Family-friendly events this week in Carson City include NASA astronaut talk, Oktoberfest, Toddler Time, art classes and more
Looking for a place to take your little ones this week? Look no further! Here is a list of family-friendly (and fun!) activities and events happening this week around Carson City.
- Multiple Days
Youth groups sought for 2024 Polar Express train via V&T Railroad
The Virginia & Truckee Railway is recruiting enthusiastic young elves for the 2024 season of The Polar Express Train Ride and wants youth groups in the community to be a part of the holiday magic.
Get Ready to Oompah: Oktoberfest returns to Casino Fandango in Carson City Oct. 5-6
Get ready for another unforgettable weekend of brews, brats, and Bavarian fun at Casino Fandango in Carson City. The annual Oktoberfest celebration returns for its 10th year, bringing the spirit of Germany to Carson City with free admission for all. The festival will take place on Saturday and Sunday, October 5-6, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Casino Fandango parking lot.
Come visit the Carson City Library and hang out in a space designed with teens in mind! Monday through Friday 2:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. All teens welcome!
Edwards Motor Car rides at the Nevada State Railroad Museum
Come down Saturdays and Sundays and take a ride on the historic Tucson, Cornelia & Gila Bend No. 401 Edwards Motor Car. Built in 1926 by the Edwards Motor Car Company, the 401 hauled passengers between Ajo and Gila Bend, Arizona, from 1926 until 1947. Rides occur approximately every 40 minutes from 10:00am until 2:00pm. Fares are $8 ages 12 and over; $4 ages 4-11 and museum members; and FREE ages 3 and under.
- Monday, Sept. 30
September is Library Card Signup Month at the Carson City Library
The month of September is Library Card Sign Up Month. New patrons who sign up for a card starting now until September 30th get to choose a free book to keep from our book corral. All library cardholders can participate in library card bingo for a prize. Pick up and return your completed bingo boards to the info desk before the end of the month.
- Tuesday, Oct. 1
Flavors of India hosts community fun night
Exhibition Opening of Nevada Forestry at Nevada State Library and Archives
Join us for the opening of the Nevada Forestry Exhibit at the Nevada State Archives. The exhibit will be on display from October 1 - December 31, 2024.
Recurring:
Open Play at Messy Kids Art School
Includes babe area climbing structures for ages 0-2 and gross motor climbing structures for ages 2-8. Dramatic play town, occasional indoor bouncy house and ball pit, open art studio, caregivers internet lounge and coffee bar. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ages 1 and up $10 with siblings half off after first child.
Toddler Time at the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada
Toddler Time Tuesday & Friday 9:30am-11:30am. Designed for children 1-3 years of age. Play with educational toys, encourage social development, and meet other caregivers.
- Wednesday, Oct. 2
Dads and Daughters Night at Shears & Gears
Another dads and daughters night. Learn to do kiddos hair and leave with a goodie bag.
Recurring:
Creating with Polymer Clay: Mini Donuts at the BAC
Come learn how to sculpt various miniatures and figures with polymer clay in this beginner-friendly class with instructor Kaleb Wyckoff! Every class session is a different item and requests can be made in advance.
Maggie M’s Beginning Art Classes for Teens every Wednesday
Maggie M’s Beginning Art Classes will provide instruction in drawing, sketching, and painting with watercolors and acrylics 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm every Wednesday.
Board Game Night at 3 Arrows Games
Join the Minden Board Game group and others for a weekly meet up of table top fun. Bring a game to share or jump in with others to learn something new for a night of fun. Everyone is welcome!
Open Play at Messy Kids Art School
Includes babe area climbing structures for ages 0-2 and gross motor climbing structures for ages 2-8. Dramatic play town, occasional indoor bouncy house and ball pit, open art studio, caregivers internet lounge and coffee bar. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ages 1 and up $10 with siblings half off after first child.
Grown Up and Guppies at the Carson City Aquatic Center
Head over to the Carson City Aquatics Center every Wednesday at 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. for Grown ups and Guppies. Making the water fun for your guppy is the most important step in preparing for swim lessons. This class is designed to acquaint adult and child wild play activities and to teach very basic fundamental skills. The course is parent-driven, under the supervision of an instructor. No registration required. Class is limited to 12 adult/child pairs on a first-come first served basis. For ages 6 months to 4 years.
Storytime Wednesdays at the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada
Join in for weekly storytime with an accompanying craft each Wednesday. Recommended for children ages 1 - 6. All included with museum admission.
Art Studio Craft Classes at the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada
Drop-in art studio every Wednesday and Friday from 2 - 4 p.m. Creative art studio projects are included with museum admission. All ages welcome. Additional crafts are available for cost.
