kids

Science Wednesdays

Wednesday, February 1 and Wednesday, March 1, 4 PM | Franklin Avenue Library

Science Wednesdays is a chance for kids to explore different aspects of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). Ages 6-12. Registration required

Friendship Bracelets and Bilingual Story | Pulseras de Amistad y un Cuento Bilingüe

Thursday, February 2, 4:30 PM | East Side Library

Come enjoy a bilingual story all about friendship and make a friendship bracelet or two for someone special! Disfruta de un cuento bilingüe sobre la amistad y haz una pulsera de amistad para alguien especial.

Little Explorers

Friday, February 3 and March 3, 10 AM | Franklin Avenue Library

Bring your young ones to our Little Explorers program and discover, learn and play with different sensory activities.

Music Moment

Thursday, February 9 and March 9, 3:30 PM | Central Library

Are you interested in exploring classical music and instruments?

Join us to have a snack, play games, make an instrument, and listen to music.

Perler Bead Valentines

Monday, February 6, 4 PM | Forest Avenue Library

Create your own Valentine’s Day magnets using pixel art and Perler beads.

Saturday Sensory Play

Saturday, February 11 and March 11, 10:30 AM | Central Library

Children and caretakers can travel through stations exploring touch and feel, taste, and most importantly, play! Please come dressed for mess.

No School Fun Day – Friendship Necklace

Monday, February 13 | Franklin Avenue Library

Drop in for this DIY craft activity. Make necklaces to give to your friends and family, just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Rosie Dance Party!

Monday, February 13, 10:30 AM | East Side Library

Let’s dance! Rosie will join us for a story and dancing. Have your picture taken with Rosie and bust a move under our disco ball.

Des Moines Symphony Academy’s Instrument Petting Zoo

Monday, February 13, 6:30 PM | South Side Library

Children can learn about string instruments and get some hands-on experience with them, as well as hear kid-friendly music from the Honors String Quartet.

DIY Heart Stuffies

Tuesday, February 14, 4 PM | South Side Library

Make and decorate your very own heart plushie! This no-sew craft is made with felt, stuffing, and your creativity! While supplies last.

Valentine’s Day Affirmation Party

Tuesday, February 14, 4 PM | Central Library

We will play music, eat snacks, and create a Valentine’s Day mirror.

Epic Graphic Novel Book Club

Thursday, February 16 and Thursday, March 16, 4 PM | Franklin Avenue Library

We will chat about the book of the month (Bedhead Ted in February, TBD in March) and work on a fun activity or craft. Registration required.

ARL TheraPets

Tuesday, February 14, 5:30 PM | East Side Library

Tuesday, February 21 and March 21, 4 PM | Central Library

Monday, March 13, 3 PM | North Side Library

Engaging with animals is a great way to boost confidence and reduce anxiety around learning to read. We have several options for interacting with an ARL TheraPet at the library!

Kids Pokémon Card Swap

Thursday, February 23 and March 30, 4 PM | Franklin Avenue Library

Bring your friends and come to this monthly program with any cards you want to trade. Ages 7-18.

Family Art Studio: Creative Collages

Thursday, February 23, 6:30 PM | Franklin Avenue Library

We supply everything you need to take home a one-of-a-kind mixedmedia masterpiece. Wear clothing suitable for art activities.

Manualidades at Forest: Friendship Fiesta

Thursday, February 23 and Thursday, March 23, 6:30 PM | Forest Avenue Library

We will play Loteria, have prizes and provide some sweet snacks. Jugaremos Loteria, tendremos premios y proporcionaremos algunos bocadillos dulces.

The Hundred Dresses Sneak Preview

Saturday, February 25, 10:30 AM | Franklin Avenue Library

Visit the library for a special sneak preview of the Des Moines Community Playhouse production of The Hundred Dresses, based on the classic story by Eleanor Estes. Enjoy the performance and enter to win free tickets to the play!

Movie Watch Party: A Wrinkle in Time (PG)

Monday, March 6, 4 PM | Forest Avenue Library

Go on an epic adventure through space and time! We will eat popcorn and do a small activity while we watch.

Bug Bites

Friday, March 10, 4 PM | Forest Avenue Library

One out of every four people in the world routinely eats insects. We will learn which bugs are eaten the most and do a taste test to see if you can guess which foods are made with insects and which are not. Ages 8+. Note: Students with shellfish allergies should not taste the samples.

Slime Time Party

Monday, March 13, 11 AM | Central Library

Come make stretchy slime, fluffy slime, and sparkly slime. We’ll play with our slime and even have a slime contest. Registration required.

Touch a Truck with the Library Delivery Van

Monday, March 13, 2 PM | North Side Library

Learn all about how library books get from place to place with Doug, the library’s delivery driver! We will start in our meeting room to hear about how Doug uses the delivery van for his job. Afterwards, you will get to see the van up close and enjoy a craft.

Pokémon Planters

Monday, March 13, 4 PM | Forest Avenue Library

Decorate your own mini Pokémon planters and plant garden cress, a fast growing microgreen. Will you choose Togepi or Oddish to be your new windowsill buddy?

Awesome Amphibians with Polk County Conservation

Wednesday, March 15, 2:30 PM | South Side Library

Love frogs, toads, and other cool amphibians? Then join our friends at Polk County Conservation to learn about these smooth, wet animals that seem to magically transform from egg to adult. You’ll even see a real live amphibian up close!

Slime Crafternoon

Thursday, March 16, 1:30 PM | North Side Library

Make your own slime to take home!

Kites and Paper Airplanes and Bilingual Story | Cometas y Aviones de Paper con un Cuento Bilingüe

Thursday, March 16, 4:30 PM | East Side Library

Enjoy making and decorating kites and paper airplanes this spring break. We will also have a bilingual story all about the things we do on a windy spring day.

Disfruta de crear una cometa y avión de papel y de decorarlos este descanso de primavera. También, tendremos un cuento bilingüe sobre las cosas que hacemos en el viento

Family STEM Challenge

Thursday, March 16, 6:30 PM | Franklin Avenue Library

This month’s program involves building a bridge that is strong enough to hold 100 pennies.

Kid Canvas Painting

Thursday, March 16, 6:30 PM, and Friday, March 17, 2:30 PM | East Side Library

Get creative on canvas with watercolors and tempura paints! All supplies provided. Children should wear clothing that may get stained. Registration is required

Simple Steps to early literacy

Weird But True with the Blank Park Zoo

Friday, March 17, 11 AM | Forest Avenue Library

Did you know that emus can’t walk backwards and polar bears don’t have white fur? Ask an expert from the Blank Park Zoo and take home an armful of animal books. We will meet mystery animal ambassadors and learn some of the wackiest tidbits and trivia about how weird animals can be!

Kids’ Book Club

Monday, March 20, 3:30 PM | East Side Library

Joins us to discuss The Smartest Kid in the Universe by Chris Grabenstein. We’ll also make a craft and have some fun with jelly beans! Registration required. Copies to borrow are available at the East Side Information Desk.