10 Best Children’s Libraries with Play Areas 2025

We are thrilled to announce our brand new 2025 list of Top 10 libraries for kids with play areas! All of the libraries on this list have incredible areas for children to play, pretend, learn and engage.

We want to give a BIG thank you to all our Kidlist readers for taking the time to share their input. We have many amazing libraries to choose from in our area, and each one is truly unique and special. Libraries are one of my absolute favorite places to go with my kids. We hope to see some of you at these great locations soon!

Top 10 Children’s Libraries with Play Areas

1. Indian Trails Library-Wheeling

Indian Trails Public Library District
Main Library
355 Schoenbeck Rd.
Wheeling, IL 60090
(847) 459-4100

Topping our list this year is the Indian Trails Public Library (Main Library) Youth Department! The Early Learning Area has enough activities to keep your crew busy and happy all morning. Activities range from giant interactive Wonder Wall displays to Lego and train tables. Imaginative play areas and a dollhouse line the walls, along with a giant Lite Brite, and magnetic puzzles. In addition to the bright colors in the entire department, giant, colorful, alluring water features captivate little visitors attention as well. Story times are available during the day time, catering to a variety of interests and age groups.

If you happen to visit in the warmer weather, you will see Horizon Park directly out the giant library windows of the Early Learning Area. Head out and enjoy the turf playground, swings and wide open area to run. There is also a basketball court and a picnic shelter, perfect for enjoying a snack before heading home.

2. Schaumburg Township District Library

Schaumburg Township District Library
130 South Roselle Rd.
Schaumburg, IL 60193
(847) 985-4000

The kidsZone at the Schaumburg Library offers so much for young readers to do. Children can watch how gravity works with their special STEM table, perform a puppet show, pretend play at a market, or play at the MagnaTiles table. Schaumburg’s magical indoor play area, The Enchanted Forest, offers many different areas to explore and create in. The Enchanted Forest completely immerses children in their favorite classic books and nursery rhymes with colorfully painted 3D murals, themed toys and activities.

The library also hosts an array of story times including family, toddler, baby, and evening sessions. It also features story time events in English, Spanish, Japanese and Polish. Check out the library website for their story time schedule.

In the warm weather, check out the beautiful pond sitting outside of the library. You may spot some feathered friends!

3. Downers Grove Public Library

Downers Grove Public Library
1050 Curtiss Street
Downers Grove, IL 60515
(630) 960-1200

Located in downtown Downers Grove, children can explore the colorful light-up wall, dress up area, busy boards, puzzle area, train table, doll house, blocks and of course, pick out some great books in this library’s children’s area!

The separate area for babies allows crawlers, walkers, and even stationary babies to explore and play. Their area is designed for babies to use both their fine motor and large motor muscles.

Check out their website for their weekly library story times. They offer a special story time for children under 36 months, as well as a preschool story time for older children. They also offer homework help databases and tools for children after school.

4. Palos Heights Public Library

12501 S. 71st Ave
Palos Heights, IL 60463
(708) 448-1473

Do not snooze on the Palos Heights Public Library Youth Department! Occupying the entire 2nd floor of the newly updated library, this massive, bright, colorful space has something for children of all ages. The newly renovated (Winter 2023) space offers a soft play area with age appropriate toys for infants and toddlers, LEGO table, toddler computers, walls lined with magnetic puzzle activities and an expansive play kitchen and diner for imaginative play.

One of the major highlights of the library for my 4 year old, was the interactive projector room with the different walls each projecting interactive games, visual illusions and even her own artwork. This room encouraged laughter, chatting, and teamwork and reminded me of an exhibit you would traditionally expect at the Children’s Museum.

The Youth Services Department offers programs such as story time and art classes in their new activity room. An outstanding maker space, lovingly called the FabLab houses hands on programs where Palos Heights residents can utilize the new 3D printer, Laser Cutter, and variety of other creative tools, including an assortment of Cricut tools.

5. Naperville Public Library- Nichols Library

Naperville Public Library
Nichols Library
200 West Jefferson Ave
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 961-4100

Naperville Library has three branches: the 95th Street Library, Naper Blvd Library and the Nichols Library. Located in the heart of downtown Naperville, the Nichols library has large windows with views of the Naperville Riverwalk. On the main level, you can find the kid’s area filled with dinosaurs, a doll house, a block table, puzzles, and more.

Baby tummy time, toddler and family story times are held multiple days of the week. Story times range throughout the day and into the evening, giving families plenty of options to attend. Be sure to also try their indoor Storywalk, which combines reading, movement, and family fun!

6. Lisle Library District

Lisle Library District
777 Front Street
Lisle, IL 60532
(630)971-1675

Renovated in 2023, the new Lisle Library Youth Services Department offers a large variety of activities to keep kids of all ages busy for hours. The children’s department offers a foam block building area with giant blocks. There is a separate adjacent safe space for toddlers to bulid and play as well. Inside the block building area there is a rock climbing wall, and soft seating to relax and read on. The large LiteZilla light board just around the corner is a hit with both parents and children alike. Across the children’s area, you’ll find and entire wall of windows where you can even see the Metra roll through. These windows are lined with computers with toddler programming, a light table, and coloring station to give younger readers a quieter place to explore.

