The best Free Library events for kids in Philadelphia

Need ways to have fun with your kids this winter but not break the budget?

Look no further than your local library. It offers activities for babies, toddlers, children, and teens, too.

Here are 15 free events at Free Library of Philadelphia branches through the winter:

The Charles Santore Library in Bella Vista has a playgroup with activities for both kids and caregivers. You can drop by every Friday or call ahead to set up a separate appointment if you are coming with a big group.

📅 Friday, Jan. 13 to Feb. 24, ⌚ 10 a.m.,📍 932 S. 7th St. at Charles Santore Library, 📞 215-686-1766, 🌐 freelibrary.org

Ana Atach is a bilingual teacher, language coach, and storyteller. At the Parkway Central Library in Franklintown, she runs Canticuentos, a space for children younger than 6 to learn Spanish songs and stories about animals. There is a new critter to discover each week, and little ones are welcome to bring toys that go with that week’s theme. Cats, dinosaurs, and birds are the chosen animals for January’s Canticuentos.

📅 Tuesday, Jan. 17 to Feb. 28, ⌚ 10:30 a.m.,📍1901 Vine St. at Parkway Central Library (Montgomery Auditorium), 📞 215-686-5369, 🌐 freelibrary.org

Each week Parkway Central Library turns the Story Hour room into a play zone. From crafts to Lego games and STEM activities, children of all ages can use this space to develop their creativity.

📅 Tuesday, Jan. 17 to March 28, ⌚ 3:30 p.m.,📍1901 Vine St. at Parkway Central Library ( Story Hour room), 📞 215-686-5369, 🌐 freelibrary.org

Also at Parkway Central, babies, toddlers, and preschoolers can develop their skills through arts and crafts, games, and role-playing, with a new project each Thursday.

📅 Thursday, Jan. 12 to March 30, ⌚ 3:30 p.m.,📍1901 Vine St. at Parkway Central Library (Story Hour room), 📞 215-686-5369, 🌐 freelibrary.org

Events are scheduled across the city’s free libraries:

Charles Santore Library ( Bella Vista): 📚 Babies to preschool age, 📅 Wednesday, Jan. 11 to Feb. 22,⌚ 10:15 a.m. (toddlers and preschoolers), 11 a.m. (babies), 📍932 S. 7th St., 📞 215-686-1766.

Fishtown Community Library (Fishtown) : 📚 Babies and toddlers up to 2, 📅 Friday, Jan. 13 to Feb. 24, ⌚ 10:30 a.m.,📍1217 E. Montgomery Ave.,📞 215-685-9990

Joseph E. Coleman Northwest Regional Library (Penn-Knox) :📚 Babies and toddlers younger than 3, 📅 Tuesdays, Jan. 17 to Feb. 28, ⌚ 11 a.m.📍68 W. Chelten Ave., 📞 215-685-2151

Lillian Marrero Library (West Kensington) : 📚 Babies and toddlers, 📅 Tuesday, Jan. 24 to March 21, ⌚ 10:15 a.m. (toddlers and preschoolers), 11 a.m. (babies),📍601 W. Lehigh Ave., 📞 215-685-9794

Lovett Memorial Library (Mount Airy) : 📚 Children up to 23 months, 📅 Thursday, Jan. 19, ⌚ 11 a.m.,📍6945 Germantown Ave., 📞 215-685-2095

Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library (West Philadelphia) : 📚Babies and toddlers up to 2, 📅 Friday, Jan. 20 to March 3, ⌚ 11 a.m.,📍125 S. 52nd St.,📞 215-685-7431

Northeast Regional Library (Northeast Philadelphia) : 📚 Babies up to 18 months, 📅 Tuesday, March 7 to 28,⌚ 11 a.m.,📍2228 Cottman Ave.,📞 215-685-0509

Parkway Central Library (Franklintown) : 📚Babies and toddlers younger than 3, 📅 Monday, Jan. 23 to March 27, ⌚ 10:30 p.m.,📍1901 Vine St.,📞 215-686-5369

Philadelphia City Institute (Rittenhouse) : 📚Babies and toddlers up to 2, 📅 Wednesday, Jan. 11 to Feb. 22, ⌚ 2 p.m.,📍1905 Locust St.,📞 215-685-6621

Queen Memorial Library (Point Breeze):📚Babies to age 5 📅 Friday, Jan. 13 to 27, ⌚ 10 a.m.,📍1201 S. 23rd St.,📞 215-685-1899

Richmond Library (Port Richmond): 📚Babies, 📅 Thursday, Jan. 12 to Feb. 23, ⌚ 10:30 a.m.,📍2987 Almond St.,📞 215-685-9992

Roxborough Library (Roxborough-Manayunk) : 📚 Babies, 📅 Tuesdays and Thursday, Jan. 17-31, ⌚ 10:30 a.m.📍6245 Ridge Ave., 📞 215-685-2550

Thomas F. Donatucci, Sr. Library (Melrose): 📚 Babies and toddlers, 📅 Wednesdays, Jan. 11 to March 29, ⌚ 11 a.m.,📍1935 Shunk St., 📞 215-685-1755.

