Which Brisbane Library Branch has the Best Children’s Area?
There are 33 library branches in Brisbane, but which Brisbane Library branch has the best children’s area?
We tend to go to the library closest to our home the most but will travel for a playground, play area, and toys. After visiting all 33 branches of the Brisbane Library system, here is what we found.
Whether you are looking for a Brisbane library with a playground, a cafe, or simply one that has the best toys for kids, you can find the perfect Brisbane library branch for you. Maybe it is your closest library branch, or maybe it is worth traveling a little bit to get to the Brisbane library with the best children’s area.
Brisbane City Council also has a pop-up library where you can check out children’s books, attend story time, and play games.
Keep reading to see pictures and to discover what each Brisbane Library branch has to offer children.
Map of Brisbane’s 33 Library Branches
Brisbane Libraries with Playgrounds
Annerly
A very small playground is located by the parking lot of Annerly Library.
The playground is geared toward very young kids.
Ashgrove Library
A small playground and a swing set are located outside Ashgrove Library. There is limited seating.
Though Ashgrove Library has a cafe and outdoor seating by the playground, it is enclosed and it is not easy to view the kids on the playground from the deck.
Banyo
Right outside Banyo Library is a park with a playground.
Between the library and the playground is a small skate park. The playground is mostly covered.
Covered picnic tables are also in the park as are benches and a BBQ.
Bracken Ridge Library
There is a partially shaded playground at Bracken Ridge Library.
A few benches are located around the playground.
Carina Library
A small playground is located outside the Carina Library.
It is shaded and there is a bench to sit on that is located nearby.
Coopers Plains Library
Across the parking lot of Coopers Plains Library is a playground with a sunshade.
The playground is in a giant sand pit and has a few different climbing areas, a slide, and a swing set.
Corinda Library
A small library on Brisbane’s south side, Corinda Library has a small playground outside by the parking lot.
The playground at Corinda Library has a slide, swings, and a small climbing area. A sunshade covers the entire playground, though there is nowhere to sit.
Everton Park
One unique feature on the Everton Park Playground is a stage where kids can perform.
Other items on this playground include swings, a slide, and a nature play area.
Grange Library
Right outside Grange Library is a playground. Parents can sit on the benches, on the covered picnic tables, or on the deck of the library.
A BBQ is located in the Grange Playground so families can cook a meal while the kids play.
A cafe called Book et Brew is located on the deck of the Grange Library and they serve breakfast, lunch, sweets, and drinks.
Holland Park Library
A playground is located outside Holland Park Library. The playground has a few different sections with slides, swings, and climbing areas.
Some of the playground at Holland Park Library has sunshades. There are BBQs, benches, and picnic tables under shelters.
You can borrow park items including balls from the library.
Mitchelton Library
Sid Loder Park is located right outside Mitchelton Library.
In addition to a climbing area, slide, and swing set, there is a half-sized basketball court in Sid Loder Park.
A few benches are located in the park as are picnic benches under shelters. There is a BBQ located at the shelters.
New Farm Library
A small playground is located right behind New Farm Library, attached to New Farm Park. A larger playground is located at the other end of the park.
While there isn’t seating at this playground, seating is available under a roof on the deck on New Farm Library.
Nundah
Across the parking lot of Nundah Library is Boyd Park which has a playground.
There is a large field in Boyd Park in addition to the sun-sheltered playground, covered picnic tables, and a BBQ.
Brisbane School Holidays Workshops and Events for Kids
Brisbane Libraries with Cafes
Ashgrove Library
Located on the deck of the Ashgrove Library is La Pola Cafe, a small coffee shop that is open Monday to Friday from 7 am until 11 am.
In addition to coffee, La Pola Cafe serves breakfast items and treats.
Brisbane Square Library
In the lobby of Brisbane Square Library is Espresso Square.
Espresso Square is open weekdays from 6:30 am until 4 pm. They serve pastries, sandwiches, salads, and coffee drinks as well as juices and smoothies.
Chermside Library
Cafe 641.5 is located inside Chermside Library.
The largest library cafe in Brisbane, Cafe 641.5 serves burgers, salads, toasties, and sandwiches as well as baked goods. Hot and cold drinks are both served as well.
