summer reading kids - Rapid City Public Library

Donuts & Documentaries - River

Sat, Apr 26, 10:00am - 11:00am

Youth Services

Children can cuddle up and read aloud to Bernard the Therapy Dog to build confidence and make reading extra pawsome!

Sun, Apr 27, 3:00pm - 5:30pm

Community Room

An exploration of the timeless relationship between human civilization and Earth's rivers.

10th Annual Peeps Diorama Contest

Tue, Apr 29, All day

Libraries bring color, culture, and creativity to our community- now it's your turn! Celebrate 10 years of Peep-tastic dioramas and show your love for our library in our most colorful contest yet!

Tue, Apr 29, 9:30am - 10:00am

Community Room

Join in on the fun and listen to popular stories and songs with one of our library storytellers! Designed for preschoolers, but all are welcome!

Curiosity Club - Seed-Bombs and Launchers

Tue, Apr 29, 10:15am - 11:00am

Community Room

4-H Youth Program Advisor Jane Amiotte shares stories that connect children to nature, followed by a craft.

Tue, Apr 29, 3:30pm - 4:30pm

Community Room

Kids can make wildflower seed-bombs and then engineer a seed cannon to help launch those seeds into nature!

Little Explorers - Sensory Play

Thu, May 01, 9:30am - 10:00am

Community Room

Join us for a story time specially curated for children ages birth to 3 and their families. Bring your little ones for an exciting experience filled with stories, movement, and fun!

Thu, May 01, 11:00am - 12:00pm

Community Room

Explore textures, sound, and motion with bubbly roads, messy car washes, and hands-on play! Please note: Little Explorers is moving to Fridays from 11-12 in June and July

Crowning Melodies - Harp Concert with Miss South Dakota Joelle Simpson

Sat, May 03, 11:00am - 12:00pm

Community Room

In her final weeks as Miss South Dakota, Joelle will share a variety of music on her grand pedal harp interwoven with stories from Miss America and serving the state over the past year.

Open Art Session

Sun, May 04, 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Community Room

Unleash your artistic side and create a beautiful painting to take home. We'll provide the supplies and tutorials.

First Tuesday Storytime with the Rapid City Fire Department

Tue, May 06, 9:30am - 10:00am

Community Room

The Rapid City Fire Department joins the library for a special storytime that teaches fire and life safety skills to children!

Curiosity Club - Lego Club

Tue, May 06, 10:15am - 11:00am

Community Room

4-H Youth Program Advisor Jane Amiotte shares stories that connect children to nature, followed by a craft.

Tue, May 06, 3:30pm - 4:30pm

Community Room

Free-build your own design or complete the librarian's challenge for a small prize!

Little Hands: Art and Play - Polka Dot Paint-a-Pot

Wed, May 07, 10:30am - 11:30am

Community Room

Come celebrate spring and paint a polka dot pot in the style of Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama!

Little Explorers - Land Exploration

Thu, May 08, 9:30am - 10:00am

Community Room

Join us for a story time specially curated for children ages birth to 3 and their families. Bring your little ones for an exciting experience filled with stories, movement, and fun!

Thu, May 08, 11:00am - 12:00pm

Community Room

Roll into fun with cars, trucks, and land adventures! Please note: Little Explorers is moving to Fridays from 11-12 in June and July!

Custer State Park Presents - Plant Life Cycle

Sat, May 10, 10:00am - 11:00am

Youth Services

Children can cuddle up and read aloud to Bernard the Therapy Dog to build confidence and make reading extra pawsome!

Sat, May 10, 10:30am - 11:30am

Community Room

Whether you're a budding botanist, an environmental enthusiast, or simply curious about nature, join Custer State Park Naturalists at the library and explore the amazing world of plant life cycles!

Story time Adventures - with the Black Hills Storytellers

Sat, May 10, 12:00pm - 1:00pm

Community Room

Join the Black Hills Storytellers for a lively storytime full of fun, movement, and imagination, followed by a hands-on craft inspired by the tales!

Maker Mania for Upper Elementary - Battle Bots

Sat, May 10, 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Hoyt Room

It?s a battle royale! Learn coding and building techniques by building your perfect ?battle bot? with our Edison Robots, then ?battling? other robots until there is one winner.

Tue, May 13, 9:30am - 10:00am

Community Room

Join in on the fun and listen to popular stories and songs with one of our library storytellers! Designed for preschoolers, but all are welcome!

Curiosity Club - Analytics with Black Hills Energy

Tue, May 13, 10:15am - 11:00am

Community Room

4-H Youth Program Advisor Jane Amiotte shares stories that connect children to nature, followed by a craft.

