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Image for event: Little Explorers

Little Explorers

Sensory Play
2026-10-01 11:00:00 2026-10-01 12:00:00 America/Denver Little Explorers Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room

Thursday, October 01
11:00am - 12:00pm

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Get hands-on with sporty sensory bins and create your own tennis racket!

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 Monday September 07 due to Labor Day
Mon, Sep 07 Closed
(Labor Day)
Tue, Sep 08 9:00AM to 7:00PM
Wed, Sep 09 9:00AM to 7:00PM
Thu, Sep 10 9:00AM to 7:00PM
Fri, Sep 11 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat, Sep 12 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Sun, Sep 13 10:00AM to 6:00PM
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Upcoming events

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Frozen Story Time - with Black Hills Community Theatre
Sun, Sep 13, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Enjoy a magical Frozen story time with BHCT actors portraying favorite characters, then snap photos with the cast and create a craft that will melt even the iciest heart!
Gentle Chair Yoga - with Sol Yoga Collective
Mon, Sep 14, 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.
RCPL Board Meeting
Mon, Sep 14, 12:00pm - 2:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Hoyt Room
RCPL Monthly Board Meeting
Sit & Stitch Knitting Club
Mon, Sep 14, 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!
Voter Registration Day
Tue, Sep 15, All day
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Lobby
Your vote starts here! Stop by our lobby to register, verify your voter status, and prepare for this year's midterms. A valid photo ID is required.
Little Owl Tuesday Story Time
Tue, Sep 15, 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 - Candy Geometry
Tue, Sep 15, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Explore engineering and mathematics by building 3D structures out of candy!
Bring Your Own Book Club at the Alex Johnson
Tue, Sep 15, 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 - Crazy Horse Memorial University
Wed, Sep 16, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Join staff from Crazy Horse Memorial University to explore the university's history, mission, and support for Indigenous students pursuing higher education.
Library Dice Legion - Tabletop RPG Club
Wed, Sep 16, 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, Sep 17, 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 - Forest Quests
Thu, Sep 17, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Explore forests, wildlife, and nature with games, then make a snack for yourself!
Black Hills Financial Planning Presents - Maximizing Social Security Benefits
Thu, Sep 17, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Learn strategies for maximizing Social Security benefits, including when to claim, how income impacts benefits, and ways couples can increase lifetime retirement income.
Level Up! Teen Gaming Night - Nintendo Switch Sports
Fri, Sep 18, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Challenge your friends in Nintendo Switch Sports! Try a variety of fun sports and see who comes out on top.
Custer State Park Present - Fire, Friend or Foe?
Sat, Sep 19, 10:30am - 11:30am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Learn about the dangers and benefits of wildland fires with a Custer State Park ranger and discover how fire plays an important role in healthy ecosystems.
Teen Kitchen Skills - Knife Skills & Guacamole
Sat, Sep 19, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Learn essential knife skills with a local nutritionist, then put your new skills to work by making fresh, delicious guacamole.
Compound Butter Making - with Pennington County Master Gardener Roxene Powell
Sun, Sep 20, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Join a Master Gardener to discover how to grow and use herbs, then turn your harvest into flavorful compound butters through sweet and savory recipes. Samples provided!
Making Mini Zines with SDSMT
Sun, Sep 20, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Join faculty from the South Dakota Mines Department of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences and Science, Technology & Society program to learn zine history and create your own mini-zine!
Create your Own Sugar Scrub
Mon, Sep 21, 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Mix, customize, and create your own sugar scrub! Choose your favorite scents and ingredients to make a personalized scrub to take home.
Little Owl Tuesday Story Time
Tue, Sep 22, 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 - Wind-Powered Cars
Tue, Sep 22, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Construct a wind-powered car using craft materials, then see how far and how fast it can go!
Bring Your Own Book Club at the Alex Johnson
Tue, Sep 22, 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!
Sips & Signs - A Community Conversation About Sepsis with Monument Health
Wed, Sep 23, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Join Shelby Lynass from Monument Health's Quality, Safety, & Risk Management team to learn the warning signs, symptoms, and risk factors of sepsis during Sepsis Awareness Month.
An Evening with Longmire Author Craig Johnson
Wed, Sep 23, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
The Monument - Alpine/Ponderosa Rooms
Experience an evening of discussion and readings with Craig Johnson, author of the popular Longmire novels that inspired the hit Netflix series.Register
Baby Bumblebee Story Time
Thu, Sep 24, 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 - Ocean Exploration
Thu, Sep 24, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Dive into ocean habitats and discover underwater creatures!
Chapter Chat Book Club - Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Thu, Sep 24, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Conference Room
Mary Shelley's seminal novel of the scientist whose creation becomes a monster.
Teen Book Bakes - Mochi Ice Cream