There are lots of tables and chairs by the cafe so you do not need to leave the library to enjoy a drink or a meal.
The cafe is open from 9 am until 4 pm from Monday to Saturday and until 3 pm on Sundays.
Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Brisbane
Grange Library
Book et Brew is located at Grange Library.
They are open from 9 am Tuesday to Saturday. Open hours vary. Book et Brew is open until 1 pm on Tuesday and Saturday, 2 pm on Friday, and 4 pm on Wednesday and Thursday.
This small cafe has breakfast and lunch options as well as treats and drinks.
In addition to full-sized treats, they also have smaller versions that are perfect for younger kids.
Mitchelton Library
Mitchelton Library Cafe is located on the outdoor deck at Mitchelton Library.
They serve drinks, sandwiches, and treats.
There is plenty of outdoor seating on the deck. A small play cafe is also outside for the kids to play in.
Brisbane Libraries inside Shopping Centres
Carindale
Carindale Library is located inside Carindale Shopping Centre.
The children’s area at Carindale Library has a fun entry for kids, 3 computers, and a good amount of seating.
There is a Duplo wall, a marble maze on the wall, and an interactive floor in addition to lots of picture books and chapter books.
Fairfield Library
Fairfield Library is located at Fairfield Gardens Shopping Centre.
The children’s area at Fairfield Library has a train set up for kids to read inside. It is not a toy, just a place to read.
Garden City Library
Located inside Garden City Shopping Centre is the Garden City Library branch.
Outside the library, as part of the shopping centre, there is a partial basketball court that is fenced in and has seating inside.
In the children’s area of the Garden City Library, they have an interactive floor, an interactive table (that was turned off during our visit), 2 computers, and a marble maze.
More computers are located outside the children’s area as is a chess table.
Indooroopilly Library
Indooroopilly Library is located on the 4th floor next to the cinemas in Indooroopilly Shopping Centre.
One of the larger library branches in Brisbane, Indooroopilly’s children’s area has 3 computers and an interactive floor. A chess table is located outside the children’s area.
Kenmore Library
Located inside Kenmore Village Shopping Centre, Kenmore Library’s children’s area has an interactive floor and 2 computers.
A chess table is located in the library outside the children’s area.
Mount Ommaney Library
To be fair, Mount Ommaney Library is not inside the shopping centre, but they share a parking lot and it is right outside.
The children’s area at Mount Ommaney Library has a few different areas for kids to play and an interactive table is located right outside the kids’ section.
They also have computers, a Duplo wall, a cubbyhouse, and a bathtub that kids can sit in and read.
Outside the kid’s section, there is a chess table and a large table where kids can sit and play board games or complete puzzles. Some games are on the table, and there is a list of everything the library has if you want something different.
Sunnybank Hills Library
Sunnybank Hills Library is located inside Sunnybank Hills Shopping Town.
One of the larger library branches in Brisbane, the children’s area of the Sunnybank Hills Library has a bus that kids can read inside, 2 computers, 2 marble maze games, and a Duplo wall (though there were no Duplo blocks out during our visit).
Outside the children’s area, there is a chess table and more computers that kids can use.
Toowong Library
Located in Toowong Village, the Toowong Library has one of the largest children’s sections in Brisbane.
In addition to the many books, there is a Duplo wall, a computer, and a shop that kids can play in during their visit to Toowong Library.
Wynnum
The Wynnum library branch is located in a small shopping centre.
The children’s area at Wynnum Library is larger than most of the children’s area at other Brisbane Library branches.
They have a variety of seating options as well as board games, crafts, a Duplo wall, computers, and a TV where kids can play a video game.
Free Things to Do in Brisbane with Kids
Large Brisbane Library Branches
Brisbane Square Library
Brisbane Square Library is 3 stories with the children’s area on the 1st floor (which is up one flight from the ground floor).
While the Brisbane Square Library’s children’s area is larger than most of the Brisbane Library branches, it is mainly just space to move and seating areas that differentiate it from the other branches.
As for things for kids to do at Brisbane Square Library, there are 3 computers and an interactive table.
Brisbane Square Library also offers views of the city and Brisbane River.
