Families are invited to join the I AM Academy and the Holland Farmers Market this Wednesday, June 19 to celebrate Juneteenth at the Market Kids Activities! The Kids Activities are held at the Holland Farmers Market every Wednesday from 9:30 am – 11:30 am through August 14. The Activities are free to attend and begin with Market Story Time hosted by the Herrick District Library, followed by a fun, educational, and hands-on activity led by a local community partner. The Kids Activities are proudly sponsored by Corewell Health.
This Wednesday, the Herrick District Library will lead the Kids Activities by reading children’s stories about Juneteenth, the federal holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. According to the National Museum of African American History and Culture, slavery officially ended in the United States on January 1, 1863. But it wasn’t until June 19, 1865, when slaves in westernmost Confederate state of Texas officially received the decree that they were free, a day that came to be known as Juneteenth.
Following story time, children can visit different craft stations hosted by the I AM Academy to learn more about Juneteenth. Crafts will include making a paper chain in the colors of the Juneteenth flag, making a beaded bracelet with colors that are significant to the African American community, and designing a freedom quilt with paper squares. The mission of the non-profit I AM Academy is to empower Black and multiracial youth to see their own potential, experience joy, become confident leaders, and drive positive change in our local community. They strive to create opportunities to change the narrative and trajectory for African American adolescents in the community while supporting the development of a more welcoming community for all.
The weekly Kids Activities at the Holland Farmers Market begin with an interactive Market Story Time hosted by the Herrick District Library starting at 9:30 am, followed by a drop-in activity led by a local non profit organization or business from 10:00 am until 11:30 am. All activities planned are educational, hands-on, and fun and are geared for ages 3-10. The full schedule of activities can be found below and on the Market Kids Activities Facebook event page. Activities are free to attend, but a parent or guardian must remain onsite the entire time to supervise their children. Activities take place in the northwest parking lot outside of the Holland Civic Center Place (150 West 8th Street).
Upcoming Kids Activities
June 26
Ed & Nancy Hannenburg’s Children’s Advocacy Center
Safe Adult Bracelets
The child sexual abuse prevention staff from Ed & Nancy Hannenburg’s Children’s Advocacy Center will provide beads and bracelet making materials to help teach kids about “safe” adults and remind kids who their "safe” adults are. They will also have temporary tattoos for kids and a prize wheel for children to spin to win fun prizes! Don’t miss this important opportunity to learn how to prevent child sexual abuse in our community.
July 3
Outdoor Discovery Center Network
Land and Water Fun and Games
Learn about the important conservation work that the Outdoor Discovery Center Network is doing to protect the land and water quality in and around the Holland area! Children can participate in games and crafts while they learn about pollinators, macroinvertebrates, native plants, and water quality right here in West Michigan. Each child will leave with the knowledge they need to help conserve our important natural resources!
July 10
Corewell Health
Stay Safe this Summer
The injury prevention team from Corewell Health, our Kids Activity sponsor, will be here to teach kids all about summer bike and swim safety! Parents can learn how to fit their child’s bike helmet correctly and get important information on water and car seat safety too. Children will have the opportunity to play a fun game together and get a cool pair of sunglasses to take home!
July 17
LAUP
Fiesta Time
Celebrate Fiesta Week with Latin Americans United for Progress (LAUP)! Join the Herrick District Library for a bilingual interactive story time, then celebrate Latino culture together with a “frutas y vegetales” activity! Be sure to stay for a chance to get active with the Salserines, who will be here to teach everyone some fun salsa-dancing moves!
July 24
Holland Museum
Michigan Fruit Harvest
Did you know Michigan harvests over 1 billion apples every year? From Granny Smith to Honey Crisp, Michigan apples just can’t be beat! Join the team from the Holland Museum to design and create a harvesting device to harvest apples from their trees! Children will also have the opportunity to color a map of Michigan and learn about the different fruits grown in each region of our great state!
July 31
Holland Parks & Recreation
Get Out and Get Active!
Our friends from Holland Recreation will be joining us to help kids get out and get active this summer, with a variety of different yard games and activities to get kids moving! Activities will include corn hole, ladder ball, giant Jenga, and so much more. Learn all about Holland Recreation’s upcoming fall and winter programs and classes too!
August 7
Community Action House
Healthy Eating Habits
The team from Community Action House will be here to help children learn about how to make healthy eating choices and why it’s important to fuel our bodies with the right nutrients! Children can join in on a fun, interactive activity and get a free temporary fruit or vegetable tattoo to help them remember to eat a rainbow of foods every day!
August 14
Corewell Health
Smoothie Bike
Corewell Health’s popular Smoothie Bike is back! Children can pedal a stationary bike to blend their own smoothies to sample…both with and without spinach! Will your child taste the “sneaky spinach” difference? Children will have the opportunity to learn about healthy eating and bring home their own smoothie recipes to try, courtesy of the Corewell’s CATCH (Coordinated Approach To Child Health) team, who travel the area teaching healthy eating habits to local schools.
