Kids bored at home? With the coronavirus pandemic keeping everyone cooped up and now knee deep into the winter months, it can be easy for cabin fever to set in. There’s still plenty of indoor activities for kids to try at home.
These DIY activity boxes include crafts, cupcake decorating and more that are sure to tear kids off the couch, away from the screens and having some fun. Plus, you’ll be supporting local Des Moines area businesses and organizations!
Looking for more things to do this winter? Be sure to check out the dsm4kids’ Events Calendar and Winter Fun Guide.
Here’s where you can pick up some DIY activity boxes for your kids in Des Moines:
AR Workshop Take & Make DIY To-Go Kits
Address: 1631 SW Main Street, Suite 104, Ankeny, IA 50023
Cost: Varies by kit
This spot offers kits to make blankets, wall art and holiday creations, including Valentine’s Day. All materials and instructions are included with each kit to help you complete your creation.
Artfull At Home Craft Activities
Address: 1551 Valley West Drive Ste. #230, West Des Moines, IA
Cost: Varies by kit
This “Art & Craft Playground” offers a number of at home craft activities. Look for seasonal art project kits, busy bags, puppet making kits and more. Visit their website or Facebook page to check out their latest offerings and in-person class schedule at their NEW location in Valley West Mall.
Art Terrarium DIY Terrariums
Address: 106 11th Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
Cost: $25-45
Art Terrarium will provide you with everything you need to plant your own tiny garden! Their terrarium kit comes with pea gravel, charcoal, soil, moss and rocks for top dressing. They also provide you printed directions on how everything should be assembled at home.
Blaze Pizza DIY Pizza Kits
Address: 300 W Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50309
Cost: $8.95 – 18.95
The DIY Pizza Kit includes everything you need to make Blaze pizza at home. Includes, dough ball, dusting flour, sauce and up to seven toppings. Comes in three sizes: individual, two individuals and a family pack for four.
Board & Brush Creative Studio Bb@Home Kits
12871 University Ave Suite 150, Clive, IA 50325
Cost: Start at $25
Bb@ Home Kits feature a collection of tools needed to complete a project at home, including a pre-stained wood board. Also inside the kits are multiple foam brushes, paint cups, sandpaper, a cleaning cloth, design stencil and easy-to-follow instruction sheets.
DIY Kits by Molly’s Cupcakes
Address: 215 E 3rd Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
Cost: $15-23
This downtown cupcake shop offers cupcake decorating kits (including vegan and gluten-free options) and take and bake chocolate chip cookie dough that kids and grown-ups can decorate and bake together.
Five Monkeys, Inc. Pottery To Go
Address: 4211 Chamberlain Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312
Cost: Prices vary by pottery
Five Monkeys, Inc. offers a Painting To Go option. Choose your pottery and paint colors online and then pick up your project materials the next day the studio is open. You can also book time (30 minutes) to visit the studio to choose your project. The glazed project will then need to be returned to be fired in the kiln. Delivery is FREE for Des Moines addresses and $2 for the immediate suburbs.
Home Depot’s Future Doers Kits
Address: Locations in Ankeny, Des Moines, Urbandale and West Des Moines
Cost: Some kits are FREE or varies by kit
Pick up single craft projects like birdhouses or how-to guides to create toys.
Knotty Nail DIY Kits, Signs & More
Address: 232 5th St, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Cost: Varies by kit
Purchase string art and other craft kits from this Valley Junction shop and check out their in person classes that walk your family through the process. Check out their Facebook Events page to see what’s coming up.
Learning Post & Toys Hobby & Toy Model Kits
Address: 2761 100th St, Urbandale, IA 50322
Cost: Varies by product
This local education toy shop offers lots of craft activities and supplies and other fun stuff to create and build while at home. You can even grab a board game while you’re at it. Purchases are available via curbside pickup.
Mahalo’s Coffee & Mini Donuts Donut Kits
Address: West Des Moines and Norwalk
Cost: $9.99
Mahalo’s provides you with 15 mini donuts, two icings (chocolate & vanilla) and three toppings of your choice. You take home and decorate your donuts and then devour them! Plus you can catch a little “Aloha” spirit in their cute shop!
Painting With a Twist Artwork Kits
Address: 3753 86th Street, Urbandale, IA 50322
Cost: Varies by canvas and kit size
Paint a masterpiece with these fun art kits from Painting with a Twist. Each kit comes with your choice of surface, paintbrushes, paint, a cup, paper towel, table covering and step-by-step instructions — all you need is a smock!
Scratch Cupcakery Decorating Kits
Address: 7450 Bridgewood Boulevard #215, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Cost: $24
Scratch’s cupcake and cookie decorating kits come complete with everything you need to make their tasty treats look spectacular. The kits include tubs of vanilla and chocolate buttercream and toppings like sprinkles, chocolate chips and more.
Urbandale Parks & Recreation
Address: 3600 86th Street, Urbandale, IA 50322
Cost: $10 per kit
Urbandale Parks and Recreation is offering Holiday Craft Kits (Groundhog Day, Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day) and a Valentine’s Day Cookie Kit. They supply all the materials and they will deliver if you live LESS than five miles from Urbandale City Hall or you can pick up from the Park and Recreation office. Registration is required.
Additionally, Des Moines area libraries are offering a number of DIY activities to go. Watch their calendars for when they’re offering them and then pick up curbside.
Let us know where you grab your favorite DIY activity kits for your kids in Des Moines?
