Your Guide to Kid- and Teen-Friendly Library Fun

Everybody belongs at the library. The go-to for families everywhere, the library is filled with entertainment for kids of all ages. It provides dozens of services, safe locations, and really good vibes.

The Anne Arundel County Public Library system has 16 branches (with one on the way). I visited all of them (except one…more on that below) to give you a roundup of the spaces and activities for children and teens. All summer long, there will be activities that give your kids a chance to have fun, learn something, and make new friends.

Keep reading for a list of non-book items you can borrow, my thoughts on each branch, how to support the library, and how you can win four Southwest Airlines tickets!

Explore Your Library

While libraries were always intended as places to access books and knowledge for free, today there are more services than those early advocates could have imagined. And even you might not know about everything your local library has to offer! Christine Feldmann, director of Marketing and Communications for the Anne Arundel County Public Library system, tells me which services she thinks families should utilize.

“The Makerspaces and Memory Labs at the Annapolis and Odenton libraries are valuable resources for families, encouraging intergenerational creativity, learning and play. Visitors can learn to use tools such as sewing machines, button makers, Cricut Makers and Glowforge machines, or explore the Memory Lab, where old media formats can be digitized so photo, video and audio memories can be viewed and heard using current technology.”

In addition to the services each library provides, there are some areas that are extra special. Although choosing a favorite may be hard, Feldmann shared a couple that stand out.

“I always love to see the Community Pantry at Discoveries: The Library at the Mall in action helping families across the county or learn about plants from the QR codes all over the Crofton Library.”

And how can we support the library? As Feldmann shared, simply using the services can help.

“Using your library card—and encouraging family and friends to get and use theirs—is one of the best ways to support the library.”

But there’s always more we can do. “While public funding provides critical support, it cannot meet every community need. If you would like to do more, consider advocating for the library during county budget hearings, attending a library fundraising event [such as For the Love of the Library on September 18, 2026], or making a donation at aacpl.net/donate.”

Information Desk

All library branches are open Monday to Thursday, 10 AM to 8 PM, and Friday and Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM.
During the school year (about Labor Day to Memorial Day), some branches are also open on Sundays from 1 to 5 PM. Those branches are Busch Annapolis, Crofton, Discoveries: The Library at the Mall, Glen Burnie, Odenton, Severn, and Severna Park.
People of all ages can get a library card.
Pick up a copy of Library Happenings magazine at any branch for free. It has events and activities separated by library branch, plus theme-specific activities.
There is free Wi-Fi access 24/7. If it’s outside of library hours, you can still get wifi from the parking lot.
You can access lots of resources for free from your home:
- ABCmouse
- ComicsPlus
- Kanopy and Kanopy Kids: Streaming site for movies, TV shows, and e-books.
- NatGeo Kids
- Overdrive/Libby: Apps to access ebooks from the library.
- Virtual events presented by the library.
The Library of Things also lets you check out these objects (reach out to your library to see what they have):
- Museum passes for Historic Annapolis, the Annapolis Maritime Museum, and Historic London Town & Gardens
- Maryland State Park pass
- Fishing poles
- Chromebook kits
- Birding kits
- Ukuleles
- And more!
You can ask about volunteer opportunities by checking with your library branch.

Summer @ Your Library

Every summer between June 1 and August 31, the library creates quests for kids, teens, and grown-ups to earn prizes for completing challenges. This year’s theme is Unearth a Story…which is why you’ll see lots of dinosaurs at each library branch! Some branches may have free t-shirts to commemorate this summer’s challenges, but they were going like hotcakes when I grabbed one for each of my kids. Check with your location ASAP.

Kids: Track their personal reading goal and earn a prize for completing 15 and 30 days of reading. Parents can help kids track by using a paper map or Beanstack. My family loves the paper map so we can color in each square once the kids have completed their daily task.
Teens: Who doesn’t love a Choose Your Own Adventure story? Teens can do just that by reading or tracking activities to earn points and win prizes. And the grand prize is a Nintendo Switch Mario Kart bundle, which would be a fun ending for any adventure.
Adults: Wildcard Bingo will let you get in on the fun (no kids required). Track activities and earn two entries into the raffle for four Southwest Airlines tickets! Grab your bingo card at the library or sign up on Beanstack today!

Be sure to head to one of the many Summer @ Your Library events. There are kickoff events in June and Grande Finales in August. There are events for preschoolers, kids, and teens that span topics including archaeology, geology, and paleontology. There’s music, stories, trivia, and more!

