Youth and Family

For most people, the closing of the Kansas City Public Library’s 10 brick-and-mortar locations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic meant a loss of access to a vast physical collection of books and movies. For others, the stakes were higher. The closing marked the first major disruption...

With thousands of Kansas City children confined to their homes, exercise and early literacy programs are at a premium. Librarian Alli Bernskoetter is tackling the problem on both fronts. Read more about the Library’s yoga storytimes.  

If you’re a parent or caregiver who’s overwhelmed by the seemingly endless number of events and activities online for kids right now, don’t panic! Your Library is here for you. Our Youth & Family Engagement department is reviewing what’s out there and recommending our favorite new online content....

The latest CYS Zine is out! This 16-page monthly mini magazine highlights what's new and notable in the children's department of the Central Library. Each issue is filled with new books and upcoming events, plus amazing facts, funny jokes, poetry, artwork and puzzles. Normally available at the CYS service desk, you...

During the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, free meals for children are available at area pick-up sites during certain days and times. Check out the current list of organizations providing support.  ​  

How do you keep your kids entertained during this time of social distancing? Through her fearless Harry Potter heroine, Hermione Granger, author J.K. Rowling  famously (and wisely) advised: When in doubt go to the library. But what does one do when library building...

It’s fall, y’all, and the Library is kicking off the Halloween season with a monstrously good mashup of haunted local history tales, scary story recommendations, spooky special events, and frightfully fun family festivities.  

The Library launches an out-of-this-world learning adventure for all ages in this year’s Summer Reading Program. As 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, we invite readers to Dare to Discover a universe of books, events, and activities that celebrate science fa...

Children's Book Week, an annual celebration of books for youth and the joy of reading, was launched in 1919 and is currently the longest-running national literacy initiative in the country. Marking the event's 100th anniversary, the Library shares its history and spotlights a remarkable collection of c...