Ages 0 to 10, always
Everything we list is for kids ages 0 to 10.
Free or low cost
We highlight free and budget friendly picks.
Curated by real NoVA parents
Local notes on drive time, bathrooms, parking, and age fit.
Rainy day ready
Find indoor fun when the weather does not cooperate.
Save good ideas
Keep favorite places and events ready for later.
Fairfax County libraries for babies and kids
Fairfax County has 23 public library branches. Start with the closest useful branch, then open the exact event if the plan depends on a storytime, craft, club, or children's program.
Quick answer
City of Fairfax, Chantilly, and Centreville are seven day regional branches with large parking areas and current children's programs. Oakton is a smaller six day branch with preschool storytimes, children's activities, and outdoor seating. Choose by drive time and branch setup first, then check the exact event age and registration rule.
- Baby Storytime, Centreville, VA. Join us for Baby Storytime! We will share songs, rhymes, giggles and favorite books while building an early literacy foundation. Diverse representa... Free Official source
- Storytime for 3 to 5s, Chantilly, VA. Early literacy program with stories and activities. Age 3-5 years with adult. In person with limited attendance, so please register in advance. **P... Free Official source
- Toddler Storytime & Playdate, Oakton, VA. Join us for stories, songs, rhymes, & playtime and make new friends! After storytime, stick around for a toddler playdate where your little ones ca... Free Official source
- Bilingual (Spanish-English) Storytime, Fairfax, VA. Hola amigos! Hi Friends! Do you enjoy singing and dancing to silly songs and listening to stories in Spanish and English? Ages 0 to 5 ¿Te en... Free Official source
- Preschool Storytime, Centreville, VA. Enjoy stories, songs, and fingerplays perfect for children ages 3 to 5 years old with adult. No registration. Space is limited. Please arrive 15 mi... Free Official source
- Unearth Your Creativity: Dino Block Printing, Oakton, VA. Come to Oakton library and learn the technique of block printing with a local artist. You will print a canvas bag for you to enjoy this summer. Bri... Free Official source
- LEGO Club, Fairfax, VA. Come and Create! Build with LEGO bricks to your heart's content. This is a free-play environment where you can create masterpieces or simply experi... Free Official source
- August Scavenger Hunt, Chantilly, VA. Pick up a scavenger hunt sheet at the Information Desk. Search the library to find each hidden item and fill in the blanks on your sheet. Once you'... Free Official source
- Minecraft - Greek Mythology with Arrayscape Gaming, Chantilly, VA. Craft habitats that include all the essentials for your prehistoric friends! For rising 5th through rising 8th grade students on their own. Space i... Free Official source
- Rubber Duck Races, Fairfax, VA. Ready, Set, Go! It's an old fashioned, double elimination, rain gutter race with rubber duckies! (Outside on our front patio.) Each registered part... Free Official source
- Chantilly Student Chess Club, Chantilly, VA. Join us for friendly, non-rated chess where kids can play, practice their skills, and meet other players. Ideal for beginners and beyond who alread... Free Official source
- August Scavenger Hunt, Centreville, VA. Our favorite giraffes Epic, Story, and Tall Tale have been having a blast this summer! Pick up a scavenger hunt sheet in the children's area and fo... Free Official source
- Author Talk - P. O'Connell Pearson, Fairfax, VA. Local author and historian P. (Patty) O'Connell Pearson will be visiting the library to talk about her newest book, No Ordinary Women . This book,... Free Official source
- Little Pages: English Learning Storytime, Centreville, VA. Enjoy stories and writing activities designed for kids learning English as a second language. Designed for students Pre-K-3rd Grade. Free Official source
- Ellanor C. Lawrence Park - Reptiles and Amphibians, Chantilly, VA. Enjoy a meet and greet with reptiles and amphibians that are native to Fairfax County. Stop by anytime between 2:30 pm and 4:30 pm. All ages are we... Free Official source
- Little Bookworms, Fairfax, VA. Enjoy a PJ Library story time. Each month you will learn about a Jewish holiday or value, do some crafts and have a good time. Everyone is welcome... Free Official source
