Spring Break Des Moines 2021 for Kids: Activities, Camps, and More!

by Erin Huiatt

Spring Break Des Moines 2021

Spring Break Des Moines 2021 is just around the corner. There are several classes and workshops being held all over Des Moines virtually or in-person. Check out this great list below and register quickly. These can fill-up super fast. If I am missing your class or workshop, let me know. We will be updating this page regularly!

Make sure to check out our event calendar to stay up-to-date with events and activities.

Best After School and Summer Camp in Waukee, IA

Monday, March 15th – Friday, March 19th

7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

$150 for the whole week. The amazing events and activities you will do are Karate, Dance, Tumbling, Obstacle Courses, Nerf Competition, Dodgeball, Arts and Crafts, Field Trips to the park, and much more. The kids will have a structured week with high-energy activities and positivity.

Blank Park Zoo

Monday, March 15th – Wednesday, March 17th

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

$111 members; $156 non-members

Ever wonder what animals are lurking underground? A hole is a great place for animals to hide and build a home! Join us as we discover critters that make their way through the dirt and sand.

The Brenton Arboretum

Monday, March 15 – Friday, March 19

Various times

Gear up for a week full of exciting, educational Arboretum Adventures! You’ll receive a new themed scavenger hunt in your inbox each morning to be completed at the Arboretum at your leisure. This is a self-guided program, so you’re free to do as much or as little as you’d like when it works for you.

Theme will be announced soon and you can view them here.

Des Moines Art Center

Various days and times. Held virtually.

Spring Break Camps for kids are enrolling now! All camps will be held virtually from Monday, March 15 through Friday, March 19. Morning and afternoon sessions are available. Make this a-Rockin’ spring break with the “Build Your Own Band” theme. Spring Break Camps are offered for children ages 5 to 15.

Build Your Own Rock Band (Virtual Class): Explore the properties of sound and the various ways everyday materials can be used to create instruments. Discuss and collaborate with your classmates to create and demonstrate with your handmade instruments at the end of the week.

Create Your Own Merch (Virtual Class): Now that you are a Rockstar, create and design your own merch for you and your friends. Using a variety of painting and drawing techniques, create a T-shirt, posters, and stickers for your fans. Not a fan of the band? Create merch inspired by your favorite animals and interests.

Soundscapes (Virtual Class): Visualize your favorite songs and turn them into creative masterpieces. Learn about the multiple ways that sound can create movement and interpret the movement and sound through drawing, painting, and sculpting.

Des Moines Children’s Museum

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday | 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Wednesday | 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Saturday | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Des Moines Children’s Museum will also be offering fun programming and activities all Spring Break.

Des Moines Playhouse

March 15 – 19

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Des Moines Playhouse is offering a Break Camp titled ‘Graphically Speaking’. Students in grades 4-7 can attend Graphically Speaking, an in-person camp that focuses on material from popular graphic novels. Students will devise and perform their own scripts based on their favorite books and characters. Graphically Speaking will be taught by Sarah Beth Weinberg.

There are other Spring offerings for all age ranges including preschool and Kindergarten. Take a look at all the details here.

Goldfish Swim School

March 16 – 19

Enjoy one month of lessons in one week. This jump-start clinic is a 4-day clinic with the same instructor, same time every day Tuesday through Friday. It’s a great way to boost skills and propel your swimmer faster through the Goldfish Swim School award-winning curriculum.

Jester Park Equestrian

March 15 – March 19

9 a.m. to Noon

Just can’t wait until summer to go back to camp? Join us for a morning of horseback riding and equine education. Each day will have activities and education designed for the age groups listed below. All spring break day camps run from 9 am-12 pm.

Living History Farms

Monday, March 15 – Friday, March 19

Enjoy a special Spring Break without the hassles of traveling a long distance! Sign up for a camp full of hands-on, interactive activities, and visits to historic sites around the museum. Camps are offered as 1-day or 5-day experiences. You can choose from Garden Sprouts and Farm Hands (depending on age).

Michael’s Kids Club Online

March 9 – April 1

4 p.m.

Virtual – Online

Michaels offers fun workshops weekly for FREE. You do need to register to participate.

March 9, 2021 – Create a 3-D Bunny Treat Holder using Perler Beads
March 23, 2021 – Layered Easter Egg Art
March 24, 2021 – Egg Paint Reveal Canvas
March 25, 2021 – Easter Egg Ornaments
March 31, 2021 – Watercolor Resist Painting
April 1, 2021 – Easter Themed Rocks

Muddy Boots Forest Camp

March 15th – 18th

More details to come. Limited spots available for ages 4 years and up. Keep an eye on the Muddy Boots Forest Camp Facebook page.

Natavi Swim

March 12 – 20

Monday-Thursday: 11am -12 pm & 2:30pm – 3:30 pm

Friday: 11 am -12 pm

Saturday: 12 pm -1pm

Natavi has blocks of time every day, or nearly every day for family open swim. A lifeguard is on duty during this time. Families are welcome to come to utilize the pools during these time frames.

Polk County Conservation

FRIDAY, MARCH 12 – SUNDAY, MARCH 21

Shamrock Shenanigans Jester Park Nature Center Trails FREE. No Registration Required. For more information: https://bit.ly/3bduBGe

TUESDAY, MARCH 16

Nature Hike @ 10 – 11:30 a.m. Yellow Banks Park FREE. Pre-Registration Required. Deadline: March 15. Register here: https://bit.ly/38b1xNP

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17

Geocache Leprechaun Hunt @ 10 – 11:30 a.m. Fort Des Moines Park FEE: $5/family. Pre-Registration Required. Deadline: March 15. Register here: https://bit.ly/30dmOSt

Virtual Snakes Patty Day @ 10 – 11 a.m. Virtual FREE. No Registration Required. Zoom Link: https://bit.ly/30eqofi

Geocache Leprechaun Hunt @ 12:30 – 2 p.m. Fort Des Moines Park FEE: $5/family. Pre-Registration Required. Deadline: March 15. Register here: https://bit.ly/3egfxcZ

THURSDAY, MARCH 18

Virtual Critter Club @ 10 – 10:30 a.m. Virtual FREE. Pre-Registration Required. Deadline: March 16. Register here: https://bit.ly/3rkdPuz

SATURDAY, MARCH 20

Spring Equinox Hike @ 10 – 11 a.m. Brown’s Woods FREE. Pre-Registration Required. Deadline: March 18. Register here: https://bit.ly/3sR2YJa

Science Center of Iowa

March 13 – 21

9 a.m. to Noon or 1 to 4 p.m.

The Science Center of Iowa will be opening additional hours during Spring Break. Make sure your reserve your spot and grab your tickets early here.

Skateland Des Moines

March 15 – 19

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Check out Skateland Des Moines’ skate school program. Give yourself or your child the gift of learning how to skate so you can enjoy yourself when invited to a birthday party, school, or church event or to just have a fun afternoon with friends and family.