Over the last few years, Calgary’s libraries have becoming more kid friendly with spaces for learning and play. These spaces are located in many of Calgary’s libraries and are aimed at kids under 6. Libraries without early learning centres still have small spaces with toys and activities for young kids.
Each Early Learning Centre has a unique theme:
Rainbow Jungle at Village Square Library
There is also a great play space outside on the opposite side of the building
Bird’s Eye View at Crowfoot Library
Explore Energy at Forest Lawn Library
Forest Lawn Library Nature Playground
Up, Up, and Away at Saddletowne Library
Build and create at Signal Hill Library
Full body play at The New Central Library
Discover Dinosaurs at Country Hills Library
Forest theme at Nose Hill Library
- The World is Your Stage at Fish Creek Library
- Read and Play at Quarry Park Library
- Into the Woods at Shawnessy Library
- The Hopewell Early Learning Centre at Seton Library, built around an Alouette III helicopter courtesy of The Hangar Flight Museum.
The libraries are the best places to play. Great toys and books, and lots to discover. Great staff as well. The only thing I am disappointed about is the play area at the new central library (and the transportation issues getting there). The climbing/netted area for the kids is really horribly constructed. The stairs you take to get up there are really narrow and slippery, and getting up there, two kids can barely pass each other to go up/down. Furthermore, the netting is made of rope that is really painful to even sit on, let alone walk on. I hope they realize that this could have been so much better and improve it soon. The climber at Telus Spark is 100 times better designed.