Join us at Windmill Island Gardens for more of our children’s summer series, Books and  Blooms! Every Monday through August 10, our friends from the Herrick District Library will kick off each  Books and Blooms with a story time starting at 10:00 am followed by a fun hands-on activity led by  community partners starting at 10:30 am! Families can enjoy activities and learn about things like  planting, water conservation, wind, pollinators, and more! After the hands-on activity families can also  enjoy our carousel and playground at our park. 

This Monday on June 29 during Books and Blooms, join the Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore as  they lead a craft in painting Garden Markers! Rocks and paints will be provided as well as examples of  garden markers. These markers are used to identify plants, flowers and fruits that are planted in your  garden! 

Girls Scouts is a non-profit organization that builds girls of courage, confidence, and character through  badgework in four categories: STEM, life skills, entrepreneurship, and outdoor skills. The program aims to  strengthen girls' leadership skills and help them become well rounded individuals that care about giving  back to their community. 

Families are invited to Windmill Island Gardens every Monday morning for our weekly Books and Blooms series from 10:00 am – 11:30 am through August 10. This weekly Books and Blooms series will begin with an interactive Story Time hosted by the Herrick District Library starting at 10:00 am, followed by a come-and-go style activity led by a local non-profit organization from 10:30 am until 11:30 am. The full schedule of activities can be found below, and on the Books and Blooms Facebook event page. Activities are free to attend for all; just mention you are there for the series at the admission booth.  A parent or guardian must remain onsite the entire time to supervise their children. Activities take place in  the park on the East side of the Posthouse building at Windmill Island Gardens (1 Lincoln Ave, Holland,  MI, 49423). 

For more details on Books and Blooms and other upcoming events at Windmill Island Gardens, visit www.windmillisland.com/events-and-programs. Windmill Island Gardens is open daily from 9:30am – 6:00pm (last admission sold at 5:00pm) through October 4. 

Upcoming Books & Blooms Dates 

Monday, July 6 

Outdoor Discovery Center Network – Beautiful Blooms and Water Drops: Learn about the relationship between native plants and improved water quality with fun activities, like looking at aquatic insects,  making pollinators, and seeing healthy roots and soil. We'll have coloring, make-your-own-button, and  more! 

Monday, July 13 

Holland Parks and Recreation – Yard Games and Planting: Decorate personal-sized pots and plant seeds  with Holland Parks and Recreation! Take home your new plant and enjoy caring for it while watching it  grow. Holland Parks and Recreation will provide all necessary materials as well as supply fun yard games  and activities for all Books and Bloom participants to enjoy! 

Monday, July 20 

Holland Board of Public Works - Native Plants and Water Conservation: BPW will teach kids about how  native plants help with water conservation through crafting a guide on plant needs! Kids will match words  and pictures to learn the steps to plant care. Cut, draw, color and fold these engaging guides to learn  what a plant needs as you unfold! 

Monday, July 27 

Aqua Tots Swim School – Scoop and Splash & Under the Sea Bookmarks: This is a hands-on activity  where kids use cups and scoops to pour, splash, and play in water that is held in mini-inflatable pools.  There will be fun mini challenges like moving water from one bucket to the next and scoop up as many  

ducks as you can in 5 seconds. For those who don't want to play in water, there will also be a create your  own under the sea bookmark station! 

Monday, August 3 

MSU Extension 4-H – Egg Carton Seed Starters: Kids will get to start their own herb garden by planting  seeds in an egg carton so they can take them home to grow! The egg carton provides just enough room  for these seeds to start growing and makes it easy to move your garden indoor or outdoor! 

Monday, August 10 

Explore Hope – A Garden to Save the Birds: Join Explore hope in making “seed bombs” for families to  take home and place in their garden supporting birds, insects and pollinators! This activity promotes  planting wildflowers to support the ecosystem as well as promoting awareness of how to make your yard  and garden more bird and pollinator friendly. 

About Windmill Island Gardens: Windmill Island Gardens offers a small slice of the Netherlands in  West Michigan. The park features tours of ‘de Zwaan’ – America’s only authentic, working Dutch windmill. Other highlights include an Amsterdam street organ and children’s carousel among many Dutch replica buildings and exhibits. During Tulip Time in May, visitors can delight in 100,000+ tulips in beds and fields. A proud member of the American Public Garden AssociaEon and American HorEcultural Society, the Island is transformed each summer with a beauEful display of annuals and perennials found in themed beds and throughout the landscape. Visitors can enjoy it all from mid-April to early October each year.