October arrives this week with plenty for young people and families to explore, from library crafts and LEGO building to books, butterflies and the opening weekend of Boo! at the Zoo.
Here are activities for Wednesday, Sept. 30, through Tuesday, Oct. 6. Check individual organizers for registration, tickets and last-minute changes.
Wednesday, Sept. 30
Library programs across Knox County — Knox County Public Library branches offer several programs for younger children, including Baby Bookworms, toddler and preschool storytimes. Burlington Branch also hosts Library for All from 10-11:30 a.m., an inclusive program open to children, teens and adults.
Check the Knox County Public Library calendar
Thursday, Oct. 1
Dino Days: Fossil Frights Night Lights — Bearden Branch Library kicks off its Dino Days series from 4-5 p.m. Children can create a project while learning about dinosaurs, fossils and prehistoric life. Registration is required.
Discover Animals of East Tennessee — Rangers from Seven Islands State Birding Park visit Burlington Branch Library from 4-5 p.m. to introduce children to mammals that live in East Tennessee.
22 Days of Halloween — South Knoxville Branch Library begins a countdown of spooky crafts for ages 2-12 from 4-5 p.m. The program continues on several days throughout October.
Friday, Oct. 2
Crafternoon — Halls Branch Library invites preschool and elementary-age children to make a craft selected by library staff from 4-5 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 3
Fall Book Fest — Readers can spend the day surrounded by books at the Hardin Valley Event Center, 2620 Willow Point Way. The free festival runs from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with local authors, vendors, live music, food trucks, a Kids Zone, story time, crafts and other activities. Families can also bring new or gently used books for a community book drive.
Cedar Bluff Builders Club — Children and teens can experiment with building materials beyond LEGO from 10:30 a.m.-noon at Cedar Bluff Branch Library.
LEGO Club — Karns Branch Library hosts LEGO Club from 2-3 p.m. for elementary-age children and teens.
Monarch Butterfly Tagging & Education — Smokies Life’s Branch Out program offers young nature lovers and their families a chance to learn about monarch migration and conservation from 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at the Great Smokies Welcome Center in Townsend. The program includes an opportunity to participate in efforts to track monarchs during their annual migration. Registration and a fee are required.
Explore Smokies Life Branch Out programs
Boo! at the Zoo begins — Costumes, characters and Halloween fun return to Zoo Knoxville for the opening weekend of Boo! at the Zoo. The event runs from 5:30-9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and includes the Storybook Trick-or-Treat Trail, Monster Mash Dance Party, carnival games and the new HallowGlow Forest immersive light experience.
Sunday, Oct. 4
Another night of Boo! — Zoo Knoxville continues its opening weekend of Boo! at the Zoo from 5:30-9 p.m. Sunday. Zoo members also have special princess and superhero meet-and-greet opportunities and free carousel rides during opening weekend.
Monday, Oct. 5
Creation Station — Burlington Branch Library turns into a low-tech makerspace from 4-5 p.m. Children in grades K-8 can experiment, create and build.
Creepy Craft Time: Hidden Hauntings — Elementary-age children can create a haunted painting with hidden ghosts from 4:15-5:15 p.m. at Halls Branch Library.
Spanish at Cedar Bluff — Teens ages 12 and older who have completed previous beginner classes can continue building Spanish vocabulary and conversation skills from 2:30-3 p.m. at Cedar Bluff Branch Library.
Tuesday, Oct. 6
Mega Bloks Club — Younger builders get their own club from 2-3 p.m. at Karns Branch Library, with Mega Bloks designed for smaller hands.
Mason Jar Luminary Critters — Children ages 6 and older and teens can make a fall mason-jar tealight critter from 6-7 p.m. at Howard Pinkston Branch Library.
22 Days of Halloween — South Knoxville Branch Library continues its Halloween craft countdown from 4-5 p.m. for ages 2-12.
Check the Knox County Public Library calendar
Plan ahead
The monarch program returns Wednesday, Oct. 7, and Smokies Life has more fall programs ahead, including Elk in the Smokies Oct. 9 and 17 and a Forest Bathing Guided Walk Oct. 30.
Knox County Public Library also adds new children’s and teen programs throughout the month, so its online calendar is worth checking regularly.
Looking for more? Check the KnoxTNToday calendar for upcoming events from our community partners.
This weekly column shares opportunities for young people in Knoxville, Knox County and surrounding areas. Send youth activities to news@knoxtntoday.com.
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