Hop to it if you want to take pictures or visit the Easter Bunny this spring in Des Moines!
With Easter just weeks away it’s time to schedule your annual Easter Bunny photos and meet and greets with everyone’s favorite springtime celebrity. We’ve gotten ahold of his social calendar and rounded up opportunities for bunny encounters and other Easter fun for families in the Des Moines area.
For more Easter related fun, we also put together a list of Easter egg hunts happening in Des Moines and be sure to check out our Spring Fun Guide and Events Calendar.
Editor’s Note: Not all Easter events have been announced at post date. This is a working list, please check back often for updates. If you would like to submit an event to add to this list, please email it to nicole@dsm4kids.com.
Here’s where you can visit the Easter Bunny in the Des Moines area:
Bunny Photos at Valley West Mall
Lower Level of Valley West Mall • 1551 Valley W Drive #400 • West Des Moines, IA 50266 • (515) 225-3631
The Easter Bunny will make its grand appearance at Valley West Mall on Friday, March 1, 2024. Children can delight in photo sessions, face painting, crafts, and balloon artistry from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. For those seeking a sensory-friendly experience, the Sensory Bunny will be visiting on Sunday, March 17, from 10:30 to 11:30 am, while Pet Photos will be available on March 11, 12, 18, and 19, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm.
Mall Hours March 2-30, 2024:
Monday-Thursday: 11:00 am to 8:00 pm
Friday and Saturday: 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Sunday: 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
Please be aware that Valley West will be closed on Easter Sunday.
Easter Events & Activities at Bass Pro Shops
1000 Bass Pro Drive NW • Altoona, IA 50009 • (515) 957-5500
The Easter Bunny will be visiting Bass Pro Shops to offer FREE photos, crafts, and more from March 23 to March 31, 2024. The FREE online photo reservation system opens daily for sessions one week in advance. For instance, the first sessions on March 23 open for reservations on March 16. While reservations are encouraged, they are not required for participation.
Easter Bunny’s Hours March 23-31, 2024:
Saturday, March 23: 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
Sunday, March 24: 11:00 am to 4:00 pm
Monday, March 25: 5:00 to 8:00 pm
Tuesday, March 26: 5:00 to 8:00 pm
Wednesday, March 27: 5:00 to 8:00 pm
Thursday, March 28: 4:00 to 8:00 pm
Friday, March 29: 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
Saturday, March 30: 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
Sunday, March 31: 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Howell’s Greenhouse & Pumpkin Patch Egg Palooza
3129 Howell Court • Cumming, IA 50061 • (515) 981-4762
Take pictures with the Easter Bunny, enjoy a chaos free egg hunt, take a spin in the bathtub train, have unlimited access to the Farmyard Play Yard and many more new activities around the farm. There’s no better way to spend your Easter fun than at Howells. Tickets sold online only. No tickets available at the door. $12.00 per child and $10.00 per adult.
Egg Palooza 2024 Hours:
Saturday, March 30: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Saturday, April 6: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Sunday, April 7: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Special Events featuring the Easter Bunny in Des Moines
Easter Coloring Contest
Help the Waukee Parks and Recreation Department spread some Easter cheer around Waukee’s Downtown businesses by participating in their Easter Coloring Contest! The contest is open now through March 24, 2023 and the winner will receive an egg’cellent Easter basket filled with goodies.
Easter Bunny Express
Join the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad & Museum on Saturday, March 23, 2024 at 10:00 for a ride aboard the Easter Bunny Express! Enjoy an approximately one hour train ride through the Des Moines River Valley with the hippity-hoppity-happy rabbit, as well as a hunt for Easter eggs. Reservations required.
Easter Egg Scramble at Altoona Hy-Vee
Stop by your Altoona Hy-Vee on Saturday, March 23, 2024 and enjoy breakfast with the Easter Bunny from 9:00 to 11:00 am. There will also be an Easter Egg Hunt starting at 11:00 am in the Civic Plaza Park (West side of Hy-Vee).
Family Easter at Living History Farms
Join the 1876 town of Walnut Hill in celebrating Easter with traditional holiday activities with an old-fashioned flair Sunday, March 30, 2024 9:00 am to 12:00 noon. There will be ongoing egg hunts, horse-drawn wagon rides, games, “spring training” with their Walnut Hill Bluestockings, and more. You can also take your picture with the Easter Bunny and grab some grub from local food vendors.
Hop Into Uptown
Visit Uptown Ankeny on Saturday, March 30, 2024 when the Easter Bunny will be wandering the neighborhood from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, ready for photo ops.
Brunch with the Easter Bunny at Grimes Hy-Vee
Join the Grimes Hy-Vee on Sunday, March 31st, from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon for Brunch with the Easter Bunny. Brunch will be served from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. Children aged 5 years and younger can enjoy the event for free, while kids aged 6-12 years old can join for $7.99. Adults can partake in the festivities for $24.99.
Find Chocolate Easter Bunnies at Local Des Moines Businesses
Beaverdale Confectioners
In addition to chocolate bunnies Beaverdale Confectioners has several other Easter goodies available, like chocolate dipped Oreos, Peanut Butter Cups, Salted Caramel Bunnies and more.
Chocolate Storybook
You can find handcrafted chocolate Easter eggs and bunnies plus malted milk balls, Cotton Tail Cotton Candy, pre-made Easter baskets and more at this candy shop in West Des Moines.
Chocolaterie Stam
Stam has a great selection of Easter candy and chocolate including traditional Easter treats like Easter candy baskets, chocolate Easter eggs and rabbits.
Uptown Confections & Curiosities
At Uptown Confections & Curiosities in Ankeny, you’ll discover an array of delightful Easter delights. From chocolate bunnies to a variety of sweet treats, they offer an assortment that promises to satisfy any sweet tooth.
Where are you going to visit the Easter Bunny this year? Let us know in the Comments section below!
