Get your child a free library card from the Alexander County Library (alexanderlibrary.org) so that he can access magazines, educational videos, song and story cassette tapes, over 50,000 books, computers with Internet access and research materials. Kids of all ages can join the Children's Library Club, which meets every second Thursday of each month. The program offers activities and snacks. The library also has a summer reading program for kids up to 18 years old. Other free library events are weekly pre-school and baby storytime.
Enjoy a picnic with your children in the seven-acre family park, Matheson Park, located between 3rd Avenue and 1st Street. Kids can play on the swings; play volleyball; and explore the one-mile walking trail. Matheson Park has cookout facilities, children's play equipment, sheltered eating areas and restrooms. Children can join some of the activities that the park hosts such as the Easter egg hunt. Other parks in Taylorsville where kids can play for free are Town Park and Jaycee Park.
The entire family can attend free annual events in Taylorsville. Take your children to the "Hiddenite Celebration," which takes place on the fourth Saturday of September each year. The event, in its 30th year in 2011, features live music, food, storytelling, face painting, clowns, balloon sculpting, games and craft demonstrations from local and area craftsmen. "Art in the Shop," in it's 13th year in 2011, is held each year in October and features kids' activities, live music, artists' demonstrations, belly dancing and food vendors. The "Apple Festival," takes place on the third Saturday of October. It has over 250 exhibit booths, food and craft vendors and entertainment. Kids can enjoy live performances at the childrens' stage; ride a pony or mechanical bucking bull; play on inflatables; and watch puppet shows at "Kid's Korner."
Take your children to the Hickory Museum of Art (hickorymuseumofart.org), which is located within 30 minutes of Taylorsville in Hickory, North Carolina. Kids can see the museum's changing and permanent art collections including paintings, pottery and sculptures. The museum has a hands-on area that features family activity stations, interactive touch screens and other exhibits. Admission to the museum is free but a fee is charged for the museum's educational classes and programs. Hickory Museum of Art is closed on Mondays and holidays.
