Events Calendar
Welcome to dsm4kids’ calendar of family events!
No matter where you live in the Des Moines metro, you can rely on our calendar to find nearby events and activities your kids will love!
To keep up to date on weekend events and activities be sure to sign up for our Weekend Fun Guide!
We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information listed on the calendar. However, you should always call ahead to confirm dates, times, location and other information before heading to an event or activity, since it may change.
Events considered for inclusion onto the dsm4kids calendar include those at local venues, including free and low-cost events, as well as special events that may require paid admission. Events are posted to the online calendar in a timely manner throughout the month.
While all submissions are considered, inclusion is based on event relevance. Events occurring outside of Central Iowa or events primarily geared toward adults will not be listed.
If you are a business or organization and would like to submit an event listing, please click on Submit Event.
The DMPS Central Campus Horticulture program is hosting their annual Plant Sale from April 26 – May 18, 2024. The Horticulture classes have been working hard all school year to fill their 10,000 sq.ft. greenhouse with annuals, perennials, house plants, vegetables, hanging baskets, and more. The greenhouse is the learning lab area to put into place the learning that has been taking place in the classroom. Students in three different classes, learn about topics like seed structure, photosynthesis, flower structure, greenhouse management, floral design, career exploration, marketing and many more.
Sale Hours are 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Farm Camp is a week-long summer day camp that offers an opportunity to educate children about farm life while fostering friendships and cultivating a passion for farming!
Campers aged 6 – 11 years old will experience hands-on fun and have the opportunity to:
- Care for animals – feeding, training, and cleaning
- Learn about growing crops – riding hayride to fields to examine plants, soil, and weeds
- Explore the farm and the environment including creeks and ponds
- Discover the by-products of many crops—corn, soybeans, pumpkins, apples, cherries, and strawberries.
- Connect the importance of science to agriculture
- Play – enjoying our fun activities such as our Super Slides, Jumping Pillows, and more!
Farm Camp Sessions
Session 1: May 29 – May 31
Session 2: June 3 – June 7
Session 3: June 10 – June 14
Session 4: June 17 – June 21
Session 5: June 24 – June 28
Build simple kites as we explore the science of flight. We will discuss the remarkable adaptations birds have developed in order to take flight. We will assemble and decorate a small kite and send them aloft for a fun ending. Each registered individual will receive a kite.
REGISTRATION: Required for those making kites
DEADLINE: April 19
COST: $10
AGES: 5+
Join a naturalist on a lovely spring day for a walk in the woods. We’ll take a leisurely stroll and identify and discuss some of Iowa’s native woodland wildflowers. We will also discover other plants and maybe even a coveted fungus.
REGISTRATION: None
COST: Free
AGES: All ages welcome
Saturday public nights at Ashton Observatory are every Saturday evening, April through October. Except for first Saturdays of each month, most evenings begin with a classroom program at 8:00 pm. Free admission! All ages welcome. Find a 2024 schedule here.
The Observatory is open but there will be no classroom programs during July.
The DMPS Central Campus Horticulture program is hosting their annual Plant Sale from April 26 – May 18, 2024. The Horticulture classes have been working hard all school year to fill their 10,000 sq.ft. greenhouse with annuals, perennials, house plants, vegetables, hanging baskets, and more. The greenhouse is the learning lab area to put into place the learning that has been taking place in the classroom. Students in three different classes, learn about topics like seed structure, photosynthesis, flower structure, greenhouse management, floral design, career exploration, marketing and many more.
Sale Hours are 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Farm Camp is a week-long summer day camp that offers an opportunity to educate children about farm life while fostering friendships and cultivating a passion for farming!
Campers aged 6 – 11 years old will experience hands-on fun and have the opportunity to:
- Care for animals – feeding, training, and cleaning
- Learn about growing crops – riding hayride to fields to examine plants, soil, and weeds
- Explore the farm and the environment including creeks and ponds
- Discover the by-products of many crops—corn, soybeans, pumpkins, apples, cherries, and strawberries.
