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Image for event: Little Explorers

Little Explorers

Desert Expeditions
2026-09-10 11:00:00 2026-09-10 12:00:00 America/Denver Little Explorers Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room

Thursday, September 10
11:00am - 12:00pm

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Discover how desert plants and animals survive and beat the heat!

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, Aug 10 9:00AM to 7:00PM
Tue, Aug 11 9:00AM to 7:00PM
Wed, Aug 12 9:00AM to 7:00PM
Thu, Aug 13 9:00AM to 7:00PM
Fri, Aug 14 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat, Aug 15 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Sun, Aug 16 10:00AM to 6:00PM
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About the library

Upcoming events

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Maker Mania for Upper Elementary - Shark Teeth
Wed, Aug 12, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Learn about the different types of shark teeth, what we can learn from fossilized shark teeth, and make your own tooth!
Family Game Night
Wed, Aug 12, 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, Aug 13, 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 - National Parks
Thu, Aug 13, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Explore South Dakota's state and national parks through careful observations and creative projects!
Teen #FandomFriday - Mini Manga
Fri, Aug 14, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Fit wonderful worlds of art and action into a tiny lookalike! Fill up a mini bookshelf or turn them into keychains or earrings.
Kinder Scouts: Kindergarten Readiness Series - Perseverance through Practice
Sat, Aug 15, 10:30am - 11:30am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Trace and build a very hungry caterpillar while practicing letters, tracing skills, and building perseverance!
Custer State Park Present - Slimy and Scaly
Sat, Aug 15, 10:30am - 11:30am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Hoyt Room
Discover some of the amazing reptiles and amphibians you can find in Custer State Park, from slimy tadpoles to scaly snakes and much more!
Medieval Living History with the Shire of Schattentor
Sun, Aug 16, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Explore medieval life with the Shire of Schattentor through hands-on demonstrations, historical displays, and a chance to see traditional crafts and skills in action.
Big Feelings and New Beginnings Story Time - with Janette McIntyre
Mon, Aug 17, 9:30am - 10:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Join local author Janette McIntyre for a special storytime featuring The Bloom Children Move and exploring the big feelings that can come with moving and change.
Little Owl Tuesday Story Time
Tue, Aug 18, 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, Aug 18, 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 - Newspaper Forts
Tue, Aug 18, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Design and construct a stable, freestanding structure using only newspaper and tape!
Bring Your Own Book Club at the Alex Johnson
Tue, Aug 18, 5:15pm - 6:00pm
Starbucks at the Hotel Alex Johnson
Bring your current read to the Starbucks at the Alex Johnson Hotel for bookish conversation, librarian recommendations, and complimentary coffee!
Coffee and Coversations - Simple Nutrition Strategies for Healthy Aging
Wed, Aug 19, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Discover how simple nutrition habits can support healthy aging, boost energy, and promote lifelong wellness with Registered Dietitian Jessie Carpenter.
Library Dice Legion - Tabletop RPG Club
Wed, Aug 19, 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, Aug 20, 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 - Camping
Thu, Aug 20, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Bring camping indoors as we play and learn about everything that makes camping fun!
An Unexpected Journey: A Memoir on Love and Loss - Author Talk with Kiersten Hall
Thu, Aug 20, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Join author Kiersten Hall for a discussion of her new book 'An Unexpected Journey', an inspiring story of resilience, hope, and finding purpose through life's unexpected turns.
Level Up! - Teen Gaming Night: VR Gaming
Fri, Aug 21, 3:30pm - 5:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Join us for a thrilling gaming night where teens can dive into the world of PSVR and experience exciting virtual reality games!
Endangered Craft - Embroidery Samples
Sat, Aug 22, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Discover the history of needlework samplers, explore real examples, and create your own sampler tote bag. All materials and take-home tools are included.
Books with Bernard
Sat, Aug 22, 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.
Strings & Songs Community Concert
Sun, Aug 23, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Enjoy an afternoon of live music featuring violin, guitar, banjo, piano, and more. Bring the whole family for a fun, relaxing concert with something for everyone!
Sit & Stitch Knitting Club