The library programs are vast and creative. They offer story times and activities for infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers. There is a very popular evening story time where you can come in your pj’s and bring your favorite stuffy to the library for a bedtime story. There are also many after school activities for school aged children ranging from guided crafts to Lego or Pokemon club.

7. Glen Ellyn Public Library

Glen Ellyn Public Library
400 Duane Street
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
(630) 469-0879

You’ll find this beautiful library in the heart of downtown Glen Ellyn. Kids can jump right in on the action at the train table, exploratory wall board, and Lego table. There’s space to play with trucks or even put on a puppet show. The staff puts on a variety of story times designed for different ages and stages with movement, singing, and learning.

On the warmer days, step into Prairie Path Park and check out the StoryWalk which is a guided walk with a different page of a book displayed at each sign along the way. The library also offers an onsite Cafe with coffee, tea and some light snacks. Before you leave the library, make sure to sign up for the Sticker Club where you can earn a different sticker for reading your favorite books!

8. Wheaton Public Library

Wheaton Public Library
225 N. Cross St.
Wheaton, IL 60187
(630) 668-1374

The Wheaton Public Library is nestled right between downtown Wheaton and the Wheaton College campus. Located on the lower level, the youth department boasts activities including LEGO tables, toddler wall play activity boards, various block areas, pretend play area complete with pizza kitchen and produce market. There are also comfy chairs to curl up on and read.

Story times are scheduled throughout the day for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. There is even a special class for preschoolers with a focus on Kindergarten readiness. There is also an onsite cafe, which offers light snacks and refreshments.

9. Aurora Public Library District-Santori Library

Aurora Public Library
Santori Library
101 S. River Street
Aurora, IL 60506
(630) 264-4117

The Aurora Public Library has 3 different branches Eola Branch, West Branch and the Santori Library. The Santori Library is located in downtown Aurora with the Children’s Center on the first floor. Within the Children’s Center, visitors can read in a cozy nook, play on the LEGO table, toddler computers, imaginative play area, or catch one of the many story times in the designated area across the room.

Accessible through the Children’s Center is the Parker Garden. This completely fenced outdoor space gives children the opportunity to explore the garden, build outside with blocks, and play on the music park. Also note, The Eola Branch is currently under renovation with the project set to be complete in Summer 2025!

10. Geneva Public Library

Geneva Public Library
227 S. Seventh St.
Geneva, IL 60134
(630)232-0780

The Geneva Public Library’s Kid’s Landing area provides plenty of space and is kept nice and clean. One of our favorite spots is their circular train table that allows children to gather around together to play. The bright colored textured flowers on the wall give even the little tots options to explore. Children can engage in games, puzzles and create on the giant light up wall! The children’s team organizes various events based on age groups such as Meet the Critters, LEGO displays, and family story time.

Downtown Geneva also boasts many cafes and restaurants, including Graham’s Chocolate and the All Chocolate Kitchen, both just two minutes away. You’re also not a far drive from the St. Charles library if you want to keep exploring there, too.

Recently Renovated Libraries

We have seen many of our favorite libraries undergo renovations and updates the last year or so. We are beyond lucky to have so many incredible libraries in the west and northwest suburbs that go beyond our top ten list. If you explore a new destination, stop back and let us know what you think.

The Eola Road Branch Library in Aurora is in the midst of $8.5 million project in overall renovations. This is an 18-month project slated to expand and improve teen, as well as youth space. Updates can be found on the library website.

Plainfield Area Public Library is currently mid-renovation. Plans include a new Teen Area and new Youth Services Program Room. This $10.5 million project is slated to be completed near Summer 2025.

The Addison Public Library is also mid-renovation on a $12.3 million project scheduled to be completed before Summer 2025. Plans include an expansive Children’s Services Area with a new play area. You can stay up to date on progress on the Addison Public Library website.

La Grange Park Public Library is open again as of August 2024. Some of the additions to the building include a new bathroom on the main floor, more meeting rooms and enclosed spaces, and even a ‘Maker Space,’ to provide opportunities for people to use and learn different technologies, like 3D printers. 

Palos Heights Public Library finished their renovation Winter 2023 and it is absolutely stunning, as you can see from above!

The Helen Plum Library building was completed April 2023 and it’s a beautiful, inviting space with floor to ceiling windows and a nice play area for little ones. Read Annie’s review of the Helen Plum Library.

Know of another library renovation? Let us know in the comments below!

We LOVE our libraries!

Looking for more opportunities for indoor play? Our Guide to Indoor Play Areas has tons of options for you as well as features and pricing for each one.