- Connect the importance of science to agriculture
- Play – enjoying our fun activities such as our Super Slides, Jumping Pillows, and more!
Farm Camp Sessions
Session 1: May 29 – May 31
Session 2: June 3 – June 7
Session 3: June 10 – June 14
Session 4: June 17 – June 21
Session 5: June 24 – June 28
Finding your child tapping their toes and clapping on beat? At Arrow Academy of Music, we’ll inspire and support them as they pursue their musical talent!
Join us for a free trial of our in-person group piano lessons! We’ll show you how learning music can be FUN, and the many benefits it can provide.
The DMPS Central Campus Horticulture program is hosting their annual Plant Sale from April 26 – May 18, 2024. The Horticulture classes have been working hard all school year to fill their 10,000 sq.ft. greenhouse with annuals, perennials, house plants, vegetables, hanging baskets, and more. The greenhouse is the learning lab area to put into place the learning that has been taking place in the classroom. Students in three different classes, learn about topics like seed structure, photosynthesis, flower structure, greenhouse management, floral design, career exploration, marketing and many more.
Sale Hours are 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Farm Camp is a week-long summer day camp that offers an opportunity to educate children about farm life while fostering friendships and cultivating a passion for farming!
Campers aged 6 – 11 years old will experience hands-on fun and have the opportunity to:
- Care for animals – feeding, training, and cleaning
- Learn about growing crops – riding hayride to fields to examine plants, soil, and weeds
- Explore the farm and the environment including creeks and ponds
- Discover the by-products of many crops—corn, soybeans, pumpkins, apples, cherries, and strawberries.
- Connect the importance of science to agriculture
- Play – enjoying our fun activities such as our Super Slides, Jumping Pillows, and more!
Farm Camp Sessions
Session 1: May 29 – May 31
Session 2: June 3 – June 7
Session 3: June 10 – June 14
Session 4: June 17 – June 21
Session 5: June 24 – June 28
The DMPS Central Campus Horticulture program is hosting their annual Plant Sale from April 26 – May 18, 2024. The Horticulture classes have been working hard all school year to fill their 10,000 sq.ft. greenhouse with annuals, perennials, house plants, vegetables, hanging baskets, and more. The greenhouse is the learning lab area to put into place the learning that has been taking place in the classroom. Students in three different classes, learn about topics like seed structure, photosynthesis, flower structure, greenhouse management, floral design, career exploration, marketing and many more.
Sale Hours are 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Farm Camp is a week-long summer day camp that offers an opportunity to educate children about farm life while fostering friendships and cultivating a passion for farming!
Campers aged 6 – 11 years old will experience hands-on fun and have the opportunity to:
- Care for animals – feeding, training, and cleaning
- Learn about growing crops – riding hayride to fields to examine plants, soil, and weeds
- Explore the farm and the environment including creeks and ponds
- Discover the by-products of many crops—corn, soybeans, pumpkins, apples, cherries, and strawberries.
- Connect the importance of science to agriculture
- Play – enjoying our fun activities such as our Super Slides, Jumping Pillows, and more!
Farm Camp Sessions
Session 1: May 29 – May 31
Session 2: June 3 – June 7
Session 3: June 10 – June 14
Session 4: June 17 – June 21
Session 5: June 24 – June 28
THE WORLD FOOD PRIZE HALL OF LAUREATES tells a story in every room – from the building’s rich history as the Des Moines public library, to the Foundation’s celebrated agricultural and humanitarian pioneers there is something for every visitor.
Built in 1903, this century-old building has been restored into a museum that celebrates those who have dedicated their lives to fighting hunger around the world. The Hall of Laureates is a beautiful space of learning and collaboration, and we welcome you to visit.
Tuesday Open House – 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Guided tours are available at the following times:
9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 1:30 p.m.
Reservations required for groups 10+, not required for groups smaller than 10.
