Kids & Family Events in Des Moines
Event list last updated
Upcoming family-friendly events in Des Moines and its suburbs: story times, festivals, science and nature programs and seasonal events, with dates, times and prices on every listing.
6 of the events below are listed as free. Looking for somewhere to play instead? See the Des Moines playgrounds guide.
More for Families in Des Moines
Playgrounds guide
Playgrounds across the metro, each with its features and directions.
Free events
Every event on the calendar whose admission is listed as free.
Attractions
Museums, the zoo, gardens and landmarks, with hours and admission from each listing.
This weekend
Everything on the calendar from Friday through Sunday.
Upcoming Family Events (38)
Runs through Tue, Dec 29Giordano's
Kids Eat Free Tuesdays
Recurring weekly on Tuesday until December 29, 2026
Runs through Sat, Dec 19Jester Park Nature Center
Critter Club
Critter Club event at Jester Park Nature Center
Runs through Tue, Dec 29Giordano's
Kids Eat Free/Tuesdays
Weekly kids eat free promotion at Giordano's
Runs through Tue, Dec 29Giordano's
Kids Eat Free/Tuesdays
Kids eat free on Tuesdays. Recurring weekly on Tuesday until December 29, 2026.
Runs through Sun, Nov 22Multiple DSM LocationsEast Village
Santa N' Paws
Santa N' Paws holiday event at multiple Des Moines-area locations.
Runs through Fri, Dec 18Des Moines Parks & RecreationEast Village
Parents Night Out
Parents Night Out hosted by Des Moines Parks & Recreation.
Runs through Sun, Nov 22Multiple DSM LocationsEast Village
Santa N' Paws
Santa N' Paws event at multiple Des Moines locations.
Runs through Sun, Nov 22Multiple DSM LocationsEast Village
Santa N' Paws
Santa N' Paws pet photo event at multiple Des Moines locations.
7:00 PM CTWooly'sEast Village
Kurt Vile + The Violators with Twisted Teens
Presented by First Fleet Concerts. Kurt Vile + The Violators with Twisted Teens.
All day, Nov 10 - Dec 29Giordano's
Kids Eat Free/Tuesdays
Recurring weekly on Tuesday until December 29, 2026
Time not listedAll Urbandale Elementary Schools
Junior J-Hawk Storytime
Storytime at Urbandale elementary schools
Time not listedThe Little Book
November Pride Book Club: Chosen Family By Madeline Gray
Pride book club discussion of Chosen Family by Madeline Gray at The Little Book.
Time not listedIowa Gold Star Military Museum
Storytime
Storytime at the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum.
12:00 PM CTMultiple DSM Locations
Santa N' Paws
Santa N' Paws event held at multiple Des Moines area locations.
Time not listedDes Moines Community PlayhouseIngersoll
The Princess and the Pea/Ages 4-6
Children's theatre production for ages 4-6 at Des Moines Community Playhouse.
Time not listedDes Moines Marriott DowntownDowntown / Court Ave
Mistletoe & Memories Getaway
Holiday getaway event at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown.
Time not listedDes Moines Community PlayhouseIngersoll
The Princess and the Pea / Ages 4-6
Children's theatre class/production for ages 4-6 at Des Moines Community Playhouse.
Time not listedDes Moines Marriott DowntownDowntown / Court Ave
Santa's Holiday Escape
Holiday getaway event at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown.
Time not listedStoryhouse BookpubEast Village
Family Storytime with author Tina Cho celebrating The Kimchi Fridge featuring Hotori Market
Family storytime with author Tina Cho celebrating The Kimchi Fridge, featuring Hotori Market.
All day, Nov 14 - Nov 29Greater Des Moines Botanical GardenEast Village
Dome for the Holidays
Holiday event at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Time not listedHoyt Sherman Place
Kids Landscapes
Young artists will explore the beauty of nature as they create their own colorful acrylic landscape painting. Students will learn basic painting...
Time not listedHoyt Sherman Place
Kids Color Pencil Animals
Students will explore the colorful world of animal art in this fun and creative colored pencil drawing class! Students will learn basic drawing...
Time not listedMolly's Frozen
Kids Cupcake Decorating: 101
Kids cupcake decorating class at Molly's Frozen
Time not listedBig Grove BreweryDowntown / Court Ave
Santa at the Grove
Visit with Santa at Big Grove Brewery.
Time not listedWarrior Lanes
Turkey Time Family Glow Bowling Party
Family glow bowling party at Warrior Lanes
7:00 PM CTMultiple DSM Locations
Santa N' Paws
Santa N' Paws holiday event at multiple Des Moines area locations.
6:00 PM CTWells Fargo ArenaDowntown / Court Ave
Disney On Ice presents Find Your Hero - Des Moines
Disney On Ice, Disney On Ice presents Find Your Hero
12:00 PM CTVal Air Ballroom
Val Air Holiday Fair
Holiday fair on November 27 and 28. Kids free and free parking.
