Des Moines Kid n’ Play List: October 2019

Des Moines Kid n’ Play List: October 2019

October brings us the second most popular holiday of the year.  Just to help you mix it up we’ve included events on our October Play List that are not about Halloween. Of course, if fall festivals and pumpkin patches are what you’re craving, they’re with us all month long in abundance. But with all the activities October has to offer, a little curating is definitely in order. Read on for our top choices of things not to miss in Des Moines this month. We’ll keep adding to our on-line Calendar and sending our weekly newsletters, too; with so much going on, we’ll have to!

Here are 10 of our top picks of fun things to do with kids in Des Moines this October:

October 5th & 19th

Girls in grades 2–5 and 6–8 are invited to a fun Girls in Science Pajama Party at the Science Center of Iowa. This evening event features hands-on activities, team challenges, a pizza party and the opportunity to meet local women from STEM fields. Pre-Registration required.

October 6th

Reiman Gardens is celebrating the last day of their interactive exhibit “Nature of the Game” with FREE Admission all day long! Have fun with ecology through play with a collection of larger-than-life outdoor games.

October 12th  

Witches, Wizards, and Muggles of all ages are invited to Glazed Expressions in Clive for “Harry Pottery”, a magical pottery painting evening! Dress in your house colors or finest robes and party the night away with yummy food, raffle prizes and more!  Registration required.

The City of Des Moines Parks and Recreation along with the Des Moines Music Coalition will be hosting the Youth Music Showcase at Captain Roy’s (adjacent to Birdland Marina). This is a unique opportunity for bands or performers of any musical genre who are or whose members are mostly 18 years of age or younger. 

Des Moines Kid n’ Play List: October 2019 – dsm4kids.com

October 14th

The Stomp Out Stigma Youth Mental Health Conference featuring keynote speaker, Royce White, former player for ISU and Houston Rockets basketball will take place at Franklin Junior High. Royce will share his own struggles with mental health in hopes of letting others know they are not alone. Middle school, high school, and college aged students are welcome to attend a day full of interactive workshops on leadership skills, coping strategies, brain science, self-expression, music and mental health, spoken word, and so much more! 

October 18th

In 1875, the funeral was a pageant of honored traditions! Families gathered to find joy in a public celebration of a life well lived. Join with historic interpreters at Living History Farms as they celebrate the life and honor the death of a fictional Walnut Hill resident with a re-created Victorian Funeral.

In Disney’s “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil”, a formidable queen causes a rift between Maleficent and Princess Aurora. Together, they must face new allies and enemies in a bid to protect the magical lands which they share.  See it in a theatre near you.

October 19th

Urbandale Parks and Recreation will be hosting a Babysitting Clinic for kids ages 10 and up. Participants will learn about the responsibilities of a babysitter, what employers expect, and how to care for infants and toddlers. 

October 22nd  

All ages are welcome to a Meteor Shower Watch hosted by Polk County Conservation at Jester Park. Attendees will learn about asteroids, meteors, and meteorites! Plan to spend your time gazing up at the night sky for the Orionids meteor shower, as well as the moon and any stars out this night.

October 26th

Jump, dive and bounce your way through The Great Inflatable Race at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Get fit, support a good cause and create epic family memories that will last you a lifetime. Register here. 

 

 

 

How will your family kid n’ play this month in Des Moines?