While it is not part of the library, there is a cafe right outside the library in the lobby.
Chermside Library
Chermside Library is located near Chermside Shopping Centre and Chermside Aquatic Centre, though it is a separate building.
The kid’s area is quite large compared to the other Brisbane library branches and has a lot of seating.
There is an interactive floor, but it was off during our visit. They do have an interactive word wall as well as 3 computers.
A flat bridge is located in the children’s area as is a camper van. Kids can sit and read at the table in the camper van. The van also has a play kitchen, though we did not see any accessories for kids to play with.
Indooroopilly Library
Indooroopilly has one of the larger library branches in Brisbane though the children’s section is not very big.
Kids can play on the interactive floor or one of the 3 computers in the children’s area of Indooroopilly Library.
The library is located on the 4th floor of Indooroopilly Shopping Centre, right next to the cinemas.
Sunnybank Hills
Located in Sunnybank Hills Shopping Town, the Sunnybank Hills Library has a children’s area with plenty of seating.
Kids can sit and play inside a VW bus replica as well as by a “fountain” that is painted on the wall. There are also benches and chairs to sit on.
Two computers are located inside the kid’s area.
Two wall mazes are inside the bus and there is a Duplo block wall as well. A chess table is located outside the kid’s area.
Fun Things to Do in Brisbane with Kids
Medium Sized Brisbane Library Branches
Ashgrove Library
As seen on Bluey, the Ashgrove Library branch has a children’s room filled with books, a Duplo block wall, and a marble maze on the wall.
There are a few places to sit in the Ashgrove children’s section, mainly on ottomans. Like many libraries in Brisbane, they also have a cozy reading spot in the children’s area.
Ashgrove Library has street parking, a playground, and a cafe that is only open in the morning. Though you can only get coffee before 11 am, you can sit outside on the deck anytime.
Bracken Ridge Library
The entrance to the children’s section at Bracken Ridge Library is shaped like a pineapple and there is a large apple with seating inside.
Bracken Ridge Library also has a fruit cart where kids can play.
Inside the apple, there are books as well as a tic-tac-toe wall game and a marble maze. There is an interactive table and a computer in the kid’s area.
From the kid’s area, you can get to the outdoor deck which has tables and chairs. You can not get downstairs to the playground from the deck, but you can view it from there.
Carindale Library
The Carindale Library branch is not large, but there is a lot to do outside in the shopping centre.
In the children’s area of Carindale Library, there are 3 computers as well as a Duplo wall, a marble maze on the wall, and an interactive floor.
Carindale Library has a few different options for seating in the children’s area for kids and adults.
Coopers Plains
Everything is upside down in the children’s section of Coopers Plains Library. They even have things on the ceiling!
Kids can play on the interactive floor, read a book in the treehouse seat, or play in The Shed. Duplo blocks are inside The Shed.
There are a few areas to sit in the children’s area including at booths.
Outside the kid’s area is a chess table. An outdoor deck with tables and chairs is attached to the library. A playground is located across the parking lot.
Everton Park Library
After a year of construction, the Everton Park Library reopened in March 2024.
There is a variety of seating options in the children’s section and a large space where kids can play.
The children’s section of Everton Park Library has 1 computer and an interactive floor. There is a collection of wombat stools that seem to be very popular among the kids.
A deck with tables and chairs is attached to the main section of the library, and there is a playground outside.
Fairfield Library
The Fairfield Library’s children’s area has a train set up for kids to sit inside and read. The bookshelves are set up to look like train cars.
Fairfield Library is located in Fairfield Gardens Shopping Centre.
Garden City Library
Brisbane’s Garden City Library Branch has 3 different entrances for kids of all heights. There is even an entrance for crawlers.
A chess table is located right outside the children’s area as is the bookshelf with fastback books.
In the children’s area at Garden City, dubbed the Secret Garden, you will find plenty of seating, an interactive floor, an interactive game table, a marble maze on the wall, and 2 computers.
Grange Library
While the Grange Library is great for its playground, cafe, and outdoor seating, its children’s area is kind of small.
There are picture books and chapter books inside the children’s area, and non-fiction children’s books are located right outside the kid’s room.