Tue, May 13, 3:30pm - 4:30pm

Community Room

Join Black Hills Energy Analytics in Action and learn about data collection, representation, and interpretation through fun and engaging activities!

Maker Mania for Upper Elementary - Battle Bots

Wed, May 14, 10:00am - 12:00pm

Hoyt Room

Maker Mania focuses on STEM-based activities that encourage collaboration, creative problem-solving, and critical thinking skills for children ages 8-12. Check back in for this month's activity!

Registration opens Wednesday, April 30 2025 at 9:00am

Little Explorers - Air Travel

Thu, May 15, 9:30am - 10:00am

Community Room

Join us for a story time specially curated for children ages birth to 3 and their families. Bring your little ones for an exciting experience filled with stories, movement, and fun!

Thu, May 15, 11:00am - 12:00pm

Community Room

Up, up, and away! Let?s discover travel through the air! Please note: Little Explorers is moving to Fridays from 11-12 in June and July!

2025 Summer Reading Kickoff Party

Sat, May 17, 12:00pm - 3:00pm

Community Room,Youth Services

Bring the whole family for an afternoon packed with awesome games, hands-on crafts, cool activities, and tasty treats. Plus, you can check out the amazing prizes you can win by reading this summer!

Donuts & Documentaries - Missing from Fire Trail Road

Sun, May 18, 3:00pm - 5:30pm

Community Room

The story of Mary Ellen Johnson-Davis, a Native woman who vanished in 2020, shines a light on the crisis of missing Indigenous women and the trans-generational trauma faced by Native communities.

Tue, May 20, 9:30am - 10:00am

Community Room

Join in on the fun and listen to popular stories and songs with one of our library storytellers! Designed for preschoolers, but all are welcome!

Curiosity Club - STEM Cup Stacking Challenge

Tue, May 20, 10:15am - 11:00am

Community Room

4-H Youth Program Advisor Jane Amiotte shares stories that connect children to nature, followed by a craft.

Tue, May 20, 3:30pm - 4:30pm

Community Room

Explore teamwork, collaboration, and problem-solving with these fun engineering challenges!

Little Explorers - Waterways

Thu, May 22, 9:30am - 10:00am

Community Room

Join us for a story time specially curated for children ages birth to 3 and their families. Bring your little ones for an exciting experience filled with stories, movement, and fun!

Thu, May 22, 11:00am - 12:00pm

Community Room

Come sail away with us as we build, test, and race boats! Please note: Little Explorers is moving to Fridays from 11-12 in June and July!

Sat, May 24, 10:00am - 11:00am

Youth Services

Children can cuddle up and read aloud to Bernard the Therapy Dog to build confidence and make reading extra pawsome!

Tue, May 27, 9:30am - 10:00am

Community Room

Join in on the fun and listen to popular stories and songs with one of our library storytellers! Designed for preschoolers, but all are welcome!

Curiosity Club - Popsicle Stick Catapults

Tue, May 27, 10:15am - 11:00am

Community Room

4-H Youth Program Advisor Jane Amiotte shares stories that connect children to nature, followed by a craft.

Tue, May 27, 3:30pm - 4:30pm

Community Room

Begin learning about the Six Simple Machines and construct a handheld catapult to launch projectiles.

Little Explorers - Build and Move

Thu, May 29, 9:30am - 10:00am

Community Room

Join us for a story time specially curated for children ages birth to 3 and their families. Bring your little ones for an exciting experience filled with stories, movement, and fun!

Thu, May 29, 11:00am - 12:00pm

Community Room

Experiment with movement and engineering, plus make a colorful craft! Please note: Little Explorers is moving to Fridays from 11-12 in June and July!

First Tuesday Storytime with the Rapid City Fire Department

Tue, Jun 03, 9:30am - 10:00am

Community Room

The Rapid City Fire Department joins the library for a special storytime that teaches fire and life safety skills to children!

Tue, Jun 03, 10:15am - 11:00am

Community Room

4-H Youth Program Advisor Jane Amiotte shares stories that connect children to nature, followed by a craft.

Tue, Jun 03, 3:30pm - 4:30pm

Community Room

Curiosity Club provides a new theme every week designed to challenge and grow children's imaginations. Designed for ages 5-11.

Little Artists

Wed, Jun 04, 10:30am - 11:30am

Community Room

Bring your little artists in their best mess-making clothes and join us for artsy, crafty fun! Each month we will explore a different art technique or artist. Designed for ages 3-5.

