Families are invited to join the I AM Academy and the Holland Farmers Market this
Wednesday, June 18 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 13. 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.
Upcoming Kids Activities
June 25
Holland Museum
Powerful Pollinators
Join the Holland Museum for a fun and interactive exploration of the power of pollinators! Through hands-
on activities and creative crafts, discover the important role bees, butterflies, and other pollinators play in our ecosystem. Create your own coffee filter butterfly and participate in a pollination experiment to see
these creatures in action!
July 2
ODC Network
The Wild World of Water
Learn all about the importance of water to our local ecosystem with the Outdoor Discovery Center
Network! Learn why it’s so important to do your part to keep the water in the Macatawa Watershed clean
with a variety of fun activities that include live aquatic insects, fun games, and hands-on crafts!
July 9
Corewell Health
Safety First!
The injury prevention team from Corewell Health will be here to teach children and parents all about bike
and swim safety for the summer. They will have bike helmets on hands so parents and kids can learn
how to fit and wear a helmet correctly to stay safe. They’ll also have important educational flyers available
on water and car seat safety too!
July 16
Latin Americans United for Progress
Fiesta at the Mercado
Celebrate Fiesta Week in Downtown Holland and join our friends at LAUP for a fun and interactive
cultural activity! Enjoy a bilingual story time with Herrick District Library and then learn what fruits and
vegetables play an important role in Latin American cuisine and how food can bring different cultures
together.
July 23
Holland Parks & Recreation
Get Outdoors!
Holland Recreation will be here with a variety of different yard games and activities to get kids (and their
parents) moving! Activities will include corn hole, ladder ball, giant Jenga, and much more. Learn about all
the exciting recreation programming Holland Recreation has to offer children and adults in our community
too!
July 30
Children’s Advocacy Center
Body Safety
Don’t miss this important activity on body safety for children, hosted by the trained educators from the
Children’s Advocacy Center. Learn alongside your child how to help prevent child abuse by making “safe
adult" beaded bracelets, getting a “boss of my body" temporary tattoo, and with coloring pages and other
resources for parents.
August 6
Holland Symphony Orchestra and Community Action House
Symphony Snacks
Musicians from the Holland Symphony Orchestra will be here to perform a family-friendly mini concert in
celebration of their Gift of Music weekend! Community Action House will also be here sharing ideas for
healthy snacks that feature fruits and vegetables from the Market!
August 13
Corewell Health
Sensory Fun
Join our Kids Activity sponsor, Corewell Health, and learn all about your body’s five senses with a variety
of fun, hands-on activities. Visit different guessing stations to use your sense of smell and touch, then use
your sense of taste and sight to try several new fruits and vegetables together and vote on which ones
you like the most!