Lego Club at the Carson City Library
For elementary school aged children. Build self-led creations through hands-on learning with Lego education materials. No registration is required. From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Bedtime Bears Storytime at the Carson City Library
For kids of all ages: Join us every Wednesday night for stories, songs and crafts designed to help kids wind down at the end of the day. From 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
In this class you’ll learn about problem-solving through art, as well as how to draw with instructor Kaleb Wyckoff. Whether you can sketch a stick figure or a portrait, this class is for you! All skill levels are welcome. Every class is different and designed to strive for accessibility.
Join the Carson City High School Dungeon & Dragons group every other Wednesday at 2:30PM in the Teen Zone. Learn how to play Dungeons & Dragons and participate in fun campaigns! No registration required.
- Thursday, Oct. 3
NASA Astronaut José Hernández to inspire Carson City students, celebrate potential
The Carson City School District Multilingual Learner Vision Team invites students and families to “Aim for the Stars” with an evening of inspiration as former NASA Astronaut and Engineer José Hernández shares his extraordinary journey that lead him to reach the highest heights.
Recurring:
Open Play at Messy Kids Art School
Includes babe area climbing structures for ages 0-2 and gross motor climbing structures for ages 2-8. Dramatic play town, occasional indoor bouncy house and ball pit, open art studio, caregivers internet lounge and coffee bar. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ages 1 and up $10 with siblings half off after first child.
Big Kid Butterflies Storytime at the Carson City Library
For children ages 1 to 5; join for weekly stories, songs and crafts. No registration is required. 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
Open STEM Lab Thursdays at the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada
The STEM Classroom is open every Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. for funny educational, weekly activities. All included with museum admission. All ages welcome.
Fingerboarding Club at the Carson City Library
Enjoy doing tricks and having fun with miniature skateboards. A table will be set up with a skatepark for an hour of fnigerboarding. Fingerboards will be provided but feel free to bring your own. Open to patrons 14 and up. No registration required. From 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Friday, Oct. 4
Chowder for Charity at Tee Jay's Corner Cafe in Carson City returns Oct. 4
Tee Jay's Corner Cafe inside Cactus Jack's in Carson City will be hosting its 3rd annual "Chowder for Charity" on behalf of FISH, Friday Oct. 4 from opening 10 a.m. to closing at 8 p.m.
Recurring:
Toddler Time at the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada
Toddler Time Tuesday & Friday 9:30am-11:30am. Designed for children 1-3 years of age. Play with educational toys, encourage social development, and meet other caregivers.
Art Studio Craft Classes at the Children's Museum of Northern Nevada
Drop-in art studio every Wednesday and Friday from 2 - 4 p.m. Creative art studio projects are included with museum admission. All ages welcome. Additional crafts are available for cost.
Open Mic Night at the Zen Den Stage
Every Friday at 6 p.m. head down A to Zen for their Open Mic Night which incudes music, comedy, poetry, magic; you name it! All ages and skill levels welcome!
- Saturday, Oct. 5
Messy Kids Magical Celebration
Calling and Wizards and Witches! We are hosting our second annual Messy Kids Magical Celebration, aka “Harry Potter Party!” Attendees will enjoy Wand Crafting, Flying Key Creating, Potions Mixing and more.
Recurring:
Carson City Ghost Walk this Saturday
Carson City’s rich and intriguing history officially celebrates 31 years as we explore, narrate and theatrically embrace Carson City’s beautiful Victorian westside in these seasonal evening walking tours, led by Madame Curry (a spirited and historically fictional character named after the widow of Carson City’s founder, Abe Curry) some special guests and her Spirit Wranglers. These ghostly and witty community spirits lead you through Carson City's Historically Haunted West Side highlighting the stories and legends of the Wild West town. This season Madame Curry will share her Penny Dreadful’s on each tour.
Chess Club for all ages at the Carson City Library
Stop by and play chess, or learn to play chess, at the Carson City Library every Saturday from 12 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. All skill levels are welcome.
- Sunday, Oct. 6
Every Sunday in October: Nevada Day Exhibit hosted at Carson City Historical Society
The public is invited to see the Carson City Historical Society's exhibit on the history of Nevada Day. The exhibit is in the Carriage House behind the Foreman-Roberts House Museum, located at 1207 North Carson Street, every Sunday in October (Oct. 6, 13, 20, and 27) from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. for viewing a Historic Nevada Day exhibit.
Recurring:
Minden Board Game Group - Carson Branch
Carson City Library in the Digitorium Sundays from noon to 3:30 p.m. All ages welcome, no registration required!
Did we miss any? Send any family-friendly event information to kelsey@carsonnow.org, or comment below!