Ever since my kids were toddlers, the San Antonio Public Library has been a big part of our lives. I was an avid library visitor myself growing up, and it was a natural transition to share that love of books for my kids, too.
In addition to the wonderful gift of checking out an ever-revolving array of books (and the annual summer book club), the San Antonio Library downtown and neighboring branches offer a number of programs that are both kid and family-friendly. From story times, to after school LEGO clubs, to come and go crafts, there are numerous reasons to visit your local library.
There are currently 31 branches of the San Antonio Public Library, and we’re sharing a list of some of the kid and family-friendly programs at branches at the libraries in and around the downtown area. (Be sure to check program dates and times in the event of a change.) Looking for kid-friendly programs in other areas of town? Visit mysapl.org to find a San Antonio Library location near you.
San Antonio Library Downtown
Central Library
600 Soledad
Also known to the locals as the “Red Enchilada” for it’s red exterior and bold architecture, the Central library offers three-hours of free parking in their garage. The children’s section is located on the third floor, with elevator and escalator access. You can find a full list of events at Central Library here, and here are some of their regular kid-friendly programs below.
Toddler Time
Wednesdays 10AM – 10:45AM
Toddlers actively participate in stories, music and movement enhancing their social, emotional and language development. Recommended for children 18 to 36 months.
Come and Go Crafts
Fridays & Saturdays 9AM – 4:45PM, Sundays 11AM – 4:45PM
Express yourself! Drop in for creative, self-directed activities. All ages welcome; young children may need adult assistance.
Library Locations in Midtown San Antonio
San Pedro Library
1315 San Pedro Ave
The San Pedro library was the first branch library built in San Antonio in 1930, and the only one built in a public park, San Pedro Springs Park. Although it has a smaller collection of books, it’s still a wonderful library gem. Find their full event calendar here, and their kid-friendly programs below.
Toddler Time
Tuesdays 11:15AM – 11:35AM
Toddlers actively participate in stories, music and movement, enhancing their social, emotional and language development. Recommended for children 18 to 36 months.
LEGO Club
Wednesdays 4PM – 5PM
LEGO lovers unite! Come and get creative with LEGOs! Recommended for children ages 3-12, but all are welcome. Library provides all LEGOs. Please note: LEGO creations must stay at the library.
Landa Library
233 Bushnell
Housed in an historic two-story home built in the 1920’s, Landa Library is also on the grounds of the Landa Gardens Conservancy. The library and the playground alike are one of our favorite places to visit and meet with friends after school. You can find their full events calendar here, and kid-friendly programs below.
Story Time
Thursdays 10AM – 11AM
Preschoolers enjoy stories and songs that develop early literacy skills and foster curiosity. Recommended for 3-5 year olds and their caregiver.
Baby Time
Tuesdays & Fridays 10AM – 10:50AM
Babies experience the sounds and structure of language through rhythm, rhyme and repetition. For babies 0-18 months and their caregivers.
LEGO Club
Thursdays 4PM – 5PM
LEGO club at the library! Make our challenge of the day or come up with your own creation! Recommended for children five and up. Duplos will be available for younger builders. Bring a camera to snap a picture of your masterpiece and leave it on display in the library.
STEAM Time
Tuesdays 4:30PM – 5:30PM
STEAM-based program in which kids learn about Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math through scientific demonstrations and hands-on exploration. Recommended for school-age children. Younger children welcome when accompanied by an adult.
Tween Graphic Novel Book Club
Tuesdays 4:30 – 5:30PM
STEAM-based program in which kids learn about Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math through scientific demonstrations and hands-on exploration. Recommended for school-age children. Younger children welcome when accompanied by an adult.
Libraries Located in Westside San Antonio
Bazan Library
2200 W Commerce St
Named after Isabel G. Bazan, a former prominent San Antonio librarian born in 1920, the Bazan Library was originally located in the Mexican American Unity Council building, just next door to its current location. The Bazan library is home to an extensive Spanish book collection. You can find their full event calendar here, and their kid-friendly programs below.
Family Fun
Mondays 4PM – 5PM
Children and their grownups listen to stories and enjoy simple, shared activities. A time for families to have fun together. All ages welcome. Children will need adult assistance.
Teen Hangout
Mondays 5PM – 7PM
All teenagers ages 13-18 are welcome to participate in gaming, crafting, or just hanging out. Meet at the Teen Space after school.
LEGO Time
Tuesdays 4PM – 5PM
Come be creative with LEGO bricks! Recommended for school age children. Please note: LEGO creations must stay in the library.
