50 Ideas Under $5 for Winter Fun in Des Moines

50 Ideas Under $5 for Winter Fun in Des Moines

Now that it’s beginning to look (and feel) a lot like winter. And since we know the cold, dark days of winter can be challenging with little ones, we’ve put together 50 fun winter activities to keep you and your crew from going stir-crazy. Psst! We even kept budget in mind, and all 50 activities cost $5 or less (per person). If you’re lucky, by the time you’re finished with this list, spring will be knocking on the door!

Looking for even more family fun? Be sure to check out our Events Calendar and sign up for our Weekend Fun Guide to get inspiration sent straight to your inbox.

Editor’s Note: Be sure to call ahead or check social media sites to confirm hours, attractions, availability, and prices, as circumstances can change.

Here’s where you can find free and cheap family fun in the Des Moines area: 

1. FREE: Weather permitting – take the family SLEDDING! Check out our list of sledding hills in Des Moines.

2. FREE: MAKE A DONATION and skate for free on MLK, Jr Day at the Brenton Skating Plaza

3. January 19th is NATIONAL POPCORN DAY! Inhale four flavors from Cedar Creek Flavored Popcorn at The Heart of Iowa Marketplace in Valley Junction. Prices start at $3.00 to $5.00 for the small size.

4. FREE: Cozy up with a good book at a local STORY TIME at a public library near you.

5. FREE: GET INSPIRED at the Celebrate! Innovation Exhibition at DMACC’s West Campus. Admission is FREE and is open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00 to 7:00 pm.

6. When It Snows, they will Ski in Dallas County! A Dallas County Conservation naturalist will host a CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING program on winter weekends. The cost is $3 per person for those who need ski equipment.

7. FREE: Don’t let the winter weather keep you locked up indoors! Go on a WINTER HIKE hosted by Warren County Conservation on January 21, 2023.  Participants should register for this free event.

8. FREE: Join CASH’s CREW with the Iowa Wild – the Green Membership is FREE and includes a free ticket to a game and discounted tickets to several others.

9. FREE: LEARN TO ICE SKATEDes Moines Parks and Recreation will be hosting free Ice-Skating clinics this winter.

10. FREE: CHECK OUT AN IOWA ADVENTURE PASS from your local public library and visit local attractions for free.

11. FREE: Join Waukee Parks & Recreation for their annual FAMILY FEST on Saturday, January 21st.   Kids can burn off energy playing games and jumping on inflatables.

12. Let your kids GET INTO CHARACTER during CAP Theatre’s Mad CAP Improv class. It’s held monthly and costs just $5.

13. TAKE THE FAM BOWLINGBowlerama has a Sunday Early Bird Special with $2 games and $2 shoe rental.  But you must be there before 1:00 pm!

14. CATCH THE LATEST FLICK at a local movie theater.  Both Cinemark and Fridley Theaters offer discounted tickets on Tuesdays.

15. FREE: CELEBRATE THE LUNAR NEW YEAR!  Jester Park Nature Lodge will host its annual event to commemorate the Year of the Rabbit on January 22nd.

16. Learn, explore, and connect with the natural world during KIDS NATURE CLUBS at Brenton Arboretum. Classes are held year-round and cost $1 for members and $5 for non-members.

17. Get out of your house and LEARN ABOUT LOCAL HISTORY at the Jordan House. They conduct tours every Friday and Sunday at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. General Admission is $5.  Advanced tickets must be purchased online. 

18. FREE: BEAT THE WINTER BLUES at Clive’s Cabin Fever Reliever.  Enjoy food trucks, ice sculpting, crafts, and ice fishing on January 28th.

19. FREE: GO ICE SKATING on a Des Moines area outdoor skating rink.  Most are free, but you’ll need to bring your own skates.

20. GIVE ARCHERY A SHOT at the Raccoon River Archery Facility. Daily permits cost just $5.

21. FREE: Be among the first to watch PBS KIDS’ new program, Work It Out Wombats! at their special family event on January 28th.

22. CHOW DOWN at Spaghetti Works on Mondays when kids eat FREE!

23. FREE: January 29th is NATIONAL PUZZLE DAY, the perfect day to do a little brain exercise. Whether it’s a crossword, jigsaw, or Sudoku, engage your families’ brains with a fun puzzle.

