Early Learning Centres in Calgary Public Libraries: Play Areas for Kids

Calgary public libraries are more than just for reading. With 12 locations across the city, kids can learn through play in activity centres with different themes.

Calgary public libraries provide unique play spaces for kids encouraging movement and learning through play. There are reading nooks, drawing tables, blocks to play with, busy boards, and sometimes a climbing structure. The times when you go to the library only to read or borrow books are long gone.

Each Early learning centre is built with a different theme in mind, whether dinosaurs, jungle, or forest. the reading nooks, drawing tables, and the climbing structure

Calgary Public Libraries are free to enter. If you’d like to borrow books, you can get a free library card.

13 Early Learning Centres in Calgary Public Libraries

1. Full-Body Play at Central Library

We visit the Early Learning Centre in the Central Library the most often. It’s a huge and beautiful building inside out. The play area isn’t close to the entrance, but there’s a stroller-friendly path around the perimeter of the building on the right side.

There are several small reading nooks, soft mats and blocks for kids to play with. The climbing structure with small tunnels is my son’s favourite. Drawing tables have colouring books and crayons to keep. All books are nicely displayed in the child’s height. A carpeted reading area with board books is ideal for the smallest children.

TIP
The closest and cheapest (limited) parking is on the 8th Avenue SE, on the backside of the building with an elevator.

Address: 800 3 Street SE, Calgary

2. Rainbow Jungle at Village Square Library

Village Square Library is located at the Village Square Leisure Centre with a big free parking lot. The rainbow theme features a beautiful wooden rainbow structure with benches for reading, a wooden fire truck, busy boards for babies and small toddlers, and a giant wooden elephant in the reading area.

Address: 2623 56 Street NE, Calgary

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3. Co-Op Community Early Learning Centre at Nose Hill Library

Nose Hill Library has a colourful Early Learning Centre with reading nooks, a wooden fire truck, drawing tables, and busy boards.

Address: 1530 Northmount Drive NW, Calgary

4. Alouette III helicopter in the Hopewell ELC at Seton Library

Even though the Seton Library is far from our house, we drove there to see the big helicopter, courtesy of the Hangar Flight Museum. Most kids wanted to play inside, push all the buttons or sit and enjoy. The library staff covers the helicopter 15 minutes before closing, so make sure you visit early as it’s very popular with kids taking turns.

There are also reading nooks, busy boards, and a huge display of children’s books.