From December 23, 2021 through January 2, 2022, Des Moines students are officially on holiday break. As your family gears up for days of gleeful abandon (or mass chaos;), we’ve pulled together some fun ideas for things to do with kids over the break.
While we recently offered several fun camps and classes for your kids to enjoy during break, we’ve rounded up even more great ideas. Our list of 25 FREE things to do with the kids during winter break offers ways to enjoy the school vacation AND give your wallet a break.
Need more local inspiration? Check out our Holiday Fun and Winter Fun Guides. And, as always, our daily Event Calendar is loaded with even more family activities happening all over the Metro.
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FREE kid-friendly things to do over the holiday winter break in Des Moines:
1. Let your last-minute wishes be heard! Be sure to visit Santa before he takes to the skies on Christmas Eve.
2. Tour the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates while it’s decorated for the holidays. Public tours are offered on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
3. Gawk at holiday lights. If you haven’t made it out to look at holiday lights, time is running out! Now is the time to check them out before they come down for the season.
4. Celebrate STEM and New Year’s Eve with a special Take and Make bag from the South Side Library! Activities are recommended for ages five and up and should be completed with adult supervision. All bags will be available while supplies last December 27-30, 2021.
5. Check out some great art at the Des Moines Art Center, where admission is always FREE. They are CLOSED on Mondays. They will also be closed on Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
6. Shoot a few hoops during Grimes Park and Recreation’s Open Gym time at the Grimes Community Complex. Reservations required. Kids 10 and under must be directly supervised by an adult.
7. Enjoy the great outdoors at the Neal Smith Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge roads and trails are open daily from dawn to dusk. The Prairie Learning and Visitor Center is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
8. Put those gaming skills to good use during Forest Avenue Library’s Level Up! on December 28, 2021.
9. Visit your local library and check out some fun books to read aloud at home.
10. Stand on the foundation built by our state’s forefathers during a tour of the Iowa State Capitol.
11. Weather permitting, find a fun hill in Des Moines and take the family sledding over winter break
12. Explore the different winter habitats of our animal friends here in Iowa during Home for the Holidays at Jester Park Nature Center on December 28, 2021.
13. Visit the Celebrate! Innovation Learning Exhibition at the West Des Moines DMACC campus. Kids will learn about the importance of creative thinking and innovation through interactive activities and their Makerspace.
14. Grab your skates and go ice skating. Local ice rinks managed by Parks and Recreation Departments are FREE to skate on, but you have to supply your own skates.
15. Star Search on the McVay Trail in Indianola. All ages are invited to hike along the McVay Trail between 9th and 15th Streets to see if you can find 30 different stars!
16. Kids ages 5 to 12 can learn to bowl at Great Escape’s FREE Christmas Break Learn to Bowl Class offered December 29 and 30, 2021.
17. Warm up over winter break at the State Historical Museum of Iowa where admission is always FREE. They will be operating their Holiday Hours and will be CLOSED on December 23, 24, 25, 31, 2021 and January 1, 2022.
18. Go for a hike through Brenton Arboretum. There is no admission fee to visit the Brenton Arboretum. They are open daily 9:00 am to sunset.
19. Take a Winter Hike on December 29, 2021 with a Polk County Naturalist and discover the wonder of Thomas Mitchell Park in the winter. Registration is required.
20. Bundle up and go stargazing.
21. Tweens and teens can experience the “Breakout Room” phenomenon at the Urbandale Public Library. They will be hosting a Breakout Room on December 29, 2021. Registration required.
22. Learn about Iowa’s military heritage at the Iowa Gold Star Museum. The Museum is closed on Sundays and Mondays and will also be closed on Christmas, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
23. Learn how Animals Prepare for Winter at the Urbandale Public Library on December 30, 2021.
24. Ring in the New Year at a kid-friendly event, many of which are FREE to attend.
25. Start the New Year off on the right foot, by taking Warren County Conservation’s Hit the Trail Challenge.
How will you keep your kids entertained on a budget this Winter Break? Help us all out and share your secrets in the Comments section below.
