Book Nook: Story Walks 4 Kids in the Des Moines Area

Book Nook: Story Walks 4 Kids in the Des Moines Area

Find 2021 Outdoor Story Times here.

A story walk is an activity that allows kids and families to enjoy reading and the outdoors at the same time. It’s a great partnership of local public libraries and parks and recreation departments. A children’s book is deconstructed and the pages are posted along a designated walking path. Families walk along the trail, reading a page at a time together and interacting with the story and with each other. It’s a perfect activity to help build your child’s interest in reading while also getting some fresh air and exercise. 

Currently, there are a few story walks located in the Des Moines area. Individuals, families, school groups and everyone else are invited to take advantage of this FREE activity that improves overall family health through early literacy learning, family engagement outdoors, and physical activity.

Walker Johnston Park

9000 Douglas Avenue • Urbandale, IA 50322 • (515) 278-3945

Walk or bike along the path around the pond in Walker Johnston Park while enjoying a good book.  This month’s featured book is Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae.  It will have you sashaying all the way through the story.  Gerald the giraffe longs to dance, but his legs are too skinny and his neck is too long. But with some sound advice from a wise cricket, Gerald starts swaying to his own sweet tune.

Moats Park

911 N. Jefferson Way •  Indianola, IA 50125 • (515) 961-9420

Stroll along the path around the playground and read about Henrietta, the talented chicken who is invited to a local book festival in The Buk Buk Festival by Mary Jane Auch.  Of course, the book fair organizers don’t know that Henrietta is a chicken and this leads to some complications when she appears at the book fair. Don’t dawdle because she will only be at Moats Park through August 30th.

Heart of the Warrior Trail

1255 S. Warrior Lane  • Waukee, Iowa 50263 • (515) 978-0007

Starting at the five-way intersection at Warrior Lane and Ashworth Drive, families can stroll west and read through Caps for Sale before reaching the Triangle.  This classic story about a peddler and a band of mischievous monkeys is filled with warmth, humor, and simplicity and teaches children about problem and resolution.

Warren County Conservation

(515) 961-6169

Each month this summer, Warren County Conservation will put new nature-themed children’s stories along trails in different parks. Enjoy July’s storywalk, The Little Rain Drop, at Otter Creek Park. Follow the road past the camping area and enjoy the hike on the trail near the observation deck.  August’s Story walk will be in Grant Park.

 

 

Have you gone on a story walk with your kids?  Tell us about it in the Comments below. 

1 Comment

Comments are closed.