Most library resources are available to ALL Illinois library card holders. Those resources marked with *asterisks* are only available to library card holders at that branch.

Collinsville Library

Collinsville Illinois Library kids room with a chalkboard, a couch, and tables. Collinsville Illinois Library kids room with toy shelves and slides Collinsville Illinois Library kids room with t.v., chalkboards, table, and puppets.

Great kids area has rooms with train table, kitchen area, puppets, a slide, and comfy couches. Additional table top games can be found in main kids' area.

Online Resources

  • ABC Mouse Remote
  • Early Readers Collection
  • Tumblebooks

Other Perks

  • Chromebooks available for free 3 hour checkout
  • Wi-Fi hotspot from 9AM to 9PM between the library and Blum House: cml-hotspot Password: Collinsville1234
  • Weekly Free Kids Activity Pack for curbside pickup
  • Comic Book Creator Kits
  • Collinsville Water park 1 week passes: Collinsville Library and Fairmont City Library cardholders can place holds. Any IHLS cardholder can borrow when available. A card is good for four individuals.
  • Edwardsville Children's Museum 1 week passes: Collinsville Library and Fairmont City Library cardholders can place holds. Any IHLS cardholder can borrow when available. A card is good for four people.
  • Non-Residents cards can be purchased for $79 per year. (See card restrictions below.)



East Alton Library

Children's area has computers, reading areas, games, and toys.

Seed Library
ABC mouse

Edwardsville Library

Downstairs has children's books, reading areas, toys, and a "fish tank". Lots of space for kids. Often has craft to bring home.

Kits

  • Citizen Science Kits: Each kit includes instructions and projects to complete
  • **American Girl Dolls: Doll and accessory kit with an extra outfit
  • Science Discovery Kits: A frog anatomy kit, Star Planetarium, and more
  • Preschool Kits: Be an architect, chemist, paleontologist, and much more
  • Book Discussion Kits: Comes with 10 books, questions, and an activity
Online Resources
  • Kanopy
  • Hoopla
Other Perks
  • **FabLab Membership provides access to 3D printing, laser cutting, and vinyl cutting.
  • **Launchpads: Borrow tablets with pre-loaded games and activities on educational subjects.
  • Special Education Resources: Books, DVDs, flashcards and games for children with special needs.
  • **Edwardsville Children's Museum Passes: Free admission for 4 people
  • Fishing Poles: Borrow fishing poles provided by the Illinois DNR.
  • Take Home Crafts available every other week
  • Reading Challenge at beanstalk.


Fairmont City Library

Fairmont City Library has a large number of toys in the children's area including a kitchen, barn, and lots of cars. Staff are very friendly. Many Spanish resources are available. There is often free food available. There are lots of great programs.

Online Resources

  • ABC Mouse Remote
  • Early Readers Collection
  • Tumblebooks

Other Perks

  • Chromebooks available for free 3 hour checkout
  • Wi-Fi hotspot from 9AM to 9PM between the library and Blum House: cml-hotspot Password: Collinsville1234
  • Weekly Free Kids Activity Pack for curbside pickup
  • Comic Book Creator Kits
  • Collinsville Water park 1 week Passes: Collinsville Library and Fairmont City Library cardholders can place holds. Any IHLS cardholder can borrow when available. A card is good for four individuals.
  • Edwardsville Children's Museum 1 week : Collinsville Library and Fairmont City Library cardholders can place holds. Any IHLS cardholder can borrow when available. A card is good for four people.
  • Non-Residents cards can be purchased for $79 per year for your family. (Note Illinois law about buying library cards below.)



Glen Carbon Library

Kids area with tables for working, kits to check out, and train in case.

