A Guide to the National Library's Free Children's Library

Running out of ideas on where to take your kids? Here's one destination worth adding to your list: the Children's Library at the National Library of the Philippines, right in the heart of historic Manila.

The best part? It is free.

You read that right, admission is completely free! The Children’s Library is a newly renovated section inside the National Library of the Philippines. After two years of renovations, the library reopened to the public in November 2025.

It features colorful reading spaces, exciting book collections, and creative learning areas designed especially for children. Who knows? This may be the key to sparking a lifelong love for reading.

With its extensive collection of children's books, the library offers plenty of opportunities for kids to discover the joy of reading.

The Children's Library is located inside the National Library of the Philippines, within the Rizal Park complex along T.M. Kalaw Street in Ermita, Manila. Nearby landmarks include the Museum of Philippine Political History and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.

The Children's Library is open Monday to Thursday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is closed on holidays and during official work suspensions.

Take the LRT-1 and get off at United Nations Avenue Station. Walk to Times Plaza along UN Avenue, corner General Luna Street, then ride a tricycle to the National Library of the Philippines.

Tricycle fares can be expensive (around P100 for a 500 to 600-meter ride), so if you're comfortable walking, it's an easy way to save money while getting in a few extra steps.

Simply search for "National Library of the Philippines" on Waze. The parking entrance is located just past the main entrance, and parking is available inside the library complex.

Admission to the Children's Library is free. First-time visitors only need to complete a one-time registration.

You'll be directed to the registration area, where both adults and children must present a valid ID. After registration, you'll receive a client stub, which serves as your pass to both the National Library and the Children's Library.

The client stub provides lifetime access as long as you keep it safe. If you lose it, you'll need to register again on your next visit.

For succeeding visits, simply present your client stub at the library entrance.

If you plan to visit regularly or would like a keepsake, you can also purchase a Library Card for P120. It also provides lifetime access to both the main library and the Children's Library.

A complete guide to the registration process is available on the National Library of the Philippines’ Facebook page.

The Children’s Library welcomes children aged 15 and below.

Children aged 10 and below must be accompanied by a guardian who is at least 18 years old. Each child may only bring one guardian per visit, and guardians must stay with their child at all times.

Bring a valid ID for both adults and children. If you've already registered, don't forget your client stub or Library Card.

Inside the Children's Library, wearing socks is required for both children and guardians. The librarian-in-charge recommends bringing your own socks, as the limited supply of socks sold near the library often runs out. Guests without socks won't be allowed to enter.

When we hear the word “library,” we often picture rows of books and plenty of "Quiet" signs. Many people still think libraries are boring.

The Children's Library quickly proves that stereotype wrong.

There are colorful reading nooks, large bean bags, child-sized tables and chairs, and a fully air-conditioned space designed to make reading comfortable and enjoyable.

Jeefa Acmat, the Librarian-in-Charge, shared with Smart Parenting:

“This is not the traditional and usual library we know. Here in the Children’s Library, we encourage children to socialize and communicate with one another. There’s no ‘Quiet’ rule here. Just make sure that it is within tolerable limits.”

The library is divided into themed reading areas.

Funville is designed especially for babies and toddlers, complete with soft bean bags and educational toys. Even children who are not yet reading will find plenty to enjoy. They can explore educational toys, browse picture books, discover interactive books, and enjoy a child-friendly space with flooring that's safe enough for crawling.

Toddlers who love to explore will also enjoy the Playpad, which features a small playhouse, educational toys, board games, and oversized building blocks. It's a fun space where learning and play naturally go hand in hand.

School-aged children will love the library’s extensive collection of books, from timeless classics like The Wizard of Oz to award-winning Filipino titles from Adarna Publishing House, as well as science books filled with experiments and fun facts. We especially loved the wide selection of Filipino storybooks.

Tweens and teenagers can head to the space-themed reading area, which features cozy reading nooks for quiet study and relaxation. Computers are also available, giving visitors access to e-books and research resources.

The books aren't just for kids. Parents and guardians will also enjoy browsing the library’s diverse collection across different genres.

Eating and drinking are not allowed inside the library. Bags are also prohibited, but don’t worry, free lockers are available.

There’s a cafe near the registration area, although the food options are limited.

Outside the National Library of the Philippines, you’ll find several fast-food restaurants within walking distance, including McDonald’s, Jollibee, and Chowking. Convenience stores are also nearby.

During our visit, we asked the librarian if we could re-enter the library after going out for lunch. She said yes. There is generally no time limit for each visit. Time limits are only enforced when the library reaches capacity.

Each reading area is equipped with its own air purifier. Library staff also regularly clean and organize the toys and books throughout the day.

There is also a designated bin for used books to help maintain cleanliness and organization before they are returned to the shelves.

Future Builders is a monthly program designed for children and teens aged 13 to 18. Each session features a guest speaker who shares their career journey and gives participants a behind-the-scenes look at their profession. It's a fun way for tweens and teens to discover different career paths and explore future possibilities.

The first Future Builders session introduced children to the career of a librarian.

Library Hour is a monthly interactive storytelling program organized by NLP Kuwentistas.

In May, Library Hour celebrated Larong Pinoy as part of National Heritage Month. Children learned about traditional Filipino games and even got to play them inside the library.

Watch Library Hour’s Larong Pinoy here.

The library also hosts book launches featuring beloved Filipino classics. Recently, titles such as Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang, Ibong Adarna, and Florante at Laura from Lampara Books were launched at the library.

Another regular activity is Cultural & Values Film Day, a free film screening for children and teens aged 10 to 18.

For updates on upcoming events, follow the National Library of the Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

Visit in the morning if you can. We arrived at around 9 a.m., and there were no lines at the registration area. The Children's Library was still quiet, giving kids plenty of space to explore each section at their own pace.

By early afternoon, more families had arrived. While it still wasn't crowded, some of the more popular activity areas required a short wait.

If it's your child's first visit to a library, guide them toward topics they're naturally interested in, whether it's space, animals, fairy tales, activity books, or science. Starting with familiar interests can make the experience less overwhelming and encourage them to pick up more books.

Your client stub also gives you access to other facilities inside the National Library of the Philippines, including the Reading Room, Multimedia Room, E-Resources Corner, Children's Library, and the Library for the Blind.

To round out your visit, consider taking a heritage walk around Rizal Park. You can visit the Rizal Monument, the National Museum of the Philippines, the National Museum of Natural History, and the National Museum of Fine Arts, all within walking distance.

Looking for more ways to raise a lifelong reader? Here's how you can help your child develop a love for books from an early age.