- Preschool Unicorn Party, Oakton, VA. Do you have a unicorn lover at home that is between the ages of 3-5? Bring them to Oakton Library for this Unicorn Party that is designed just for... Free Official source
- Loom Knitting for Kids!, Centreville, VA. Learn how to knit a hat from start to finish using a round knitting loom! This three (3) week series. Week 1 will introduce the loom; the knitting... Free Official source
- LEGO Club, Fairfax, VA. Come and Create! Build with LEGO bricks to your heart's content. This is a free-play environment where you can create masterpieces or simply experi... Free Official source
- Bilingual Hindi Storytime, Chantilly, VA. Listen and enjoy stories, songs and rhymes in Hindi and English. This storytime is designed to introduce children to both Hindi and English and hel... Free Official source
- Toddler Storytime, Centreville, VA. Enjoy stories, songs, and fingerplays perfect for children ages 2 to 3 years old with adult. No registration. Space is limited. Please arrive early... Free Official source
Choose by branch and parking
| Branch | Open days | Official parking note |
|---|---|---|
| City of Fairfax Regional | Seven days | Covered two level deck with 199 spaces and a 6 foot 8 inch height limit |
| Chantilly Regional | Seven days | 285 spaces, including 13 accessible spaces; 63 are reserved during school hours |
| Centreville Regional | Seven days | 215 spaces, including 4 accessible spaces |
| Oakton | Six days; closed Sunday | 121 spaces, including 5 accessible spaces |
City of Fairfax works for a downtown stop
The City of Fairfax Regional Library has a covered parking deck, children's materials, a large meeting room, study rooms, and current family programs. The official page currently warns that the parking garage elevator is out of service. Check that alert before relying on elevator access. The Playdate NoVA branch page keeps the standing bathroom and parking details separate from one scheduled storytime.
Chantilly has the clearest children's setup
The official Chantilly page lists a children's area with one study table, two preschool tables, and children's display space. The branch offers preschool, school age, and teen services. Its regional hours are Monday through Wednesday from 10 AM to 9 PM and Thursday through Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM.
Centreville has the largest nearby regional collection
Centreville Regional Library has collections for all ages, a quiet study room, current children's events, and 215 parking spaces. It follows the same regional schedule as Chantilly and City of Fairfax. Use it when Centreville or western Fairfax drive time is easier than going into Fairfax City.
Oakton is the smaller calm option
Oakton Library offers preschool storytimes, school age activities, natural light, and outdoor seating. It is open Monday and Tuesday from 10 AM to 9 PM and Wednesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 6 PM. It is closed Sunday, so it is not the right backup for a Sunday morning.
Scheduled events need the exact event page
The current cards below come from the official Fairfax County library calendar. Check the date, time, branch, age range, and registration rule before leaving. A free program can still fill. If the event no longer works, a normal branch visit can still be useful unless the building is closed.
Use the branch locator when another library is closer
Fairfax County operates 23 branches. Burke Centre, Reston, Pohick, George Mason, Tysons Pimmit, and other branches may be the easier local choice. Use the official branch locator and hours page instead of driving past a nearby branch for a generic library visit.
Parent questions
Which Fairfax library is open on Sunday?
City of Fairfax, Chantilly, and Centreville regional libraries are open Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM. Oakton Library is closed Sunday.
Which Fairfax library has covered parking?
City of Fairfax Regional Library has a covered two level parking deck with 199 spaces and a 6 foot 8 inch height limit.
Do Fairfax library storytimes require registration?
Rules vary by event. Open the exact calendar page to confirm the age range, registration rule, and room capacity.
Can we visit without attending a program?
Yes. An ordinary branch visit does not require a storytime or event registration, but check current hours and building alerts first.