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Image for event: Little Explorers

Little Explorers

Kid Inventors
2026-05-28 11:00:00 2026-05-28 12:00:00 America/Denver Little Explorers Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room

Thursday, May 28
11:00am - 12:00pm

Add to Calendar 2026-05-28 11:00:00 2026-05-28 12:00:00 America/Denver Little Explorers Calling all inventors! Design, create, and play with your own inventions to wrap up the month of May! 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!

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

Mon, Apr 27 9:00AM to 7:00PM
Tue, Apr 28 9:00AM to 7:00PM
Wed, Apr 29 9:00AM to 7:00PM
Thu, Apr 30 9:00AM to 7:00PM
Fri, May 01 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat, May 02 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Sun, May 03 10:00AM to 6:00PM
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About the library

Upcoming events

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Teen Crafternoon - Custom Light Switch Cover
Fri, May 01, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Upgrade your room and create a customized light switch cover that reflects you!
Composting with Redworms - with Penn Co Master Gardener Cathie Draine
Sat, May 02, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Learn how to compost clean kitchen waste into food for your garden using low-maintenance redworms!
Open Art Session
Sun, May 03, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Unleash your artistic side and create a beautiful painting to take home. We'll provide the supplies and tutorials.
Gentle Chair Yoga - with Sol Yoga Collective
Mon, May 04, 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.
First Tuesday Storytime with the Rapid City Fire Department
Tue, May 05, 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!
Storytime & Crafts with Jane
Tue, May 05, 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 - Lego Club
Tue, May 05, 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 Return: AI, Consciousness, and the Fate of Humankind - with author Laurie Stevens
Tue, May 05, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Join award-winning author Laurie Stevens for a lively talk on AI and automation, plus a reading from The Return, insights behind her research, and a Q&A.
Edible Landscapes
Wed, May 06, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Learn how to design a beautiful, functional edible landscape- grow fruits, veggies, and herbs right in your yard with practical tips for beginners and beyond.
Baby Bumblebee Story Time
Thu, May 07, 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 - Sensory Play
Thu, May 07, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Dive into our inventor sensory bin, plus learn about tasty inventions like chocolate chips!
Teen #FandomFriday - Shrinky Dink Charms
Fri, May 08, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Get ready for a cozy, creative afternoon where art meets anime magic with tailored keychains from your favorite shows and manga.
Maker Mania for Upper Elementary - Water Lab
Sat, May 09, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Create your own water filter and test water samples from local sources to see what?s safe to drink - all while learning about the importance of clean water.
RCPL Board Meeting
Mon, May 11, 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Hoyt Room
RCPL Monthly Board Meeting
Sit & Stitch Knitting Club
Mon, May 11, 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, May 12, 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 12, 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 - Tiny Terrariums
Tue, May 12, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Learn about ecosystems and design your own enclosed terrarium!
Maker Mania for Upper Elementary - Water Lab
Wed, May 13, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Create your own water filter and test water samples from local sources to see what?s safe to drink - all while learning about the importance of clean water.
Family Game Night
Wed, May 13, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
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, May 14, 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 - Bright Ideas
Thu, May 14, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Brighten your day with experiments on light while learning about electricity!
Level Up! Teen Gaming Night - Super Smash Bros
Fri, May 15, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Get ready for an action-packed teen gaming night with Super Smash Bros.! Challenge your friends, show off your skills, and see who comes out on top!
Hobby Swap
Sat, May 16, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Clear out unused hobby supplies or find a new craft at our Hobby Swap! Bring items in a bag or box to keep them together and ready for a new home.
Nature Journal Workshop
Sun, May 17, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Hoyt Room
Interested in creating something meaningful this spring? Turn your observations, sketches, and found pieces from nature into a personal journal that captures the beauty of the Black Hills.
Sit & Stitch Knitting Club
Mon, May 18, 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, May 19, 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 19, 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 - Build a Boat STEM Challenge
Tue, May 19, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Design a toy-sized boat and learn about buoyancy and density!
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 - Community 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 a drop-in dinosaur party featuring crafts, games, edible fun, and fossil shows from Black Hills Institute!
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.
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