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Fantastic Fossils Scavenger Hunt

All Day 7/15 - 7/27
Library Branch: South Side Library
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Educational, Play & Learn
Event Details:
Kids! Visit South and try our Scavenger Hunt! Drop in and search the library for all of the items on the sheet and win a prize. For youth ages 3 and up.  ...

Art Cart Mondays

10:00am - 7:00pm
North Side Children’s Area
Library Branch: North Side Library
Room: North Side Children’s Area
Age Group: Birth-Preschool, Children, Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Event Details:
Get creative at North Side! Drop-in to the library on Mondays during June and July to enjoy a variety of arts and crafts supplies. ...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

Park Picnic with DMPL

11:30am - 12:30pm
Offsite Event
Library Branch: Off Site
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Storytimes
Event Details:
Pack a picnic for the family and join Franklin Avenue Library at Woodlawn Park! Listen to a story (or two) from a local librarian while you eat your lunch, then showcase your creativity and teamwork during a fun interactive activity.  In the ...

ASAP Mondays: Drumming Workshop

4:00pm - 5:00pm
Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Registration
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Children, Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Play & Learn
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 15
Event Details:
Fernando Aveiga moved to Iowa from Ecuador, and performs in the band Parranderos Latin Combo. On Mondays in July (except the 1st), 4–5 p.m., he will also lead ASAP Mondays: Drumming classes! Join us to learn and practice drumming techniques and Latin...

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.

Family Storytime: Touch-a-Truck with the Library Van!

6:30pm - 7:00pm
South Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: South Side Library
Room: South Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool, Children
Program Type: Storytimes
Event Details:
Join us for our evening Family Storytime at 6:30 p.m.! Kids and caregivers can join us for fun songs, stories and crafts. This week, we'll have a very special visit from Mr. Doug and the Library Delivery Van! Kids will get to explore the van and then...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

Frozen Treats from around the World Scavenger Hunt

All Day 7/16 - 7/22
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Age Group: Children, Teens
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:
Travel around the world to learn all about the frozen treats that different cultures make in order to beat the heat! Find them all and win a really cool prize! Best for ages 6+ ...

Art in the Summer: 3-D Winter Scene

3:00pm - 4:00pm
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool, Children
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Play & Learn
Event Details:
It may be hot outside, but we will beat the summer heat by creating a 3-dimensional snowy winter scene you can take home.   For children ages 6 and up. ...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

Level Up: Switch Party!

4:00pm - 5:00pm
Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Children, Teens
Program Type: Computers & Technology, Gaming
Event Details:
Join other gamers and test your skills on the Nintendo Switch!  We will have Smash Bros and Mario Kart on the big screen for tournament play with new friends or bring your own Switch to play on your own. The Switch Party will occur every 3rd Tue...

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.

Accompanying Adults

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

Sensory Play Hour

4:00pm - 5:00pm
South Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: South Side Library
Room: South Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool, Children
Program Type: Play & Learn
Event Details:
Come to South Side for an hour of sensory exploration! From cool textures to fun activities, kids can have a great time learning while doing what they do best: playing!   ...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

Simple Steps Storytime

10:00am - 10:45am
East Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: East Side Library
Room: East Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Educational, Performances, Play & Learn
Event Details:
Join us as we explore the 5 Simple Steps you can do with your child to create early literacy and learning success. This interactive series will focus on one of the 5 steps each week - Read, Sing, Play, Talk and Write - in a supportive environment for...

Disclaimer(s)

Accompanying Adults

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

Hack That Painting

11:30am - 1:00pm
North Side Meeting Room
Registration
Library Branch: North Side Library
Room: North Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Children, Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 20
Event Details:
Bring your creativity and get ready to have some silly fun! Tweens and teens ages 8-18 can join us at North Side to hack that painting. Choose a pre-made painting or printed picture and use our materials to add your own spin on things! Will you turn ...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

Superhero Bingo

3:00pm - 4:30pm
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Children, Teens
Program Type: Gaming
Event Details:
Bring the whole family and play a good old-fashioned game of Bingo, but with superheroes instead of numbers.  Feel free to come as you are, or dress up as your favorite superhero.  No prior knowledge is required, so even if you don't kno...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

Let's Go Make & Fly a Kite!

