🧑‍🤝‍🧑Bookmobile Storytime | Millennium Park
2026-07-16 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-07-23 10:30 - 11:30 (America/Detroit) | Millennium Park, 1415 Maynard Ave SW, Walker, MI, 49534
Enjoy favorite books, rhymes, music and all the fun of a library storytime in the great outdoors with the Bookmobile librarians. Afterward, play in the park and stop by the Bookmobile to register for a library card, pick up program information and check out the latest library materials.
Please note: Bookmobile events may be canceled due to weather conditions. Check kdl.org/events or call 616.784.2007 for the latest updates before attending. Your safety is our priority!
Thursdays this summer!

🧑‍🤝‍🧑Relax at Rosa
2026-07-16 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-07-23 12:00 - 13:30 | Rosa Parks Circle, 135 Monroe Street Northwest, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Event Description

Free lunchtime concerts return to Rosa Parks Circle every Thursday throughout the summer starting May 7th through September 24th, 2026!

Each week features a rotating lineup of live music and food trucks.

Here’s your 2026 Relax at Rosa Lineup
May 7 – Clarke, Reed, and Meadows
May 14 – MexiCuba
May 21 – The Temperances
May 28 – Hot Like Mars
Jun 4 – Na Bonsai
Jun 11 – Remnose
Jun 18 – Bleau Otis
Jun 25 – Tuvergen Band
Jul 2 – Mar In Color
Jul 9 – Morgan Haner
Jul 16 – SoSoHiFi
Jul 23 – Ark Laci
Jul 30 – Chris Bota Band
Aug 6 – Jennifer Westwood & the Handsome Devils
Aug 13 – Sabbatical Bob
Aug 20 – Tent
Aug 27 – Loren J. Clarke
Sept 3 – Hip Hop Showcase
Sept 10 – Pajamas
Sept 17 – Cabildo
Sept 24 – Aurora & Antheia

Parent Cafe
2026-07-16 17:00 - 19:00 | GRCCT, 1530 Madison Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49507
Join fellow caregivers at GRCCT for a Parent Cafe on the third Thursday of the month! This is an opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with other caregivers from different walks of life. Cafes are a fun and engaging way for caregivers to feel supported, heard, and safe to share their needs. If you are interested or have questions, reach out to Veronica Cook- vcook@bethany.org.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑Unity In Motion Festival by Cultivating Futures
2026-07-18 10:00 - 14:00 | Pinewood Park, 1999 Wolfboro Dr, Kentwood, MI, 49508
Be part of Unity in Motion, Cultivating Futures’ first-ever community event for families and community members! Enjoy movement, games, wellness activities, and delicious food while boosting mental health, emotional resilience, and connection. Explore local resources that strengthen your family and community. Join us, have fun, and let’s get moving together!

There Is Power in Every Body
Join Cultivating Futures for the inaugural Unity in Motion Festival, a free, family-friendly celebration of movement, creativity, wellness, and community connection!
This first-year festival is our joyful introduction to the community and the kickoff of a powerful movement experience designed to bring families, friends, and neighbors together. Come move, play, create, eat, connect, and learn more about Cultivating Futures and the programs we are building to support youth, families, and community wellness.
Enjoy a day filled with fun activities for all ages, including dance and movement experiences, creative arts stations, wellness activities, games, community resources, free lunch, free ice cream, and opportunities to learn about upcoming free summer camps and programs.
What to Expect

Free catered lunch and free ice cream, while supplies last
Dance and movement activities for kids, teens, and adults
Creative arts stations and hands-on wellness experiences
Family-friendly games and interactive activities
Community resources for youth and families
Outdoor skills, biking, and movement program information
Opportunities to learn about Cultivating Futures’ Power MoveMent, our youth-focused dance and movement program, along with other enhanced therapies and wellness supports

