August 2018: Des Moines Kid n’ Play List

August 2018: Des Moines Kid n’ Play List

While many of you may be skipping town this August, there’s plenty of must-do summer fun left if you’re sticking around for a staycation with us, including the final FREE outdoor movies, Farmers Markets and summer family festivals.

Find our top family event picks for August and more fun things to do in our Iowa State Fair Guide, Back To School Guide and our Events Calendar.

Now get your calendars ready! Here are the top 11 things to do with kids in Des Moines this August:

July 25 – August 4, 2018

Des Moines will play host to the largest national multi-sport event for youth in the United States.  The AAU Junior Olympic Games, an eight-day event, will feature young athletes competing in 14 different sports from across the U.S. Find event information, including schedules and venue locations, here.

July 27 – August 5, 2018 & August 3-12, 2018

Relive your high school years with DMYAT’s Bring it On: The Musical and Urbandale Community Theatre’s Six-on-Six The Musical. Bring it On leaps on stage at the Stoner Theater and tickets can be purchased at dmpa.org.  Six-on-Six dribbles in to Valley’s Staplin Performing Arts Center and tickets can be purchased at midwesttix.com.

August 3-4, 2018

Christopher Robin, the little boy from the Winnie-the-Pooh stories, is now all grown up and has lost all sense of imagination. Pooh and his friends from the Hundred Acre Wood re-enter Christopher’s life to help him find it again. Christopher Robin is set to hit Des Moines theaters on August 3rd.

Stock up and save on your back-to-school purchases at local retailers during Iowa’s Tax-Free Holiday Weekend.  Find a list of tax exempt clothing and shoe items here.

August 4, 2018

The streets (and playgrounds) of Des Moines are filled with skateboarders big and small. If your little Dude or Dudette is interested in learning more about the sport or turning from poser to pro checkout the Skateboard-Xtreme Challenge Co-Sponsored by the Cities of Urbandale, West Des Moines, and Clive. Find information about the competition here.

August 7, 2018

National Night Out is a national community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships.  There will be different events and block parties taking place throughout the Des Moines area including, Urbandale which hosts one of the largest National Night Out events that includes games, food and fun for the whole family while interacting with local police officers.

August 9, 2018

Play Katniss or Hawkeye at the archery range. West Des Moines Parks and Recreation is hosting a FREE Archery, Give it a Shot! workshop. They will provide the bows, arrows and instruction for you to try this exciting sport. Children must be 7 years of age or older and registration is limited. Find more info. here.

August 10, 2018

The most popular campfire treat is recognized each year on August 10th during National S’mores Day. We’ve rounded up where you can find the tastiest and craziest S’More desserts around Des Moines here.

August 18-19, 2018

Always a sad day (IMO), Des Moines area pools and aquatics centers begin closing for the summer.  If you’re looking to make one more splash (or two), be sure to dive-in before the sun sets on pool season.

August 24, 2018

The “Sad Clown With the Golden Voice” will be on stage at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The internet sensation and America’s Got Talent alum Puddles Pity Party will be in Des Moines with his heartfelt anthems and a suitcase full of Kleenex! Purchase tickets at http://hoytsherman.org.

 

 

Where will your family kid n’ play this August in Des Moines?  We’d love to hear!