North Side Library—engage December 2025/January 2026
Decemb er/ January Events North Side Library
Children
Game On!
Tuesday, December 2 and January 6, 4–5 PM
It’s game on after school at North Side! Join us in the meeting room for snacks and a variety of games. Play Nintendo Switch on the big screen or enjoy checkers, Connect 4, Exploding Kittens, and more. All ages are welcome to join the fun.
asap days
ASAP Wednesdays: Theater Master Class
Wednesday, December 3, 10, & 17, 3:30–4:30 PM
Join us for a fun, interactive program to develop auditioning, musical theater, and scene acting skills. Led by an ASAP teaching artist, this program is recommended for ages 9–17. A snack is provided for all participants to enjoy during the session.
Preschool Storytime
Mondays in December, January 5 & 12, 10–10:30 AM
Preschoolers and their caregivers are invited to enjoy stories, rhymes, music, and activities that build school readiness skills. The program concludes with a time for free play together.
Baby and Toddler Rhyme Time
Tuesdays (except January 27), 10–10:30 AM Babies, toddlers, and their caregivers are invited to join us on Tuesdays for rhymes, songs, lap bounces, and a story. This program is recommended for children from birth to 24 months.
Art Cart
Wednesdays, except December 24 and 31, 4–7:30 PM
Get creative at the North Side Library! Drop in on Wednesdays to explore our art cart filled with supplies and materials for open-ended creativity. All ages are welcome.
Party!
Taylor Swift Party
Saturday, December 6, 10:30–12 PM
Celebrate Taylor Swift’s birthday at North Side! Make friendship bracelets and other Taylor-themed crafts, enjoy chai cookies, pose in a photo booth, and listen to your favorite songs with fellow Swifties. This festive event is perfect for fans of all ages.
Red
Rover! Red Rover! Cars on Mars!
With Dan Hoy
Little Women Sit & Stitch Tea Party
Tuesday, December 23, 2:30–5 PM
Cozy up at North Side for a movie and craft! Watch Little Women (2019) while working on your own project or a beginner-friendly embroidery kit. Enjoy snacks and warm beverages as you craft. This program is open to all ages.
ASAP Wednesdays: Air-Dry Clay Creations
Wednesdays in January, 3:30–4:30 PM
Get hands-on with air-dry clay and create a miniature masterpiece to take home each week. A snack is provided for all participants.
Dog Man Bingo
Tuesday, January 20, 3:30–4:30 PM
ReD RoVeR!
ReD RoVeR!
Tuesday, December 16, 10:30–12 PM
Celebrate Dog Man at Dog Man Bingo! Play fun games, compete for prizes, and enter to win a 4-pack of tickets to Dog Man: The Musical on January 31 at the Civic Center, courtesy of Des Moines Performing Arts. This event is perfect for fans of all ages.
CaRs oN MaRs!
wItH DaN HoY
Join us at Central Library to explore Mars with NASA Solar System Ambassador Dan Hoy. Learn how rovers are designed, what they’ve revealed about the Red Planet, and build your own rover model with provided supplies. This program is designed for ages 5–10, but all are welcome.
Teen
Tween & Teen Chef: No Bake Pumpkin Pie
Tuesday, December 9, 3:30–5 PM
Join our Tween and Teen Chef program to build kitchen skills and create delicious dishes. In this session, participants will make no-bake mini pumpkin pies. This program is perfect for aspiring chefs ages 8–17. Registration Required.
Tween
Tween & Teen Ukulele Jam
Saturday, January 3, 11–12 PM
Ukulele players ages 8–18 are invited to jam at North Side! Local instructor Natalie Steenson will start with a quick refresher, then lead the group in playing old favorites and learning new songs. Players of all skill levels are welcome. Registration is recommended, but not required.
Tween Book Club
Tuesday, December 30, 4–5 PM
Tweens and teens ages 10–14 are invited to North Side for a book club. Pick up this month’s book, Lumberjanes: Beware the Kitten Holy by ND Stevenson & Grace Ellis, before the meeting. Enjoy snacks, discuss the book, and participate in a fun activity inspired by the story.
Holiday Cookie Swap
Tuesday, December 2, 6:30–7:30 PM
Get into the holiday spirit with a festive cookie swap! Bring a batch of your favorite cookies to share and take home a variety made by other participants. Enjoy hot cocoa and create holiday cards with provided supplies for a fun, cheerful celebration.
Job Seekers Help with the Evelyn K Davis Center
Wednesdays, 10 AM–12 PM
Staff from the Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families will provide one-on-one job search and résumé assistance. A career coach can help with writing and printing résumés, finding job applications, contacting employers, mock interviews, and referrals to resources. Walk-ins are welcome.
Sit n’ Stitch
Saturday, December 6 and January 3 1:30-3:30 PM
Spend a few hours with fellow crafters and work on your knit, crochet, or needlecraft projects. Bring your own supplies and enjoy a relaxing creative space. Children ages 8+ are welcome with a parent or guardian.
Community Craft Night
Tuesday, December 9 and January 13, 6–7:30 PM
Drop in for a relaxing evening of creativity with local crafters. In December, learn hand embroidery basics and practice beginner stitches. In January, create an origami bouquet from old book pages. All materials are provided.
North Side Book Discussion
Tuesday, December 16 and January 20, 2–3 PM
The North Side Book Discussion meets monthly to talk about great reads and enjoy good company. In December, we’ll share our favorite books of the year with treats and snacks. In January, we’ll discuss My Friends by Fredrik Backman. Copies are available at the library or on Libby.
Adult FreeAcces s
Tiny Art Show
• December 27-January 3: Materials pickup at all DMPL locations*
• Saturday, January 31, 2–4 PM: Reception at Central Library
Create a mini-masterpiece for the Des Moines Public Library’s second annual Tiny Art Show! Kits will include a miniature easel, canvas, paint and a brush. You must register with your email and your library card number to get your free kit. Limit one kit per registrant. Artwork must be submitted by Wednesday, January 7. Then you can stop back and see an art show gallery of all the artwork from January 12-31!
*Kits will be available while supplies last
Create Your Own Vision Board
Tuesday, January 6, 6:30–7:30 PM
Start the new year with inspiration and creativity at the North Side Library. Design your own vision board to visualize your goals for the year ahead. Supplies are provided, but you’re welcome to bring personal photos or materials. Begin the year with purpose and positivity.
Death Cafe
Saturday, January 10, 1:30–2:30 PM
A Death Café is a relaxed, welcoming space to talk openly about death and dying over tea and conversation. There’s no agenda or judgment—just a safe environment to share and reflect. Facilitated by certified death doula Erika Hall, this gathering invites honest, compassionate discussion about life, loss, and meaning.