Collins Garden Library
200 N Park Blvd
Collins Garden Library originally opened in 1984, with renovations completed in 1996, and is named after a pioneering salesman who once owned the land the library stands on. The library’s collection includes about 45,000 books, videos, DVDs, audiobooks, and music. You can find their full event calendar here, and their family-friendly programs below.
Family Fun
Saturdays 2PM – 3PM
Children and their grownups listen to stories and enjoy simple, shared activities. A time for families to have fun together. All ages welcome.
LEGO Club
Mondays 4PM – 5PM
Come be creative with Lego bricks! Recommended for school age children. Please note: Lego creations must stay in the library.
Libraries Located in Southside San Antonio
Mission Library
3134 Roosevelt Ave
Located just north of Mission San Jose, Mission Library opened in 2011, and is built on the former grounds of the Mission Drive-In Theater. The Marquee for the drive-in still stands, and outdoor movies are frequently shown. The library grounds are also home to an outdoor playground. Mission Library has frequent events for visitors of all ages. You can view the full event calendar here, and their kid and family-friendly programming below.
Tween Time
Thursdays 4PM – 6PM
Bring your friends and hang out for some interactive fun at the library. No desks. No tests. Just fun! Exclusively for nine to twelve year olds.
Teen Video Game Club
Saturdays 11AM – 1PM
Teens (13-18) are welcome to come every week to play on our Wii U system.
Coloring Time
Sundays 3PM – 5PM
Coloring is for the whole family–adults, kids, and teens. Come and join us for a relaxing fun time of coloring!
LEGO Time
Mondays 4PM – 5:30PM
LEGO lovers unite! Come and get creative with LEGOs! Recommended for children ages 3-12, but all are welcome. Library provides all LEGOs. Please note: LEGO creations must stay at the library.
Baby Time
Wednesdays 10:15AM – 11AM
Babies experience the sounds and structure of language through rhythm, rhyme and repetition. Recommended for babies up to 18 months.
Toddler Time
Wednesdays 11:15AM – 12PM
Toddlers actively participate in stories, music and movement enhancing their social, emotional and language development. Recommended for children 18 to 36 months.
Teen Time
Tuesdays 5:30PM – 7:30PM
Teens (13 – 18) can come join us for a fun activity each week. Past activities have included video games, board games, movies, and karaoke.
Teen Kpop & Anime Club
Thursdays 6PM – 8PM
Are you a teen that loves Korean Pop music or anime? Then please join us for a night of marathoning Kpop videos and anime.
McCreless Library
1023 Ada St
Located southeast of downtown, the McCreless library serves a diverse community of approximately 100,000 people. The library originally opened in 1966, named after the McCreless twin brothers, and has undergone two renovations, the last one in 2006. You can find their full event calendar here, and their kid-friendly programs below.
Toddler Time
Thursdays 10:15AM – 11AM
Toddlers actively participate in stories, music and movement enhancing their social, emotional and language development. Recommended for children 18 to 36 months.
LEGO Club
Mondays 4:30PM – 5:30PM
Come be creative with LEGO bricks! Recommended for school-age children due to small size of some bricks. A limited number of DUPLO bricks are available for younger children. Please note: LEGO and DUPLO creations must stay at the library.
Tween Time
Wednesdays 4:30PM – 5:30PM
Ages 9-12, Come and do crafts, games and other amazing activities!!
Teen Time
Wednesdays 6PM – 6:45PM
Come to Teen Time for crafts, snacks, games, or just hang out. You decide what we do! Ages 13-18 only, please.
Libraries Located in Eastside San Antonio
Carver Library
3350 E Commerce St
The first Carver library was set up in a small wooden building by African American Army officers during World War I. The present building was built on donated land in 1973, and underwent remodeling in 1984. The library houses over 56,000 volumes, including special collections of African American Studies and Spanish Language Materials. You can view their full community event calendar here, and their family-friendly programs below.
Come and Go Crafts
Fridays 3PM – 6PM
Express Yourself! Come to the library for creative, self-directed craft activities. All ages welcome; young children may need adult assistance.
Family Fun
Saturdays 2PM – 3PM
Children and their grownups listen to stories and enjoy simple, shared activities. A time for families to have fun together. All ages welcome.
Teen Time
Tuesdays 4:30PM – 5:30PM
Children and their grownups listen to stories and enjoy simple, shared activities. A time for families to have fun together. All ages welcome.
Story Time
Wednesdays 2PM – 3PM
Preschoolers enjoy stories and songs that develop early literacy skills and foster curiosity. Recommended for three to five year olds.