Fri, Sep 25, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Make your own mochi ice cream with your favorite flavors, including strawberry, vanilla, chocolate, and more.
Books with Bernard
Sat, Sep 26, 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.
Feelings & Friendships Story Time
Sat, Sep 26, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Enjoy story time, a fun craft, and a book signing with local author Lisa Porisch as she shares books that help children explore feelings and friendship.
One Book South Dakota Discussion - A Biography of a Mountain- The Making of Mount Rushmore
Sat, Sep 26, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Explore this year's One Book South Dakota selection and discuss the history, meaning, and many perspectives surrounding Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills.
Donuts & Documentaries - The Wonder and the Worry
Sun, Sep 27, 3:00pm - 5:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Experience a lyrical documentary exploring the bond between father-daughter National Geographic photographers, the changing media landscape, and the power of visual storytelling.
Sit & Stitch Knitting Club
Mon, Sep 28, 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, Sep 29, 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 - Spaghetti Skyscrapers
Tue, Sep 29, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Build the tallest spaghetti tower possible while exploring real-world engineering principles!
Bring Your Own Book Club at the Alex Johnson
Tue, Sep 29, 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!
S'morey Time
Tue, Sep 29, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Outdoor Campus West
Join us at Outdoor Campus West for an evening story time celebrating the outdoors, followed by a fun s'mores-making activity under the open sky.
Social Partner Dance Club
Wed, Sep 30, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Learn beginner steps for partner dances like Waltz, Country Swing, and Cha-Cha, then stay for a fun, casual dance session. No partner or experience required!
Baby Bumblebee Story Time
Thu, Oct 01, 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, Oct 01, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Get hands-on with sporty sensory bins and create your own tennis racket!
Teen Crafternoon - Crystalized Bones
Fri, Oct 02, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Make some Halloween décor that's sparkly AND scary with bones that sprout crystals!
SDSMT Paleo Club at the Library
Sun, Oct 04, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Travel through prehistoric times and learn about dinosaurs and more with students from the SDSMT Paleontology Club!
Creation Station - Custom Puzzle Books
Sun, Oct 04, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Hoyt Room
Create a custom puzzle book by choosing your types of puzzles and learning how to bind them together!
Registration opens Sunday, September 20 2026 at 10:00am
Gentle Chair Yoga - with Sol Yoga Collective
Mon, Oct 05, 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.
Artful Anglers - Paint a Lure, Catch a Fish!
Mon, Oct 05, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Create your own fishing lure just in time for fall fishing! Paint and practice in-house, then take home a hook to complete your lure. Eco-friendly paints, lures, and hooks provided.
First Tuesday Storytime with the Rapid City Fire Department
Tue, Oct 06, 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, Oct 06, 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, Oct 06, 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, Oct 06, 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 Halloween Signs
Wed, Oct 07, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Bling out a wall or door sign for Halloween! All supplies provided.
Registration opens Wednesday, September 23 2026 at 9:00am
Baby Bumblebee Story Time
Thu, Oct 08, 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 - Let the Games Begin!
Thu, Oct 08, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Learn about potential and kinetic energy in simplified games, plus try your hand at mini bowling!
The Write Stuff - Children's Creative Writing Group
Thu, Oct 08, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Calling all young creative writers! Join us for a creative writing workshop that focuses on the building blocks of a great story, such as characters, setting, conflict, and resolution.
Teen #FandomFriday - Paper Star Chains
Fri, Oct 09, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Learn how to fold and string your own chain of paper stars!
Books with Bernard
Sat, Oct 10, 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 Present - Creatures of the Night
Sat, Oct 10, 10:30am - 11:30am
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Discover nocturnal animals living right in our backyards and throughout the Black Hills with a Custer State Park naturalist!
Maker Mania for Upper Elementary - DNA Discovery
Sat, Oct 10, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Explore the amazing molecule that makes us who we are! Extract real DNA from a strawberry, then create a candy DNA model.
Registration opens Saturday, September 26 2026 at 10:00am
Owl Pellet Dissection with Black Hills Raptor Center
Sun, Oct 11, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Join the Black Hills Raptor Center for a day of dissection! Discover what owls eat and meet avian ambassadors from the Raptor Center.
Rescheduled
RCPL Board Meeting
Mon, Oct 12, 12:00pm - 1:30pm
New date Wednesday, October 14, 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown
RCPL Monthly Board Meeting
Sit & Stitch Knitting Club
Mon, Oct 12, 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, Oct 13, 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, Oct 13, 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 - Leaf Creature Art
Tue, Oct 13, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Rapid City Public Library Downtown - Community Room
Explore the connection between art and the environment and make stunning works of art using materials from nature!
Bring Your Own Book Club at the Alex Johnson
Tue, Oct 13, 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!
See all events