Events

  • Story Times
  • Youth Book Group for Kids
  • STEM Kit Activities
  • Craft Kits on Saturdays Once a Month.
Online Resources
  • Hoopla
  • Cloud Library
  • Teen Discord Server: A server for teens to encourage safe online play
Other Perks
  • **Edwardsville Children's Museum Passes: Free admission for 4 people
  • 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Reading Challenge
  • StoryWalk at the front of the library that goes into Miner Park


Hayner Library Downtown Branch

Hayner Library Downtown Branch
326 Belle Street

Hayner Library Downtown Branch has an upstairs children's area with games and puzzles. The children's room is extremely welcoming, but the real treat was their librarian! She welcomed each of us, took time to chat, and remembered our stories to check back in later.

Online Resources

  • TumbleBook Library with 250 animated talking picture books
  • Creativebug: art and crafts learning center

Other Perks

  • Children may call (618) 462-TALE to listen to a short story recorded by the staff of our children’s department
  • Notary Public on a walk-in basis at a charge of $1.00 for each document notarized. Call 618-462-0677
  • *An annual non-resident card may be purchased for $109.00.


Louis Latzer Public Library

A statue of Boy and girl reading on top of a brick wall with rocks on the ground and evergreens behind. Stands outside of Children's area at the Louis Latzer Public Library in Highland, IL. A statue of two kids reading with rocks on the ground and A stone wall behind with Jennie Latzer Kaeser Children's Library. Stands outside of Children's area at the Louis Latzer Public Library in Highland, IL.

Downstairs children's area has computers, toys, and a large room for presentors.

Online Resources

  • Creativebug: art and crafts learning center
Other Perks
  • Follow their facebook page to learn when they put FREE children’s books at their back door
  • An annual non-resident card may be purchased for $85.00.


Roxana Public Library

Roxana Illinois Library kids room with a screen for interactive gaming, children's seats, and an interactive lightup board. Roxana Illinois Library kids room with play kitchen Roxana Illinois Library kids room with books organized by subject and blocks for building towers.

Has kids' room with play kitchen, foam blocks for building and stacking, interactive gaming, children's seats, and an interactive light up board. Books are organized by topics including popular characters! Staff are very welcoming and work hard to involve community kids!

Online Resources

  • Hoopla
  • Cloud Library

Six Mile Regional Library District (Delmar)

SMRLD Delmar library Children's Area containing books and toys. SMRLD Delmar library Children's Area with colorful ABC rug and red chairs. SMRLD Delmar library Children's Area large building blocks.
Has fantastic children's area with lots of toys and large building blocks.
2001 Delmar Avenue
Phone: 618-452-6238
Hours: Monday 9:00 AM-6:00 PM
Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday 11:00 AM-8:00 PM
Friday & Saturday 9:00 AM-6:00 PM

Online Resources
  • **Hoopla
  • **Overdrive
  • **Tutor.com connects students to over 3,000 highly vetted tutors.
  • **Audio Book Cloud
  • **Cloud Library
  • Creativebug: art and crafts learning center
Other Perks
  • Wireless network at no charge inside and in the parking lots. Connect to SMRLD WiFi, no password required.
  • Weekly Take Home Crafts
  • *Non-resident card may be purchased.


Tri Township Library (Troy)

Library has weekly scavenger hunts, play kitchen, and a variety of toys. Staff are extremely kind and welcoming with children.

Events

  • Search the library on Wednesdays to find hidden object and get a prize.
  • Storytime at the library and Troy park
  • Book Club for Teens
  • Monthly Lego Club
  • Yoga Story Time Adventures
  • Virtual Kindermusik Story time
Online Resources
  • Hoopla
  • Kanopy
  • Beanstack
  • Cloud Library
Other Perks
  • 3D Printer
  • Notary Service: Available most weekdays during library hours for a $1.00 fee. Call ahead.
  • Fax Service - Send and receive faxes for 50 cents a page within the U.S. Additional for outside the U.S.
  • Annual non-resident card may be purchased for $101.00 and used by the entire household.
  • Edwardsville Children's Museum Passes: Free admission for 4 people (when available, you do not need to be Troy library members.)


Wood River Public Library

Wood River library baskets containing books with pictures of pepa pig, paw patrol, princess, etc.
Very welcoming staff welcome area families and those from outside communities to enjoy the facilities and programming. Almost all of their programs, services, and books are available for everyone to utilize.

