Or add Rockford’s kids’ events to your calendar: subscribe once and new weeks appear on their own. (Google Calendar: paste that link’s address into “Other calendars → From URL”.) We keep your email and the city, nothing else; every note has a one-click stop.
Days with a number have events. Tap one to filter the list below.
100 ideas near “Rockford, IL”
Subscribe once and new weeks appear on their own. Google Calendar: copy that button’s link address into “Other calendars → From URL”.
Books, songs, rhymes, and crafts for children ages 3-5
NEW to East Branch! This interactive storytime for young children from birth to 24 months focuses on their development, incorporating music, movement, and reading.
November 9 Flight in Nature How do animals conquer the skies? Investigate the science behind flight by exploring birds, insects, bats, and prehistoric flying reptiles. Learn how wings, feathers, body shape, and physics make flight possible. About Our Program It’s a homeschool class uncrated and integrated throughout the museum! Families explore the museum around learning objectives in special, one-day-only booths for homeschool groups. Expect hands-on investigations, interactive stations, demonstrations, live animals, fossil specimens, and educator-led activities. Each event transforms the entire museum into a dynamic learning environment centered around a monthly science theme. Activities are designed for a wide range of ages and learning styles, allowing siblings and homeschool groups to learn together while exploring topics at their own level. Burpee Museum believes science is best learned through exploration. Our Homeschool Discovery Days encourage curiosity, observation, experimentation, and discovery while giving families access to museum collections, live animals, fossils, laboratories, and educators. Learn More Here: https://burpee.org/homeschool/ What to Expect Drop in any
Stop into the Rockford Public Library's Mobile Library.
Come play a relaxed game of chess at the library! Sets and boards provided, all skill levels welcome. We meet every other Monday night.
Stop into the Rockford Public Library's Mobile Library.
Stop into the Rockford Public Library's Mobile Library.
Dance and sing the morning away at this active storytime for toddlers and preschoolers.
Join us for an active Storytime where we will read stories, sing songs, and have you up and dancing!
Stop into the Rockford Public Library's Mobile Library.
Stop into the Rockford Public Library's Mobile Library.
Come celebrate international games month and RPL's Week of Play
Come make some fall decor with old book pages and some glitter!
A space for experienced and amateur songwriters/producers alike to collaborate and grow together.
Tuesday evening stories and music topped off with a little coloring time - meets in the Children's Area. Will not meet 10/20, 10/27, 11/17, 11/24, 12/15 (Polar Express), 12/22 and 12/29.
Stop into the Rockford Public Library's Mobile Library.
Stop into the Rockford Public Library's DigiLibrary.
This interactive storytime for young children from birth to 24 months, focuses on their development, incorporating music, movement, and reading.
Learn and practice the basic gaming mechanisms of tabletop gameplay for monster battles.
Meet new friends, listen to stories and get moving in an interactive storytime that builds social and early literacy skills. Meets weekly except 10/22, 10/29, 11/19, 11/26, 12/24, 12/31.
Unete con nosotros para un tiempo de cuentos, canciones y arte en español. Edades 2-5 Join us for story time in spanish, songs and art. Ages 2-5
A social hour for homeschool families.
Stop into the Rockford Public Library's Mobile Library.
Join the Rockford Symphony Orchestra at the East Branch Library for a special musical storytime series designed for young children and their families!
A film series celebrating 250 years of American independence.
Are you fascinated with comics, superheroes, anime, and other entertaining characters? This is a chance to meet and talk in person with other people of all ages who have similar excitement.
Drop in on Friday afternoons to get crafty! Every week, we'll whip up a fun and fresh craft for you to create. All supplies will be provided.
For High School Students. Belong. Socialize. Explore. The museum is yours after hours. Museum Unlocked is Burpee’s monthly teen club featuring music, games, themed activities, snacks, and exclusive access to explore the museum in a fun, welcoming environment. Meet new friends, discover new interests, and experience Burpee in a whole new way. When: Second & Fourth Friday of the month Where : Burpee Museum, Rockford Illinois Time : 6:30-8:00pm. Learn More Here: https://burpee.org/museum-unlocked/ Burpee Clubs: Communities of Curiosity Pricing: Drop In Admission – $25 (Best for First-time visitors, occasional participants, friends joining for a session) Class pricing includes museum admission for the participant Burpee Museum Member – $5 (Best for regular attendees who want the best value) Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/burpee-clubs-museum-unlocked-tickets-1997185583844?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true
Join Mrs. Heather for spooky short stories and activities.
Tournament for Super Smash Bros Ultimate and other fighting games at the Nordlof Center in downtown Rockford.
Books, songs, rhymes, and crafts for children ages 3-5
Stop into the Rockford Public Library's Mobile Library.
