Free October Events for Wichita, KS and Some Nationwide Events

It's officially October! Time for pumpkins, ghosts, leaves changing colors and new free events.

Oct.1-Oct.4

• Old Chicago All Day Event (at all Wichita locations-if you don't live in the Wichita area you may want to call your local location to see if they are participating in this event) You can try 10 different German or Oktoberfest style brews. If you try all of them, you'll earn a limited edition t-shirt! It's FREE, but you must be 21 or older...of course. :) Finally, a FREE event just for adults. If only I wasn't pregnant. :)

Oct. 1

• Family Storytime 7pm Westlink Branch kids ages 3-7 with their families
• Nursery Rhyme Time 10:30am Westlink Branch ages 2 and under with an adult helper
• Toddle Time 10:30am Rockwell Branch for 2-year-olds with an adult helper
  

Oct. 2-3

• Goddard Fall Festival-includes games and activities for kids, crafts, arts and health booths and a parade on Saturday. Located on Main Street-4 blocks South of HWY. 54. If you have questions, call 316-794-2441.

Oct. 2

• Nursery Rhyme Time 10:30am Central Library ages 2 and under with an adult helper
• Nursery Rhyme Time 10:30am Westlink Branch ages 2 and under with an adult helper

Oct. 3

• Home Depot Kids' How to Workshop 9am to noon-Make a Firehouse Bank
• The Big Read Kickoff 2pm at Wichita Art Museum There will be book giveaways, readings, an art exhibit and special presentations by Ballet Wichita.

Oct. 4

• Poe's Literary Legacy 2:30pm at Alford Branch Library. 60 minute discussion of fiction from Poe to Stephen King

Oct. 6

• Nursery Rhyme Time 10:30am and 11:05am Rockwell Branch ages 2 and under with an adult helper
• Toddle Time 10:30am Alford Branch for 2-year-olds with an adult helper
• Preschool Storytime 10:30am Central Library ages 3-6
• Preschool Storytime 10:30am Westlink Branch ages 3-6 (children only)
  

Oct. 7

• Nursery Rhyme Time 10:30am Central Library ages 2 and under with an adult helper
• Preschool Storytime 10:30am Alford Branch ages 3-6
• Preschool Storytime10:30am Evergreen Branch (bilingual storytime) ages 3-6
• Preschool Storytime 10:30am Rockwell Library ages 3-6
• Family Storytime 10:30am Westlink Branch ages 3-7 with their families
  

Oct. 8

• Hands-on Help: Computer Basics 10:30am at Central Library (90 minutes)
  
• Crafts 4 Fun (for adults) 7pm at Central Library. Have fun making jewelry. Free, but registration required. Call 261-8506. (90 minutes)
• Reading of "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" and other Eric Carle books 10:30am and 7pm at Alford Branch
• Family Storytime 7pm Westlink Branch kids ages 3-7 with their families
• Nursery Rhyme Time 10:30am Westlink Branch ages 2 and under with an adult helper
• Toddle Time 10:30am Rockwell Branch for 2-year-olds with an adult helper
  

Oct. 9

• Nursery Rhyme Time 10:30am Central Library ages 2 and under with an adult helper
• Nursery Rhyme Time 10:30am Westlink Branch ages 2 and under with an adult helper

Oct. 10

• Lowe's Build and Grow Clinic 10am-11am-Make a Ball Toss
• Poe in Film 2pm at Central Library. 90 minute discussion about the challenges filmmakers face in interpreting Poe's work by local film critic Jim Erickson. After the talk, view "The Fall of the House of Usher".

Oct. 13

• Reader's Theatre 7pm at Rockwell Branch Library for kids ages 3-10. Help perform stories (30-45 minutes)
• Nursery Rhyme Time 10:30am and 11:05am Rockwell Branch ages 2 and under with an adult helper
• Toddle Time 10:30am Alford Branch for 2-year-olds with an adult helper
• Preschool Storytime 10:30am Central Library ages 3-6
• Preschool Storytime 10:30am Westlink Branch ages 3-6 (children only)

Oct. 14

• Senior Wednesday: A Trio of Poe Rader's Theater 1:30pm at Central Library. Enjoy dramatized versions of 2 favorite short stories and a humorous essay. (60 minutes)
• Make Your Own Poe Video (ages 12-17) drop in anytime starting at 10am at Central Library
• Nursery Rhyme Time 10:30am Central Library ages 2 and under with an adult helper
• Preschool Storytime 10:30am Alford Branch ages 3-6
• Preschool Storytime10:30am Evergreen Branch (bilingual storytime) ages 3-6
• Preschool Storytime 10:30am Rockwell Library ages 3-6
• Family Storytime 10:30am Westlink Branch ages 3-7 with their families
  

Oct. 15

• Pajama Time! 7pm at Central Library Kids ages 3-8 will listen to bedtime stories, sing songs, etc. Wear your pj's and bring a stuffed animal. (30-45 minutes)
• Family Fun Time: Bears, Bears, Everywhere 7pm at Westlink Branch Library for ages 3 and up. Bring your bears or other stuffed animal and listen to a story, create a craft and do an activity. (45 minutes)
• Nursery Rhyme Time 10:30am Westlink Branch ages 2 and under with an adult help
• Toddle Time 10:30am Rockwell Branch for 2-year-olds with an adult helper
  

Oct. 16

• Nursery Rhyme Time 10:30am Central Library ages 2 and under with an adult helper
• Nursery Rhyme Time 10:30am Westlink Branch ages 2 and under with an adult helper
• Nursery Rhyme Time 10:30am Evergreen Branch (bilingual storytime) ages 2 and under with an adult helper

Oct. 17

• Finding Adoptive Parents & Documenting Family Health History 1pm at Alford Branch Library (2 hours)
• Make Your Own Poe Video (ages 12-17) drop in anytime starting at 10am at Central Library
• Dad & Me 10:30am at Alford Branch Library for kids ages 3-8 and their dads
• Make & Take Craft 1:30pm at Angelou NE Branch for ages 5-12 (60 minutes)

Oct. 19

• Geronimo Stilton Party 2:30pm at Alford Branch Library for ages 6-12 (60 minutes) Enjoy crafts, games and cheese!

