Visit Windmill Island Gardens this Monday for the continuation of the Books and Blooms series! Holland Area Arts Council staff will host this week’s Books and Blooms activity on Monday, June  23! 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. 

This Monday during Books and Blooms, Join the Holland Area Arts Council as they show kids how to get  artsy and create their very own Tulip wand masterpiece! Children will make their very own work of art to  take home. 

The Holland Area Arts Councils mission is to celebrate and showcase creativity and provide artistic  opportunities for all in the Lakeshore Community. As an organization they are committed to presenting  and teaching the arts through collaboration and inclusivity. The Holland Area Arts Council has served our  community for over five decades by supporting local artists and sharing their creativity with the public. 

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 11. 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. Windmill Island Gardens is open daily from 9:30am – 6:00pm (last admission sold at 5:00pm) through October 5. 

Upcoming Books & Blooms Dates 

June 30  

The Wild World of Water 

Outdoor Discovery Center

Join the staff from the Outdoor Discovery Center to enjoy a variety of hands-on activities all about water  quality and native plants! See live aquatic insects, make a craft, play games, and more learning about  how water quality impacts native plants. 

July 7  

Story Garden Collage 

The Bluestocking Bookshop 

Kids will use pages from gently damaged books and colorful scrap paper to collage their own garden themed masterpiece creating flowers, butterflies, clouds, and more! Using recycled damaged book pages  and paper scraps, kids can use their creativity to repurpose a variety of paper materials. 

July 14  

Grow a Garden Bookmark 

Ready for School 

Kids 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. 

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.