7:00 PM CTWells Fargo ArenaDowntown / Court Ave
Disney On Ice presents Find Your Hero - Des Moines
Disney On Ice, Disney On Ice presents Find Your Hero
12:00 PM CTVal Air Ballroom
Val Air Holiday Fair
Holiday fair on November 27 and 28. Kids free and free parking.
7:00 PM CTWells Fargo ArenaDowntown / Court Ave
Disney On Ice presents Find Your Hero - Des Moines
Disney On Ice, Disney On Ice presents Find Your Hero
3:00 PM CTStaplin Performing Arts Center
MEMORIES, MUSIC AND MISTLETOE A Holiday Tradition for the Whole Family
MEMORIES, MUSIC AND MISTLETOE. A Holiday Tradition for the Whole Family. Looking for a Christmas concert or family-friendly holiday event in Des Moines? Celebrate the season with the Central Iowa Wind Ensemble at Memories, Music and Mistletoe! Join us Sunday, December 13, at the Staplin Performing Arts Center in West Des Moines for an afternoon filled with beloved Christmas music, festive favorites, and heartwarming seasonal classics. A special highlight of the concert will be a presentation of The Snowman, the beloved animated holiday film that has captured the imaginations of generations. Experience this timeless story of friendship and imagination accompanied by the warmth and beauty of live symphonic wind ensemble music. Gather your family and friends for a memorable holiday outing featuring live music, Christmas nostalgia, and the magic of the season. Whether you're continuing a favorite holiday tradition or discovering something new, this concert is a wonderful way to celebrate together. EVENT DETAILS. Sunday, December 13, 2026. 3:00 PM. Staplin Performing Arts Center. 3650 Woodland Avenue, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266. Presented by the Central Iowa Wind Ensemble. Admission is free, but tickets are required. Gather your family and friends and reserve your seats today! GET YOUR FREE TICKETS: https://events.humanitix.com/memories-music-and-mistletoe. Learn more about the Central Iowa Wind Ensemble at https://ciwe.org.
11:00 AM CTBlank Park Zoo
Storytime with Ruby the Reading Red Panda
Enjoy a world of books with Ruby the Reading Red Panda! Ruby is a puppet red panda who loves to read. Each month we will read a story and meet a special live ambassador animal from the Zoo’s Ambassador Animal Department.
11:00 AM CTBlank Park Zoo
Storytime with Ruby the Reading Red Panda
Enjoy a world of books with Ruby the Reading Red Panda! Ruby is a puppet red panda who loves to read. Each month we will read a story and meet a special live ambassador animal from the Zoo’s Ambassador Animal Department.
11:00 AM CTBlank Park Zoo
Storytime with Ruby the Reading Red Panda
Enjoy a world of books with Ruby the Reading Red Panda! Ruby is a puppet red panda who loves to read. Each month we will read a story and meet a special live ambassador animal from the Zoo’s Ambassador Animal Department.
Showing the 36 soonest of 38 family events.
Browse Family-category eventsTips for Families at Des Moines Events
Check the age range
Organizers publish age guidance on their own pages. Each listing here links to it.
Have an indoor backup
Iowa weather changes quickly. On a wet weekend, the this weekend list puts indoor events first.
Stay on budget
6 of the events below are listed as free. See all free events in Des Moines.
Get outside
Between events, the playgrounds guide shows where to play near you, with its splash pads and best playgrounds by age.
Kids & Family Events FAQ
Common questions about family-friendly activities in the Des Moines metro area
What are the best kids events in Des Moines?
This page lists upcoming family-friendly events across Des Moines and its suburbs - story times, festivals, science and nature programs and seasonal events - with the date, time, venue and price on every listing.
Are there free activities for kids in Des Moines?
Yes. Free kids events are listed here alongside paid ones and are marked free on their cards. The Free Events page lists every free event on the calendar, and the playgrounds guide covers parks and play areas across the metro.
What age groups do kids events in Des Moines serve?
It varies by event, from programs for babies and toddlers to teen events, and many festivals welcome all ages. Each listing links to the organizer's page, which is where age guidance is published.
Where can kids play in Des Moines?
The playgrounds guide maps playgrounds across the Des Moines metro with their features, and each playground has its own page with directions.
What's the best time of year for kids events in Des Moines?
There are family events all year. The month pages show what is scheduled for each month.
How often is this list updated?
New events are collected daily from venue and organizer calendars. All times are Central Time, and each list shows when it was last updated.
More Des Moines Activities
Free Events
No-cost activities and entertainment
Date Night
Romantic outings and couple activities
Today's Events
What's happening right now
This Weekend
Weekend activities and entertainment
Open Now
Restaurants currently serving
Dietary Options
Vegan, gluten-free, and more
Planning dinner too? Check out restaurants open now or explore dietary-friendly options.