Event Details
Date: Saturday, July 18, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Pinewood Park
Address: 1999 Wolfboro Dr SE, Kentwood, MI 49508
Registration
Registration is not required to attend. Everyone is welcome!
However, families who register in advance help us estimate food counts and will be entered into a raffle for prizes. Meals and ice cream will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last.
Why Attend
Celebrate your family’s wellness, creativity, and joy while connecting with neighbors, local resources, and programs that empower youth and families through movement, play, the arts, and community care.
Come be part of the beginning. Let’s move together, grow together, and celebrate the power in every body.
Info: https://cfutures.networkforgood.com/

🧑‍🤝‍🧑YWCA Summer Connections Community Resource Fair
2026-07-18 11:00 - 14:00 | Garfield Park- Neighborhood Association Lodge, 334 Burton St SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49507, United States
Join YWCA West Central Michigan for Summer Connections, a family-friendly community event focused on resources, connection, and summer fun.
This relaxed afternoon at Garfield Park will bring together community partners, local organizations, families, and neighbors to celebrate the spirit of connection and collective action. Guests will have the opportunity to visit resource tables, enjoy music from a live DJ, grab food, and take part in kid-friendly activities.
Event Details Garfield Park, Grand Rapids, MI Saturday, July 18, 2026 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
What to Expect Live DJ Free food and refreshments Kids activities and family-friendly fun Community resource tables Opportunities to connect with local organizations and services
At its heart, Summer Connections is about belonging. Through music, food, laughter, and shared experiences, this event reminds us that creating change can also mean coming together in gratitude and celebration.
Come meet local organizations, explore helpful resources, and enjoy a welcoming afternoon in the park with YWCA West Central Michigan and our community partners.

This is a free community event, but registration is requested so we can plan for food, activities, and event updates.
Please reserve a free ticket for each person in your group who plans to attend.

📚Grand Rapids Public Museum Summer Saturdays
2026-07-18 11:00 - 15:00, 2026-07-25 11:00 - 15:00 | Grand Rapids Public Museum, 272 Pearl St NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49504
Summer Saturdays
at the GRPM

Join us on Saturdays at the Museum this Summer for special themed days full of hands-on activities, dynamic demonstrations, guided tours, and more!

The Grand Rapids Public Museum is continuing Summer Saturdays for a second year, expanding engagement opportunities to beat the heat inside the Museum or to embrace the heat by exploring the downtown corridor with us. In addition to the Unseen Oceans exhibit, visitors can explore special themed activities almost every Saturday from June 13 to August 15.
Summer Saturdays will focus on specific areas of science, history, and culture. Each Saturday will bring a different theme and perspective to Museum guests, including celebrations of the new Riverfront space, Unseen Oceans, and the Grand River. Mark your calendars to join us for summer fun!

Summer Saturday Themes

Full descriptions of each day are listed on the GRPM’s Digital Calendar. Click any day to see the full description.

June 13 – Riverfront Grand Opening
June 20 – Unseen Oceans
June 27- Celebrating the Grand River Watershed and USA at 250!
July 11 – Birds of the Great Lakes
July 18 – Exploring the Deep
July 25 – A Celebration of Music and Dance
August 1 – Riverside Art
August 8 – STEAM Day
August 15 – Grand River Adventure

📚Recycling Center Open Hours
2026-07-20 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-07-27 09:00 - 12:00 | Kent County Public Works, 1045 Wealthy Street SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49504
These free, open-house style events are great for any age and meant for smaller groups or individuals wishing to check out the Kent County Recycling and Education Center! So what is there to see and do during Recycling Center Open Hours?

Self-guided tours of the space and recycling sorting line

If you’d like a formal, guided tour please request your recycling center tour.

– Self-guided tours of the space and recycling sorting line
– Create upcycled crafts
– Play with our recycling toys and games!
– Explore our recycling and waste exhibits throughout the Recycling & Education Center
– Have your recycling and disposal questions answered in-person by our Waste Reduction Educators
– And more!
Spend as much time as you’d like learning, creating, or interacting with staff to learn more about recycling and waste.
Please drop in during the designated hours of the scheduled event according to the schedule.
This event is perfect for:

Individuals that are curious as to how Kent County’s recycling program works and want to know what can be recycled
Families and parents with young children looking for a casual experience
Childcare providers or babysitters looking for fun activities to engage in
Other small groups (around 12 or less) looking to explore the world of recycling such as homeschool groups