Wynnefield Library (Wynnefield) : 📚 Babies, 📅 Thursdays, Jan. 12-19, ⌚ 10:30 a.m.,📍5325 Overbrook Ave., 📞 215-685-0298

If you have a child on the autism spectrum, this activity at the Fishtown Community library is tailored to developing their skills. Kids younger than 11 years old can also visit Thomas F. Donatucci Sr. Library to sing, read stories, and be part of interactive exercises.

📅 Wednesday, Jan. 11 to Feb. 1, ⌚ 4 p.m.,📍1217 E. Montgomery Ave. at Fishtown Community Library, 📞 215-685-9990, 🌐freelibrary.org

📅 Thursday, Jan. 12 to March 30,⌚ 11 a.m.,📍1935 Shunk St. at Thomas F. Donatucci Sr. Library, 📞 215-685-1755, 🌐freelibrary.org

Learning to read can be stressful, but having a fluffy four-legged audience can help ease kids into it. These certified pups from Comfort Caring Canines will be accompanied by their handlers. Each child will have time for one-on-one reading. Space is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis.

📅 Wednesday, Jan. 18 to Feb. 22,⌚ 3:30 p.m.,📍1901 Vine St. at Parkway Central Library, 📞 215-686-5369, 🌐freelibrary.org

The Charles Santore Library has a playgroup with activities for both kids and caregivers. You can drop by every Friday or call ahead to set up a separate appointment if you are coming in a big group.

📅 Friday, Jan. 13 to Feb. 24,⌚10 a.m.,📍932 S. 7th St. at Charles Santore Library, 📞 215-686-1766, 🌐freelibrary.org

For children interested in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM), the Thomas F. Donatucci Sr. Library in the Melrose neighborhood has an introductory program. Kids learn through such activities as Buddha Boards, Bristlebot Kits, Gobox Pro with LED lighting, and more.

📅 Wednesday, Jan. 11 to March 29, ⌚4 p.m.,📍1935 Shunk St. at Thomas F. Donatucci Sr. Library, 📞215-685-1755, 🌐freelibrary.org

The Charles L. Durham Library in Mantua hosts this storytime in partnership with the Philadelphia Zoo. Every Thursday, children hear an animal-based tale, followed by a visit from a zoo educator and an animal that was a character in the story. Space is limited and registration is required.

📅 Thursday, from Jan. 12 to May 18, ⌚4 p.m.,📍3320 Haverford Ave. at Charles L. Durham Library, 📞 215-685-7436, 🌐freelibrary.org

At the Olney branch, teens get to socialize with one another while enjoying games, art, crafts, cooking, and other activities. There is something different each week.

📅 Thursday, Jan. 12 to May 25, ⌚4 p.m., 📍5501 N. 5th St. at the Greater Olney Library, 📞 215-685-2846, 🌐freelibrary.org

The Tacony Library’s Chat and Chew is designed to give kids ages 12 to 18 a space to learn about themselves through meaningful conversations. Food is available for free.

📅 Thursday, Jan. 19 to March 23, ⌚4:30 p.m.,📍6742 Torresdale Ave. at Tacony Library, 📞215-685-8755, 🌐freelibrary.org

The Blanche A. Nixon/Cobbs Creek Library runs a monthly anime club for kids 12 to 17. It’s a space for anime fans to watch together and talk about episodes, favorite characters, and anything anime-related.

📅Wednesday, Jan. 11, Feb. 8, and March 8,⌚3 p.m.,📍5800 Cobbs Creek Parkway at Blanche A. Nixon/Cobbs Creek Library, 📞 215-685-1973, 🌐freelibrary.org

Education can be expensive, and the scholarship process is overwhelming, especially without guidance. The library has two workshops to help teens learn how to identify the right scholarships for themselves, complete applications, write powerful essays, tips for keeping up with scholarship deadlines, and packaging requirements. Teens must be registered to participate.

📅 Saturday, Feb. 11 and May 6, ⌚ noon, 1901 Vine St. at Parkway Central Library (Field Teen Center), 📞 215-686-5395, 🌐freelibrary.org, 📨 Register by calling or emailing [email protected]

This is a crafting session for ages 12 and up. Participants can create handmade, seasonal-related art for Martin Luther King Day, Valentine’s Day, and spring.

📅 Tuesday, Jan. 17, Feb. 14, and March 14, ⌚3 p.m.,📍5800 Cobbs Creek Parkway at Blanche A. Nixon/Cobbs Creek Library, 📞 215-685-1973, 🌐freelibrary.org