A few seats are located in the Grange Kid’s section and they also have a small area for the kids to play, including a puppet show theatre.
In the main area of the Grange Library, there is a chess board.
Holland Park Library
While we originally thought the young adult section was the kid’s section at Holland Park Library, they do have a dedicated room for kids.
In the young adult section of the library, there are seats, a chess table, and a wall of items that can be checked out for 1 night including balls and games.
The children’s section at Holland Park Library has a reading nook set to look like a London bus. There is also an interactive table and a clock that kids can play with.
Inside the library, they have a jigsaw puzzle that older kids can work on if they wish.
Outside, there is a playground as well as BBQs and picnic tables.
Kenmore Library
Inside the Kenmore Village Shopping Centre is the Kenmore Library.
The children’s area at Kenmore Library has an interactive floor and 2 computers. A chess table is located outside in the general library area.
Mount Ommaney
The Mount Ommaney Library has multiple places for kids to play both inside and outside of the children’s section.
The children’s section at Mount Ommaney Library has a Duplo wall, 2 computers, and a cubby house with toys inside.
There is also a bathtub where kids can climb inside and read.
Outside the children’s section, there is an interactive table.
Mount Ommaney Library also has a chess table and a large table where kids can play board games and complete puzzles. A few games are on the table along with a list of more games that you can ask to borrow.
New Farm Library
Sometimes, the temporary wall in the New Farm Library’s children’s area is open to provide more space while other times it is closed for an event.
The children’s area at New Farm Library has a Duplo wall along with a marble maze and another wall game. A few puzzles aimed at younger kids are available as well.
You can ask the staff for a board game.
A chess table is located outside the kid’s section. Outside the library is a small playground.
Toowong Library
Located inside Toowong Village is the Toowong Library.
In addition to many picture books and chapter books, the children’s area at Toowong Library has a Duplo wall, a computer, and a shop where kids can play.
The Little Red Shop has various food items as well as a cash register and coffee maker.
At the back of the shop is a game on the wall.
Wynnum Library
Wynnum Library has one of the largest children’s areas of the Brisbane library branches.
Kids can sit in a small boat and read, or they can sit in the tiered cushioned seats inside a house with their books.
In the children’s area of Wynnum Library, there is a Duplo wall, 2 computers, and a table with coloring supplies. On the table is a sign saying that there are board games available to borrow.
This is one library where the teen section is connected to the kid’s section. In the teen area is a TV with a video game of the week.
Outside the children’s area at Wynnum Library is a chess table and a table with a partially completed puzzle. There is also plenty of seating, including a deck outside.
Wynnum Library is the only one we saw that has a sink in the children’s area.
Zillmere Library
The kid’s section at Zillmere Library has 2 computers and a table of Duplo blocks.
There is also a large log that separates the area from the general library. One side of the log is a bookshelf while the other side is a bench seat.
Indoor Places to Go in Brisbane with Kids
Small Brisbane Library Branches
Annerly Library
The children’s area at Annerly Library is small and consists of books only.
Right outside the children’s area is a craft table with supplies and directions for a craft that kids can complete on their own.
There is also a chess table outside the children’s area. Toys for younger kids can be borrowed from a librarian.
Next to the parking lot is a very small playground for young kids.
Banyo Library
Banyo Library has a small children’s area with puzzles, a tunnel they can read in, and 1 computer.
There are 2 chess tables right outside the children’s area.
Banyo Library has a playground with a small skate park outside.
Bulimba
The Bulimba Library has a small children’s area.
They have a replica of a train station with a bench that kids can sit on to read.
Carina Library
The children’s area at Carina Library is set up to look like a beehive. Kids can read inside the beehive.
There is a game on the wall with bees and butterflies.
Outside of Carina Library is a playground.
Corinda Library
While there is a small playground located by the parking lot at Corinda Library, there isn’t anything to do in the children’s section (besides reading, of course).
Corinda Library is one of the smaller Brisbane branches and the children’s section reflects that.
Hamilton Library
Hamilton has a small children’s area with puzzles, toys, and games in addition to books.
All of the available puzzles are wooden puzzles for younger children, and the toys are small plastic cars.