Mon, Aug 24, 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, Aug 25, 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, Aug 25, 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 - Back to School Vision Boards
Tue, Aug 25, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Design a vision board and visually map out your goals for the upcoming school year!
Bring Your Own Book Club at the Alex Johnson
Tue, Aug 25, 5:15pm - 6:00pm
Starbucks at the Hotel Alex Johnson
Bring your current read to the Starbucks at the Alex Johnson Hotel for bookish conversation, librarian recommendations, and complimentary coffee!
Bedazzled Book Covers
Wed, Aug 26, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Bling out your favorite book with gemstones! Bring one from home, give a discarded book a new home, or buy one to decorate from our bookstore. All other supplies will be provided.
Baby Bumblebee Story Time
Thu, Aug 27, 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 - Black Hills Animals
Thu, Aug 27, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Get to know the wildlife of the Black Hills with activities that explore where animals live, what they eat, and how they survive.
Chapter Chat Book Club - I See You've Called in Dead by John Kenney
Thu, Aug 27, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Conference Room
The Office meets Six Feet Under meets About a Boy in this coming-of-middle-age tale about having a second chance to write your life's story.
Teen Book Bakes - Personal Pizzas
Fri, Aug 28, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Learn how to make delicious homemade pizza, starting with scratch-made sauce and then building your perfect pizza to snack on!
Teen Tech Take-Apart
Sat, Aug 29, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Makerspace
Have you ever wondered how a keyboard actually works? What really makes a clock tick? Join us in our brand-new Makerspace and disassemble everyday technology to take a gander inside.
Donuts & Documentaries - My Dearest Fu Bao
Sun, Aug 30, 3:00pm - 5:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
As beloved panda Fu Bao returns to China, her devoted keepers face an emotional farewell in this heartfelt documentary.
First Tuesday Storytime with the Rapid City Fire Department
Tue, Sep 01, 9:30am - 10:00am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Join the Rapid City Fire Department for a fun morning of stories, then explore a real firetruck afterwards in front of the library!
Storytime & Crafts with Jane
Tue, Sep 01, 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, Sep 01, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Free-build your own design or complete the librarian's challenge for a small prize!
Bring Your Own Book Club at the Alex Johnson
Tue, Sep 01, 5:15pm - 6:00pm
Starbucks at the Hotel Alex Johnson
Bring your current read to the Starbucks at the Alex Johnson Hotel for bookish conversation, librarian recommendations, and complimentary coffee!
Hunger Games Book Club - Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
Wed, Sep 02, 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 continue our monthly journey through the Hunger Games series with book four, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
Baby Bumblebee Story Time
Thu, Sep 03, 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 - Ice & Snow Adventures
Thu, Sep 03, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Explore the science of ice and snow through hands-on activities and chilly discoveries.
Teen Crafternoon - Pointillism and Stippling
Fri, Sep 04, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Discover how tiny dots and delicate lines can create incredible art. Explore two unique styles, then create your own masterpiece!
Computer-Aided Design Club - Chess Pieces
Sat, Sep 05, 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.
Little Owl Tuesday Story Time
Tue, Sep 08, 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, Sep 08, 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 - Pyramid Slingshots
Tue, Sep 08, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Build a slingshot from simple craft supplies and explore the fun of engineering and design!
Bring Your Own Book Club at the Alex Johnson
Tue, Sep 08, 5:15pm - 6:00pm
Starbucks at the Hotel Alex Johnson
Bring your current read to the Starbucks at the Alex Johnson Hotel for bookish conversation, librarian recommendations, and complimentary coffee!
Maker Mania for Upper Elementary
Wed, Sep 09, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community 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, August 26 2026 at 9:00am
Family Craft Night
Wed, Sep 09, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
TBA
Baby Bumblebee Story Time
Thu, Sep 10, 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 - Desert Expeditions
Thu, Sep 10, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Discover how desert plants and animals survive and beat the heat!
Teen #FandomFriday
Fri, Sep 11, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
The ultimate chill spot designed just for teens! Watch anime, delve into your beloved fandoms with crafts, and enjoy tasty treats!
See all events