30 things to do with little ones this fall

Fall is festive and fun for families! Your public library and the Collaboration for Early Childhood have curated activities, events, and resources for you and your little ones to make the most of this special season.

Activities

  1. New year, new transitions: Caregivers, find books and videos to help smooth the way for new routines and schedules.
  2. Talk about emotions: Talk about emotions even with babies and toddlers, with these books, videos, and ideas. 
  3. Looking for fun things to watch or read with your young kids? Try a Hoopla BingePass (you can get unlimited streaming for seven days with a single borrow)! Some of our favorite collections include Highlights magazine and Cuentos para niños en español.
  4. Get ready for fall with a new virtual tutorial featuring fun Early Bird Learning videos that cover seasonal books, nature, science exploration, and activities (plus sections on field trips, baby/toddler videos, and learning about ourselves and others).
  5. Explore nature at the library this fall!
  6. Learn about social-emotional learning with Miss Shelley and Mister Rogers. Then bring your preschooler to Be Our Neighbor at the Main Library to share episodes, discussions, and activities together.
  7. Some kids love to be scared and others don’t. How can you support both? Some tips for sharing scary and not-so-scary stories »
  8. Every month is a good month to share stories from Native authors! Find a list of some of our favorite board books, picture books, and traditional stories by Native American and First Nation creators »
  9. Does your child have a disability or a new disabled classmate? Disabilities are a normal, neutral part of life, and this video shares one way and one book to start a conversation. You can find more information and resources for children with disabilities on the Collaboration’s website. 
  10. Join us for monthly Supported Developmental Playgroups at the Main Library, co-facilitated by a local therapist and librarian, for children who receive or are considering therapy services. In partnership with CITY of Support.
  11. Need to get rid of or find a new costume? Check out the Children’s Halloween Costume Swap »
  12. Tell a friend to subscribe to the Early Bird Learner Letter »

Storytimes

  1. Through October 12: Storytimes in the Park continue this fall.
  2. September 23-October 28 (Saturdays): Cuenta Cuentos con Kathy is a Spanish immersion storytime.
  3. September 27: Have animal-themed fun at the Zippity Zoo Storytime.
  4. October 30: Haunted Trails Tales in the Dark at the Oak Park Public Library is filled with light fright fun for families.
  5. October 31: Great Pumpkin Storytime is autumnal fun for ages 0-5.
  6. Ongoing, every Wednesday: Storytime at the Oak Park Conservatory, with Bilingual Storytime (new!) on the first Wednesday of every month.

Places

  1. Harvest herbs at the Community Sensory Garden! Disabled kids and adults have been tending the garden all summer, and it’s flourishing.
  2. Visit the Oak Park Conservatory and check out Toddler Exploration Time
  3. In October, check out the ofrendas throughout the village (a map will be available later this season).
  4. Brookfield Zoo hosts fun events like Boo! At the Zoo and Día de los Muertos. Bring your Oak Park library card to Main, Maze, or Dole and see if a zoo pass to admit two is available.

Events

  1. September 16: Cuentos From the Americas features stories from North, Central, and South America and the Caribbean Islands with Jasmin Cardena.
  2. September 17: Visit the Convivencia Hispanic Heritage Month Festival.
  3. September 23: Make a zucchini car at the Kid’s Root Beer Garden at Oaktoberfest.
  4. September 24: Fall Fest at Rehm Park will have games, activities, and Rehm Train Rides for families.
  5. October 14: Join us for a Solar Eclipse Viewing at Scoville Park.
  6. October 14: Visit the Farmers Market and say hi to the Collaboration for Early Childhood; and October 28: Come for Stone Soup. Don’t forget to get a donut!
  7. October 27 & 28: Check out the library’s Día de Muertos programs.
  8. October 28: Check out the Collaboration’s Costume Parade and Early Childhood Resource Fair in Scoville Park and at the Main Library.