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Image for event: Little Explorers

Little Explorers

Imagine & Invent
2026-05-21 11:00:00 2026-05-21 12:00:00 America/Denver Little Explorers Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room

Thursday, May 21
11:00am - 12:00pm

Add to Calendar 2026-05-21 11:00:00 2026-05-21 12:00:00 America/Denver Little Explorers Dream of wild inventions and make your own to take home! Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room

Dream of wild inventions and make your own to take home!

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.

AGE GROUP: | Children |

EVENT TYPE: | Hands-On | Educational |

TAGS: | STEM | little explorers |

Rapid City Public Library Downtown
Phone: 605-394-6139
Hours
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Rapid City Public Library Downtown

We're closed Sunday May 24 due to Memorial Day Weekend
Mon, May 18 9:00AM to 7:00PM
Tue, May 19 9:00AM to 7:00PM
Wed, May 20 9:00AM to 7:00PM
Thu, May 21 9:00AM to 7:00PM
Fri, May 22 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat, May 23 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Sun, May 24 Closed
(Memorial Day Weekend)
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About the library

Upcoming events

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Coffee and Conversations - Breaking Barriers: The Story of Nellie Zabel Willhite
Wed, May 20, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Jeanie Kirkpatrick, curator of the South Dakota Air and Space Museum, presents the story of Nellie Zabel Willhite - South Dakota's first female pilot and first deaf woman to earn a pilot's license.
Library Dice Legion - Tabletop RPG Club
Wed, May 20, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Welcome to The Library, a place for adventuring parties to convene and take part in glorious battles. Everyone's invited to play, whether it's your first time playing or you're a seasoned adventurer.
Baby Bumblebee Story Time
Thu, May 21, 9:30am - 10:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - 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!
Little Explorers - Imagine & Invent
Thu, May 21, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Dream of wild inventions and make your own to take home!
Financial Foundations for Young Adults - Black Hills Financial Planning
Thu, May 21, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Get your finances on track early with real-world tips on budgeting, credit, student loans, investing, and making compound interest work for you.
Teen Book Bakes - Mozzarella Sticks and Korean Corn Dogs
Fri, May 22, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Make crispy mozzarella sticks and crave-worthy Korean corn dogs while you learn fun techniques, get a little messy, and enjoy your homemade treats!
Books with Bernard
Sat, May 23, 10:30am - 11:30am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Youth Services
Boost your reading skills and have a tail-wagging good time! Join Bernard, a certified therapy dog, for a fun and furry reading adventure.
Library Closure
Sun, May 24, All day
Rapid City Public Library Downtown
The library will be closed in observance of Memorial Day
Library Closure
Mon, May 25, All day
Rapid City Public Library Downtown
The library will be closed in observance of Memorial Day
Little Owl Tuesday Story Time
Tue, May 26, 9:30am - 10:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - 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!
Storytime & Crafts with Jane
Tue, May 26, 10:15am - 11:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
4-H Youth Program Advisor Jane Amiotte shares stories that connect children to nature, followed by a craft.
Curiosity Club - Paper Pterodactyl Puppets
Tue, May 26, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Summer Reading is fast approaching, and this year it's all about dinosaurs! Make a flying pterodactyl puppet for yourself and one for our library décor!
Library Lounge - Step into Summer Reading
Wed, May 27, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Learn about Summer Reading and how to participate to win cool prizes, plus get the inside scoop before our kickoff party!
Library Lounge - Step into Summer Reading
Wed, May 27, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Learn about Summer Reading and how to participate to win cool prizes, plus get the inside scoop before our kickoff party!
Baby Bumblebee Story Time
Thu, May 28, 9:30am - 10:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - 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!
Little Explorers - Kid Inventors
Thu, May 28, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Calling all inventors! Design, create, and play with your own inventions to wrap up the month of May!
Chapter Chat Book Club - The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson
Thu, May 28, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Conference Room
