kids

Reading Buddies with ARL TheraPets

Tuesday, August 1 and September 19, 4 PM | Central Library

Practice reading with and learn about an ARL TheraPet! Engaging with animals is a great way to boost confidence and reduce anxiety around learning to read.

Family Storytime: Elvis the Pony

Wednesday, August 2, 10 AM | Forest Avenue Library

Come meet our pony friends! We will pet and brush them, take pictures, and ask questions after a storytime adventure.

Wiggles & Giggles

Watermelon Party

Thursday, August 3, 10:15 AM | Central Library

Celebrate National Watermelon Day with a special outdoors Wiggles & Giggles storytime at Central! We’ll read a watermelon story, make watermelon art, and of course... eat watermelon!

STEM Party

Thursday, August 3, 10:30 AM | North Side Library

Celebrate the end of Summer Reading with us at North Side. We will have STEM stations set up for children of all ages!

Bicycle Rodeo

Thursday, August 3, 5:30 PM | East Side Library

Come to the library and ride around our bicycle rodeo course! We will learn about bicycle safety and the rules of the road from a Des Moines Police Officer. We will also have helmets to give away and decorate. The library will have bikes to use around the course, but feel free to ride your own bike to the library.

Family Storytime at LSI Global Greens

Saturday, August 5, 10:15 AM | Polk County Health Department

(1907 Carpenter Avenue)

Join DMPL librarians for a special outdoor family storytime at LSI Global Greens! Engage your brain at storytime and then nourish your body by purchasing locally grown produce from former refugee farmers.

Tippi Toes Dance Class

Saturday, August 5, 10:15 AM | Central Library

This exciting, high energy dance class is the perfect opportunity for kids to try something new this summer while having a blast and burning some energy! For ages 2-10.

Summer Sandcastles

Tuesday, August 8, 10 AM | South Side Library

We’ll turn our kiddie pool into a sandbox, with all the right sand toys to make an awesome sandcastle or any other creation you can imagine! And what’s sand without a little water? We’ll bust out our water table, too, for some extra fun! Bring clothes you don’t mind having some messy fun in!

School Bus Storytime with DMPS

Monday, August 14, 6:30 PM | South Side Library

Wednesday, August 16, 10 AM | Forest Avenue Library

Wednesday, August 16, 10 AM | East Side Library

Thursday, August 17, 10:30 AM | North Side Library

Monday, August 21, 10:15 AM | Franklin Avenue Library

Tuesday, August 29, 10:30 AM | Central Library

Kids will get to meet a school bus driver, learn how to ride safely, and get a close-up look at what it’s like to be a big kid riding to school! Whether they’re just curious or have those first-day-of-school jitters, this storytime will help!

You, Me, & Nature Family Storytime with Heartland Wilding

Thursday, August 17, 6:30 PM | Forest Avenue Library

Join us at the library for tips from Heartland Wilding on coexisting with urban wildlife in Central Iowa. Find out why wildlife lives in Des Moines, what animals you might see around the city, and why these species might be attracted to our neighborhoods.

Luca Movie Party

Friday, August 18, 4 PM | Forest Avenue Library

Enjoy the Disney film, Luca, where a young boy learns to overcome his fears. Decorate mini ocean jars and chow down on goldfish! Best for ages 6+.

LEGOfy Yourself

Thursday, August 24, 4:30 PM | East Side Library

Let’s make minifigures! In this fun program, you’ll get the chance to decorate your own minifigure made out of resin.

Family Storytime: Central Iowa Honeybee Queen

Thursday, August 24, 6:30 PM | Forest Avenue Library

Come meet Bethany Kelly, the 2023 Central Iowa Honey Bee Queen. Taste a range of honeys and learn all about honeybees! Best for ages 6+.

Kids Pokémon Card Swap

Thursday, August 31 and September 28, 4 PM | Franklin Avenue Library

Bring your friends and come to this monthly program with any cards you want to trade. This event is open to children ages 7-18.

Kids Collage and Bilingual Story Time| Collage y Cuento Bilingüe

Thursday, August 31, 4:30 PM | East Side Library

Create a beautiful collage and enjoy a bilingual story. Crea un collage hermoso y disfruta de un cuento bilingue.

Dinosaur Dig: Salt Dough Fossils

Thursday, September 7, 4 PM | South Side Library

Love dinosaurs? Create cool dinosaur fossils using salt dough! We’ll make the dough together, then use dinosaur figurines to create fossils imprints. Best for ages 3-10.

Science Wednesdays: Animal Visitors from the Blank Park Zoo

Wednesday, September 13, 4 PM | Franklin Avenue Library

A special guest from the Blank Park Zoo will be visiting the library and bringing two animal friends. Registration required.

Monarch Tagging with Des Moines Parks and Recreation

Wednesday, September 13, 4 PM | North Side Library

Monday, September 18, 6:30 PM | South Side Library

Children and their caregivers can learn about monarch butterflies in this special event with Parks and Recreation! Kids can participate in a butterfly obstacle course, learn how butterflies consume nectar, view how butterflies are tagged and watch as they are released. For ages 5+.

Play-Doh Party

Thursday, September 14, 4 PM | Central Library

Come join us as we celebrate National Play-Doh Day by making, molding, and stretching our creative muscles. We’ll make Play-Doh together and take part in a variety of counting, spelling, and creative activities that encourage fine motor play. Attendees will get to take home Play-Doh and activity mats!

Zelda Tears of the Kingdom Party

Friday, September 15, 4 PM | Forest Avenue Library

Do you love Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom? Join fellow fans to make your own fairy-in-a-jar crafts and Korok plushies! Best for ages 6+.

Art in the Library: Mini Animal Friends

Wednesday, September 20, 4 PM | Franklin Avenue Library

Join us at the library for one of our favorite activities: making miniature animals out of glass gems. Registration required.

Epic Graphic Novel Book Club

Thursday, September 21, 4 PM | Franklin Avenue Library

We’ll chat about a fun graphic novel and work on a fun activity or craft related to the book! Registration Required. For ages 7-11.

Family Art Studio

Thursday, September 21, 6:30 PM | Franklin Avenue Library

Bring the whole family for one-of-kind art project. All supplies will be provided – and dress to get messy!

Kids Movie Bingo

Friday, September 22, 4 PM | Franklin Avenue Library

Join us for several games of BINGO featuring characters from your favorite movies! Prizes will be awarded to the winners.

Mid-Autumn Festival with Viet Advocacy

Saturday, September 23, 2 PM | Forest Avenue Library

The Mid-Autumn Festival (Tết Trung thu) is a traditional festival celebrated by many East and Southeast Asian people. We’ll celebrate with Vietnamese folktales, lantern making, and other activities to learn more about the significance of the festival, before concluding with a parade led by lion dancers!

Pastel Flowers and Bilingual Story ~ Pinta Flores con Pasteles y Escucha un Cuento Bilingüe

Thursday, September 28, 4:30 PM | East Side Library

Create and take home a beautiful poster size flower using pastels (in the style of Georgia O’Keefe’s flower paintings). We’ll also enjoy a bilingual story! Pinta una flor grande con pasteles en el estilo de las flores de Georgia O’Keefe. Tambien, disfruta de un cuento bilingue.