3:30pm - 5:00pm
South Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: South Side Library
Room: South Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Children, Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Educational
Event Details:
Come to South Side Library to try your hand at designing your very own kite, then take it outside on the library lawn and see if you can fly it! Ages 8 and up. While supplies last.  ...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

Kids in the Kitchen w/ ISU Extension

2:00pm - 3:00pm
East Side Meeting Room
Registration
Library Branch: East Side Library
Room: East Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Children, Teens
Program Type: Health & Wellness
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 13
Event Details:
Kids in the Kitchen will focus each week on healthy eating and prepare and cook snacks each week. This program is presented by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach office, and designed to give elementary-age children hands-on experience with ...

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.

Food Allergies

We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy, or other allergens.

EPIC Graphic Novel Book Club

4:00pm - 5:00pm
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Registration
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Book Clubs
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 15
Event Details:
Are you a graphic novel fan? Join us for our EPIC Graphic Novel BOOK CLUB for ages 7-11. We will chat about this month's book and work on a fun activity or craft related to the book! Registration Required. This program is made possible w...

LEGO Quest

6:00pm - 7:00pm
Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Play & Learn, Storytimes
Event Details:
Let's go on a LEGO quest!! Do you love to build? Do you love adventure stories? Do you love problem-solving? Test your skills at LEGO Quest where we read parts of a book and respond to events in the narrative of the story with LEGO-building challenge...

Disclaimer(s)

Accompanying Adults

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

Amphibians! With Polk County Conservation

10:00am - 11:00am
Central Library Meeting Room 2, 3
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Meeting Room 2, 3
Age Group: Birth-Preschool, Children
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:
Kids and families! Are you excited about amphibians? Find out about these smooth, wet animals that seem to magically transform from egg to adult. Join us as we learn about amphibians - and meet some live ones - with a Polk County naturalist! If yo...

Disclaimer(s)

Accompanying Adults

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.

Central Parking

Free library parking is available in Central's underground parking garage for two hours per visit. Parking around the library is metered at various costs from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

Storytime at the Heritage Carousel

10:30am - 11:15am
Offsite Event
Library Branch: Off Site
Age Group: Birth-Preschool, Children
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Storytimes
Event Details:
Join Ms. Alicia at the Heritage Carousel for a special storytime for the whole family! We will enjoy stories, songs, and movement together. After storytime, there will be a craft or activity available and everyone will get a FREE carousel ride. ...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

Inclement Weather

This program is hosted outdoors. In case of inclement weather please check back here for updates. 

Kids in the Kitchen

11:00am - 12:00pm
Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Registration
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Health & Wellness
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 12
Event Details:
Kids in the Kitchen is 6-7 week program based around the Department of Agriculture "MyPlate". Each session, students learn about a food group, why it is good for us, physical activity, and then we make a snack together at the end of the class. Studen...

Disclaimer(s)

Accompanying Adults

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

Food Allergies

We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy, or other allergens.

Family STEM Challenge: DIY Jumping Rabbits

10:00am - 12:00pm
Franklin Avenue Children’s Area
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Children’s Area
Age Group: Birth-Preschool, Children, Teens
Program Type: Educational
Event Details:
The whole family can visit the library and take on our Family STEM Challenge.  This month we will have supplies available to make a paper cup jumping rabbit.  Materials will be available between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM.   The Frank...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

LEGOs at the Library

10:00am - 4:00pm
East Side Children’s Area
Library Branch: East Side Library
Room: East Side Children’s Area
Age Group: Birth-Preschool, Children
Program Type: Gaming
Event Details:
Drop by our children's area to build with LEGOs. Show a staff member your creation for a prize! ...

Disclaimer(s)

Accompanying Adults

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

GO Bag: I SPY Colors Scavenger Hunt

All Day
Library Branch: South Side Library
Age Group: Birth-Preschool, Children
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Educational, Play & Learn, Take & Make
Event Details:
Stop by South Side Library and pick up a Get Outside (GO) Bag full of fun activities and crafts to do outdoors! While Supplies Last   ...

Art Cart Mondays

10:00am - 7:00pm
North Side Children’s Area
Library Branch: North Side Library
Room: North Side Children’s Area
Age Group: Birth-Preschool, Children, Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Event Details:
Get creative at North Side! Drop-in to the library on Mondays during June and July to enjoy a variety of arts and crafts supplies. ...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

Nintendo Switch Party!

3:00pm - 4:30pm
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Children, Teens
Program Type: Gaming
Event Details:
Join us for a Nintendo Switch Party! We will have games like Mario Kart 8 & Super Mario Bros. Ultimate. Feel free to bring your own Switch or share the library’s controllers. ...

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.