Thu, Jun 05, 9:30am - 10:00am

Community Room

Join us for a story time specially curated for children ages birth to 3 and their families. Bring your little ones for an exciting experience filled with stories, movement, and fun!

Fri, Jun 06, 11:00am - 12:00pm

Community Room

Little ones are invited to join us every Thursday as we explore different monthly themes through sensory play, STEM-focused activities, and stories! Tailored to children between the ages of 3-6.

Tue, Jun 10, 9:30am - 10:00am

Community Room

Join in on the fun and listen to popular stories and songs with one of our library storytellers! Designed for preschoolers, but all are welcome!

Tue, Jun 10, 10:15am - 11:00am

Community Room

4-H Youth Program Advisor Jane Amiotte shares stories that connect children to nature, followed by a craft.

Tue, Jun 10, 3:30pm - 4:30pm

Community Room

Curiosity Club provides a new theme every week designed to challenge and grow children's imaginations. Designed for ages 5-11.

Wed, Jun 11, 10:00am - 12:00pm

Hoyt Room

Maker Mania focuses on STEM-based activities encouraging collaboration, creative problem-solving, and critical thinking skills for children ages 8-12. Check back in for this month's activity!

Registration opens Wednesday, May 28 2025 at 9:00am

Thu, Jun 12, 9:30am - 10:00am

Community Room

Join us for a story time specially curated for children ages birth to 3 and their families. Bring your little ones for an exciting experience filled with stories, movement, and fun!

Fri, Jun 13, 11:00am - 12:00pm

Community Room

Little ones are invited to join us every Thursday as we explore different monthly themes through sensory play, STEM-focused activities, and stories! Tailored to children between the ages of 3-6.

Sat, Jun 14, 10:00am - 11:00am

Youth Services

Children can cuddle up and read aloud to Bernard the Therapy Dog to build confidence and make reading extra pawsome!

Sat, Jun 14, 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Hoyt Room

Maker Mania focuses on STEM-based activities that encourage collaboration, creative problem-solving, and critical thinking skills for children ages 8-12. Check back in for this month's activity!

Registration opens Saturday, May 31 2025 at 10:00am

Tue, Jun 17, 9:30am - 10:00am

Community Room

Join in on the fun and listen to popular stories and songs with one of our library storytellers! Designed for preschoolers, but all are welcome!

Tue, Jun 17, 10:15am - 11:00am

Community Room

4-H Youth Program Advisor Jane Amiotte shares stories that connect children to nature, followed by a craft.

Tue, Jun 17, 3:30pm - 4:30pm

Community Room

Curiosity Club provides a new theme every week designed to challenge and grow children's imaginations. Designed for ages 5-11.

Custer State Park Presents - Pollinators

Fri, Jun 20, 11:00am - 12:00pm

Community Room

Little ones are invited to join us every Thursday as we explore different monthly themes through sensory play, STEM-focused activities, and stories! Tailored to children between the ages of 3-6.

Sat, Jun 21, 10:30am - 11:30am

Community Room

Join a Custer State Park Naturalist and dive into the fascinating world of pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, birds, and bats, and highlight their importance in biodiversity and food production.

Tue, Jun 24, 9:30am - 10:00am

Community Room

Join in on the fun and listen to popular stories and songs with one of our library storytellers! Designed for preschoolers, but all are welcome!

Tue, Jun 24, 10:15am - 11:00am

Community Room

4-H Youth Program Advisor Jane Amiotte shares stories that connect children to nature, followed by a craft.

Tue, Jun 24, 3:30pm - 4:30pm

Community Room

Curiosity Club provides a new theme every week designed to challenge and grow children's imaginations. Designed for ages 5-11.

Thu, Jun 26, 9:30am - 10:00am

Community Room

Join us for a story time specially curated for children ages birth to 3 and their families. Bring your little ones for an exciting experience filled with stories, movement, and fun!

Fri, Jun 27, 11:00am - 12:00pm

Community Room

Little ones are invited to join us every Thursday as we explore different monthly themes through sensory play, STEM-focused activities, and stories! Tailored to children between the ages of 3-6.

First Tuesday Storytime with the Rapid City Fire Department

Sat, Jun 28, 10:00am - 11:00am

Youth Services

Children can cuddle up and read aloud to Bernard the Therapy Dog to build confidence and make reading extra pawsome!

Donuts & Documentaries

Sun, Jun 29, 3:00pm - 5:30pm

Community Room

Join us for a documentary and refreshments provided by The Friends of the Library!

