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 break Hear 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 2025 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 week we have it for you in this guide!

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.

Enjoy Indoor Play in Des Moines. Take a look at our giant guide of places to playDes Moines, indoor play, Rainbow of the Heartland, JouJou Des Moines indoors!

Winter is here in Iowa! Do not get cooped up inside. Take a look our GIANT A to Zo Guide of Family Friendly Activities to do in and around Des Moines. PLUS, a FREE download to print off and color as you cross things off your list. Ready to have fun exploring Des Moines during the Winter months?

 

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

Top 8 Things To Do in Des Moines in April

Sharing is caring! Facebook Pinterest LinkedIn Save Email Top 8 Things To Do in Des Moines in April We have a little bit of everything this month with Easter Egg…

Crossroads Park in West Des Moines, Iowa

Crossroads Park in West Des Moines, Iowa Crossroads Park is a recently renovated playground in West Des Moines. This revamp features a large geometric structure that encourages kids to explore,…

Fun Things To Do in Des Moines This Weekend

Fun Things To Do in Des Moines This Weekend: Friday, March 14th 2025 – Sunday, March 16th 2025 Every weekend there are amazing Fun Things to do in Des Moines, Iowa!…

Carnivals & Festivals in Des Moines

Carnivals & Festivals in Des Moines 2025 One of our favorite things to do each summer in Des Moines, Iowa is to visit all the fun carnivals and festivals. Whether…

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.

Explore! Museums – A free, family-friendly opportunity at University Museums

Explore! Museums – A free, family-friendly opportunity at University Museums When it comes to fun, family events that don’t break the budget, options might feel limited Fortunately, University Museums on…

Wild Lights Festival at Blank Park Zoo

Get Wild at the Wild Lights Festival at Blank Park Zoo The Wild Lights Festival is back at the Blank Park Zoo for a fourth year. Every year I get…

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,…

Ultimate Guide to Family Friendly Road Trip Stops on I-80

Ultimate Guide to Family Friendly Road Trip Stops on I-80 If you are road-tripping through Iowa along Interstate 80, you may be looking for a perfect quick stop to have…