Fun, Free Activity in Aurora: Storytime at the Smoky Hill Library

We moved to Aurora/Centennial around the first of the year, and my kids were on a break from year round school and home with me for five straight weeks while we were trying to unpack from our move. The chaos of our disorganized house, combined with the stir-craziness that goes on in January was almost too much for our family to bear. I had to find something fun for the kids to do, right away! And as a mom of 5, I'm always looking for fun, CHEAP things to do. What better place to turn than the public library!

We have a fantastic public library right down the street from us - the Smoky Hill Library, just off Smoky Hill and Biscay. They do lots of storytimes throughout the week, and they're so popular that you actually have to register in advance, which is easy to do right on their website. Check the schedule right here. And let me tell ya, they do storytime right! They have an amazing children's library, separated from the rest of the library with glass doors, so you don't need to worry quite as much about the noise. Within the children's library, you can find lots of little bitty computers for playing games, big tables to sit at and do puzzles, a little playhouse for hiding in, and the coziest storytime area I've ever seen!

Storytime begins with a toot of the train whistle. This lets all the kids and moms know that the wait is over - storytime is about to begin! A gigantic purple barn door slides open to reveal a two-story room with a giant, plush rug for little bottoms to sit on. The massive walls are decorated to look like tree branches, and sunlight just pours in. It's magical.



Two ladies sit at the head of the group, and they usually read two or three books, with songs and dancing in between. The children are captivated by the animated storytelling - Jan and Erin do a great job. Afterward, all the kids line up for a coloring page and a hand stamp. It's become my kids' favorite half hour of the week, and we've become regulars there!

Afterward, we usually browse around and bring home about five books. My kids adore books, and I love finding new ones every week. We also check out DVDs and music CDs. Our most recent favorite was They Might Be Giants - Here Come the ABCs - you may have heard some of this music on the Disney Channel between shows! We also have to spend lots of time working on puzzles - even though my girls are four, they still love those chunky wood puzzles.



Did I mention that the library itself is an architectural masterpiece, with cozy reading areas, an outdoor porch, a sunny atrium for reading (current!) magazines, and it has its own little coffeeshop right inside?





This is my favorite escape, when I get a free hour away from my children. I can head to the library and get a latte, and browse magazines, find some new chick lit, or even surf the internet. It's delicious. Head over there with the kids or even on your own!

Important note: I just found out that story time will not be happening throughout the entire month of May. D'oh!! Enjoy all the other great stuff the library has to offer, and I'll see you at storytime again in June!

Smoky Hill Library
5430 S. Biscay Circle
Centennial, CO 80015
Phone: 303-LIBRARY (303-542-7279)

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