Find 2020 Summer Events and Activities in Des Moines here.
Do the lazy days of summer seem to be endless at your house? Are you wondering how on earth you will fill them? Once you get a peek at the 99 fabulous family outings and activities listed below, you’ll realize that summer just isn’t long enough to fit in all that Des Moines has to offer. Bonus, we also created a FREE printable of the list, so you can print it out and hang it on the fridge for when you’re needing a little inspiration.
Here are 99 ways to spend 99 days this summer in Des Moines (and surrounding cities) with kids:
- Pick out veggies at a local farmers’ market.
- Build with LEGOs.
- Make something at Michael’s.
- Plant a garden.
- Decorate cupcakes.
- Tour a fire station.
- Enjoy theater in the park in Altoona.
- Visit a farm.
- Attend story time at a local book store.
- Attend a hunter education class.
- Have a girls’ day with mommy-daughter mani/pedis.
- Indulge with some ice cream.
- Root, root, root for the I-Cubs.
- Learn about Iowa’s railroad heritage.
- Ride a bike.
- Try a new recipe.
- Give back by volunteering.
- Do an act of kindness for someone.
- Plant something.
- Play outdoor games.
- Eat at a new restaurant.
- Cool off at a local pool or aquatic center.
- Go on a hike.
- Visit Blank Park Zoo.
- Go berry picking.
- Visit the Science Center of Iowa.
- Go on a boat ride.
- Make s’mores while camping.
- Shop at a thrift store in Des Moines.
- Go bowling.
- Get a new haircut.
- Visit a local museum.
- Tour a historic school house.
- Feed the ducks at Jordan Creek Town Center.
- Attend a discount movie.
- Go to a rodeo.
- Take silly pictures around Des Moines.
- Learn magic in West Des Moines.
- Eat at a food truck.
- Go on a day trip.
- Undertake a service project.
- Take a tour of a factory or local business.
- Go on a picnic at a Central Iowa garden.
- Spend an evening stargazing.
- Participate in a summer reading program.
- Go geocaching.
- Go to a movie under the stars.
- Attend Family Night in Valley Junction.
- Go fishing.
- Catch a summer blockbuster.
- Splash and play at a Des Moines area spray ground.
- Explore the State Historical Museum.
- Get your groove on at an outdoor concert.
- Play “I Spy” at the Polk County Heritage Gallery.
- Attend a county fair in Dallas, Polk or Warren county.
- Listen to nature stories.
- Visit Brenton Arboretum.
- Attend a cooking class.
- Watch the sunset at an area lake.
- Watch a parade at a local festival.
- Build a project at Lowe’s or Home Depot.
- Go golfing.
- Explore the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates.
- Swing at a Des Moines area park.
- Pedal to Indianola Bike Fest.
- Visit the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum in Johnston.
- Take swimming lessons.
- Host a park play date.
- Dine alfresco.
- Cheer on the Iowa Barnstormers.
- Beat the rainy day blues.
- Sneak in some education.
- Enjoy a day at Big Creek Lake.
- Take a day trip to the Shops at Roosevelt.
- Recline and enjoy a show in Altoona.
- Take a break from the heat at an indoor play place.
- Attend a class at Valley Community Center.
- Play tennis.
- Attend an event hosted by Warren County Conservation.
- Take a music class.
- Get some new duds.
- Visit the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden.
- Learn about Iowa’s aviation heritage.
- Play arcade games.
- Try your hand at disc golf.
- Tour the Iowa State Capitol.
- Master some sick skateboarding tricks.
- Paint pottery.
- Go roller-skating.
- Visit Living History Farms.
- Find a Little Free Library.
- Take an art class.
- Attend a live theatre production.
- Donate gently used clothes to charities in Des Moines.
- Take archery lessons.
- Host an ice cream social.
- Stock up on birthday gifts.
- Attend the Iowa State Fair.
- Ride the Monster at Adventureland.
Download FREE PDF: 06.08.16 99 Ways to Spend 99 Days This Summer in Des Moines
What summer plans do you have? Please share in the comments below. We’d love to hear!
