The Books and Blooms series continues at Windmill Island Gardens! The Ready for School team will host this week’s Books and Blooms activity on Monday, July 14! Each Books and Blooms will begin with a Story Time hosted by the Herrick District Library at 10:00 am, followed by a fun, educational, and hands-on activity at 10:30 am. During the Books and Blooms series, children can not only enjoy interactive stories, songs, and activities, but also enjoy our children’s carousel, playground, and see our chickens all on Windmill Island Gardens’ park grounds every Monday morning through August 18. 

This Monday during Books and Blooms, join the staff from Ready for School as they teach kids how to  create a flower-themed bookmark using stickers, stamps, and coloring tools. Include flower facts or fun  gardening jokes on a pre-printed template on the reverse side. These bookmarks will be the perfect way  to showcase children’s creativity, and a great tool to use while working on their summer reading list! 

Ready for School is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to preparing children for educational  success. Their mission is to increase access to early educational experiences through integrated  community support, so all children can enter kindergarten ready to learn! 

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 18 where there will be an end of summer  Pajama Party! 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 (1Lincoln Ave, Holland, MI, 49423). 

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

Upcoming Books & Blooms Dates 

July 21  

Yard Games & Planting Activity 

Holland Recreation

Get moving with Holland Recreation! Enjoy a variety of fun yard games fun for all ages and even decorate  your own planter to fill with soil and seeds to take home and watch grow! 

July 28  

Wacky Wind 

Holland Museum  

Discover the power of wind with the Holland Museum! Join museum staff for an exciting hands-on STEAM activity exploring wind energy and air resistance. Build your own wind-powered windmill to see  how wind can generate motion. Then, experiment with air resistance by designing and launching your  very own balloon-powered rocket. Engage in interactive learning and unleash your creativity in this fun  and educational experience for all ages! 

August 4  

Flower Suncatchers 

Explore Hope 

The team from Explore Hope will teach kids how to craft flower suncatchers out of leaves and flower  petals you can find around outside! 

August 11  

Pollinator Water Station 

MSU Extension  

Even pollinators need water to survive, especially in the heat of summer! Join our friends from the  Michigan State University Extension to create a water source with enough water to outlast a sunny day  and enough dry surface from which insects can safely drink and learn about why pollinators are essential  to the survival and success of our gardens. 

August 18 

Get Moving with Water! 

Aqua Tots 

The Aqua Tots team will bring supplies for children to craft their very own under the sea themed  bookmarks and get kids moving with water activities! Be prepared to get splashed with water balloons  and swim cap relay races! Monday, August 18 will be our LAST Books and Blooms of the summer before  school starts back up again, so join us for an end of summer Pajama Party! Come in your PJs to enjoy all  the fun, one last time! 

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