Gather ‘Round for Story Time

Little ones from infants to elementary schoolers love sitting down to hear a story told in person. And at the library, these storytimes often include not only stories, but also singing, dancing, playtime, and crafts. They are located both at library branches and in other locations, including Kinder Farm Park, Linthicum Park, and Waugh Chapel Regal Cinemas. Here are some ongoing story times and playtimes offered at many branches, along with their intended age groups. (Note: Grown-ups have to stick around for all of these events.)

Babies in Bloom and Babies at Play: Ages 0 to 18 months.
Toddler Time: Ages 18 to 36 months.
Preschool Storytime: Ages 3 to 5.
Family Storytime and Young Child at Play: Ages 0 to 5.
Bilingual Storytime: An event for young children (ages 0 to 5) that includes both English and Spanish.
ASL Interpretation: Family storytimes (ages 0 to 5) with an ASL interpreter.
Neurodivergent Storytime: Sensory-friendly event for children ages 0 to 5.

In addition to the regularly occurring storytimes, there are storytimes for special topics and occasions, including Pride Month, Juneteenth, America 250, and the World Cup (featuring the Annapolis Blues).

For all readers, there are book clubs for all ages, homeschool resources, and the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program. Your kids can earn recognition and prizes for their hard work, even as babies!

Discovery Dock for Kids

Each library branch has a section dedicated to little kids. These areas are filled with toys, crafts, board games, puzzles, magazines, and all kinds of books. Whether your child wants to put on a puppet show, build with blocks, or open a restaurant in the pretend kitchen, there’s something for every interest. Some library branches rotate their toy options to make things interesting (so if you’ve got a toddler with a favorite library toy, keep that in mind).

Club 1117 For Teens

Every library has dedicated space for teenagers (kids ages 11 to 17—hence the name) to get homework done, be creative, or just relax. Much like the Discovery Docks, there are coloring pages, crafts, and other activities. But there are also charging stations, gallery walls with art by teens, and resources for school, mental wellness, careers, and other interests. And lots of manga and graphic novels!

Branches: Annapolis and Broadneck Peninsula

Broadneck

Address: 1275 Green Holly Drive, Annapolis, MD 21409

There’s a glider chair for any babies who need to be rocked for their nap while older siblings play.
Club 1117 area is really small. A table and chair sit next to a cabinet with craft and coloring supplies.
The library is right next to Broadneck High School, so traffic may get busy when school gets out.

Discoveries: The Library at the Mall

Address: 2270 Annapolis Mall Road, Annapolis, MD 21401

What used to be a meeting room is now a play area.
They (like other branches) rotate toys, so the train table may not have trains. My toddler had some big feelings about this.
Club 1117 is a separate room with lots of comfy seating.
This is the location of the Community Pantry.
The closest parking is outside of Stoney River Steakhouse and Crate & Barrel. That’s the address I included above. But you can also park on the rooftop of the Green Garage and take the escalator into the mall.
There is a Mamava pod if you want to breastfeed in private, but by law you can breastfeed openly anywhere that you have the right to be, including in the library).

Eastport-Annapolis Neck

Address: 269 Hillsmere Drive, Annapolis, MD 21403

There are charging station boxes that let you lock in your electronics while they charge.
It has a beautiful native plant garden maintained by the Hillsmere Garden Club.
Outside you’ll also find a “Kindness Rocks” garden with supportive messages.
The library is very close to Quiet Waters Park.

Michael E. Busch Annapolis

Address: 1410 West Street, Annapolis, MD 21401

There is both inside and outside space for kids to play. The outside area has musical flowers and a small fence, so you don’t have to worry about little ones dashing off into the parking lot.
Club 1117 includes a large art table and a kitchenette.
Best of all, there’s a driving simulator for student drivers.
There’s an indoor eating area that includes tables and vending machines.

Severna Park

Address: 45 West McKinsey Road, Severna Park, MD 21146

There is a small room off of the main children’s area called “Hugh’s Corner” with lots of toy bins in cubbies.
Club 1117 area has a stationery station for kids to create handwritten notes and postcards.
This parking lot has the most shade of any library branch—which is an important factor for our scorching summers!

