There’s a saying that I’ve learned since moving to Indiana almost three years ago. It goes something like, “If you don’t like the weather in Indiana, wait five minutes.” It’s a funny saying because it’s so true, and I’ve learned that because of Indiana’s ever-changing weather, I need to have an arsenal of indoor play ideas for my kids so we don’t all go crazy spending the day at home when the weather makes a sudden, frosty turn.
That’s why I was jazzed to find out about Hancock County Library in Greenfield. It’s a little drive from Indianapolis, but it’s completely worth it. It’s the perfect fun, free place to spend indoors for an hour or two with kids. I love libraries for many reasons, but I especially love when a library has an amazing children’s department full of fun, educational, and interactive things to explore.
I will just cut to the chase and talk about the best part of the children’s department (well, according to my 3-year-old): the two play houses. Yes, there are play houses in the library! One of the houses is a veterinarian office, with doctor’s tools, dress-up clothes, stuffed animals that need to be cared for, and more. In the other house is a bakery grocery store, with pretend food, an oven, shopping baskets, and even more dress-up clothes.
For your little Lego lover, there is a huge section dedicated to those colorful, interlocking blocks. There are big Lego, small Lego, Duplo blocks, Lego people and animals … all kinds of Lego. There are even huge, foot-long blocks to build forts and castles with. Tucked into the corner of the Lego area is a playhouse that looks like it was built from Lego. It’s a cute touch!
In another section of the children’s department is the nature area, with wooden blocks, displays of animals, and a tower viewer that you can peer through and see what the birds and other critters are doing outside.
Another area houses toys of all sorts in baskets, including dinosaurs, blocks, and puzzles. In this area is a large, circular sitting area by a bank of windows that let in the natural outdoor light. It’s a nice place to sit and play!
Of course, the children’s department of Hancock County Public Library also has books! Everything from board books to picture books to chapter books are available for all ages. If reading on a tablet is more your (or your kid’s) thing, the library also offers tablets to check out while you’re there.
You can easily spend a couple of hours in the children’s department of this library, especially when you plan your trip to coincide with one of the several storytime events the library offers throughout the week. Storytime is popular at Hancock County Library, so be sure to call and register to secure a spot for your little one.
More Info about the Hancock County Library:
Hancock County Public Library is located at 900 W. McKenzie Rd. in Greefield. For more information, call (317) 462-5141 or visit http://hcplibrary.org.
Nicole Sipe is a freelance writer and editor in Indianapolis. A Southern California native, she enjoys exploring Indy with her husband and two sons.
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