Photo Credit: Jeremy Stiltz
What's Happening
Nature Tales - Rock Rapids Public Library, October 13th, 2026
Rock Rapids Public Library
102 S Greene St.
Rock Rapids, IA
Map to Event
October 13, 2026 to January 1, 3000
4:30pm · 12:00am
Get ready for a prehistoric adventure as we travel back in time to the Ice Age and the Mesozoic Era! Step into the boots of a paleontologist to unearth the secrets of massive woolly mammoths, mighty Tyrannosaurs, and the incredible giants that once ruled the Earth.
What You'll Experience:
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Become a Fossil Detective: Inspect replica dinosaur teeth, and real plant fossils under magnifying lenses to uncover how these prehistoric beasts lived, hunted, and survived.
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The Ice Age vs. Dino World Challenge: Compare the massive scale of an Ice Age mammoth to the largest dinosaurs—test your footprint size against a life-sized T. rex track and feel the weight of prehistoric armor!
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Excavation Station: Try your hand at careful fossil extraction techniques.
Put your scientist hat on, grab your field log, and prepare to dig deep into history—this is one mammoth-sized library event you won't want to miss!
Where: Rock Rapids Public Library
When: October 13th at 4:30 PM
Admission: FREE! No registration required.
Bring your energy, bring your family, and get ready to get digging!
Nature Tales - Little Rock Public Library, October 14th, 2026
Little Rock Public Library
402 Main Street
Little Rock, IA
Map to Event
October 14, 2026 to January 1, 3000
3:00pm · 12:00am
Get ready for a prehistoric adventure as we travel back in time to the Ice Age and the Mesozoic Era! Step into the boots of a paleontologist to unearth the secrets of massive woolly mammoths, mighty Tyrannosaurs, and the incredible giants that once ruled the Earth.
What You'll Experience:
-
Become a Fossil Detective: Inspect replica dinosaur teeth, and real plant fossils under magnifying lenses to uncover how these prehistoric beasts lived, hunted, and survived.
-
The Ice Age vs. Dino World Challenge: Compare the massive scale of an Ice Age mammoth to the largest dinosaurs—test your footprint size against a life-sized T. rex track and feel the weight of prehistoric armor!
-
Excavation Station: Try your hand at careful fossil extraction techniques.
Put your scientist hat on, grab your field log, and prepare to dig deep into history—this is one mammoth-sized library event you won't want to miss!
Where: Little Rock Public Library
When: October 14th at 3:00 PM
Admission: FREE! No registration required.
Bring your energy, bring your family, and get ready to get digging!
Little Sprouts - Fall 2026 Sessions - 10:00-10:50 AM
Lyon County Nature Center
1651 180th Street
Inwood, IA
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October 16, 2026 to December 18, 2026
10:00am · 11:00am
Welcome to Little Sprouts: Wild Animal Adventures!
Is your little one curious about nature? Join us for Little Sprouts, an exciting 45-minute 3 month animal discovery program designed specifically for 3 - 5 year-olds!
Each month, our youngest explorers will meet live animals—including turtles, toads, snakes, and salamanders—alongside real taxidermy mounts. Every 45-minute session combines live animal encounters with high-energy movement games, and a fun, theme-matched healthy snack!
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October 16th: Home Sweet Home
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November 20th: What’s for Lunch?
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December 18th: Hide & Seek in Nature
Give your child the chance to touch, build, taste, and learn in a safe, interactive environment!
Space is limited to keep groups small and hands-on—register your Little Sprout today!
Coffee with Conservation - Bites, Brews & Living Fossils!
Lyon County Nature Center
1651 180th Street
Inwood, IA
Map to Event
October 20, 2026 to January 1, 3000
11:30am · 12:30pm
Bites, Brews & Living Fossils!
Did you know prehistoric river giants are swimming right here in our backyard? Join us for Lunch & Living Fossils—a special edition of Coffee With Conservation featuring guest speakers from the Iowa DNR Fisheries team!
Swap your desk lunch for an incredible story of local conservation. We’re providing free sandwiches, coffee, and cold drinks while learning all about the historic reintroduction of paddlefish to the Iowa Great Lakes!
Grab a lunch plate and discover:
- How paddlefish survived over 100 million years of history
- The exciting work Iowa DNR is doing to restore paddlefish to West Okoboji & local waters
- The secret "electric paddle" snout they use to hunt underwater
- What it takes to protect these massive native filter-feeders
Where: Lyon County Nature Center 1651 180th St. Inwood, IA 51240
When: October 20th at 11:30 AM
Cost: Free! (Sandwiches, coffee, and drinks provided)
Bring a friend, grab a sandwich, and meet the DNR experts bringing these ancient giants back to our lakes!
Free, but please register by calling (712) 752-2033 or calling or texting 712-470-9693 to ensure we have enough goodies for everyone!!
Register at https://lyoncounty.iowa.gov/conservation/events/
Nature Tales - Rock Rapids Public Library, November 3rd, 2026
Rock Rapids Public Library
102 S Greene St.
Rock Rapids, IA
Map to Event
November 3, 2026 to January 1, 3000
4:30pm · 12:00am
Step into the quiet, winter woods and discover a hidden universe thriving right beneath our feet! Inspired by Kate Messner’s acclaimed book Over and Under the Snow, this hands-on STEM program takes young explorers deep into the subnivean zone—the cozy, secret world where mice tunnel, bullfrogs sleep, and wildlife survives the freeze.
What You'll Experience:
- Explore the Hidden Layers: Uncover how snow acts like a giant blanket to keep animals warm all winter long.
- Track the Predators: Compare the hunters above the snow—like foxes and snowy owls—with the secret survivors underneath.
Grab your field journal, put on your scientist hat, and discover what's really happening under the winter frost! Perfect for curious minds, families, and homeschool groups ages 5 and up.
Where: Rock Rapids Public Library
When: November 3rd at 4:30 PM
Admission: FREE! No registration required.
The forest is full of secrets—come see what’s living under the snow!
Lake Pahoja Recreation Area is a 300 acre highly developed multi-use recreation area. It offers a wide variety of activities for all seasons.
A few of the features at Lake Pahoja include 6 open picnic shelters with modern restroom facilities and drinking water available, three playgrounds, two volleyball courts, a basketball court, and horseshoe pits. Two enclosed lodges are also available - each containing four to six picnic tables, a fireplace, and outdoor pedestal grills.
