Drop in to sing, dance, or play at our
Weekly Story Times
All Bouncy & Big Kid Times end with bubbles!
Registration is not required for our story times.
We meet nearly every week year-round.
Note: June and July Story Times do NOT meet at the library. Instead, we meet at either the Mason Community Center or at Cottell Park.
Event Calendar showing Story Times and locations
- Bouncy Time is a 20 minute story time designed for a parent or caregiver and a baby, toddler, or young preschooler to enjoy together. It includes board books, some modified sign language, songs, finger plays, lap or tickle rhymes, rhythm instruments, dancing, and always ends with bubbles. Parents participate and guide their child. Summer Bouncy Times meet offsite at either the Mason Community Center or at Cottell Park during June and July.
- Toddler Time is a 20 minute story time designed for a parent or caregiver and a toddler or young preschooler to enjoy together. It includes simple picture books, some modified sign language, songs, and may also include rhymes, finger plays, flannel boards, puppets, and/or a simple craft. Parents participate and guide their child. Summer Toddler Times meet offsite at either the Mason Community Center or at Cottell Park during June and July.
- Big Kid Time is a 30 minute story time designed for preschoolers. It includes picture books, some modified sign language, songs, and may also include rhymes, finger plays, flannel boards, puppets, and/or a simple craft. Most parents participate and guide their child. Big Kid Time becomes Family Time in the summer and is held at Cottell Park during June and July.
- Family Time is a 30 minute story time designed for families, preschoolers, and early elementary children. Younger siblings also attend so we often add easier books and songs and finger plays to adjust to those attending. It includes picture books, some modified sign language, songs, and may also include rhymes, finger plays, flannel boards, puppets, and/or a simple craft or game. Parents participate and guide children 3 years and younger. Older children may attend independently as their parent chooses. Tuesday’s Family Time becomes Active Story Time in the summer and is held offsite at the Mason Community Center during June and July. We also offer Family Time on Friday mornings at Cottell Park during June and July only.
- Super Story Times last a bit longer & have special crafts or games. Whenever Super Story Time supplies are limited, we give out free tickets first come, first served starting at 6:45pm. Children must be present to receive a ticket. Super Story Times replace Family Time on second Tuesdays September through May.
- Active Story Time is a 60 minute program offered offsite during June and July. It meets at the Mason Community Center, not the library. It is designed for all ages, but especially preschool and early elementary children. It starts with a 30 minute story time with picture books and a simple craft. It may also include rhymes, finger plays, flannel boards, bubbles, and/or puppets. Story Time is immediately followed by active play and games led by Mason Community Center Kids Korner staff. Teen volunteers also assist and play with the children. Parents attend and often participate in the play sessions.
- Children under 3 years old must have a parent or caregiver in the room with them. Caregivers for children 8 and younger MUST remain in the library or story time location.
- Please do not bring snacks or drinks to story time. No food or drink is allowed in the library. Nursing mothers and baby bottles are always welcome.
- We cancel children’s events whenever Mason City Schools close due to Severe Weather. Delays do not count as closings.
