Create a Box Full of Local Adventures for Your Des Moines Kids

Create a Box Full of Local Adventures for Your Des Moines Kids

I don’t know about you, but I’m always on the look out for clever gift ideas that are NOT toys or “stuff”.  So, last year when I stumbled upon the idea of an “Adventure Box” mentioned in a Facebook post, I fell in love with the concept!  Of course, when I set out to find said FB post to write this article, I can’t seem to track it down, so to the best of my ability I will try to relay the basics of the concept to you.  If you’re looking for an “in-the-box” gift idea to give your kids this Christmas read on.

Ideas for a Des Moines Adventure Box:

Your family’s next big adventure awaits!

The concept of the Adventure Box – a box containing 12 envelopes that are labeled for each month of the year and are filled with pre-planned and pre-paid (if possible) “dates” for you and your loved ones. Once everything is assembled, each envelope will contain everything your family needs to enjoy a monthly activity.

The gift of family time!

One month it’s bowling, another month it’s movie tickets. There’s spending money for a day at Adventureland and tickets to an I-Cubs baseball game.  Whatever interests your family.

But here’s the kicker – the kids don’t open every envelope on Christmas Day. They open one envelope on the first day of each month, meaning every month they get a surprise and a family adventure! What a great way to bring the family together, not just for Christmas, but for every month of the year!

Here’s a few outing ideas for those envelopes:

When trying to decide on a monthly activity, keep in mind that you don’t need to break the bank.  There are several fun FREE outings that would make a great family adventure in Des Moines.

Winter Activities

  • Go sledding and out for cocoa.
  • Go ice skating.
  • Go downhill skiing or tubing.
  • Go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing.
  • Go ice fishing.
  • Go eagle watching.
  • Go for a sleigh ride at Jester Park Equestrian Center.
  • Cheer on the Iowa Wild at a Hockey Game.
  • Cheer on the Iowa Wolves at a Basketball Game.
  • Cheer on the Drake Men’s or Women’s Basketball Teams.
  • Visit the Art Center.
  • Visit the Science Center of Iowa.
  • Visit the State Historical Museum of Iowa.
  • Take in a show presented by Des Moines Performing Arts.
  • Attend a Des Moines Symphony Concert.

Spring Activities

  • Go stargazing.
  • Go for a bike ride.
  • Go bowling.
  • Go roller-skating.
  • Play paintball.
  • Play laser tag.
  • Visit an Escape Chamber.
  • Visit Climb Iowa.
  • Visit the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden.
  • Visit the Blank Park Zoo.
  • Take a cooking class.
  • Cheer on the Iowa Barnstormers at a Football game.
  • See a show at the Des Moines Playhouse.
  • See a show at Hoyt Sherman Place.
  • Attend the Drake Relays.

Summer Activities

  • Go swimming.
  • Go fishing.
  • Try paddle boarding or kayaking.
  • Go camping.
  • Play mini-golf.
  • Attend a local Farmers’ Market.
  • Go to an outdoor concert.
  • Attend a summer festival.
  • Go to a movie.
  • See a show at CAP Theatre.
  • Go to Adventureland.
  • Visit Living History Farms.
  • Pick Strawberries.
  • Go to the Iowa State Fair.
  • Cheer on the I-Cubs at a baseball game.

Fall Activities

  • Visit a pumpkin patch.
  • Pick apples.
  • Go for a hike.
  • Go geocaching.
  • Go on a horseback ride.
  • Go on a train ride at the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad.
  • Participate in a fun run.
  • Attend a concert at the Iowa Events Center.
  • Visit a haunted house.
  • Attend a show at Ankeny Community Theatre.
  • Attend a college football game.
  • Take an art class.
  • Attend the Renaissance Festival.
  • Visit Reiman Gardens.

 

 

What do you think? Do you like the idea of an “Adventure Box”?