,
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Youth Department. Geared toward toddlers and preschoolers. Get ready to dance and be silly! We'll read books that encourage movement, sing songs, and shake our sillies out! Ages 2+, Youth. […] |
1 event,
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Youth Department Enjoy storytime with the whole family! Get ready to read, dance, and sing! Youth, Ages 0-5 Funded by the Friends of the Cedar Falls Public Library. |
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2 events,
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Youth Department. Join us for baby storytime as we sing, read, bounce, and rhyme! It's a great time to cuddle your baby close and have fun while introducing them to […]
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Storytime Corner of Youth Department. Do you love graphic novels? If so, come join our Junior Graphic Novel Book Club! Come discuss a little bit about the book, do a fun […] |
1 event,
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Youth Department. Join us for Preschool Storytime as we read, sing, dance, and play. Parents are encouraged to embrace their inner child and dance and sing along with their child/ren. […] |
2 events,
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Youth Department. Join us for Toddler Storytime as we read, sing, dance, rhyme, and get silly. Storytime is a great way to introduce your toddler to the joy of reading […]
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Youth Department (Storytime Corner) This is a social program just for tweens (for ages 9-12) that entertains, enriches, and empowers. Tweens are invited to drop in and check it out on the […] |
2 events,
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Youth Department. Are you craving coffee and conversations with other adults? Are you looking for potential play date friends for your kids? Then this program is for you! Chill, chat, […]
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Co-Lab, 2nd FloorNormally the first Thursday of every month, moving to the third Thursday for January 2026. Join us for a hands-on science experience! Each session is packed full of fun […] |
1 event,
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Youth Department. Geared toward toddlers and preschoolers. Get ready to dance and be silly! We'll read books that encourage movement, sing songs, and shake our sillies out! Ages 2+, Youth. […] |
2 events,
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Youth Department Enjoy storytime with the whole family! Get ready to read, dance, and sing! Youth, Ages 0-5 Funded by the Friends of the Cedar Falls Public Library.
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In the Meeting Room.Join us for monthly family movie screenings! We'll provide the popcorn, but feel free to bring your own snacks, refreshments, and maybe even a cozy blanket or […] |
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2 events,
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Youth Department. Join us for Preschool Storytime as we read, sing, dance, and play. Parents are encouraged to embrace their inner child and dance and sing along with their child/ren. […]
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CoLab.Youth. Ages 8-12Love sweet treats? Join us at our Sweet Tooth program, where we make and eat our creations! We will make Winter-inspired melting snowman cookies. Ages 8-12. Registration RequiredCoLab.Youth. […] |
2 events,
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Youth Department. Join us for Toddler Storytime as we read, sing, dance, rhyme, and get silly. Storytime is a great way to introduce your toddler to the joy of reading […]
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Youth Department (Storytime Corner) This is a social program just for tweens (for ages 9-12) that entertains, enriches, and empowers. Tweens are invited to drop in and check it out on the […] |
1 event,
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Co-Lab, 2nd FloorStep into a snowy scene of your own creation! In this guided art class, participants will turn a blank canvas into a frosty winter wonderland. No experience needed […] |
2 events,
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Youth Department. Geared toward toddlers and preschoolers. Get ready to dance and be silly! We'll read books that encourage movement, sing songs, and shake our sillies out! Ages 2+, Youth. […] |
1 event,
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Youth Department Enjoy storytime with the whole family! Get ready to read, dance, and sing! Youth, Ages 0-5 Funded by the Friends of the Cedar Falls Public Library. |
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0 events,
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3 events,
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Youth Department. Join us for baby storytime as we sing, read, bounce, and rhyme! It's a great time to cuddle your baby close and have fun while introducing them to […]
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Youth Department (Storytime Corner)Tweens (kids ages 9-12) are invited to join us for a monthly book club! We'll enjoy a group activity and a discussion on this month's book. This month's […]
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Would you care for a game of chess? Join fellow players at the Cedar Falls Public Library to meet your next opponent. The club meets regularly on the 3rd Monday […] |
2 events,
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Youth Department. Join us for Preschool Storytime as we read, sing, dance, and play. Parents are encouraged to embrace their inner child and dance and sing along with their child/ren. […]
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Youth DepartmentKids ages 7-9 are invited to join us for a monthly book club! We'll enjoy a group activity and a discussion on this month’s book. To register and arrange […] |
1 event,
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Youth Department. Join us for Toddler Storytime as we read, sing, dance, rhyme, and get silly. Storytime is a great way to introduce your toddler to the joy of reading […] |
0 events,
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1 event,
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Youth Department. Geared toward toddlers and preschoolers. Get ready to dance and be silly! We'll read books that encourage movement, sing songs, and shake our sillies out! Ages 2+, Youth. […] |
1 event,
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Youth Department Enjoy storytime with the whole family! Get ready to read, dance, and sing! Youth, Ages 0-5 Funded by the Friends of the Cedar Falls Public Library. |
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Family Storytime
Youth Department Enjoy storytime with the whole family! Get ready to read, dance, and sing! Youth, Ages 0-5 Funded by the Friends of the Cedar Falls Public Library.
