Every Wednesday this October, Montana WILD is hosting Critter Tales Wildlife Storytime for the pre-K crowd — and the theme is Montana's so-called spooky species. The sessions run from 9:00 to 9:45 a.m. and pair a read-aloud with a hands-on craft, giving the youngest Helenans a reason to learn about the state's wildlife before Halloween gets here.
The series runs on October 7, 14, 21, and 28, with no registration required. That last detail matters for parents of toddlers, who know that planning a week out is ambitious. The drop-in format means families can show up when it works.
Montana WILD, the education center operated by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks on the south end of town, regularly hosts youth programming tied to native species and natural history. The October storytime series fits that mission while leaning into the season — bats, spiders, and other creatures that tend to get a bad reputation this time of year make for good read-aloud material.
The events are free and geared toward children under school age. For families looking for something to do on a Wednesday morning that doesn't involve a screen, this is a good option while the series lasts.