There is something so magical about visiting a bookstore with your family. There are shelves and shelves of books just waiting to be read, everything is neatly organized and there is coffee. Excuse me while I slip away to a Barnes and Noble to get some much needed holiday season calm.
It is so awesome to be able to escape to a bookstore on a dreary afternoon and spend time slowly wandering shelves and being among fellow book lovers. When the weather is cold, I like to go to Barnes and Noble, get a nice hot tea and walk through the bookshelves with my kids. My kids love to play in the children’s section with the Thomas the Train table, stand on the stage and pretend to lead a story time or look piles of books.
Storytime
Barnes and Noble has a great regular Storytime series that is perfect for families with young children. Each Storytime features a Barnes and Noble staff member reading a carefully selected book followed by a fun activity for kids. Storytime is such a great way for kids to practice those kindergarten readiness skills like paying attention, listening to a grownup, and taking turns. It is also so important for kids to have frequent and fun exposure to reading and stories to help make them readers for life. There are lots of great places to experience fun story times in the community including libraries, Drag Queen Story Hour and regular story times at Conner Prairie’s Discovery Station (just to name a few!). To sweeten the deal even more, Barnes and Noble offers a free tall hot or iced coffee coupon to use in their onsite café.
Barnes and Noble Kids’ Club
While you are relaxing and enjoying your coffee, sign up for the Barnes and Noble Kids’ Club. You will receive 30% off the list price on a future kids’ book or toy, $5 reward for every $100 you spend on kids’ stuff online and in store and a free cupcake from the cafe on your kid’s birthday.
Storytime Events
- Fridays at 7 pm (Ages 2-5) Pajama Storytime
- Saturdays at 11 am (Ages 2-5)
- Sundays at 11 am (Ages 0-2) Baby and Me Storytime
- Extra Storytimes
- Noblesville Barnes and Noble: Storytime every Wednesday at 11 am
- Carmel Barnes and Noble: Storytime every Thursday at 10 am
For Older Kids
Though the story times might be geared toward the younger crowd, Barnes and Noble has just the thing for older kids too. Harry Potter fans can join the Harry Potter Book Club on Friday December 13 at 6:30 pm to chat all things Half Blood Prince and have all sorts of magical fun. Participate in Pilkeypalooza to celebrate the release of the newest Dog Man Book on December 10 at 6:30 pm.
For the Whole Family
It’s hard to deny the convenience of Amazon but nothing can match the magic of walking through a real bookstore filled to the brim with books. Take your kids and let the experience them joy of running their hands along the bindings of a bunch of books while they consider which book might become theirs forever. I believe that visiting the library regularly is a necessary and beautiful part of childhood. Nothing can quite compare with the allure of being able to check out almost as many books as your heart desires. But occasionally, being able to go to a bookstore to choose a book to take home and keep forever is a really special thing.
Summer Reading Program
Barnes and Noble typically has a Summer Reading Program where kids can earn prizes for reading throughout the summer. Check back here next summer to learn more.
It’s hard to leave Barnes and Noble empty handed but if there is one thing you can’t have too many of, it’s books, right?
