🧑‍🤝‍🧑⭐Storytime in the Park/Hora de Cuento al Aire Libre
2026-07-21 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-07-28 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-08-04 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Detroit) | Garfield Park, 250 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, 2026-07-29 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-08-05 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

Let Them Play
2026-07-22 16:30 - 18:30, 2026-07-27 09:30 - 11:30, 2026-07-29 16:30 - 18:30, 2026-08-03 09:30 - 11:30, 2026-08-05 16:30 - 18:30 | 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.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑Sparta Summer Concert Series
2026-07-22 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-07-29 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-08-05 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.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑Bookmobile Storytime | Millennium Park
2026-07-23 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-07-30 10:30 - 11:30, 2026-08-06 10:30 - 11:30 | 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
2026-07-23 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-07-30 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-08-06 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

🧑‍🤝‍🧑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!

📚Recycling Center Open Hours
2026-07-27 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-08-03 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-08-10 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
2026-07-27 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-08-03 18:30 - 19:30 | grand rapids public library – Seymour Branch, 2350 Eastern Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507, Grand Rapids, MI, 49507, United States

Tots & Coffee Club
2026-07-28 09:00 - 11:00 | 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
2026-07-28 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!