The community obviously supports and works with staff. Events are often led by and facilitated by comunity volunteers.

The children's section has comfortable seating. Books are organized by category in baskets with picture labels and placed at a low height for children to grab. There is a weekly scavenger hunt for Waldo that earns kids a sticker.



Events
  • Movie Monday
  • Roll and Read
  • Wee Jam
  • Lego Club
  • Toddler Tales
  • Reading with a Dog
  • Various Holiday Events
Kits
  • Discovery Kits for ages 6-8
  • Bugs Storytime Kit with books, activity, and more
  • Children's Phonics Kits
  • S.T.E.M. kits
  • Code-n-Go Robot Mouse.
Online Resources
  • **TumbleBooks for Kids
  • Beanstack Reading Challenges
  • **CloudLibrary
  • Creativebug: art and crafts learning center
  • **ABCMouse
  • **Freegal
Other Perks
  • Monthly Boredom Bags for kids
  • Book Club on Zoom
  • Guest WiFi: WRPL-Guest and the password is our phone number: 6182544832
  • Fishing Poles to check out with a valid IHLS library card.


Adventures of Intrigue

Challenge your clue searching and puzzle solving skills in a mystery adventure for all ages. Help save the missing dragons, unlock the storybook, or solve a murder with friends. When I scheduled our adventure, I didn't think there was any way we would all leave satisfied. I was terrified to imagine the horror on staff faces as we ran through the building. I was very wrong! I watched my 3 year old find clues and my 13 year old working with her siblings. Somehow the family challenges were low enough to involve my littlest while leaving a challenge we all had to work to solve. The staff were incredibly encouraging and forgiving as I repeated, "walk guys" while hurrying throughout the building.

A boy and girl unlock the storybook to see if they returned the magic at Adventures of Intrigue in Saint Louis, Missouri. The volcano shoots smoke into the air at Adventures of Intrigue in Saint Louis, Missouri. A boy and girl use a magnifying glass to look at a hologram on a screen at Adventures of Intrigue in Saint Louis, Missouri.



Great For: All ages and interests. Our 3, 5, and 13 year old all loved the challenge!

Don't Miss: The magnifying glasses that make screens into hallograms and the Egyptian room!

Drawbacks: There are SO MANY fascinating decorations to see and interact with. Setting ground rules with littles beforehand will make life much easier. I recommend "walking feet" and "we're a team that stays together".

Hours:
Wednesday and Thursday 4pm- 9pm
Friday 2pm- 9pm
Saturday 10am- 9pm
Sunday 12pm- 6pm

Prices:
*Mention Madison County Kids for 25% off!*
Prices start at $20 per person for a 45 minute adventure.

Audubon Center at the Riverlands

Welcoming friendly and knowledgeable Audubon staff and volunteers. Engaging exhibits on birds, rivers, and the Mississippi flyway, other wildlife and river ecology. A panoramic view of Ellis Bay, the Mississippi River and historic downtown Alton. Premium spotting scopes for amazing close-up views of eagles, swans, herons, egrets and more! A warm welcoming setting for viewing wintering Bald Eagles and Trumpeter Swans. Movies including the 12-minute “Spectacle of Birds”. Special exhibits, events and presentations, and activities throughout the year including Eagle Fest and Birds of Winter. The Center and wrap-around deck are handicap accessible. Please visit our Accessibility page for further information. Bus parking is available. 301 Riverlands Way, West Alton, MO 63386

Great For: All ages to dive into nature!

Don't Miss: The sand table and FREE educational programs.

Hours: Open Tuesday-Sunday from 8a-4p

Prices: FREE! Donations are appreciated!

City Museum

Artists have repurposed pieces of old cities to build miles of tunnels, slides, secret passages, climbers, tunnels, bridges, and castles inside a hundred-year-old warehouse. Under 16 must be accompanied by adult. Masks required for 9 and older.

Great For: Older kids or families who are good at supervising!

Don't Miss: The giant slide.

