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.
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+
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.
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.
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
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
Join us outdoors weekly for our popular Early Childhood Development program featuring stories followed by nature exploration and activities. Best for children ages 2-5 with an adult.
SPECIAL NOTE – we will be outdoors rain or shine, except in extreme weather conditions when temperatures drop below freezing (32 degrees or below with windchill).
- However, please dress for the weather; we will still go outside at least briefly each week.
Registration is helpful but not required. Walk-ins are also welcome.
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
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
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
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
Let your imagination run wild with this nature-themed story time! Hear a story followed by the naturalist’s choice of an activity such as an animal encounter, puppets or a craft.
REGISTRATION: None
COST: Free
AGES: 2+
Monthly Themes:
March 7 – Salamanders
April – No Toddler Tales this month!
May 2 – Wiggly Worms
June 6 – Pond Life
July 3 – Ladybugs
August 1 – Snakes
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
Drake University hosts public educational lectures at the Municipal Observatory each Fall, Spring, and Summer term.
Visitors can expect a brief Astronomy lesson followed by stargazing with expert guidance. Lectures begins at 8 PM, regardless of weather. Sky Viewing begins at dark if clear conditions. Children 15 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Please contact Drake Physics & Astronomy to request accommodations. Admission is free and open to all!
Spring Lecture Series 2024
March 22nd : Sol: Our Local Star
March 29th : Luna: Our Unique Satellite
April 5th : Asteroids: The Leftover Rocky Bits of Our Solar System
April 12th : Comets: The Leftover Icy Bits of Our Solar System
April 19th: Dwarf Planets: They Get No Respect!!
April 26th: Guest Lecture: Vulcan: The Planet That Never Was
May 3rd : Guest Lecture: Cecilia Payne and the Composition of the Sun
May 10th : Mystery Topic ????
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
Join us for a FREE Kids workshop the 1st Saturday of every month from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon. Visit the website for the project list.
Des Moines Locations:
3700 University Ave, West Des Moines, IA 50266 (515)221-2233
10850 Plum Drive, Urbandale, IA 50322 (515)251-5819
2335 SE Delaware Ave, Ankeny, IA 50021 (515)963-1890
Children ages 3-5 accompanied by an adult are welcome to attend a free, fun, and educational program. Activities will include: a story time, a nature craft, and an exploration of the tallgrass prairie (weather allowing). Lessons focus on engaging children’s senses and using hands-on and interactive activities. Registration is requested, but not required. To register or to get additional information, please call 515-994-3400 or email madison_zink@fws.gov.
April Theme: Baby Animals
May Theme: Spring Flowers
Local highschoolers are invited to attend Safe Space Prom! This event is being co-hosted by the Art Center and the Queer Youth Resource Center. Safe Space Prom has been created to give LGBTQIA highschoolers a place to enjoy a classic prom experience while being their whole, beautiful selves in community with other LGBTQIA high school students.
Safe Space Prom will feature an on-site makeup artist, a free photo booth, a live DJ, and appearances by local drag artists. The event will provide gluten free/vegan desserts, soda, and water to guests.
Safe Space Prom is for highschoolers age 14 – 18. This event is free. Registration and a signed waiver are required.
Registration opens Tuesday, March 28.
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.