Branches: North County

Brooklyn Park

Address: 1 East 11th Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21225

The Discovery Dock is a huge room with lots of natural light.
There’s a wall with built-in activities for toddlers and babies.
However, there are only two computers for children to use.
There’s an area outside the front of the building (facing the road, not the parking lot) that includes native plants, musical flowers, and an art supply library box.
There is only one single-person bathroom inside (it does have a changing table, like all the libraries).
The library is right next to Park Elementary School, so traffic may increase when school gets out.

Glen Burnie

Address: 1010 Eastway, Glen Burnie, MD 21060

The children’s area is huge. There’s plenty of space for toddler time.
Club 1117 area has a blackboard for drawing, lots of art supplies, a gallery of teen artwork, and resources for mental health, college scholarships, and job seekers.
There’s a privacy pod that anyone can reserve.

Linthicum

Address: 400 Shipley Road, Linthicum, MD 21090

This library has a smaller parking lot, and it was unclear if some of the parking spaces belonged to a business next door. However, I didn’t see any signage that said parking was restricted, and I didn’t get towed.

Mountain Road

Address: 4115 Mountain Road, Pasadena, MD, 21122

This branch is a smaller location, so everything inside is in the same room.
The teen area consists of a corner in the front with cozy seating and even stuffed animals for comfort.
This is located in Lakeshore Plaza Shopping Center next door to the Dollar General.

Riviera Beach

Address: 1130 Duvall Highway, Pasadena, MD 21122

The teen area has a large TV for playing video games.
This is the newest library in the county.
There’s a large patio with a couple of picnic tables and benches for enjoying nice weather.
Inside, there is a snack area with vending machines for food and drinks.

Branches: West County

Crofton

Address: 1681 Riedel Road, Crofton, MD 21114

The Discovery Dock area has a cube that one or two children (depending on how tiny they are) can fit inside and cozy up with a book. Or jump out and scare their grown-up.
The Crofton Farmers Market sets up shop here on Saturday mornings. They take up most of the parking lot, but there is free parking in the neighborhood.
The library has a garden that anyone who has a green thumb can help with.
A small area outside has benches, musical flowers, and some shade.
Also outside, there’s a monument detailing the history of the Enslaved People of Crofton.
There’s both an art exchange box and a community pantry outside the building.
There are vending machines for drinks and food in the lobby.
Across the parking lot, you’ll find purple and green exercise equipment.

Maryland City at Russett

Address: 3501 Russett Common, Laurel, MD 20724

Unfortunately, this is the only branch I couldn’t scope out before we went to press! They have been closed to redo the asphalt in the parking lot, so I think it’s safe to expect a smooth ride. The flyer mentions a study pod, community pantry, a native plant garden, and birding kits for checkout. And, of course, it has a Discovery Dock area for children and Club 1117 for teens.

Odenton

Address: 1325 Annapolis Road, Odenton, MD, 21113

This library has my favorite children’s area. It’s on a completely separate floor from the adults and teens, so parents don’t have to feel that rush of anxiety when their toddler lets out a happy screech. And events for kids are in a separate room. If your little one is not feeling singalong time, they can stay in the play area.
There is a large Club 1117 room on the upper floor. It includes a TV for events, tables and counters for work (with a view of the trees outside), and art supplies.
It has a Creator Space and Memory Lab. You can book one-on-one training to learn and use their sewing machines and other equipment in the library.
There’s a Caring Cupboard outside.

Severn

Address: 2624 Annapolis Road, Severn, MD 21144

This is located in the Severn Square Shopping Center, so parking is not scarce but may be a bit farther out.
There is a café with a vending machine inside the library…or there’s always the 7-Eleven next door.
While there is a Club 1117, the teens I saw were hanging out in the café area.

Branches: South County

Deale

Address: 5940 Deale-Churchton Road, Deale, MD 20751

In addition to the usual toys, there is a large busy board attached to the wall, a LEGO table, and a cushioned reading bench with a huge, stuffed lion to keep you company.
This is the location of the South County Farmers Market.

Edgewater

Address: 25 Stepneys Lane, Edgewater, MD 21037

There’s a desk in the children’s area that has two parts. There’s a desk for someone to sit at and get work done, and a small space attached to the desk that’s perfect for a baby to play or rest in. This wins for ‘cutest library furniture.’
The library is next to the South County Senior Center. In between both buildings, there’s a large patio space with benches.

For your next rainy day excursion, a cozy spot for your teen while you’re at work, or for your baby’s pre-nap playtime, the library is the best third space for all. It has places to meet and connect, to learn and grow, and to imagine and believe. And remember: having fun isn’t hard, when you’ve got a library card!