Drawbacks: It can be hard to supervise children and easy to get lost.

Hours: 10am- 5pm

Prices: $18 and up.

Our field trip to

Health Works

was fantastic! Our kids went down slides, enjoyed a presentation, and had lots of free play fun. On the ride home, there were TONS of great questions. Their curiosity was racing!

Great For: Younger kids, but there is good programming and a lot of interesting information for older kids as well.

Don't Miss: Learning about boogers.

Hours: Open EVERY DAY!
Mon-Fri 10 am to 5 pm
Sat 10 am to 5 pm
Sun 11 am to 5 pm

Prices: 1 & under - Free
ages 2-17 $10.95
Adult 18-59 $5.95
Senior 60+ $4.95
Veteran Discount available. Socks are required.

City Museum

Take a trolley ride back in time, serve food at a café, pilot a steamboat, and play house in the city of Cahokia. Dress up in period costumes, put on a puppet show, and fish over the edge of a canoe while experiencing history. Book a spot for every person in your group, including those under age 1.

Great For: All ages. The history clubhouse for the littler ones and a fantastic museum for older children.

Don't Miss: The mummy!

Hours: Tuesday -Sunday from 10am to 12pm and 1pm - 4pm. Closed for sanitation from 12-1pm.

Prices: FREE

The Magic House

A family attraction with active learning exhibits and activities. Reservations include exploration of exhibits including temporary exhibits.

Great For: Elementary and younger.

Don't Miss: The slide.

Drawbacks: It can be hard to supervise children and easy for them to get lost.

Hours: Tuesday -Sunday from 10am to 12pm and 1pm - 4pm. Closed for sanitation from 12-1pm.

Prices: $12.00 (one and older). Foster families and Active-U.S. military families receive free admission.

Myseum

Dig for dinosaurs, race down a slide, become a veterinarian, and bounce your heart out! Plus a toddler area for the little ones! Don't forget SOCKS. Interactive exhibits recommended for ages 2-12.

Great For: All ages. I learned a TON!

Don't Miss: Learning about energy.

Hours: Open EVERY DAY!
Mon-Fri 10 am to 5 pm
Sat 10 am to 5 pm
Sun 11 am to 5 pm

Prices: 1 & under - Free
ages 2-17 $10.95
Adult 18-59 $5.95
Senior 60+ $4.95
Veteran Discount available. Socks are required.

The Rec

Strap on a harness, take a deep breath, and get ready for fun at any age or strength! Clip and Climb accepts climbers ages 3 and above weighing at least 25 - 300 pounds. The pool has a 4-lane, zero-depth entry pool with a waterslide, splash pad, vortex, and lazy river. The Little RECers’ Zone is included with memberships and available to non-members for $2.00/per hour/per child.

Girl in black with red harness climbing wall with spot holds of all colors.  To the left, there is a green and purple climbing aparatus. To the right there is a climbing wall with ropes. At The Rec in Fairview Heights Girl in black with red harness standing on top of green poles called Stairway to Heaven.  To the right, there is a climbing wall pentagrams and another red climbing wall with tradiitonal fake stone holds. At The Rec in Fairview Heights 3 year old Girl in pink shirt and black pants putting on climbing harness. At The Rec in Fairview Heights


Open Hours: 5am- 4pm

Gym Prices:
Under 18: Resident $8, Non Resident $10
(Must be accompanied by an adult 21 years of age or older to enter)
Adult: Resident $12, Non Resident $15
Family: Resident $35, Non Resident $40
(2 adults and 3 dependents)

30 minute climb prices: Members: $5, Non-Members: $10. To climb, you do not need to pay gym prices.

The Science Museum

Lots of fantastic free exhibits on 3 levels!

Great For: All ages. I learned a TON!

Don't Miss: The outside exhibits about agriculture accessible from the second floor.

Hours: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Monday: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Tuesday and Wednesday: CLOSED
Last Entry to the building: 30 minutes before close

Prices: FREE


Drawbacks: Parking is $15, but there are lots of available free spots if you don't mind a walk.