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Popcorn & Pictures: A Family Movie Matinee
In the Meeting Room.Join us for monthly family movie screenings! We'll provide the popcorn, but feel free to bring your own snacks, refreshments, and maybe even a cozy blanket or […]
-
Preschool Storytime
Youth Department. Join us for Preschool Storytime as we read, sing, dance, and play. Parents are encouraged to embrace their inner child and dance and sing along with their child/ren. […]
-
Sweet Tooth
CoLab.Youth. Ages 8-12Love sweet treats? Join us at our Sweet Tooth program, where we make and eat our creations! We will make Winter-inspired melting snowman cookies. Ages 8-12. Registration RequiredCoLab.Youth. […]
-
Toddler Storytime
Youth Department. Join us for Toddler Storytime as we read, sing, dance, rhyme, and get silly. Storytime is a great way to introduce your toddler to the joy of reading […]
-
Tween Time
Youth Department (Storytime Corner) This is a social program just for tweens (for ages 9-12) that entertains, enriches, and empowers. Tweens are invited to drop in and check it out on the […]
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Cocoa & Canvas: Winter Painting Fun
Co-Lab, 2nd FloorStep into a snowy scene of your own creation! In this guided art class, participants will turn a blank canvas into a frosty winter wonderland. No experience needed […]
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Music and Movement Storytime
Youth Department. Geared toward toddlers and preschoolers. Get ready to dance and be silly! We'll read books that encourage movement, sing songs, and shake our sillies out! Ages 2+, Youth. […]
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Toymakers
Join us as we create easy-to-make toys from yesteryear. Make history come alive as classic oldies may become new favorites. Each child will be able to take their creations home […]
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Family Storytime
Youth Department Enjoy storytime with the whole family! Get ready to read, dance, and sing! Youth, Ages 0-5 Funded by the Friends of the Cedar Falls Public Library.
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Baby Storytime
Youth Department. Join us for baby storytime as we sing, read, bounce, and rhyme! It's a great time to cuddle your baby close and have fun while introducing them to […]
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Tween Book Club
Youth Department (Storytime Corner)Tweens (kids ages 9-12) are invited to join us for a monthly book club! We'll enjoy a group activity and a discussion on this month's book. This month's […]
Resources for Parents
Youth Department
Kid Librarian
Have you ever wanted to be a librarian? Well, here is your chance! We are introducing Kid Librarian at CFPL, where one lucky kid will be drawn every month and picked to be a librarian for an afternoon! Read about our kid librarians here!
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting program that mails free, quality books to children from birth until age five.
Spooky Story Contest Winners
Check out the annual spooky story contest winners along with links to their stories!
Our Music Garden
Visit our Music Garden behind the library! Colorful instruments now fill green space by State St., creating an area that fosters multi-generational entertainment, encourages creativity, and engages the senses. Create music, play together, and have fun!
Adventure Pass
Have you heard of our Adventure Pass system? Check out passes to fun places, such as the Blank Park Zoo, The Science Center of Iowa, and the Grout Museum District.
Big Woods Lake StoryWalk®
Spend time with family/friends, enjoy nature, and read the more recent storybook installation.
Kids' Homework Help
Recommended websites and databases for homework help!
Tumblebooks
TumbleBooks are animated, talking picture books which teach kids the joy of reading in a format they'll love.
Resources for Parents/Guardians
A list of educational and library-related resources for parents and gaurdians.
Youth Book Recommendations
A list of CFPL librarian-curated youth book recommendations.
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
This program is part of a national literacy initiative to encourage parents and caregivers to read often to their children before they begin school.
Kids Links
Fun, educational links for kids to enjoy!
The Importance of Early Childhood Literacy
A collection of stats in keys areas in child literacy to help prepare you to make a difference in the lives of your children.