Let Them Play
2026-07-20 09:30 - 11:30, 2026-07-22 16:30 - 18:30, 2026-07-27 09:30 - 11:30 | Plainsong Farm, 6677 12 Mile Rd NE, Rockford, MI, 49341
Let Them Play

This weekly drop-in time is designed for children of all ages along with their caregivers to explore the farm and deepen their connection to nature. The education garden, pine grove and mud kitchen will be open for child-led, self-guided, unstructured play. Come engage all your senses – taste what’s ripe each week, search for bugs and birds, build a fort, or cook up a mudpie. Staff will be available to answer questions as needed. Stop in the Welcome Shed for a map and instructions, including our Visitor’s Guide.
‍
Dates/Times: Mondays 9:30-11:30am April 13-Nov 23
‍Wednesdays 4:30-6:30pm June 3-Oct 14
Cost: Free
At Plainsong Farm we are seeking to gather a community around good food, good work, and care for the earth and each other. Whether you’re looking to learn sustainable home economics, looking for community, or a place for your child to explore, there is something for you.

📚🐑Critter Barn at KDL- Read Description to check location
2026-07-20 10:30 - 12:30, 2026-07-21 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-07-22 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-07-25 10:30 - 12:00 | MI
Critter Barn’s Traveling Farm will feature hands-on fun, entertainment and education.

Critter Barn
July 20th | 10:30am – 12:30pm
Wyoming Branch

Jul 21st | 10:00am – 12:00pm
Cascade Township Branch

Jul 22nd | 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Nelson Township Branch

Saturday, July 25, 10:30am–12:00pm
Tyrone Township Branch

Wednesday, July 29, 1:00pm–3:00pm
Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch

Saturday, August 01, 10:00am–12:00pm
Grandville Branch

More Info: https://kdl.org/lifelong-learning/

Pajama Time/ Hora de Pijamas
2026-07-20 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-07-27 18:30 - 19:30 | grand rapids public library – Seymour Branch, 2350 Eastern Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507, Grand Rapids, MI, 49507, United States

🧑‍🤝‍🧑⭐Storytime in the Park/Hora de Cuento al Aire Libre
2026-07-21 18:30 - 20:00 | Garfield Park- Neighborhood Association Lodge, 334 Burton St SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49507, United States
Storytime in the Park
Join us this summer for stories, free books and ice cream, special guests, and a whole lot of fun! For all ages of kids and teens. StorytimeGR is a partnership of Read GR, Grand Valley State University, John Ball Area Neighbors (JBAN) and the City of Grand Rapids Office of Special Events.

Upcoming Events
Tuesdays, June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 July 7, 14, 21, 28 August 4, 11, 18, 25
6:30 pm | Garfield Park – 2111 Madison SE
Tuesday, June 9, 16, 23, 30, July 7, 14, 21, 28, August 4, 11
6:30 pm | Lincoln Park –1120 Bridge St NW

Libros Gratis
Helado
Los niños 0-17

Bilingual Storytime / Hora de Cuentos Bilingües
2026-07-22 10:00 - 11:00 | KDL- Comstock Park branch, 3943 W River Dr NE, Comstock Park, MI, 49321
Enjoy stories, songs and rhymes with your child in Spanish and English.
Disfrute cuentos, canciones, y rimas con su hijo/a en español e inglés.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑Chalk the Park
2026-07-22 10:00 - 11:30 | MI
Step into summer and help us celebrate the Power of Community and Play during Parks and Recreation month!
On Wednesday, July 22 (10-11:00am) at Alpine Estates Park, Walker Parks and Rec is hosting, with Walker Police, Walker Fire and Walker DPW co-hosting our annual Chalk the Park event! Unleash your creativity and help us turn our parks into colorful wonderlands as we celebrate Parks and Recreation Month.
We will supply the chalk to use, all you need is your imagination. All ages are welcome and there’s no charge for the event, but we do require registration for each participant. If you are planning to attend both sessions, please be sure to register for both. Each registration will be entered into a prize drawing to win a prize!
Please note that parents must stay at the park for the duration of the event.
Registration begins on June 15.Register at walker.city/register

📚⭐Trauma and Resilisnce Training: Lunch and Learn Series
2026-07-22 12:00 - 13:00 | Linc Up, 341 Hall St SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49507
Join Family Futures for our Trauma & Resilience Training: Lunch & Learn Series, designed to support caregivers with practical tools and knowledge to help children thrive.

