Bravery Bracelet Workshop
For kids starting kindergarten, KinderSprouts, or preschool* and their grown-ups!
Join us for a special event to honor the big transition!
Together, children and caregivers will create bravery bracelets - a simple, meaningful way to feel connected and courageous during those first day of school jitters. When your child feels nervous at drop-off or during the day, they will see their bracelet and remember you’re thinking of them. (And you can do the same!❤️ )
Drop in, create, connect, and celebrate this exciting milestone.
Free and all materials provided. Just show up!
Reach out with any questions: Maureen at mbjerke@sphealth.org or 406-461-4449
*feel free to bring older siblings or kids entering first or second grade, too!
Are you a teacher or provider for this age group? Join us!
Family Pizza Night: Create a Pizza
Enjoy a free family cooking class. Learn how to use what you have on hand to create nutritious meals.
To register, reach out to Chloe at 406-447-8456 or chloe.lundquist@montana.edu
Click here to see the flyer.
Family Fun Fest 2025
Join St. Peter’s Health at Helena's Centennial Park and Great Northern Town Center for some free family fun!
Registration is required. If you missed the registration deadline of August 4th, you can still register in-person the morning of the event!
Free T-shirts for the first 500 attendees! Please note: t-shirt sizes are not being collected at registration. They will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis prior to the event! Pickup details will be sent via the email address provided during registration.
Superhero Spectacular Themed: come dressed as your favorite superhero, sidekick or villain-real or made up! Costumes are encouraged for all ages, and we'll have photo ops and superhero-themed activities all day long. Don't forget your cape!
Complimentary Admission to ExplorationWorks and the Carousel for Family Fun Fest participants!
More information: Family Fun Fest | St. Peter's Health (sphealth.org)
Back to School Bash
The Back to School Bash will be on Friday, August 8th at JFK Park in East Helena from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The goal of the Back to School Bash is to ease the financial burden of the upcoming school year on parents and to get kids excited about their education through a fun, community-focused event.
There will be free backpacks and school supplies!
Thank you to Helena Indian Alliance for putting on this wonderful event.
Bicycle Rodeo
A fun-filled day of biking activities at St. Peter's Health Medical Group - Broadway. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced rider, there's something for everyone at our event. Participate in exciting bike obstacles, learn important safety tips, and enjoy a day of outdoor fun with friends and family.
Age Group: Kindergarten to Junior High
For more information, click here.
Click here for the flyer.
Supaman Concert
Free and open to the public.
Outdoor Concert and Resource Fair Featuring Supaman - Award-winning hip hop artist, fancy dancer, and motivational speaker.
Award-winning hip hop artist, fancy dancer, and motivational speaker, Montana's own SUPAMAN will be in concert on Helena's Walking Mall on Thursday, May 22. Playing multiple sets from 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM in front of Ten Mile Brewery, this is a community event and concert you do not want to miss!
Non-alcoholic drink specials will be featured at nearby breweries and bars.
Click here for more information.
Want more information on Supaman? Click here to see some of his videos.
Rodney Street Block Party
A fun, family-friendly block party on Rodney Street in Helena. Free and open to the public. Free food, games, and live music. A resource fair will provide interested community members with information about mental and behavioral health services available to kids and adults alike. Join us for a meaningful afternoon and bring your friends.
Click here for more information.
Click here to see the flyer.
World Migratory Bird Day Festival
World Migratory Bird Day festival is back! Join in the celebration of birds with this free, family-friendly event. There is something for everyone to enjoy: guided bird walks, live raptors, bird boxes, nature journaling, bird crafts and activities.
Click here for more info.
Elevate Montana Family Friday
Join Elevate Montana for Family Friday during Week of the Young Child! This special event is designed for parents and children (ages 5-11, but all are welcome) to enjoy a meaningful, hands-on experience together while learning about the power of positive experiences in childhood development.
Creative Activity (30 min): Parents and kids will create an "I Know How To…" flower craft, celebrating growth and achievements with glue sticks, markers, and more!
Interactive Learning (45 min): A session for parents on the Building Blocks of Hope, featuring practical strategies to create positive experiences at home, a book list for parents, and coloring sheets for kids in a cozy corner.
RSVP encouraged but walk-ins are welcome! Email Maureen or Rebecca to let us know you’re coming and how many to expect.
Family Farm Tour
Join Rocking Tree Farm for a special Week of the Young Child Family Farm Tour!
Baby animals, plant seeds, and just enjoy some good ol’ fashion fun.
Click here to see the flyer.
Cost: Free
Audience: All ages
Visit their website for more information: rockingtreefarm.com
Artsy Thursday
Join us for Artsy Thursday with a fun and interactive Fizzy Painting activity! Kids will mix food coloring, water, and baking soda to create their own unique masterpieces. Then, watch the magic happen as they spray or drop vinegar or lemon juice onto their artwork for a fizzy, bubbly reaction!
