*Read with Me bookstore closed permanently on June 2023**
About a block or so from Marbles Kids Museum you will find a locally owned children’s bookstore that is pretty adorable! The day we went, we parked in the lot behind Marbles and walked to this bookstore. Then went back to Marbles to play before heading home. You may need a stroller if your kiddos are pretty little. It’s close for an adult but maybe not so much a toddler. You could park in the deck near Marbles and be between both places. Downtown is close to 30 min drive for us, so I don’t know that I would come downtown just for bookstore shopping. However, we are downtown fairly often and this trip definitely won’t be my last. The bookstore has online ordering options as well.
Special Events
The bookstore is the official headquarters for Kid Lab Raleigh and they also host their own story times sometimes on Saturdays. Check their calendar of events and follow their Facebook page for updates.
We love story time at the library, but they take monthly breaks at the most inopportune times! Now you have another option for story time downtown. When my children were younger, story time was a total lifesaver!
Bookstore
Read with Me! sells books for babies to teens and books are shelved according to age. Books for the youngest crowd are on the lowest shelf and teen books across the top. New in 2020 – they also have a few adults books so you can read while the kids play!
They also have some craft kits that would be great gift ideas, especially for older children – like a create your own comic book set that I am eyeing for my daughter’s 6th birthday!
There’s a cute little platform where you can sit and read, and this is also where story time occurs. Prices are comparable to what you would find at Barnes and Noble or other big box book stores. The atmosphere is warm and cozy, exactly what you would want from a downtown book store! Being near Marbles is an added benefit.
Private Events
The bookstore space can be reserved for private events. They specialize in “Bring a Book” baby showers, which I think would be so cute for 2nd or 3rd children! You can also host Birthday parties as well, which can be as inclusive or DIY as you wish.
I had the pleasure of meeting the owners of Read with Me! while I was there for story time and a little shopping. They’re such a nice couple and it’s a great little bookstore. It’s definitely worth your while to stop by. Let them know you heard about them from Raleigh Tot Spots!
While you’re downtown check out some ITB playgrounds here, or view our map for more fun spots nearby!