The Youth Services Department offers a variety of Library programs and activities for children and families. Browse our program calendars to find out what’s going on at the Library for kids of all ages! We also have a number of teen programs and events.
Denotes link to online calendar and options to view, save, share, and register for programs
Subscribe to our Library Program Newsletters to learn about upcoming events for kids and families! For more information about Skokie Public Library's Youth Services programs, contact Linda Sawyer at 847.324.3144 or by .
Please note: The Youth Services staff makes every effort to select websites that are suitable for children; however, the Library has no control over individual website content, sponsors, or advertisements. We encourage parents to explore and enjoy these websites with their children.
Web resource 
Available with Skokie Public Library card 
Available in Library only
At the Library
Activities and Storytimes
There’s always something fun going on in the Youth Services Department: storytimes, book groups, holiday activities, and our popular Craft Sunday gathering. Some activities require sign-up in advance, so be sure to check the Kids' Calendar of Events for information and details. We look forward to seeing you!
Activities for
Kids and Families
Check our online calendar to view, save, share and register for Library activities for kids and families. Activities for Kids and Families is also available in it's original print format.
Note: Print format requires Adobe Reader
Come
On In!
The library is a special place for children with disabilities! Specialized services, programs, resources, and a variety of stimulating activities are available at the Library for children with disabilities, their families, and caregivers.
Library Events Calendar: Kids and Families
Our month-by-month online calendar of Skokie Public Library activities especially for kids and families includes program information and program reminders.
Storytime
Calendar
Check our online calendar to view, save, share, and register for storytimes for children from birth through 2nd grade (and families, too!). The Storytime Calendar is also available in it's original print format.
Note: Print format requires Adobe Reader
Upcoming Programs & Events from Skokie Public Library
Subscribe to the Library's Upcoming Programs & Events RSS feeds to find out what's ahead on our Kids' Calendar. To learn more about RSS feeds and how to subscribe, visit Programs & Events: RSS Feeds on the Skokie Public Library Website.
Family Movies
The Library is more than just a great place to get books. It's also a fun place to see family films... for FREE! Registration is not required and children under 8 years old must be accompanied to the movie by a parent or adult caregiver. See you at the show!
Family Movies
Monday Night Movie: The Water Horse-- Legend of the Deep
Released 2007 – 107 minutes – rated PG for some action/peril, mild language, and brief smoking
Monday, July 21 at 7:00pm in the Petty Auditorium
Monday Night Movie: Nancy Drew
Released 2007 – 99 minutes – rated PG for mild violence, thematic elements, and brief language
Monday, July 28 at 7:00pm in the Petty Auditorium
Saturday Movie Matinee: The Sword in the Stone
Released 1963 – 79 minutes – rated G
Saturday, August 2 at 2:00pm in the Youth Services Program Room
Family Movie Night: College Road Trip
Released 2008 – 84 minutes – rated G
Friday, August 8 at 7:00pm in the Petty Auditorium
Reading Clubs and Programs
The Youth Services staff makes reading fun with year-round reading clubs and programs for children of all ages! Check the Kids' Calendar of Events for more information and join us for these exciting reading programs!
BOOKING WITH A BUDDY
This fun summer literacy program for children entering 1st through 3rd grades is designed to promote reading outside of the school year.
BOOKING WITH A BUDDY begins June 30. Registration begins May 12.
Family Winter Reading Club
Come in from the cold and share a great book with the family!
The Family Winter Reading Club will return next winter!
Read and Grow Club
Preschoolers can earn prizes for reading with their parents and practicing their early literacy skills!
The Read and Grow Club will return next year.
"Read to Succeed" Chicago Wolves
Reading Club
Children in preschool through 8th grade can win prizes in this hockey-themed reading club!
The Chicago Wolves Reading Program will return next year.
Reading Patch Club
School-aged children can earn cool patches by reading ten books in selected genres in this exciting reading program.
The Reading Patch Club runs all year... sign up today!
Summer Reading Club
The Summer Reading Club begins June 1.
Special Events
Youth Services is host to popular children's authors, performers, and book characters from far and wide. We also offer a regular schedule of family films "on the big screen." Check the Kids' Calendar of Events for more information and join us for these fun special events!
Chess Programs
Advanced Chess
Registration for Advanced Chess begins July 1.
Thursday, July 24 from 3:00 to 4:00pm in the Mary Radmacher Meeting Room
Chess Drop-in
Registration is not required.
Mondays, August 4, 11, 18, and 25 from 6:30 to 8:30pm in the Youth Services Department
Chess for Novices
Registration for Chess for Novices begins July 1.
Thursday, July 17 from 3:00 to 4:00pm in the Mary Radmacher Meeting Room
Family Fun @ Your Library
Chess Drop-in
Registration is not required.
Mondays, August 4, 11, 18, and 25 from 6:30 to 8:30pm in the Youth Services Department
Untuned, Unplugged Game Day
Registration is not required.
Saturdays, July 26 and August 16 from 2:00 to 5:00pm in the Youth Services Department
Library Activities @ Westfield Old Orchard
Get in the Game! Sports Trivia
Registration is not required.