This hands-on activity encourages creativity, curiosity, and a little bit of science, too! Perfect for young artists and explorers alike. Drop in anytime between 2 and 4 PM!
Montana Capitol Tour
Special offering during our Reading in the Rotunda event:
Join the Montana Historical Society on a fun and educational tour of the Capitol building.
Location: Montana State Capitol Building; 1301 E. 6th Ave; Helena
Audience: Everyone!
Cost: Free
No need to sign up or register, just show up a few minutes before 10 am on the first floor of the Capitol next to the Information Desk (Next to the sign that reads: Capitol Tours Meet Here)
Did you know you can tour the Capitol any time at 9 am or 3 pm?
Reading in the Rotunda
About: Please join us for Reading in the Rotunda during Week of the Young Child. We will have fun guest story readers for preschool children and a resource fair where you can learn and explore services available to Helena families.
Location: Montana State Capitol Building; 1301 E. 6th Ave; Helena
Audience: Children aged 0-5 and their caregivers
Cost: Free
No need to sign up or register, just show up anytime between 9-11 am
Music Monday
About: Make some noise for Week of the Young Child’s Music Monday! Join Joslyn Dollar with Music Together Helena Valley for a fun and engaging music and movement class.
Location: Large Community Room at the Lewis & Clark Library; 120 S. Last Change Gulch, Helena MT
Audience: Children ages 0-5 with their caregiver
Capacity: 20 children with their caregivers
Cost: Free
RSVP: Please let Maureen or Joslyn know you’ll be attending so we know how many to expect.
More information: Contact Joslyn Dollar at mthelenavalley@gmail.com or Maureen Bjerke at mbjerke@sphealth.org or 406-461-4449 (call or text is fine)
Click here to visit Music Together’s website.
Week of the Young Child Kickoff Event
Location: Lewis and Clark Library
Audience: Children 0-5 years old and their caregivers
Cost: Free
About: Free fun activities, giveaways and resources.
No need to sign up ahead of time, just show up and join the fun.
Pinwheel Pal Scavenger Hunt
Can you find all the Pinwheel Pals? Join our digital scavenger hunt!
Pinwheel Pals are cardboard cut out dolls that appear in business windows during the month of April to raise awareness throughout our community about the importance of early childhood with facts in one hand and in the other a blue pinwheel that represents Strengthening Families Month.
The Early Childhood Collaborative wants you to find 16 Pinwheel Pals that are hanging out in downtown Helena. Match the fact on the Pinwheel Pal to the Beanstack Badge and tell us where you found the Pinwheel Pal. If you find all 16 Pinwheel Pals, you'll be entered into a drawing for a $50.00 Walmart gift card.
Click here to sign up for Beanstack and register for the challenge!
Click here for more information.
Family Fun Fest
The Family Fun Fest is back!
Registration is encouraged but not required. The first 500 to register receive a free Family Fun Fest t-shirt!
Family Fun Fest is free and open to all area children and their families.
Activities include:
One-mile fun run: Warm ups start at 8:30 am and the race starts at 9 am in Centennial Park
Health and wellness fair: Games, prizes and activities until noon for kids of all ages at the Great Northern Town Center
More information: Family Fun Fest | St. Peter's Health (sphealth.org)
Back to School Bash
The second-annual Back to School Bash will be on Friday, August 9th at JFK Park in East Helena from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The goal of the Back to School Bash is to ease the financial burden of the upcoming school year on parents and to get kids excited about their education through a fun, community-focused event.
There will be free backpacks and school supplies. There will be carnival games, free popcorn, and fire trucks for the kids to see. Food trucks will be there, so everyone can purchase a delicious meal to enjoy.
Thank you to PureView and Helena Indian Alliance for putting on this wonderful event.
More information:
Ripple Outdoors Hike
Join Jenny from Ripple Postpartum Care for a family (and body!) friendly hiking club. Wednesday mornings at 9 am all summer long!
The location changes, so keep an eye on ripple.outdoors Instagram page for more information or reach out to jenny@ripplemt.com
Ripple Outdoors Hike
Join Jenny from Ripple Postpartum Care for a family (and body!) friendly hiking club. Wednesday mornings at 9 am all summer long!
The location changes, so keep an eye on ripple.outdoors Instagram page for more information or reach out to jenny@ripplemt.com
Teddy Bear Picnic
Join Florence Crittenton for a teddy bear picnic! Bring your bears and your babies out for a fun pizza dinner, some imaginative play, and an informative discussion about choosing nutritional meals for your kids as well as learning about the power of snuggling!
RSVP to Jen at 406-413-7043 or jenb@florencecrittenton.org to find out more and reserve your spot.
Free Rides at the Carousel
Launch into summer break with FREE RIDES at Great Northern Carousel
FREE RIDES from 1-3 pm and 6-8 pm
$1 POPCORN and $2 NACHOS
OPEN LATE until 8 pm to let the fun last!