Your Children’s Alley Adventures Continue!

There’s even more to explore after you Learn! Create! Participate! and Innovate! with Wembly Wordsmith, Rita Readsmuch, her curious monkey pal Stanza, and their traveling rainforest wonderland.

READ & CHILL LOUNGE

The Read & Chill Lounge is the place to be for all things bookish and chill-ish! Curl up on a beanbag for readings from picture book authors like Zena Ayoub, Edwidge Danticat, Silvia Lopez, Ali Mejia, Carmen Misé, and David Unger! In between author readings, you can enjoy storytimes and book giveaways with your new BFFs, the Books For Free story team! 

SPONSORED BY
Bam, Books & Brotherhood and Books for Free

STANZA’S SWAMP LAND

Walk down Wordsmith Way and wade into Stanza’s Swamp Land to shake it all out! Start your morning off with family yoga with Namaste + Play, then navigate a swampy obstacle course with Warrior Kids Academy, test your target skills with Soccer Shots, find your footwork with Tutti Frutti Skate, play some pickleball with DETA Pickleball Club, and contribute to a community art piece with yarn artist Kern Myrtle!

 

INFO BOOTH

Need a ticket to a workshop, directions to a specific tent, or a Wordsmith Passport to complete your Children’s Alley adventure and get a free book? Just look for the Info Booth – X marks the spot! 

SPONSORED BY

BOOKS & BOOKS SUPPLY POST

Rita has lots of hobbies, but reading is her favorite – and Books & Books is her store of choice! That’s because booksellers are a lot like wizards: Tell them what you want and they can make the perfect book appear! So swing by for book recommendations, signed copies, and author autographing, and browse all the latest and greatest, from board books to young adult!

NICKLAUS CHILDREN’S HEALTH SYSTEM

Being healthy starts with being happy, and Nicklaus Children’s Health System is here to put a smile on your face! Visit the Nicklaus nook for interactive educational activities, giveaways, and more surprises that’ll have the whole family feeling happy and hyped for good health!

 PRESENTED BY

THE CHILDREN’S TRUST BOOK CLUB TENT

A magical space where babies and young children can build, play, and let their imaginations soar through engaging storytelling sessions! Short, captivating workshops will also provide parents with creative ideas to foster their little ones’ literacy development. 

PROGRAMMED & PRESENTED BY

UHEALTH JACKSON HEALTH TEDDY BEAR CARE

Where kids become doctors for a day to nurse teddy bears back to health! From general checkups and eye exams to the surgical suite, kids guide their patients through the getting better process – and through the power of pretend play explore their interests in the health care field!

SPONSORED BY

ZOO MIAMI FOUNDATION’S MOBILE FUN FACTORY

Join us for a hands-on experience focused on animal well-being and enrichment. Guests of all ages will help create fun, stimulating enrichment items that go directly to Zoo Miami animals to support their mental and physical health. It’s a chance to be creative, learn about animal care, and make a real impact! Find us all weekend next to the CREATE! canopy and join the fun!

SPONSORED BY

SENSORY FAIR

Discover the Science of the Senses With Create Kids
Uncover how your five senses shape emotions, focus, and well-being at this hands-on Sensory Fair! Through interactive stations, kids and families will learn how sights, sounds, textures, and breathing can calm the body, boost mood, and support mental health. Join us for a fun, eye-opening journey into the science of self-care – perfect for curious minds of all ages!

SPONSORED BY

ROVING PERFORMANCES & MORE!

The Wordsmiths run into awe-inspiring performers in their travels, and they’ve brought some of their favorites to the Fair. Be on the lookout for giant puppets, balloon twisters, stilt-walkers, and animal-human hybrids. Don’t forget to grab a hula hoop on the plaza and join in some swirly-whirly fun throughout the day! 

SATURDAY ONLY:
MISS PENNY & FRIENDS!

Scan the Alley for signs of Miss Penny and Friends from South Florida PBS KidVision! Description tk.

SPONSORED BY

SUNDAY ONLY:
MERMAID ELLE!

For one day only, you can enjoy the Mermaid Elle Experience! Meet Mermaid Elle in her tank with underwater views, photo ops, book signings, and in-person meet & greets. When Elle shimmies out of her tank, join her in The Saving the Seas Educational Zone, a hands-on learning area focused on marine conservation, science, and creativity. Both offerings are inspired by the Mermaid Elle: Saving the Seas chapter book series and its mission to empower young readers to become ocean protectors!

HULA HOOP HULABALOO WITH FLOW BY CASSANDRA

Hula hoops, games, and spontaneous dance parties equal pure, joyful playtime! FInd us in the outdoor games area on the upper plaza – just follow the hoop-lah.