A large table is located right outside the children’s area at Hamilton Library and that is where we found the board games.
Inala Library
For a small library branch especially, there is a lot for kids to do in the children’s area at Inala Library.
On the wall, there are words and picture cubes that kids can move around. Another wall activity is Tetris, in which kids can velcro onto the board on the wall.
Inala Library has Duplos for kids to play with and 2 computers inside the children’s section.
Surrounding a cozy reading spot are stairs that kids can climb up and over.
Outside the children’s section, there is a chess table as well as 2 large TVs where kids can play video games. There is also a large table with coloring supplies.
Mitchelton Library
The Mitchelton Library may be small, but they have a cafe and a playground. The cafe has a miniature play cafe for the kids to use.
The children’s area at Mitchelton Library has an interactive floor. An interactive table is located right outside the area, but it was off the day we visited.
Not a lot of seating is available inside the children’s area, but there is more seating right outside as well as on the deck.
Mount Coot-tha Library
Mount Coot-tha is one of the smallest library branches in Brisbane and its children’s section is the smallest.
On the day we visited the Mount Coot-tha Library, a craft table was set up. They also have a chess table.
A few toddler puzzles are available as well.
Unlike the other Brisbane library branches, Mount Coot-tha Library focuses on plants and space and their books reflect that.
Mount Gravatt Library
Another Brisbane library branch with a small children’s section is the Mount Gravatt Library.
While there is limited seating inside the kid’s area, there is more seating right outside. Computers and a chess table are located right outside of this area.
My kids did find a bead maze for babies and young kids at the Mount Gravatt Library.
Nundah Library
The children’s area at Nundah Library is extremely small and has limited seating.
The only thing besides books and magazines in the children’s area is a wall where the kids can rotate words to make a 4-word poem. They can pick a noun, verb, adjective, and another noun to make a true or funny phrase.
There are 2 outside spaces at Nundah Library. One has a sunshade and a large picnic table. The other has a roof with open walls, tables with chairs, and tables with benches.
Nundah Library has a playground outside.
Sandgate Library
Though the Sandgate Library is small, there are still things for kids to do in addition to reading books.
Inside the kid’s area at Sandgate Library, there is a marble maze on the wall as well as a Duplo wall.
Outside the kid’s area, they have a chess board.
Stones Corner Library
The Stones Corner library is small, and the children’s area reflects that.
The room is enclosed and away from the rest of the library. There is a selection of picture books and chapter books as well as DVDs and audiobooks.
A marble maze is attached to the wall as is a Duplo block baseplate. There is a basket of Duplo blocks for kids to build with next to the baseplate.
There are a few places to sit and read inside of the children’s area, though it does get crowded.
West End Library
The West End Library has one of the smallest children’s area of all the Brisbane Library branches.
There are picture books and chapter books along the wall and on shelves that kids can reach, but the kids do not have a separate area to read or play.
There are cushions that kids can sit on, and my kids had no problem sitting in the middle of the kid’s section to read.
Basic puzzles are available. The puzzles have just a few pieces and are meant for young kids.
Best Brisbane Library Children’s Area Wrap-Up
After visiting all of the Brisbane libraries with the hope of finding the best children’s area, there is no definite library that deserves the top spot.
Taking out things like cafes, playgrounds, and things to do in the regular section of the library and just focusing on the children’s area, here are our top picks in alphabetical order.
- Bracken Ridge
- Coopers Plains
- Inala
- Mount Ommaney
- Toowong
It is neat to see how the different Brisbane library branches have themed their children’s areas. Most Brisbane Libraries have a themed children’s area, including trains at Fairfield Library, bees at Carina Library, and fruit at Bracken Ridge Library.
While talking to the librarians, all of whom were extremely nice, I found out that most libraries have a craft once a week. It seems like we found a few, but missed most of them.
Many of the toys and games were taken out of the libraries during 2020, but hopefully, they will be making a return soon.
All Brisbane Library branches have a chess table, though none are inside the children’s area. Some Brisbane library branches have computers in the children’s section, and they all have computers for general use.
Many activities, workshops, and classes are offered for kids at each Brisbane Library branch. You can find a current schedule here. While some of the events are drop-in, others require a booking.
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