Welcome to Des Moines Parent! We are your premier resource for all things to do in Des Moines and throughout the Midwest for parents and families. Our goal is to make it easy for you to connect with resources, meet other parents in our community, and support local.

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Plan your adventures!

Fall, Des Moines, Fall in Des Moines, fall festivals, apple orchards, pumpkin patchesFall in Des Moines, Iowa is full of fun activities and events. We have gathered all the fun in one place so you can plan your pumpkin patch and apple orchard trips this season. Bookmark this page as your #1 resource to guide you through Fall in Des Moines

pumpkin patches, Howell's Pumpkin Patch, Des Moines, Iowa, fallGoing to the pumpkin patch is much more than just picking out the perfect pumpkin, it is an experience. Des Moines and surrounding communities offer a lot of options full of pumpkins, apple orchards, activities, mazes, and more. Pumpkin picking is just the beginning of fall fun. Check out the extensive list of the best pumpkin patches in the Des Moines

Des Moines, Iowa is a city full of unique experiences and places to explore. Luckily, it does not need to cost a ton to explore everything Des Moines has to offer. Some of the best things are free! Read on to discover all the FREE things to do in Des Moines, Iowa.

Des Moines Parent Event Calendar

Plan your week and weekend in Des Moines with our FREE extensive event calendar!

Explore the Outdoors!

Interested in details for a specific park?Barrett Boesen Natural Playscape, natural playscape, Urbandale, parks, playgrounds We have you covered! We have detailed reviews for many parks across the Des Moines metro. Know all the details before you go!

Things to do in Des Moines

Fun Things To Do in Des Moines This Weekend

Sharing is caring! Facebook Pinterest LinkedIn Save Email Fun Things To Do in Des Moines This Weekend: Friday, October 17th 2025 – Sunday, October 19th 2025 Every weekend there are…

Top 8 Things To Do in Des Moines in November

Top 8 Things To Do in Des Moines in November November is somehow here again. The days are getting shorter but the night is lit up with sparkles from the…

Celebrate Dia de Los Muertos in Des Moines

Celebrate Dia de Los Muertos in Des Moines Dia de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a festival celebrated in Mexico and other places worldwide to honor loved…

Cheer at the Des Moines Marathon

Cheer at the Des Moines Marathon We love watching the Des Moines marathon (and half) and cheering on all the runners! This year’s marathon is on October 19, 2025, starting…

Travel

We love the 515 but there are many great places to travel to in Iowa and throughout the Midwest. Take a look at some of our places to visit and plan your next family adventure! For all the travel reviews, check here.

Fall Fun in Clear Lake, Iowa

Fall Fun in Clear Lake, Iowa Hey, Des Moines families! As the temps dip and leaves start to change, it’s the perfect time for a quick fall getaway to Clear…

Margaritaville Kansas City: The Perfect Moms’ Getaway in the Midwest

Margaritaville Kansas City: The Perfect Moms’ Getaway in the Midwest Sometimes moms just need a break. A chance to trade in the carpool line, sports schedules, and laundry piles for…

Take a Deep Breath and Disconnect: A Family Trip Through Northern Indiana’s Amish Country

Take a Deep Breath and Disconnect: A Family Trip Through Northern Indiana’s Amish Country Sometimes the best family adventures are the ones where you can truly slow down, breathe a…

Fall Festival at Bloomsbury Farm in Iowa

Fall Festival at Bloomsbury Farm in Iowa One of our favorite parts of fall is exploring fun seasonal festivals and farms. Whether it be swimming in a corn pool, taking…