Tue, Jul 01, 9:30am - 10:00am

Community Room

The Rapid City Fire Department joins the library for a special storytime that teaches fire and life safety skills to children!

Tue, Jul 01, 10:15am - 11:00am

Community Room

4-H Youth Program Advisor Jane Amiotte shares stories that connect children to nature, followed by a craft.

Tue, Jul 01, 3:30pm - 4:30pm

Community Room

Curiosity Club provides a new theme every week designed to challenge and grow children's imaginations. Designed for ages 5-11.

Little Artists

Wed, Jul 02, 10:30am - 11:30am

Community Room

Bring your little artists in their best mess-making clothes and join us for artsy, crafty fun! Each month we will explore a different art technique or artist. Designed for ages 3-5.

Thu, Jul 03, 9:30am - 10:00am

Community Room

Join us for a story time specially curated for children ages birth to 3 and their families. Bring your little ones for an exciting experience filled with stories, movement, and fun!

Open Art Session

Sun, Jul 06, 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Community Room

Unleash your artistic side and create a beautiful painting to take home. We'll provide the supplies and tutorials.

Tue, Jul 08, 9:30am - 10:00am

Community Room

Join in on the fun and listen to popular stories and songs with one of our library storytellers! Designed for preschoolers, but all are welcome!

Tue, Jul 08, 10:15am - 11:00am

Community Room

4-H Youth Program Advisor Jane Amiotte shares stories that connect children to nature, followed by a craft.

Tue, Jul 08, 3:30pm - 4:30pm

Community Room

Curiosity Club provides a new theme every week designed to challenge and grow children's imaginations. Designed for ages 5-11.

Wed, Jul 09, 10:00am - 12:00pm

Hoyt Room

Maker Mania focuses on STEM-based activities encouraging collaboration, creative problem-solving, and critical thinking skills for children ages 8-12. Check back in for this month's activity!

Registration opens Wednesday, June 25 2025 at 9:00am

Thu, Jul 10, 9:30am - 10:00am

Community Room

Join us for a story time specially curated for children ages birth to 3 and their families. Bring your little ones for an exciting experience filled with stories, movement, and fun!

Fri, Jul 11, 11:00am - 12:00pm

Community Room

Little ones are invited to join us every Thursday as we explore different monthly themes through sensory play, STEM-focused activities, and stories! Tailored to children between the ages of 3-6.

Sat, Jul 12, 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Hoyt Room

Maker Mania focuses on STEM-based activities that encourage collaboration, creative problem-solving, and critical thinking skills for children ages 8-12. Check back in for this month's activity!

Registration opens Saturday, June 28 2025 at 10:00am

Tue, Jul 15, 9:30am - 10:00am

Community Room

Join in on the fun and listen to popular stories and songs with one of our library storytellers! Designed for preschoolers, but all are welcome!

Tue, Jul 15, 10:15am - 11:00am

Community Room

4-H Youth Program Advisor Jane Amiotte shares stories that connect children to nature, followed by a craft.

Tue, Jul 15, 3:30pm - 4:30pm

Community Room

Curiosity Club provides a new theme every week designed to challenge and grow children's imaginations. Designed for ages 5-11.

Thu, Jul 17, 9:30am - 10:00am

Community Room

Join us for a story time specially curated for children ages birth to 3 and their families. Bring your little ones for an exciting experience filled with stories, movement, and fun!

Custer State Park Presents - Animal Tracks

Fri, Jul 18, 11:00am - 12:00pm

Community Room

Little ones are invited to join us every Thursday as we explore different monthly themes through sensory play, STEM-focused activities, and stories! Tailored to children between the ages of 3-6.

Sat, Jul 19, 10:30am - 11:30am

Community Room

Step into the shoes (or paws!) of the local wildlife with a Custer State Park Naturalist and uncover the secrets hidden in the tracks that they leave behind.

Tue, Jul 22, 9:30am - 10:00am

Community Room

Join in on the fun and listen to popular stories and songs with one of our library storytellers! Designed for preschoolers, but all are welcome!

Tue, Jul 22, 10:15am - 11:00am

Community Room

4-H Youth Program Advisor Jane Amiotte shares stories that connect children to nature, followed by a craft.

Tue, Jul 22, 3:30pm - 4:30pm

Community Room

Curiosity Club provides a new theme every week designed to challenge and grow children's imaginations. Designed for ages 5-11.

Thu, Jul 24, 9:30am - 10:00am

Community Room

Join us for a story time specially curated for children ages birth to 3 and their families. Bring your little ones for an exciting experience filled with stories, movement, and fun!