13 Fun (and Free!) Programs for Kids at Edmonton Public Library This Fall
Fall in Edmonton means shorter days, cooler evenings, and the perfect excuse to cozy up at your neighbourhood library branch. Edmonton Public Library consistently puts together some of the city's best free programming for kids, from storytime staples to hands-on STEM sessions and creative drop-ins — and this season is no exception.
Whether you're looking to fill a weekly routine, find a rainy-Saturday activity, or just get the kids out of the house without spending a dime, here are 13 programs at EPL branches across the city worth adding to your calendar this fall.
1. Discovery Club
Full STEAM ahead — this club invites young scientists and makers to dig into science, technology, engineering, art, and math through hands-on exploration. A great pick for curious kids who love to build, test, and tinker.
2. STEAM Lab
From robot battles to hovercrafts to building their own games, junior makers get to try new things and create at this hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math class.
3. Video Game Tournament
Bring your game face — the library brings the games! A fun, competitive tournament for kids who love gaming. Space is limited to 12 participants, so registration fills up fast.
4. Introduction to the Cricut for Kids
Kids learn the basics of Cricut Design Space, starting with a template and turning it into their own vinyl sticker, greeting card, or t-shirt graphic. Staff handle the cutting and help with weeding and assembly. Limited to 5 participants — registration required.
5. Introduction to 3D Printing for Kids
Kids design their own 3D printable model in TinkerCAD — a bike name plate, a dream house, a trophy, whatever they dream up — and EPL prints it for free. Recommended for ages 9-12; limited to 10 participants, registration required.
6. Rowdy Robots
Root, Ozobot, Dash, and Sphero are all bored robots waiting for someone to code them for fun. Kids get hands-on with real robots and a bit of playful coding.
7. Children's Makerspace - Open Hours
A drop-in session where kids can tinker with a loose parts wall, snap photos with the green screen, mix music at the DIY DJ booth, code a robot, or get help with a 3D design. No registration needed — just show up during open hours.
8. Stories of the Land Discovery Club: Puppet Making
Calling all storytellers — kids ages 6-8 create their own puppet pals and star them in a show of their own making, in this hands-on art and imagination adventure exploring Indigenous Stories of the Land.
9. Painted Beadwork Canvas Patches - Drop-in
A free, on-the-floor Makerspace drop-in at Stanley Milner Library where kids paint their own beadwork canvas patch, choosing from two designs made to recognize National Truth and Reconciliation Day. No registration needed — just show up (one patch per person).
10. For Teens: Studio Lab & Bookbinding
Two of EPL's newer offerings are geared toward older kids ready for a bit more independence in the Makerspace and Studio Lab.
Studio Lab - Podcasting in Three Parts A three-session series in EPL's brand-new Studio Lab where teens plan, record, and edit their own podcast — from choosing a theme and audience to mastering the mic to polishing the final cut. Registration covers all three sessions; attendance at all three is required.
Personalized Notebooks Teens 15+ learn EPL's professional "Perfect Bind" bookbinding equipment, designing and assembling a one-of-a-kind notebook from start to finish. Materials are included; there's a $7.50 fee, and registration opens September 12 at 9am via Zeffy.
