Drop-in storytimes are a parent’s best friend. Free entertainment; a motivation to get out of the house; and exposure to books and stories you might not otherwise know about.
Relax a little while someone else tells your child a nice story with all the voices. Here’s a round-up of upcoming free storytimes in the East Bay.
Thursday, January 8, 2026
Play Cafe
Location: 81st Avenue Branch | Oakland Public Library – 1021 81st Ave. Oakland
Join the 81st Avenue Branch for stories, songs, and playtime! Fun for families with children ages 0-5 years old. Snacks provided for kids & caregivers.
Time: 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Cost: Free
Toddler Time
Location: Albany Library – 1247 Marin Avenue Albany
Toddler Time every Thursday at the Albany Library for songs, stories, and movement activities! Followed by Stay and Play from 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM. Little ones and their caregivers are invited to drop-in playtime. This is a great opportunity to have fun with your children and meet other families in the…
Time: 10:00 am - 10:30 am
Cost: Free
Toddler Storytime
Location: Montclair Branch | Oakland Public Library – 1687 Mountain Boulevard Oakland
Join the Montclair Branch for an interactive morning of songs, rhymes, stories, and socializing designed for toddlers ages 18 months to 3 years! After storytime, stay and play with age-appropriate toys. Siblings are welcome.
Time: 10:15 am - 11:15 am
Cost: Free
Family Storytime
Location: Pinole Library – 2935 Pinole Valley Rd Pinole
Storytime at your local library! Prepare your littles for literacy with lively songs & stories. Build a lifelong love of learning! Free, no registration, kids of all ages & abilities welcome. For special accommodation, please contact Library with 3 days' notice. Supported by the Pinole Library Friends.
Time: 10:30 am - 11:00 am
Cost: Free
Mother Goose on the Loose
Location: Main | Alameda Free Library – 1550 Oak St Alameda
This fast paced lap-sit program for little ones and their caregivers includes songs, nursery rhymes, knee-bounces, and movement to help develop important pre-literacy skills. This class is appropriate for infants through 2 years old. This program starts promptly at 10:30am. Latecomers may not be admitted
Time: 10:30 am - 11:00 am
Cost: Free
Musical Story Time @ Freight & Salvage
Location: Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse – 2020 Addison St. Berkeley
Please join The Story Time Band at The Freight, one of Berkeley's oldest and most beloved music venues, for a special musical story time series with the Berkeley Public Library's Story Time Band! These FREE events will occur on Thursdays, 1/8, 2/5, and 3/5 at 10:30 a.m. Each session will…
Time: 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Cost: Free
Friday, January 9, 2026
Bouncing Babies Storytime
Location: Fremont Main Library – 2400 Stevenson Blvd Fremont
This storytime is for non-walking babies, or ages 0 to 12 months, and their caregivers. Toddlers who are steadily walking are encouraged to attend Toddler Storytime on Thursdays. Be prepared to sit on the floor with baby in your lap to hear stories, sing songs, and participate in lap bounces that are…
Time: 10:15 am - 11:00 am
Cost: Free
Story Time @ Crab Cove
Location: Crab Cove Visitor Center – 1231 McKay Ave Alameda
Dive into a world of wonder and imagination followed by a themed coloring sheet after. Every Friday No registration; drop-in. For information, call (510) 544-3187.
Time: 10:30 am - 11:00 am
Cost: Free
Toddler Plus Storytime
Location: Main | Alameda Free Library – 1550 Oak St Alameda
Toddler Plus Storytime is a 20-30 minute program using stories, songs, fingerplays, and movement to help young children ages 2-3 years old develop word and sound recognition, gain background knowledge of how the world works, and encourage families to build social connections with other parents and children. Toddler Plus Storytime…
Time: 10:30 am - 11:00 am
Cost: Free
Saturday, January 10, 2026
Family Story Time
Location: Central Library | Berkeley Public Library – 2090 Kittredge Berkeley
Join for fun stories and songs inside the Central Children's Room on the 4th Floor of the Central Branch! Babies, Toddlers, Preschoolers and their families are all welcome. Saturdays at 10:30AM
Time: 10:30 am - 11:00 am
Cost: Free
[Photo: Berkeley Public Library R. Friedman]
