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.

We invite you to explore parenting topics, things to do, events to attend, places to travel, and more.

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Plan your adventures!

Spring, Des Moines, Iowa, spring breakHear the birds chirping? Is the snow melting? I feel spring appearing in Des Moines, Iowa! Des Moines offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the indoors and outdoors during spring in Des Moines. We have guides to guide you through Spring Break, Easter egg hunts, Earth Day, indoor play fun, favorite parks, and more. Bookmark this fun guide for Spring in Des Moines fun!

Summer is just around the corner, and many families are busy planning for an unforgettable summer in the Des Moines metro. The 2026 Summer Camp Directory is full of fun-packed day camps in the Des Moines area. This directory will help guide you to plan the ultimate camp experience for your child. Whether your children are looking for a summer day camp, outdoor, hands-on experiences, outdoor explorations, science experiments, learning new skills, fun games, overnight camp, or a different theme each wee,k we have it for you in this guide!

Easter Egg Hunts, Easter Egg Hunt, Des Moines, Iowa, Easter in Des Moines, Easter 2024Eggs hunt, bunnies, and eggs everywhere. There are a ton of opportunities to hunt for eggs in Des Moines this Spring. Check out our list of Des Moines Easter Egg Hunts for 2026.

Des Moines 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

Carnivals & Festivals in Des Moines

Sharing is caring! Facebook Pinterest LinkedIn Save Email Carnivals & Festivals in Des Moines 2026 One of our favorite things to do each summer in Des Moines, Iowa is to…

Celebrate Tulip Time in Pella, Iowa

Celebrate Tulip Time in Pella, Iowa Pella Tulip Time, one of my favorite May events, is right around the corner.  The annual event is located in (you guessed it) Pella,…

11 Des Moines Parks Perfect for Toddlers

11 Des Moines Parks Perfect for Toddlers It can be scary to take your toddler to a new park not knowing if it will be a good fit for them….

Des Moines Parks Perfect for Muddy Days

Des Moines Parks Perfect for Muddy Days When the weather starts to finally warm up and the snow melts, playgrounds with lots of dirt or sparse wood chips can turn…

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.

Celebrate Tulip Time in Pella, Iowa

Celebrate Tulip Time in Pella, Iowa Pella Tulip Time, one of my favorite May events, is right around the corner.  The annual event is located in (you guessed it) Pella,…

Rail Explorers in Central Iowa

Take in Breathtaking Views of the Des Moines River Valley with Rail Explorers in Central Iowa If you think Iowa is boring, you are wrong! One thing I have learned…

Indoor Water Parks Near Des Moines

Indoor Water Parks Near Des Moines, Iowa We love a fun getaway, and what better place to stay than somewhere with an indoor water park? There are many great options…

King’s Pointe Resort in Storm Lake, Iowa: A Perfect Family Getaway in Every Season

King’s Pointe Resort in Storm Lake, Iowa: A Perfect Family Getaway in Every Season If you are looking for an easy Midwest getaway that kids will love, King’s Pointe Resort…