Library Resources for toddlers

Top Library Resources for Parents of Toddlers and Preschoolers

By Last Updated

Looking for some fun free things to do with your little one? Look no further than your local library! Check out some of our favorite library resources for toddlers:

Early Learning Hives

Located at Riverview Public Library, New Tampa Regional Library and Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, our early learning hives are designated spaces for children from birth through age 6 to develop skills through play.

Top Library Resources for Parents of Toddlers and Preschoolers

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Play is one of the best ways for children to learn language and literacy skills. Play activities help children put thoughts into words and talk about what they are doing. Children develop social and cognitive skills, mature emotionally and gain confidence during play.

Utilize our selection of games, puzzles and toys to help develop fine and gross motor skills and encourage creativity, concentration and cooperation.

Launchpads

Playaway Launchpad tablets are designed for children ages 3-10 and contain preloaded educational games in STEAM, Early Literacy, Science, Critical Thinking and more. They are 100% secure and do not offer access to the internet.

Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System offers over 200 Launchpads, including the special Pre-K Academy line, which gives preschool-aged children five paths to explore on their way to kindergarten.

Using this Academy can help little learners develop the skills needed to enter their first year of school and inspire them to try new things confidently.

Library Resources for Toddlers kids using Launchpads

Kanopy Kids

Enjoy unlimited streaming of educational and enriching movies, TV series and animated storybooks for children ages 2-8. Content has been carefully selected to help children develop social and emotional skills, as well as learn about history, science and languages.

Best of all, there are no advertisements, and the app allows you to set parental controls.

ABCmouse

Did you know the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library offers all library cardholders access to ABCmouse.com for free?

With more than 10,000 interactive books, educational games, puzzles and other learning activities—with more than 1,200 of them in Spanish—the award-winning online curriculum of ABCmouse is an invaluable resource for young learners (ages 2-8+).

Story Time

And last but not least, what better way to use the library than to attend one of our story times? Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library offers five types of early literacy programs at various times and locations throughout Hillsborough County, so you’re sure to find a story time that fits your needs.

Enjoy books, rhymes, songs and activities in an engaging program that offers social interaction and builds reading skills. We also provide virtual story times on the library’s YouTube page for those days when you can’t get out of the house.

Find a library Story Time near you at: hcplc.org/StoryTime

Or, join us online for Virtual Story Time: https://www.youtube.com/user/TampaHillsLib

Library Resources for Toddlers learning together with librarians.

Originally published in the March 2024 issue of Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine