Things to do with kids in Homewood: weekly library story times, the Central Park playground, pools with splash pads, Red Mountain Park and rainy-day picks.

Last checked Oct. 17, 2026. Sources: the Homewood Public Library events calendar, Homewood Parks and Recreation, Jefferson County Greenways and Samford University’s Academy of the Arts. Library programs repeat through the school year; check the calendar for each week’s dates.

Homewood’s best free resource for families is the Homewood Public Library, 1721 Oxmoor Road, which runs programs for babies through teens nearly every day. Add two city parks with playgrounds, two pools with splash pads and the trails at Red Mountain Park, and there is something for most days and most weather.

Who to call

  • Homewood Public Library, children’s department: 205-332-6600
  • Homewood Parks and Recreation: 205-332-6700
  • Samford Academy of the Arts (classes and camps): 205-726-2739

Story times and little kids

All at the Homewood Public Library, free, from its events calendar:

Day Program Ages
Tuesdays, 10 a.m. Music and Movement, story time with instruments 0 to 5
Wednesdays, 10 a.m. Storypalooza 0 to 5
Thursdays, 10 a.m. Stay and Play, stories and songs, then play 0 to 5
Some Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. The Baby Bunch, a lapsit story time 0 to 18 months
One Saturday a month, 10:30 a.m. Fiddlesticks, music for toddlers 0 to 5
One Friday a month, 9:30 a.m. Coffee Playdate for caregivers and children 0 to 12
Fridays, about monthly Messy Playdate, sensory play stations 0 to 12
Fridays, about monthly Tumble Tots, beginner gymnastics; register each child 3 to 6

After school

The library’s children’s and teen departments run free clubs in the late afternoon:

  • Hot Wheels Club (ages 0 to 12): trade and race cars on the library’s tracks.
  • Pokemon Club (ages 6 to 12): learn the trading card game; beginners welcome.
  • Pages and Popcorn (ages 8 to 12): a read-aloud and book talk with popcorn.
  • Art Club (grades 4 to 12): art basics, supplies provided.
  • Barks and Books (ages 0 to 12): read with dogs from Hand in Paw, monthly.
  • Family STEM Build Night: monthly design challenges for the whole family, 6 p.m. on a Tuesday.
  • Kids’ Advisory Board (grades 4 and 5): monthly activities; apply on the library website.

Playgrounds and parks

Park Address Hours For kids
Central Park 1632 Oxmoor Road 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Large playground, renovated for nearly $1 million in 2024; walking paths
Patriot Park 710 Oak Grove Road 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Playground and a large walking path
Overton, Spring and Woodland parks Mayfair Drive, Central Avenue, Woodland Drive Sunrise to sunset Neighborhood parks

Hours and features are from Homewood Parks’ locations and hours page. More on our parks and trails guide.

Pools and splash pads

Homewood’s splash pads are inside the two city pools: Central Pool has a splash park and wet playground and the Pool at Patriot Park has a splash pad and a water slide for riders at least 48 inches tall. Children younger than 11 must be with a responsible adult. Access, hours and camps are on our summer camps and pools page.

Red Mountain Park

Red Mountain Park, which the city says sits right on Homewood’s edge, has multi-use trails and the remains of its iron-mining past; the park’s visitor FAQ says the old mines themselves are closed to protect bats and because they are unstable. Entrances are at 2011 Frankfurt Drive and 2019 Venice Road, off Lakeshore Parkway.

Classes and camps

  • Samford University’s Academy of the Arts offers noncredit classes for children and teens in art, music, languages and photography, and summer art and music camps. Academy of the Arts.
  • Homewood Parks camps: Christmas Camp (Dec. 21-23 and 28-31, 2026) and the summer day camp, both for Homewood residents. See holiday events and summer camps.

Big family days

Frequently asked questions

When is story time at the Homewood Public Library?

For ages 0 to 5: Music and Movement at 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Storypalooza at 10 a.m. Wednesdays and Stay and Play at 10 a.m. Thursdays. The Baby Bunch, a lapsit story time for babies to 18 months, is on some Saturday mornings at 10:30.

Where is the best playground in Homewood?

Central Park, 1632 Oxmoor Road, has the city’s large playground, which Homewood Parks says it renovated for nearly $1 million in 2024. Patriot Park, 710 Oak Grove Road, also has a playground.

Is there a splash pad in Homewood?

Both are inside the city pools: Central Pool has a splash park and wet playground, and the Pool at Patriot Park has a splash pad. Pool access comes with a Homewood Parks membership for residents.

What can kids do in Homewood on a rainy day?

The Homewood Public Library runs free programs most weekday afternoons, including Hot Wheels Club, Pokemon Club, Art Club and Pages and Popcorn, plus monthly Family STEM Build Nights.