Parents of children under five can take advantage of Rock Island Public Library early learning programs designed to help very young children be ready to read and learn in 2017. The library’s early learning programs kick off next week off with Play and Grow for ages three and under and their caregivers. Play and Grow is offered at 10:30 am Friday, Jan. 6 at the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street. Activities use the Talk, Sing, Play, Read and Write learning model to support the learning and developmental needs of young children. The structured play group meets on the first week of each... Read More

Are you looking for a family friendly event for this New Year’s Eve? Are your kids too young to stay awake till midnight? Then look no far than the Family Museum’s Noon Year’s Eve event. On New Year’s Eve, starting at 9:00 a.m. till 12:00 p.m., Noon Year’s Eve will have a kid friendly New Year’s Eve celebration 12 hours before midnight. This event will include art activities geared towards the entire family, live music, a countdown to noon complete with noise makers, party crowns, a balloon drop, and lots confetti. This event is included with membership or paid admission. Admission... Read More

Looking for something to do with the kids on holiday break? The Rock Island Libraries are offering a number of options for the little ones and their caregivers. Rock Island Libraries are celebrating family time this December with the following upcoming events: Children’s Librarians will be offering “holly jolly” stories this week, with stories, songs and a craft featuring Santa Claus. The Toddler Time storytimes are offered at 10:30 am Wednesday, Dec. 21 at the Rock Island Southwest Branch, 9010 Ridgewood Road; and Friday, Dec. 23 at the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street.... Read More

The Rock Island Public Library Foundation will host a “Books for Kids” Trivia Night on Thursday, Oct. 20, from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm at the Quad City Botanical Center, 2525 4th Avenue, Rock Island. The trivia night raises funds for the Lorene Evans Watts Fund for Children’s Materials, which supports purchases of children’s items at Rock Island Libraries. Cost to play is $10 per person. Participants may increase their chances to win by purchasing mulligan stickers, doubler round stickers or bidding to win answers for a round from the night’s celebrity genius. Snacks are... Read More

Moline Public Library is offering a huge Halloween grab-bag of events this October for parents and children alike. The schedule of cool gigs at the library, 3210 41st St., Moline, is as follows: October 1 – November 18 Audubon Print Exhibit October 3 – November 7 Student Hunger Drive Donation Site Mon., Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31  9:30 & 10:45 am Story Time for Littles, Birth – 36 Months Tuesday, October 4, 6 pm Dance Me a Story: Halloween Hustle Weds, October 5, 12, 19, 26  2:30 pm Exploratorium, STEAM Programming,  K-4 Wednesdays, October 5 &  19, 6 pm Story Time for... Read More

Looking for something for the kids to do over fall break? The Rock Island Public Library will host a variety of programs to keep children and teens occupied and learning during the Rock Island/Milan District school break, Oct. 11 to Oct. 21. The week kicks off with a special all-ages Pokemon Go Night on Tuesday, Oct. 11,at the Rock Island 30/31 Branch. The event takes place from 5:30 to 7:00 pm in the branch at 3059 30th Street, and includes Pokemon Go gaming, trivia, crafts, snacks and prizes. The library will activate a Pokemon lure, and include a map of Poke Stops, so stop by and see what you... Read More

The Rock Island Library will host a special after-hours event this September that will probably be a blast from the past for children of the 1980s and 90s. The Lisa Frank Palooza on Friday, Sept. 23 will offer coloring, crafts, and nostalgic activities based on the vibrant designs made famous by Arizona artist Lisa Frank. The event is from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm at the Rock Island Library 30/31 Branch, 3059 30th Street. The company’s rainbow-hued unicorns, stars, pandas, ponies, puppies, cats and more appeared on school supplies (including Trapper Keeper notebooks), posters, stickers, clothing... Read More

Kids can try their hand at all sorts of science and engineering projects with the Rock Island Public Library’s monthly STEM-Azing after-school events. The next session, on Wednesday, Sept. 14, will feature experiments using wind power.  STEM-AZING is offered from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm on the second Wednesday of each month at the 30/31 Branch, 3059 30th Street. Additional STEM-AZING learning events will be offered on Oct. 12, Nov. 9, Dec. 14. The hands-on projects for school-age children ages 6 and up demonstrate concepts in science, technology, engineering or math. For more events and services,... Read More

All of you fans of hardcore death metal and born to da streets gangsta rap . . . this story is probably not for you. However, those of you who are excited at reading the phrase “Pretty Princess Parties” will be squealing at the news that a PPP is happening Sunday at 10 a.m. at the Davenport River Center, 136 E. 3rd St. There will be a meet and greet, a DJ, a dance floor, a photo booth, a candy buffet, a tiara decorating craft, and so much more! Guests are encouraged to arrive to join the Snow Sisters, Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Belle, Tinkerbell and more on the dance floor.  There will... Read More

It’s three times the fun for parents and toddlers, now that Rock Island Library has expanded Play and Grow early learning time from one to three events per month. The play group for ages three and under and their parents or caregivers will be offered once per month at each of the library’s three locations. Upcoming dates for the 10:30 am Play and Grow events are: Sept. 6 at 30/31 Branch and Sept. 7 at Southwest Branch. (No September Play and Grow session at Main Library.) Oct. 4 at 30/31 Branch; Oct. 5 at Southwest, and Oct. 7 at the Main Library. Play and Grow uses the Every Child... Read More