Stop into the Rockford Public Library's Mobile Library.
A book club of teen books for teens. Come chat about the stories and eat some pizza! Reading the book is encouraged but not required.
Stop into the Rockford Public Library's Mobile Library.
Dance and sing the morning away at this active storytime for toddlers and preschoolers.
Join us for an active Storytime where we will read stories, sing songs, and have you up and dancing!
Pokémon Club attendees can learn, play, and connect through the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) and other activities designed for their age range.
Stop into the Rockford Public Library's Mobile Library.
Stop into the Rockford Public Library's Mobile Library.
The Rockford Certified Slam is the only Poetry Slam, Inc. certified venue in Rockford
Stop into the Rockford Public Library's Mobile Library.
Stop into the Rockford Public Library's DigiLibrary.
Stop into the Rockford Public Library's Mobile Library.
¡Únase a nosotros una vez al mes para un tiempo divertido de cuentos para niños y sus cuidadores!
Create poems and have the opportunity to share them with your peers.
Archivists from the Barack Obama Presidential Library will offer an extensive overview of how you can gain access to government records through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
Maker Event - Development of application. Open to anyone.
Unete con nosotros para un tiempo de cuentos, canciones y arte en español. Edades 2-5 Join us for story time in spanish, songs and art. Ages 2-5
A social hour for homeschool families.
Stop into the Rockford Public Library's Mobile Library.
Stop into the Rockford Public Library's Mobile Library.
A program of Eliminate Racism 815, in partnership with the Rockford Public Library.
Drop in on Friday afternoons to get crafty! Every week, we'll whip up a fun and fresh craft for you to create. All supplies will be provided.
Join us in the tween room (room 112) for some Saturday morning video games!
Making some thanksgiving turkeys out of gumdrops (and maybe eating a few too)
Books, songs, rhymes and crafts for children ages 3-5
November 23 Amazing Animal Senses Experience the world through the eyes, ears, noses, and specialized senses of animals. Discover echolocation, infrared detection, ultraviolet vision, and other extraordinary abilities that help organisms survive. About Our Program It’s a homeschool class uncrated and integrated throughout the museum! Families explore the museum around learning objectives in special, one-day-only booths for homeschool groups. Expect hands-on investigations, interactive stations, demonstrations, live animals, fossil specimens, and educator-led activities. Each event transforms the entire museum into a dynamic learning environment centered around a monthly science theme. Activities are designed for a wide range of ages and learning styles, allowing siblings and homeschool groups to learn together while exploring topics at their own level. Burpee Museum believes science is best learned through exploration. Our Homeschool Discovery Days encourage curiosity, observation, experimentation, and discovery while giving families access to museum collections, live animals, fossils, laboratories, and educators. Learn More Here: https://burpee.org/homeschool/ What to Expect Drop
Come play a relaxed game of chess at the library! Sets and boards provided, all skill levels welcome. We meet every other Monday night.
Stop into the Rockford Public Library's Mobile Library.
Join us for an active Storytime where we will read stories, sing songs, and have you up and dancing!
Stop into the Rockford Public Library's Mobile Library.
Stop into the Rockford Public Library's Mobile Library.
Join us at the Main library downtown for an autumn themed craft. Families will be able to come and customize their own slime.
Celebrate what you're grateful for by decorating the tree in the Teen Zone with our notes of thanksgiving.
A space for experienced and amateur songwriters/producers alike to collaborate and grow together.
Test your general knowledge in a friendly game of trivia to win fun prizes!
Stop into the Rockford Public Library's Mobile Library.
Stop into the Rockford Public Library's DigiLibrary.
This interactive storytime for young children from birth to 24 months, focuses on their development, incorporating music, movement, and reading.
Stop into the Rockford Public Library's Mobile Library.
For High School Students. Belong. Socialize. Explore. The museum is yours after hours. Museum Unlocked is Burpee’s monthly teen club featuring music, games, themed activities, snacks, and exclusive access to explore the museum in a fun, welcoming environment. Meet new friends, discover new interests, and experience Burpee in a whole new way. When: Second & Fourth Friday of the month Where : Burpee Museum, Rockford Illinois Time : 6:30-8:00pm. Learn More Here: https://burpee.org/museum-unlocked/ Burpee Clubs: Communities of Curiosity Pricing: Drop In Admission – $25 (Best for First-time visitors, occasional participants, friends joining for a session) Class pricing includes museum admission for the participant Burpee Museum Member – $5 (Best for regular attendees who want the best value) Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/burpee-clubs-museum-unlocked-tickets-1997185583844?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true
Experienced gamers and newbies alike are welcome for a casual night of video games and making new friends. For ages 9 to 13 in the Tween Room!