A haunting novel spanning several generations, The Seed Keeper follows a Dakhóta family's struggle to preserve their way of life, and their sacrifices to protect what matters most.
Teen Crafternoon - Dino Tote Bags
Fri, May 29, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Get summer reading ready with a dino-themed tote bag! Big enough to carry all your library books while still being stylish.
Summer Reading Kickoff Party
Sat, May 30, 10:00am - 1:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Kick Off Summer Reading with Dinosaurs, Fossils & Fun! Pick up your reading log, explore prizes, and kick off summer at our prehistoric party!
Donuts & Documentaries - The Making of a Japanese
Sun, May 31, 3:00pm - 5:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Follow students and teachers at a Tokyo elementary school over a year, exploring learning, growth, and life in Japanese society.
Books and Blankets - at Storybook Island
Mon, Jun 01, 10:00am - 11:00am
Storybook Island
Join the library at Storybook Island for Monday story time! Reach your Summer Reading goals and stay afterwards to play at Storybook Island!
Gentle Chair Yoga - with Sol Yoga Collective
Mon, Jun 01, 10:30am - 11:15am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Restore your mind and invigorate your body with Sol Yoga Collective at the library! In this safe and comfortable environment, you'll be guided through beginner's yoga poses and stretches.
Monday Craft - Dinosaur Fossil Dig
Mon, Jun 01, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Dig into prehistoric fun with this hands-on fossil dig and fossil casting!
First Tuesday Storytime with the Rapid City Fire Department
Tue, Jun 02, 9:30am - 10:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Join the Rapid City Fire Department for a fun morning of stories, plus tips on staying safe!
Curiosity Club - Lego Club
Tue, Jun 02, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Unleash your imagination and free-build a masterpiece or try your hand at the Librarian's Challenge for a chance to earn a small trophy!
The Write Stuff - Children's Creative Writing Group
Wed, Jun 03, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Calling all young writers! Sharpen your pencils for a creative writing workshop designed for children ages 8-12 this summer. Pencils and notebooks will be provided, or you can bring your own!
Hunger Games Books Club - The Hunger Games
Wed, Jun 03, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Revisit Panem before the new Sunrise on the Reaping movie this November! Join us as we begin a monthly journey through the Hunger Games series with the original book.
Baby Bumblebee Story Time
Thu, Jun 04, 9:30am - 10:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - 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!
Summer Show - Jeff Quinn's Jurassic Magic Show
Thu, Jun 04, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Youth Services
Jeff Quinn brings dinosaur magic to life in a fun, interactive show full of surprises, laughs, and audience participation - plus one lucky guest will win an inflatable dinosaur!
Little Explorers - Sensory Play
Fri, Jun 05, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Dig, rescue, and decorate dinosaurs with hands-on play!
Teen Crafternoon - Amber Resin Jewelry
Fri, Jun 05, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Craft one-of-a-kind faux amber pieces that look ancient, golden, and totally wearable - no fossils required.
Dinosaur Park Storytime
Sat, Jun 06, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Dinosaur Park
Bring the family and join us as we take storytime to Dinosaur Park!
Computer-Aided Design Club - Tablet or Phone Stand
Sat, Jun 06, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Conference Room
Learn the basics of computer-aided design (CAD) while creating fun, hands-on digital projects.
Creation Station - Garden Labels
Sun, Jun 07, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Spruce up your garden by creating custom, painted wooden garden labels that were cut in the Makerspace!
Registration opens Saturday, May 23 2026 at 10:00am
Books and Blankets - at Storybook Island
Mon, Jun 08, 10:00am - 11:00am
Storybook Island
Join the library at Storybook Island for Monday story time! Reach your Summer Reading goals and stay afterwards to play at Storybook Island!
RCPL Board Meeting
Mon, Jun 08, 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Hoyt Room
RCPL Monthly Board Meeting
Monday Craft - Meteor Impact Edible Experiment
Mon, Jun 08, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Make meteors out of Rice Krispies treats and chocolate rocks and test their impact on the Earth's sugar surface!
Sit & Stitch Knitting Club
Mon, Jun 08, 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Conference Room
Bring your needles, hooks, and yarn for an evening of fiber arts! Don't have equipment? The library has some that you can use for the class! Join us for camaraderie and snacks!