Led by Stacey Goodson from Amoyan Training and Consulting, this series includes 10 unique sessions, each focused on building skills related to behavior, connection, and resilience.

Drop in anytime – you can join even if you’ve never attended before! Children are welcome with caregivers and lunch is provided!

July 22: When Parents Get Triggered
Aug. 26: Discipline that Builds Trust
Sept. 23: Building Resilient Kids on Purpose
Oct. 28: Communication That Transforms
Nov. 18: Repair and Restoration
Dec. 16: The Long Game- From Surviving to Thriving

🧑‍🤝‍🧑Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Celebration 2026
2026-07-22 16:00 - 19:00 | Special Olympics, 160 68th St SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49548
The ADA Celebration commemorates the anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The signing was a significant moment in history that drastically improved access and rights for people with disabilities in many ways. And while there is still work to be done, the ADA is still very important to Disability Advocates of Kent County and the people they serve.
This event includes entertainment, family fun and educational activities!
You can register for this free event here: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/dakc/event/ada2026/

🧑‍🤝‍🧑Sparta Summer Concert Series
2026-07-22 18:30 - 20:00 | SPARTA TOWN SQUARE, 177 E Division St, Sparta, MI, 49345
Bring the whole family for music and fun in Downtown Sparta! Bring your own chairs and blankets and relax in the wonderful summer weather with your family and friends!
Concerts in the Park are scheduled for Wednesdays at 6:30pm, May 13 through August 12.
*Dates and times are subject to change, check the Facebook page for up-to-date event information.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE ARE TWO POSSIBLE VENUES FOR THIS EVENT.

⭐Parent Cafe
2026-07-23 10:00 - 12:00 | Martin Luther King Park, 1200 M.L.K. Jr St SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49506, United States
Join us for a safe, reflective conversation for parents and caregivers just like you.We’ll be at the Picnic Shelter at MLK Park- Children are welcome & refreshments are provided!
Registration is appreciated, but not required: https://linktr.ee/familyfutures
Cafés connect people to build: relationships, support, resilience, knowledge, communication
Cafés are structured, small-group conversations designed as safe spaces where people talk and listen to one another about topics that matter to them.
Reports show 97% of Parent Café participants leave feeling more confident and less alone.

📚Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary's LIVE Reptile Show at KDL- Check Details for Locations and times
2026-07-24 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-07-24 14:00 - 15:00 | MI
Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary will be presenting live reptiles to entertain and educate the audience.
This program is designed for patrons ages 5 to 10. Patrons outside this age range are welcome to attend; however, the content might be too fast-paced or too simplistic, depending upon their age.
Click HERE for More Details.
Friday, July 24, 10:00am–11:00am
Cascade Township Branch

Friday, July 24, 2:00pm–3:00pm
East Grand Rapids Branch

Tuesday, July 28, 1:00pm–2:00pm
Englehardt (Lowell) Branch

Tuesday, July 28, 6:30pm–7:30pm
Tyrone Township Branch

Wednesday, July 29, 10:00am–11:00am
Caledonia Township Branch

Wednesday, July 29, 1:00pm–2:00pm
Kelloggsville Branch

🧑‍🤝‍🧑GRCM's 9th Annual Day of Play
2026-07-26 11:00 - 16:00 | Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, 11 Sheldon Ave, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Join the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum for the 8th Annual “Day of Play” Celebration on July 26, 2026. This community outreach initiative began with a proclamation by Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss, and is designed to encourage children and families to celebrate PLAY! This year, we are closing the street to bring play outside on the Rainbow Road! A dedicated group of community partners will offer creative, interactive experiences for visitors, including yard games, crafts, and bubbles! Plus, the museum will be open for play with FREE admission. This event is free and open to the public!