Stop into the Rockford Public Library's Mobile Library.
Pokémon Club attendees can learn, play, and connect through the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) and other activities designed for their age range. *NOT a trading event
Stop into the Rockford Public Library's Mobile Library.
Stop into the Rockford Public Library's Mobile Library.
Dance and sing the morning away at this active storytime for toddlers and preschoolers.
Join us for an active Storytime where we will read stories, sing songs, and have you up and dancing!
Pokémon Club attendees can learn, play, and connect through the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) and other activities designed for their age range.
Stop into the Rockford Public Library's Mobile Library.
Stop into the Rockford Public Library's Mobile Library.
Tuesday evening stories and music topped off with a little coloring time - meets in the Children's Area. Will not meet 10/20, 10/27, 11/17, 11/24, 12/15 (Polar Express), 12/22 and 12/29.
Stop into the Rockford Public Library's Mobile Library.
Stop into the Rockford Public Library's DigiLibrary.
Meet new friends, listen to stories and get moving in an interactive storytime that builds social and early literacy skills. Meets weekly except 10/22, 10/29, 11/19, 11/26, 12/24, 12/31.
Modeled Moments in Spanish! El propósito de la hora del cuento interactiva es enseñar a los padres y cuidadores cómo brindar experiencias de aprendizaje para niños de alta calidad.
Unete con nosotros para un tiempo de cuentos, canciones y arte en español. Edades 2-5 Join us for story time in spanish, songs and art. Ages 2-5
A social hour for homeschool families.
Stop into the Rockford Public Library's Mobile Library.
Are you fascinated with comics, superheroes, anime, and other entertaining characters? This is a chance to meet and talk in person with other people of all ages who have similar excitement.
Drop in on Friday afternoons to get crafty! Every week, we'll whip up a fun and fresh craft for you to create. All supplies will be provided.
Let's make some snowmen out of socks and rice! Makes a great winter decoration or gift.
December 7 Nature Inspires Innovation Discover how animal bodies are designed for movement, strength, and efficiency, and explore how scientists and engineers use these natural solutions to inspire inventions and technologies that improve our everyday lives. About Our Program It’s a homeschool class uncrated and integrated throughout the museum! Families explore the museum around learning objectives in special, one-day-only booths for homeschool groups. Expect hands-on investigations, interactive stations, demonstrations, live animals, fossil specimens, and educator-led activities. Each event transforms the entire museum into a dynamic learning environment centered around a monthly science theme. Activities are designed for a wide range of ages and learning styles, allowing siblings and homeschool groups to learn together while exploring topics at their own level. Burpee Museum believes science is best learned through exploration. Our Homeschool Discovery Days encourage curiosity, observation, experimentation, and discovery while giving families access to museum collections, live animals, fossils, laboratories, and educators. Learn More Here: https://burpee.org/homeschool/ What to
Experienced gamers and newbies alike are welcome for a casual night of video games and making new friends. For ages 9 to 13 in the Tween Room!
Stop into the Rockford Public Library's Mobile Library.
Stop into the Rockford Public Library's Mobile Library.
Come play a relaxed game of chess at the library! Sets and boards provided, all skill levels welcome. We meet every other Monday night.
Stop into the Rockford Public Library's Mobile Library.
Rockford is Illinois' third-largest city, on the Rock River, with the Anderson Japanese Gardens ranked among the country's finest. The Discovery Center Museum, the Burpee Museum's Jane the T. rex, and Rock Cut State Park are the family fixtures; the sock-monkey was invented here. Rockford Public Library is rebuilding its main branch on the river.
Holiday events for kids in Rockford, 2026: tree lightings, light displays, Santa visits and gingerbread workshops, day by day.
30 children’s events are on in Rockford in the next seven days, read every night from the calendars of Rockford Public Library (20 branches, 195 upcoming programmes), plus Burpee Museum of Natural History. Library programmes are free. Museum and zoo events say “admission may apply”; check the venue for prices.
43 places to collect. Tap “I'm here” when you're at one and the stamp goes in your book; collect 5 and print the certificate.
Stamps live on your phone. Open your passport to see them all, print the certificate, or save them to your email.
Yes and no. Every event, time, address and link is open to anyone. An account only lets you save outings you plan to go to.
Each library and venue calendar is re-read every night, so a cancelled storytime disappears within a day. Times are shown in Rockford’s own time zone.
Babies and toddlers, preschoolers, early grades, tweens and teens. Pick an age range above to narrow the list; leave them all off to see everything.
More in Illinois: Aurora, Bloomington, Champaign, Chicago, Decatur, Naperville, Peoria, Quincy, Rock Island.