Top 8 Things To Do in Des Moines in April
Jump into April with one more egg hunt then check out some Wild Lights and end with the Drake Road Races! Grab a beverage and your planner and plan your April in Des Moines now!
Check out these other fun guides to help plan your fun in Des Moines this April:
- Earth Day in Des Moines
- Indoor Play in Des Moines
- April Rainy Day Activities in Des Moines
- Des Moines Parent Event Calendar
Egg Palooza
Address: Howell’s Greenhouse and Pumpkin Patch, 3129 Howell Ct, Cumming, IA 50061
When: Saturday April 6th and Sunday April 7th, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM
Cost: Tickets are $12 for kids and $10 for adults (Buy online for a better deal!)
Easter may have passed but you still have one more chance for a chaos-free egg hunt at Egg Palooza! Each child at Howell’s Greenhouse and Pumpkin Patch will get an empty egg carton, they will find empty eggs and then return those to be redeemed for a prize. The eggs will be out all day. Other activities include the playground, bathtub train, Obstacle Course, Bee Lines, Corn Pool, Hula Cow, Easter-themed photo ops, and of course the Easter Bunny. Parents will be excited to hear that the new this year is indoor plumbing restrooms!
Blank Park Zoo’s Wild Lights
Address: 7401 SW 9th St, Des Moines, IA 50315
When: April 5th-May 27th, Wednesday-Sunday and Memorial Day 7:30 PM-10:00 PM (last admission is at 9:30 PM)
Cost: Buy tickets here
Explore Blank Park Zoo at night this April and May for their Wild Lights Festival presented by MidAmerican Energy Company. Throughout the zoo, there will be 50 handcrafted illuminated Asian lanterns. There will be animal displays, interactives, Asian mythical creatures, and plenty of places for photos. Just a reminder that there are no animals out on display during the lights show. Learn more about the experience here.
Monster Jam
Address: Wells Fargo Arena, 730 Third Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
When: April 13th-14th
Cost: Tickets start at $20 per person
Monster Jam is back! Come check out the world’s best drivers and their 12,000-pound monster trucks with massive stunts, backflips, and a fierce battle for the championship. Start the fun early with the Monster Jam Pit Party. You’ll get a chance to meet the drivers, see the trucks up close, and engage in several fun activities like playing in the sandbox and temporary tattoos. You do need to purchase tickets for the pit party. Learn more about what to expect here.
Twice Blessed Consignment Sale
Address: Shepherd’s Flock Early Learning Center, 3900 Ashworth Rd, West Des Moines, IA 50265
When:
- Friday, April 12th, 9:00 AM-7:00 PM
- Saturday, April 13th, 8:00 AM-1:00 PM
Cost: Free to attend
Children go through A LOT of clothing. Luckily, we have a variety of consignment sales and shops around Des Moines. The Twice Blessed Consignment Sale is a great place to shop for clothing, toys, and more. You can also be a seller and clear out those closets. The sale is an annual fundraiser for Shepherd’s Early Flock Learning Center so part of each purchase will go to the school.
What Do You Do With An Idea? at Des Moines Performing Arts
Address: Des Moines Civic Center, 221 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50309
When: Saturday, April 20th, 11:00 AM OR 2:00 PM
Cost: Tickets are $10 each
See the adorable children’s book “What Do You Do With An Idea?”, come to life at the Des Moines Civic Center. Follow along on a journey as a child takes an idea and explores it through movement, music, narration, and an ensemble of dancers creates a magical world where ideas grow and take flight. This show is part of the Wellmark Family Series and is perfect for children since it lasts one hour. The 2:00 PM show will be a sensory-friendly performance.
Family Fun Day at the Rec Plex
Address: 6500 Grand Ave, West Des Moines, IA 50266
When: Sunday, April 21st, 11:00 AM-1:00 PM
Cost: Free
Play at the Rec Plex for Family Fun Day. There will be open play on the indoor turf. Bring your equipment or play with the variety of balls, hula hoops, and other things the Rec Plex provides. RP Grill will be open for food and beverages for purchase. We love the RecPlex and everything it has to offer. Learn more!
Love You Des Moines Family Day
Address: Valley Community Center, 4444 Fuller Rd, West Des Moines, IA 50265
When: Saturday, April 13th, 1:00 PM-4:00 PM
Cost: Free
Spend some time together at Love You Des Moines Family Day. All the activities will be free and include arts and crafts, sports, games, trivia, and more. The Valley Community Center also has an indoor and outdoor playground that my kids love! We love the Valley Community Center. Take a look at all the reasons.
2024 Drake Road Races
When: April 21st-April 27th
The 2024 Drake Road Races is the official start to the Drake Relays! On Sunday, April 21st, athletes have the chance to run a 5K, 10K or Half-Marathon. All of the races will finish inside the Blue Oval at Drake Stadium. On Tuesday, April 23rd at 6:00 PM, participate or cheer on racers at the Grand Blue Mile in Downtown Des Moines. There are recreational and competitive divisions. $20 per adult and $15 per youth (17 & under).
Finish the week by cheering on athletes at the Drake Relays from April 24th-April 27th. Watch athletes from university, college, high school, and elite ranks participate in a variety of track and field events. For tickets and more information visit Drake Relays.