Oct. 20

• Nursery Rhyme Time 10:30am and 11:05am Rockwell Branch ages 2 and under with an adult helper
• Toddle Time 10:30am Alford Branch for 2-year-olds with an adult helper
• Toddle Time 10:30am Westlink Branch for 2-year-olds with an adult helper
• Preschool Storytime 10:30am Central Library ages 3-6
• Preschool Storytime 10:30am Westlink Branch ages 3-6 (children only)

Oct. 21

• Hands-on Help: Internet Searching 2:30pm at Central Library (90 minutes)
• "The Phantom of the Opera" Revisited 7pm at Central Library (2 hours) Local organist Brett Valliant will improvise the musical score.
• Nursery Rhyme Time 10:30am Central Library ages 2 and under with an adult helper
• Preschool Storytime 10:30am Alford Branch ages 3-6
• Preschool Storytime 10:30am Evergreen Branch (bilingual storytime) ages 3-6
• Preschool Storytime 10:30am Rockwell Library ages 3-6
• Family Storytime 10:30am Westlink Branch ages 3-7 with their families
  

Oct. 22

• Paint-a-Pumpkin 6pm at Alford Branch Library for ages 5-12 (60 minutes)
• Puppet Show: "Rumpled Turkey" 7pm at Westlink Branch for kids ages 3-10 (20-30 minutes)
• Nursery Rhyme Time 10:30am Westlink Branch ages 2 and under with an adult helper
• Toddle Time 10:30am Rockwell Branch for 2-year-olds with an adult helper
  

Oct. 23

• Nursery Rhyme Time 10:30am Central Library ages 2 and under with an adult helper
• Nursery Rhyme Time 10:30am Westlink Branch ages 2 and under with an adult helper

Oct. 24

• Lowe's Build and Grow Clinic 10am-11am-Make a Frankenstring Magic Trick
• Annual Asian Festival 5:30pm-10pm at Century II Convention Hall, Wichita, KS. There will be music, dances, songs, and martial arts from various countries. There will also be food and art display booths and the Miss Asian Pageant. Call 316-689-8729 if you have any questions.
• Masquerade Party (ages 12-17) 12pm at Central Library. Come dressed in "Poe-esque costume" Help solve the mystery of the Masque and enjoy black raven and tell-tale hearts. Then watch and vote for your favorite Poe recitation video. Prizes for the top 3 faves. Registration begins Oct. 1. Call 261-8500.

Oct. 27

• Puppet Show:"Piggy Pie" 10:30am and 7pm at Central Library for kids ages 3-10 (20-30 minutes)
• Nursery Rhyme Time 10:30am and 11:05am Rockwell Branch ages 2 and under with an adult helperOct. 28
• Nursery Rhyme Time 10:30am Central Library ages 2 and under with an adult helper
• Toddle Time 10:30am Alford Branch for 2-year-olds with an adult helper
• Toddle Time 10:30am Westlink Branch for 2-year-olds with an adult helper
  
• Preschool Storytime 10:30am Central Library ages 3-6
• Preschool Storytime 10:30am Westlink Branch ages 3-6 (children only)

Oct. 28

• Preschool Storytime 10:30am Alford Branch ages 3-6
• Nursery Rhyme Time 10:30am Central Library ages 2 and under with an adult helper
• Preschool Storytime 10:30am Evergreen Branch (bilingual storytime) ages 3-6
• Preschool Storytime 10:30am Rockwell Library ages 3-6
• Family Storytime 10:30am Westlink Branch ages 3-7 with their families
  

Oct. 29

• Family Storytime 7pm Westlink Branch kids ages 3-7 with their families
• Nursery Rhyme Time 10:30am Westlink Branch ages 2 and under with an adult helper
• Toddle Time 10:30am Rockwell Branch for 2-year-olds with an adult helper
  

Oct. 30

• Nursery Rhyme Time 10:30am Central Library ages 2 and under with an adult helper
• Nursery Rhyme Time 10:30am Westlink Branch ages 2 and under with an adult helper
• Bass Pro Shop. In-store trick-or-treating, costume parade, crafts, etc.

Oct. 31

• Michael's The Knack Free Halloween Event. Bring the kids in to kick off Halloween! Come and get a FREE trick-or-treat pail! Plus, enjoy a free coloring activity, FREE Crayola^® pencil topper demo using Crayola^® Model Magic^® Fusion^TM and a Make-It Take-It Halloween frame. Children will also receive a FREE balloon and candy. While supplies last. Ages 5–12 welcome.
• Sears. Bring your kids to Sears dressed in costume and receive a FREE Mattel toy!
• Bass Pro Shop. In-store trick-or-treating, costume parade, crafts, etc.
• Toys' R Us. noon-3pm In-store trick-or-treating, costume parade, etc.
  

**There are also monthly book discussions and "The Big Read" book discussions this month. Go HERE to see details. If you know of any other events, let me know!