SPARK

06/01/2026

This Week at SPARK! 🦸📚
Superhero Month has arrived at SPARK! This month, young heroes can discover their own superpowers through hands-on activities inspired by superheroes. We’re also celebrating Pride Month by exploring themes of self-expression, inclusion, identity, and “the superhero in me” through colorful art, stories, and creative experiences all month long. Plus, Blue Block City has taken over the Maker Space!

👵 Tuesday, June 2 – Grandparents Play FREE
10:00–11:00AM: Therapy Dog Visit: Bernie
10:00–11:00AM & 3:00–4:00PM: Bookworm Challenge Signup
3:00–4:00PM: Storytime & Art Activity: Fox in Socks & Squegee painting

🌟 Wednesday, June 3
9:00–10:00AM: Member Morning
11:30AM–12:00PM: Sign Language Story Time
3:00–3:30PM: Magic Wand Reading Pointers

👶 Thursday, June 4 – Toddlers 3 & Under Play FREE
10:00–11:00AM: Music Together®
3:00–4:00PM: Storytime & Art Activity: The Chalk Giraffe

🔬 Friday, June 5
11:00–11:30AM: STEM Friday: Volcano Eruptions
2:30–3:30PM: DIY Bookmarks

📚 Saturday, June 6
10:00 - 11:00am: SPARK Park: Superhero Obstacle Course
2:00–3:00PM: Magic Wand Reading Pointers

💙 Sunday, June 7
10:30–11:00AM: SPARK Storytime
2:00–3:00PM: Friendship Bracelets

💡 Ongoing Fun:
Explore STEM Boxes: Dinosaurs and help build and protect Blue Block City in our superhero-themed dramatic play area all week long.

All programs are included with daily admission or membership.

05/30/2026

The Kendra Gives Back event supporting SPARK is happening TODAY!

Join us at Kendra Scott in the Mall of America today from 1:00PM-3:00PM for an in-store shopping event where 20% of your purchase benefits SPARK!

Can’t make it to the mall? You can still shop online and give back all day Saturday and Sunday using code “GIVEBACK-LSWEG” at checkout on KendraScott.com.
Please note: the online code is case sensitive and must be entered exactly as shown.

05/29/2026

A huge thank you to Foresight Bank for sponsoring the SPARK Reaction Wall! This fast-paced interactive exhibit challenges visitors to test their speed, coordination, focus, and teamwork as they race to hit the randomly lit buttons.

The Reaction Wall is a favorite spot for friendly competition, movement, and active play—and it’s all possible thanks to the support of community partners like Foresight Bank.

05/28/2026

A big thank you to Amy from Morph Creative Reuse for joining us as a guest artist during Messy May! Kiddos had so much fun exploring creative paint splattering techniques using string and lots of imagination.

As Messy May comes to an end this weekend, don’t miss our final guest artist experience this Saturday as we explore music with Annika! It’s one last chance to celebrate a month full of creativity, imagination, and hands-on art at SPARK.

05/28/2026

Join us Saturday, May 30 from 1:00PM-3:00PM at the Kendra Scott store in the Mall of America for a special Kendra Gives Back event benefiting SPARK!

Shop in-store and mention “SPARK” at checkout, or shop online at KendraScott.com using code “GIVEBACK-LSWEG” from 5/30-5/31, and 20% of your purchase will support playful learning experiences for children and families at SPARK.

05/25/2026

On May 11, SPARK was proud to again host My Book Day, where hundreds of Rochester Public Schools first graders spent a special day celebrating the joy of reading, kindness, and community.

This annual event, organized by the Rochester Risers Rotary Club in partnership with local organizations, gives students the chance to explore, play, and most importantly, leave with a book of their very own to take home and enjoy.

This year’s theme was kindness, and it was incredible to see so many young readers learning, laughing, and sharing the love of books together. Thank you to everyone who helped make this meaningful day possible for Rochester’s kids.

KindnessMatters

05/25/2026

This Week at SPARK! 🎨✨
We’re closing out Messy May with one more week of colorful creativity, hands-on art, and amazing guest artists! From painting with cars to plexiglass portraits, there are so many ways to make, explore, and get messy at SPARK this week.

👵 Tuesday, May 26 – Grandparents Play FREE
10:00–10:30AM: Coping Copilots
3:00–4:00PM: Guest Artist: Morph Creative Reuse with Amy Garretson

🌟 Wednesday, May 27
9:00–10:00AM: Member Morning
10:00–10:30AM: Painting with Cars
3:30–4:00PM: 3D Tape Art

👶 Thursday, May 28 – Toddlers 3 & Under Play FREE
10:30–11:00AM: Healing Rhythms
3:00–4:00PM: Plexiglass Portraits

🔬 Friday, May 29
11:00–11:30AM: STEM Friday: Fossils
3:00–3:30PM: Spanish Storytime with Claudia of Southeast Service Cooperative

🧘 Saturday, May 30
11:30AM–12:00PM: Family Yoga
3:30–4:00PM: Guest Artist: Music with Annika

☀️ Sunday, May 31
11:30AM–12:00PM: Sign Language Story Time with Circle of Friends Signing School
2:30–3:30PM: Suncatchers

💡 Ongoing Fun:
Explore STEM Boxes: Weights & Measures and let imaginations run wild inside the giant Cardboard Castle dramatic play area.

All programs are included with daily admission or membership.

05/22/2026

05/22/2026

Thank you to the amazing local artists who joined us this week for Messy May! We welcomed Icarus and Gallery 24 artists Rachel and Kay to SPARK for creative, hands-on art experiences with our visitors.

Icarus led an imaginative storytelling and character design experience that encouraged kids to dream up their own unique characters and stories. Rachel and Kay guided visitors through a beautiful tape-and-watercolor art project full of creativity, color, and exploration.

We are so grateful to the talented artists in our community who help inspire creativity, confidence, and self-expression through art. Thank you for sharing your talents with our SPARK families!

05/19/2026

What a FUN Sunday at the Med City Marathon water stop! Our SPARK team had the best time cheering on runners, handing out water, and showing off some pretty incredible homemade signs along the course. It was extra special getting to support our Communications Manager, Gina, and the entire Med City Marathon team as they brought another amazing community event to Rochester.

We also love that Med City Marathon gives back to local nonprofits like SPARK through volunteer partnerships like this one. Community supporting community is what it’s all about! And shoutout to our board member Tim — we were so excited to spot him running by on the course!