The Hall of Laureates is closed during all federal holiday weekends, including New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving week and Christmas. The Hall of Laureates is also closed during World Food Prize Week.
Storytime Tuesdays, 10:30am
Join us for songs, stories and rhymes! We’ll have a fun, interactive 25 minute storytime followed by an optional playtime or craft. This storytime is geared towards children ages 2-4, though children of all ages and their caregivers are welcome!
This is a Weekly Recurring Event
Runs from Jan 2, 2024 to Apr 30, 2024 and happens every:
Tuesdays: 10:30am – 11:30am CST
The DMPS Central Campus Horticulture program is hosting their annual Plant Sale from April 26 – May 18, 2024. The Horticulture classes have been working hard all school year to fill their 10,000 sq.ft. greenhouse with annuals, perennials, house plants, vegetables, hanging baskets, and more. The greenhouse is the learning lab area to put into place the learning that has been taking place in the classroom. Students in three different classes, learn about topics like seed structure, photosynthesis, flower structure, greenhouse management, floral design, career exploration, marketing and many more.
Sale Hours are 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Farm Camp is a week-long summer day camp that offers an opportunity to educate children about farm life while fostering friendships and cultivating a passion for farming!
Campers aged 6 – 11 years old will experience hands-on fun and have the opportunity to:
- Care for animals – feeding, training, and cleaning
- Learn about growing crops – riding hayride to fields to examine plants, soil, and weeds
- Explore the farm and the environment including creeks and ponds
- Discover the by-products of many crops—corn, soybeans, pumpkins, apples, cherries, and strawberries.
- Connect the importance of science to agriculture
- Play – enjoying our fun activities such as our Super Slides, Jumping Pillows, and more!
Farm Camp Sessions
Session 1: May 29 – May 31
Session 2: June 3 – June 7
Session 3: June 10 – June 14
Session 4: June 17 – June 21
Session 5: June 24 – June 28
Bring your little one in for a story and a craft! Every week we will read a book aloud from our library and pair it with a small guided craft. One ticket covers one child and craft, parents do not need a ticket if they are not participating in the craft.
For this event to take place as scheduled, there must be at least 3 participants. If the minimum participant quota is not met by 2 days prior to the event, it will be cancelled, and all tickets will be refunded in full. Want to make sure it takes place as scheduled? Share this event with family and friends! The more, the merrier!
Maker Wednesdays Wednesdays, 2-3:30pm
Get creative with weekly activities for kids focused on making, building, and creativity. No registration required, just stop by anytime from 2-3:30pm. Recommended for ages 5 and up, held on Wednesdays when Norwalk Schools are in session and releasing early.
Not held on March 13th, but join us for special spring break activities!
This is a Weekly Recurring Event
Runs from Mar 6, 2024 to May 22, 2024 and happens every:
Wednesdays: 2:00pm – 3:30pm CST
Join us every first wednesday of the month during the school year for our Kid’s Canvas guided painting class! Our instructor will guide your little picasso to make a masterpiece of their own. Depending on the design, which is TBD for each class, the student will get either a 9″x12″ or 12″x12″ canvas. This class is for ages 8 and older, all materials provided.
For this event to take place as scheduled, there must be at least 3 participants. If the minimum participant quota is not met by 2 days prior to the event, it will be cancelled, and all tickets will be refunded in full. Want to make sure it takes place as scheduled? Share this event with family and friends! The more, the merrier!
The DMPS Central Campus Horticulture program is hosting their annual Plant Sale from April 26 – May 18, 2024. The Horticulture classes have been working hard all school year to fill their 10,000 sq.ft. greenhouse with annuals, perennials, house plants, vegetables, hanging baskets, and more. The greenhouse is the learning lab area to put into place the learning that has been taking place in the classroom. Students in three different classes, learn about topics like seed structure, photosynthesis, flower structure, greenhouse management, floral design, career exploration, marketing and many more.
Sale Hours are 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.