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.
SCARY STORY CONTEST
Submit your scariest story to our contest for a chance to win a fabulous prize! Submissions should be 500 words or less and fit an eerie October theme. Prizes will be provided in the K – 3rd Grade category, the 4th – 6th Grade category, and the 7th-12th Grade category. Please submit your stories as a PDF to youth@cedarfallslibrary.org by 11:59 on October 25th so they can be considered for the contest. Contest winners will be announced on October 31st and posted on the Library’s social media.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Cedar Falls Public Library
Franken-Toys: A Warped Workshop
Wednesday, October 4th at 4:00 p.m.
You're invited to be a mad scientist for the evening during our warped workshop! Drop in while supplies last and show us what kind of twisted toy combinations you can come up with. Feel free to bring in your own used & broken toys, just be prepared to rip them apart and give them a new life. What creature will you create using old and broken toys? Whatever you decide to make, you'll have the opportunity to display your creations in the library for the month of October. Tween Session (for kids ages 9-12).
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
S Sun
M Mon
T Tue
W Wed
T Thu
F Fri
S Sat
0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
0 events,
1 event,
Sapling Storytime
Sapling 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. […]
2 events,
Seedling Storytime
Seedling 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 […]
Word Wizards
Word Wizards
Word Wizards is a club where kids can get together, learn about creative writing, work on fun writing exercises, and be inspired to make writing a habit. This program is […]
1 event,
Sensory Stations for Little Learners
Sensory Stations for Little Learners
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
1 event,
Music & Movement Storytime
Music & 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!Sponsored by the Friends of […]
1 event,
Grove Storytime for Families
Grove Storytime for Families
Youth Department Enjoy storytime with the whole family! Get ready to read, dance, and sing! Youth, Ages 0-5
1 event,
Second Sunday Speaker Series: Intro to Foraging Presentation
Second Sunday Speaker Series: Intro to Foraging Presentation
Hartman Reserve.Join us in an afternoon of foraging knowledge as we partner with Hartman Reserve! A Hartman Naturalist will cover the basics of foraging safely, resources, poisonous plant ID, and […]
3 events,
Sprout Storytime for Babies
Sprout Storytime for Babies
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 […]
Wonderful Wind with ISU Extension & Outreach
Wonderful Wind with ISU Extension & Outreach
Co-Lab. Children explore wind through science investigationsand learn how it impacts their lives. For Ages 6-9Registration Recommended.
Chess Club
Chess Club
Meeting Room.Checkmate boredom and join the Cedar Fall Public Library for Chess Club! Open to all ages, but a firm grasp of chess is expected from all players. No registration […]
1 event,
Sapling Storytime
Sapling 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. […]
2 events,
Seedling Storytime
Seedling 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
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 […]
0 events,
1 event,
Music & Movement Storytime
Music & 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!Sponsored by the Friends of […]
1 event,
Grove Storytime for Families
Grove Storytime for Families
Youth Department Enjoy storytime with the whole family! Get ready to read, dance, and sing! Youth, Ages 0-5
0 events,
1 event,
Sprout Storytime for Babies
Sprout Storytime for Babies
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 […]
2 events,
Sapling Storytime
Sapling 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. […]
Little Engineers
Little Engineers
Youth Department Come to the library to build, create, and have fun. The library provides the materials (LEGOs®, Picasso Tiles, Wooden Blocks, etc.), and you provide the know-how! Youth, Ages […]
2 events,
Seedling Storytime
Seedling 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
Tween Time
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 2nd and 3rd Wednesday […]
0 events,
1 event,
Music & Movement Storytime
Music & 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!Sponsored by the Friends of […]
1 event,
Storytimes Around the World: Mid-Autumn Festival
Storytimes Around the World: Mid-Autumn Festival
Youth Department. In collaboration with the UNI's International Engagement Office, join us for Preschool Storytime as we read, sing, dance, and learn about other cultures. For this session, we'll welcome […]
0 events,
2 events,
Sprout Storytime for Babies
Sprout Storytime for Babies
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 […]
5th/6th Grade Book Club
5th/6th Grade Book Club
Youth DepartmentFifth and sixth graders are invited to join us for a discussion and activity on this month’s book, Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk. To register and arrange a pickup […]
2 events,
Sapling Storytime
Sapling 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. […]
3rd/4th Grade book Club
3rd/4th Grade book Club
Youth DepartmentJoin our book discussion! We’ll go through some questions about this month’s book, TBD. Please register by calling the Youth Desk or dropping by in person. Registration Required.
1 event,
Seedling Storytime
Seedling 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 […]
0 events,
1 event,
Music & Movement Storytime
Music & 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!Sponsored by the Friends of […]
1 event,
Grove Storytime for Families
Grove Storytime for Families
Youth Department Enjoy storytime with the whole family! Get ready to read, dance, and sing! Youth, Ages 0-5
Grove Storytime for Families
Youth Department Enjoy storytime with the whole family! Get ready to read, dance, and sing! Youth, Ages 0-5
Scary Story Contest Begins
Submit your scariest story to our contest for a chance to win a fabulous prize! Submissions should be 500 words or less and fit an eerie October theme. Prizes […]
Sprout Storytime for Babies
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 […]
Sapling 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. […]
Minecraft Night
Meeting Room. All ages. Join us for a night of Minecraft with NirvanaOnline! Registration required if you need access to a Java edition Minecraft account and computer. If you have […]
Seedling 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 […]
Franken-Toys: A Warped Workshop (Tween Session)
Co-LabYou're invited to be a mad-scientist for the evening during our warped workshop! Drop in while supplies last and show us what kind of twisted toy combinations you can come […]
Sensory Stations for Little Learners
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
Music & 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!Sponsored by the Friends of […]
Let's Make Applesauce
Co-LabIt’s apple season, so let’s make applesauce! We’ll learn a little bit about apples. Then kids will be Prep Cooks to help Miss Katie make applesauce. We will conclude with […]
Grove Storytime for Families
Youth Department Enjoy storytime with the whole family! Get ready to read, dance, and sing! Youth, Ages 0-5
Sprout Storytime for Babies
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 […]
Resources for Parents
Youth Department
Youth Book Recommendations
A list of CFPL librarian-curated youth book recommendations.
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.
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!
Kids' Homework Help
Recommended websites and databases for homework help!
Resources for Parents/Guardians
A list of educational and library-related resources for parents and gaurdians.
Spooky Story Contest Winners
Check out the annual spooky story contest winners along with links to their stories!
Tumblebooks
TumbleBooks are animated, talking picture books which teach kids the joy of reading in a format they'll love.
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.
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.
