Sunny Play - Meet & Play

Sunny Play is happening at the Martindale-Brightwood Branch on Wednesday, November 4, from 11 AM to 11:45 AM. It's part of the Sunshine Storytime series at the Indianapolis Public Library, and it follows the storytime session with open-ended sensory, loose parts, nature and heuristic play for young children. Little ones can explore natural materials, build and create with loose parts, make art and drift into make-believe.

It's a busy, moderately noisy program, with focused group activity alongside plenty of calmer individual play spaces. The session leans on the early literacy habits of play, read, talk, sing and write—the five identified by the American Library Association's Every Child Ready to Read program as essential for getting ready to read. Caregivers aren't left out, either: they get their own table with a calming activity and a chance to mingle with other grown-ups while the kids are occupied.

The Martindale-Brightwood Branch itself opened in 2020 in a new building across the street from the previous branch site, so it's a relatively fresh space. If you're in the neighborhood on a Wednesday morning with a little one, it's a good way to get them moving and creating. The session runs from 11 AM to 11:45 AM at 2434 North Sherman Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46218.