Little Owl Tuesday Story Time
Tue, Jun 09, 9:30am - 10:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - 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!
Storytime & Crafts with Jane
Tue, Jun 09, 10:15am - 11:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
4-H Youth Program Advisor Jane Amiotte shares stories that connect children to nature, followed by a craft.
Curiosity Club - Dinosaur Discoveries
Tue, Jun 09, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Learn more about fossils and paleontology with these fun, hands-on activities!
Maker Mania for Upper Elementary - PaleoArt: Shrink-Wrapped Dinos
Wed, Jun 10, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
What did dinosaurs really look like? Learn about paleoart and the evolving ways that dinosaurs are drawn, then create an animal using the "shrink-wrap" art method.
Registration opens Wednesday, May 27 2026 at 9:00am
Family Game Night
Wed, Jun 10, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Bring the whole family for a night of board games, beginner D&D, and friendly competition! Drop in, play together, and discover new favorites! All ages welcome.
Baby Bumblebee Story Time
Thu, Jun 11, 9:30am - 10:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - 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!
Little Explorers - Fossil Fun
Fri, Jun 12, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Discover fossils and create your own!
Teen #FandomFriday - Origami Dinosaurs
Fri, Jun 12, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Fold your own dinosaur origami and create a whole herd of prehistoric paper creatures!
Books with Bernard
Sat, Jun 13, 10:30am - 11:30am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Youth Services
Boost your reading skills and have a tail-wagging good time! Join Bernard, a certified therapy dog, for a fun and furry reading adventure.
Custer State Park Presents - Insect Investigation
Sat, Jun 13, 10:30am - 11:30am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Get a close-up look at local insects and discover how these tiny creatures quietly support healthy forests and parks - no bug expertise needed!
Growing Food - Simple, Easy, and Cheap with the Penn Co Master Gardeners
Sat, Jun 13, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Grow more food for less! Learn simple, budget-friendly ways to grow in small spaces, perfect for beginners and anyone short on time, money, or experience.
Puzzle Competition
Sun, Jun 14, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Race the clock in a puzzle showdown! Ten teams of 2-4 compete to be the fastest to finish their puzzle and win prizes!
Registration opens Sunday, May 31 2026 at 10:00am
Books and Blankets - at Storybook Island
Mon, Jun 15, 10:00am - 11:00am
Storybook Island
Join the library at Storybook Island for Monday story time! Reach your Summer Reading goals and stay afterwards to play at Storybook Island!
Monday Craft - Becoming a Fossil: A Prehistoric Adventure
Mon, Jun 15, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Learn how prehistoric plants and animals were preserved and what fossils tell us about them by creating your very own to take home!
Little Owl Tuesday Story Time
Tue, Jun 16, 9:30am - 10:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - 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 - Rock On! Geology Lab
Tue, Jun 16, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Check out the rock cycle and how to identify sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks!
Coffee and Coversations - Staying Healthy with Monument Health
Wed, Jun 17, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Join physicians from Monument Health as they share tips for taking charge of your own health, advocating for yourself in healthcare settings, and answering your questions.
Library Dice Legion - Tabletop RPG Club
Wed, Jun 17, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Welcome to The Library, a place for adventuring parties to convene and take part in glorious battles. Everyone's invited to play, whether it's your first time playing or you're a seasoned adventurer.
Baby Bumblebee Story Time
Thu, Jun 18, 9:30am - 10:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - 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!
Summer Show - Black Hills Raptor Center
Thu, Jun 18, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Youth Services
Discover the link between birds and dinosaurs, then get up close with today?s raptors while learning about the hunting birds of the Black Hills!
Levi Coovert's Find Your Paradise Concert
Thu, Jun 18, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Country artist Levi Coovert shares original tunes and timeless classics on acoustic guitar, bringing joy, heart, and toe-tapping fun to the library.
Library Closed
Fri, Jun 19, All day
Rapid City Public Library Downtown
The library will be closed in observance of Juneteenth
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