24. January 31st is NATIONAL HOT CHOCOLATE DAY! Treat your crew to a chocolatey cup of goodness at one of Des Moines’ best hot chocolate shops.

25. FREE: February 4th is NATIONAL PLAY OUTSDIE DAY.  Kick the kids outside to build a snowman or other fun winter outdoor activity. 

50 Ideas Under $5 for Winter Fun in Des Moines – dsm4kids.com

26. FREE: Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean your little ones can’t PLAYlocal malls provide play areas that are warm on the coldest days.

27. FREE: Attend New Hope United Methodist Church’s SWEETHEART SWING – FAMILY VALENTINE DANCE. It’s free and open to the public on Sunday, February 5, 2023, at 3:00 pm.

28. FREE: February 8th is NATIONAL IOWA DAY.  Celebrate this random holiday with a trip to the Iowa History Museum, where admission is always free.

29. Attend FRIDAY FUN DAY hosted by Des Moines Playhouse.  It’s fun interactive theater for kids ages 3-6.  It’s $6, but totally worth it. 

30. FREE: A perfect indoor activity on a cold winter Iowa day is watching a MOVIE! Valley Community Center hosts a kids’ Movie Monday series.

31. FREE: SEARCH FOR BALD EAGLES during Des Moines Bald Eagle Days, February 11th. The event is hosted by Iowa DNR and Des Moines Parks and Rec. There will be children’s activities and the event is FREE and open to the public.

32. Winter = snow! Captain Roy’s rents out SNOWSHOES for just $5 during the winter months.

33. FREE: Enjoy a quieter experience during the Science Center of Iowa’s SENSORY FRIENDLY HOURS. Held the second Tuesday of each month from 4:00 t0 7:00 pm. Admission is free but advanced ticket registration is required.

34. Schedule a PLAY DATE at a local community center.  Many host play times for free or a minimal admission.

35. FREE: February 17th is NATIONAL RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS DAY.  Check out our ideas for showing a little love and kindness to family, friends and neighbors.

36. FREE: LEARN about Iowa’s military history at the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum at Camp Dodge. Admission is free.

37. FREE: See a free SNEAK PREVIEW of the Des Moines Community Playhouse production of The Hundred Dresses on February 25th at the Franklin Avenue Library.

38. FREE: If you’re hitting the slopes in Boone, why not take a free SKI LESSON at Seven Oaks Recreation Center?

39. CLIMB AND TUMBLE during Imagination Playschool on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at Pioneer Columbus Community Center. $1.50 for kids seven and under.

40. FREE: Participate in a HOLI CELEBRATION at Jester Park Nature Lodge.  A Hindu festival celebrated all over the world, join them for an afternoon of new beginnings on March 5th

41. FREE: LOOK AT ART for FREE at Ankeny Art Center, Des Moines Art Center, and the Polk County Heritage Gallery.

42. FREE: LISTEN TO LIVE MUSIC by the Central Iowa Wind Ensemble. They will present their Myths & Legends concert on March 5th.  Admission is free, but good will donations are encouraged.

43. FREE: Go on an OWL PROWL. Warren County Conservation and Polk County Conservation are both hosting free events.

44. CHEER ON YOUR FAVORITE TEAM at a college basketball game. General Admission Tickets are as low as $3 for some games.

45. Go ROLLER SKATINGSkate South hosts ½ Price Admission on Wednesday evenings.

46. FREE: TAKE IN the winter landscape at Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge in Prairie City. The Prairie Learning and Visitor Center FREE to tour and are open year-round. Winter hours are Thursday to Saturday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

47. March 16th is NATIONAL CELEBRATE ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE KID DAY.  Give your favorite one a budget of $5 and see what they come up with.  Their ideas may surprise you!

48. WARM UP with a hot beverage from a local coffee shop

49. FREE: Have the kids CLEAN out their rooms and donate their old toys to a local charity in Des Moines.

50. FREE: REMEMBER to search for FREE events on our Calendar, where there are free (and cheap) things to enjoy every day.

 

 

What are your suggestions for things to do this winter under $5 (with kids) in Des Moines?