Family Futures

Tots & Coffee Club
2026-08-25 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-09-22 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Detroit) | Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, 11 Sheldon Ave, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, United States
Caregivers, treat yourself!
Join us for a special monthly morning of play & connection with other toddlers & their grownups while you sip complimentary drinks from our GRCM Coffee Bar.
Monthly on select dates from 9 am to 11 am.

🎁Food Distribution
2026-08-25 16:00 - 18:00 | Hispanic Center of West Michigan, 1204 Cesar Chavez Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503
Food Distribution event happening on set dates each month.
*Please have your trunks open and do not block any driveways!

📚⭐Trauma and Resilisnce Training: Lunch and Learn Series
2026-08-26 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

Let Them Play
2026-08-26 16:30 - 18:30, 2026-08-31 09:30 - 11:30, 2026-09-02 16:30 - 18:30, 2026-09-07 09:30 - 11:30, 2026-09-09 16:30 - 18:30, 2026-09-14 09:30 - 11:30, 2026-09-16 16:30 - 18:30, 2026-09-21 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.
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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.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑Relax at Rosa
2026-08-27 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-09-03 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-09-10 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-09-17 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

📚Recycling Center Open Hours
2026-08-31 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-09-14 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-09-21 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

Pajama Time/ Hora de Pijamas
2026-08-31 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-09-07 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-09-14 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-09-21 18:30 - 19:30 | grand rapids public library – Seymour Branch, 2350 Eastern Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507, Grand Rapids, MI, 49507, United States

🎁🎁Registraion opens!: Santa Claus Girls of Kent Co.
2026-09-01 | online
This is the first day to register for gifts for your kids! Register here: https://www.santaclausgirls.org/
Important Information:

Registration begins September 1, 2026Delivery date is Saturday December 12, 2026THERE WILL BE NO PICKUP AFTER DELIVERY DAY

Why Santa Claus Girls? Each year we purchase and distribute gifts to children of Kent County that may otherwise be without gifts during the Holidays.

Why We Exist

What a simple, magical idea – a gift for every child at Christmas. For more than 116 years, the Santa Claus Girls have filled the void under the tree for thousands of families in Grand Rapids. With your donations of time and money, we can continue a legacy of buying, wrapping and delivering presents that dates to 1908. Help us make miracles all over again this Christmas.

Free- Donate Life Night at the Zoo
2026-09-01 18:00 - 21:00 | John Ball Zoo, 1300 Fulton St. W, Grand Rapids, MI, 49504, United States
Donate Life Night at the Zoo Returns Sept. 1

Gift of Life MI is excited to announce that Donate Life Night at the Zoo has been rescheduled and will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 1, from 6-9 p.m. at John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids.
FREE event at John Ball Zoo— Please register HERE
What to Expect

WHEN: Tuesday, September 1, 2026, from 6 – 9 PM
WHERE: John Ball Zoo, 1300 W. Fulton Street, Grand Rapids MI, 49504
WHAT:

Explore John Ball Zoo
Check out resources from our community partners at their information booths.
Enjoy meeting other donor families, transplant recipients and supporters of organ, eye and tissue donation.
Honor donors and recipients on the Celebration of Life Trail.
Free Mini Melts (limit one per person, while supplies last)

Free Foster Families Connect & Play Group
2026-09-02 08:00 - 17:00 | Stomping Grounds Play Café, 9028 North Rodgers Court Southeast, Caledonia, MI
FREE – Sponsored by Wellspring Lutheran Services

FREE Connect & Play Group, designed for Foster families & families interested in fostering! Happening on the 1st Wednesday of each month from 9:00am – 10:00am, this supportive gathering is the perfect opportunity to connect with other families. Stay and play for the remainder of the Play Session from 10:00am – 12:00pm for just $5/child or $10/family Reservations are highly recommended to ensure availability – 20 child capacity This Connect & Play group is generously sponsored by Wellspring Lutheran Services!

Cancellation Policy
Play Sessions & Classes may be booked, cancelled, or rescheduled through your online account up until 5 minutes before the start time of the Play Session or Class.

Contact Details

9028 North Rodgers Court Southeast, Caledonia, MI, USA
+16162754869
Stompinggroundsgr@gmail.com

📚KDL's Early Childhood Essentials | The First Years Matter: Stress and Early Development
2026-09-03 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-09-09 18:30 - 20:00 | Virtual
Description

Stress and trauma can have a large impact on young children and their development. Examine how caregivers play a pivotal role in reducing both the direct and indirect effects of stress on the children and families they serve. Learn how supportive, responsive relationships can foster resilience and create nurturing environments that promote healthy development.
Register with KDL to attend. If seeking professional development credit, register with your MIRegistry account. Those not seeking credit may attend by registering as a guest.
Event Website: https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/events?programs=5f2c5172a63d204500b1b108

📚KDL's Early Childhood Essentials | The Purpose of Play
2026-09-16 17:30 - 19:00 | Virtual
Description- ONLINE EVENT!

Play is a child’s work! Discover why play-based education for young children is so critical to their social, emotional, language, cognitive and physical development. Discuss why children today are not having play-based experiences at home; examine the value of outdoor, sensory and pretend play experiences; and learn about the skills that are learned through play and strategies to support play experiences for young children.
Register with KDL to attend. If seeking professional development credit, register with your MIRegistry account. Those not seeking credit may attend by registering as a guest.
More Info: https://kdl.bibliocommons.com/v2/events?programs=5f2c5172a63d204500b1b108

ArtPrize 2026
2026-09-18 - 2026-10-03 | Various
ArtPrize invites educators, students and families to experience contemporary art in a direct, immersive, and engaging way through our education program.
This year, educators, children and families will have the opportunity to explore artwork displayed throughout more than 150 venues across the city, attend a variety of community workshops, and extend their learning beyond the event with our print and digital teaching tools for K-12 classrooms.
Whether you’re exploring a single installation or spending the day immersed in the vibrant world of ArtPrize, our education program provides meaningful opportunity to connect art with curriculum, community, and critical thinking.
ArtPrize runs from September 18th – October 3rd, with Preview Week September 12th – September 17th
Find more info on family-friendly activities HERE.