Friday, July 18 from 3:00 to 4:00pm in the Food Court
KidOOdles
Registration is not required.
Saturday, August 2 from 11:30am to 12:30pm in the Food Court
Performances for Kids & Families
Preschool Concert: Feeling Good, Singing Good with Allan Lieberman
Registration is not required. Free tickets will be distributed 30 minutes before the start of the performance. For ages newborn through 5 years (or entering kindergarten) with parent or adult caregiver.
Friday, July 25 from 10:30 to 11:30am in the Petty Auditorium
Preschool Picnic with Cat Catalani
Registration for the Preschool Picnic begins August 1. For ages newborn through 5 years (or entering kindergarten) with parent or adult caregiver.
Thursday, August 28 from 12:00noon to 1:00pm
Skokie Nights on the Village Green
Registration is not required.
- Rockin' and Rollin' to the Oldies
Thursday, July 31 at 7:00pm - Dancin' Under the Stars
Wednesday, August 13 from 6:30 to 8:30pm
Programs for Parents, Teachers & Caregivers
Homeschool Connection
Registration for Homeschool Connection begins August 1. For adults only.
Wednesday, August 27 from 7:00 to 9:00pm in the Youth Services Program Room
Around Town
Community Involvement
You're never too young to do something helpful for other people. These websites will help you hook up with other kids and organizations working together to help each other, their communities, and the world around them. Some links include teacher resources and classroom ideas.
Action Without Borders:
Kids & Teens
Learn about nonprofit organizations and what they do to help the community. Then find out how you can get involved. A teacher's page includes ideas for the classroom.
The Green Squad
Visit The Green Squad to find out how you can help make your school an environmentally healthy place. Teachers and parents can get involved, too!
Hey!
It's Your Backyard!
Kids in grades 6 though 12 can learn how people affect the environment and what kids can do at home and at school to help the planet. A guide for teachers and lesson plans are available to help educators bring Hey! It’s Your Backyard to the classroom.
Kids Can
Make a Difference
This educational program for middle school and high school students focuses on the root causes of hunger and poverty, the people most affected by these problems, solutions, and how students can help. The site includes a guide called What Kids Can Do, a Kids newsletter, a "Kids Speak" section, and a Teacher Guide.
Day Trips and Getaways
Grab the family, pack some snacks, and follow the road to fun! Whether you're looking for something to do in the neighborhood, in downtown Chicago, or out of state, these Web links will help you get there (pssst… be sure to check out the Road Cheese hypertour!). For information about events and activities in Skokie and the surrounding neighborhoods, check out Local Events for kids and families.
Chicago Wilderness
This directory of family-friendly "natural areas" in the Chicago area includes nature centers, museums, parks, seasonal adventures, and wilderness things to see and do.
ChicagoKids.com: Fun Places to Go
Find out what’s going on in and around Chicago with this searchable database of places to go and things to do. A Visitor Information section includes driving directions, weather information, and tips for getting around Chicago.
Jelly Belly: Pleasant Prairie Warehouse Tour
Plan a visit to the Jelly Belly Factory in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin! The Jelly Belly site includes tour information and directions to the factory (pssst... on the way home, treat Mom to a trip through the Prime Outlets shopping mall in Pleasant Prairie!).
roadsideamerica.com: Illinois
This online guide to "offbeat" attractions and fun travel destinations in Illinois includes the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle, Cars on a Spike, the Road Cheese hypertour, and attraction information for Illinois and the other forty-nine states.
Local Events
The Youth Services staff enjoys providing young patrons with help and ideas for reading, listening, viewing, and learning. We also want to help kids and families find fun and interesting things to do outside the Library. The following Internet links will help connect kids and families with things to do in Skokie and the surrounding neighborhoods.
Chicago Parent: Going Places
Looking for something to do with the kids? The Chicago Parent website offers suggestions for destinations and an archive of previous recommendations for children of all ages.
ChicagoKids.com
ChicagoKids.com is a database of family activities and events in and around Chicago. It includes a searchable calendar and "Places to Go" index, theater listings, museum happenings, coupons for select events, and visitor information.
Kohl Children's Museum
Each month a number of events and activities are held at the Kohl Children's Museum in Glenview, Illinois.
NorthStarNet Calendar
Find out what's going on for kids, grown-ups, and families at public libraries and in communities throughout Illinois.
Oaklee's
Guide for Chicagoland Kids
This is "The Original Family Fun Guide" to activities and events in the Chicago area. The site includes a monthly calendar, listings of ongoing activities, and complete information about listed events.
Of Local Interest from Skokie Public
Library
This quick-reference list of Chicago museums and attractions is a handy resource for parents, teachers, and other grown-ups who plan adventures with kids. For additional listings, visit the SkokieNet directory of local museums.
Skokie Review Calendar of Community Events: Entertainment
The online Skokie Review calendar of events and activities for kids and families includes information about Skokie and local park activities, summer camps, fairs, and kids' classes.