When the local library comes to mind, it’s easy to think of a reading area or a weekly story time. But lock-ins, homework help, reading to a furry friend and art lessons might not immediately come to mind. You may (or may not:) be surprised to know that Des Moines area libraries are brimming with kid-friendly activities, classes and events designed to entertain and educate young minds. And best of all, they are FREE! So get ready to be amazed with our guide to local library fun.
Get Locked In the Library
Altoona Public Library
700 8th Street SW • Altoona, IA 50009 • (515) 967-3881
The Altoona Public Library regularly holds lock-ins for tweens and teens. This month they will host a HalloTEEN lock-in on Thursday, October 20th from 8:30 to 11:00 pm. Kids will get locked in the library after hours! Kids in grades 7-12 will play Bouncing Eyeballs, Fear Factor: Freaky Foods and make Frankentoys to display at the library.
Make Family Memories at the Library
Clive Public Library
1900 NW 114th Street • Clive, IA 50325 • (515) 453-2221
Families with children of various ages will delight in making memoires on Thursday night at the Clive Public Library. The Library offers a wide variety of activities including, but not limited to: visits from the zoo, movie night, bilingual story time and various seasonal events. Families can enjoy two more evenings of Thursday Night Fun this fall on October 20th and 27th. The Winter Session will begin November 3rd. Registration is required to attend.
Tackle Your Homework
Des Moines Public Library
Forest Avenue Library • 1326 Forest Avenue • Des Moines, IA 50314 • (515) 283-4152
Need a quiet space to study? Check out the Homework Hideout at Forest Avenue Library! They offer up laptops, a free printer, school supplies and a community mentor is available to students in grades 4-12 to help them complete assignments. Homework Hideout is Monday through Friday at 3:00 to 5:00 pm.
Get Your Groove On
Grimes Public Library
200 N. James Street • Grimes, IA 50111 • (515) 986.3551
Join Kelly at the Grimes Public Library for stretching, dancing, and a story. Kids of all ages will love the chance to explore their musical side at the Library’s Move and Groove classes offered on Mondays at 6:30 pm. Children under 5 must be accompanied by an adult.
Build It at the Library
Indianola Public Library
207 N B Street • Indianola, IA 50125 • (515) 961-9418
Kids ages 8 to 12 will love being able to conceptualize and build to their hearts content at the Indianola Public Library. Each month will pose a different engineering challenge during the Library’s Build It! Program. The next class is scheduled for Monday, November 14, 2016 at 3:30 to 4:15 pm.
Call Check Mate at Chess Club
Johnston Public Library
6700 Merle Hay Road • Johnston, IA 50131 • (515) 278-5233
The Johnston Public Library welcomes all chess players in grades 1st-5th at any skill level to their monthly Kids’ Chess Club. Kids can learn the fundamentals of the game, practice their skills or workshop why that move was made with Mahanthi Bukkapatnam, a long-time chess enthusiast and collegiate chess champion. The Club meets next on Saturday, November 12th at 1:00 pm. Please RSVP for this event.
Tinker in the Library’s Makerspace
Kirkendall Public Library (Ankeny)
1210 NW Prairie Ridge Drive • Ankeny, Iowa 50023 • (515) 965-6460
Kid’s Hatch is a program designed for participants in 3rd- 5th grades who are interested in learning more about the library’s makerspace Hatch. Participants will have an opportunity to work on the 3-D printer, green screen and more. The next session is scheduled for October 25th, 2016 at 3:30 to 4:30 pm. Register for the class at the Kid’s Desk.
Have an Artistic Moment at the Library
Urbandale Public Library
3520 86th Street • Urbandale, IA 50322 • (515) 278-3945
Children age 3 to 6 years can explore the beauty of sculpture during Aspiring Artists. Expose your child to different types of art and help them with an art activity at the Urbandale Public Library. Small artistes must be accompanied by an adult care giver. The next class is scheduled for October 21, 2016 at 11:00 am. You will need to register for the class each month.
Read to a Furry Friend
Waukee Public Library
950 Warrior Lane • Waukee, IA 50263 • (515) 978-7944
Young readers are invited to Paws to Read. Kids can register for a 10-minute time to read to a registered therapy dog at the Waukee Public Library. The next session is scheduled for Saturday, November 12th at 1:00 to 2:00 pm. Students are encouraged to register and arrive with a book ready to read. The dogs’ trainers will remain in the room, and parents may also remain in the room but are encouraged to sit quietly to the side. If time allows, walk-ins will be served on a first-come first-served basis.
Celebrate International Games Day
West Des Moines Public Library
4000 Mills Civic Parkway • West Des Moines, IA 50265 • (515) 222-3400
The WDM Public Library will join over a thousand libraries around the world on November 19, 2016, for the ninth annual celebration of gaming in libraries – International Games Day @ Your Library. They will offer a large variety of games suitable for the whole family. For more information on International Games Day please visit the International Games Day blog http://igd.ala.org/.
Do you have any favorite library classes or events? Let us know in the comments below!
