Days with a number have events. Tap one to filter the list below.
100 ideas near “Des Moines, IA”
Get these in your calendar — subscribe once and new weeks appear on their own. (Google Calendar: copy that link’s address into “Other calendars → From URL”.)
Toddlers and their caregivers can enjoy introductory stories, songs, music, and movement! For ages 18 months to 36 months.
Dive into a world of art and play in our puppet making class! We'll make different kinds of puppets each week, from paper puppets to marionettes. Snack provided for all participants.
Join us for our evening Family Storytime at 6:30 p.m.! Kids and caregivers can join us for fun songs, stories, and activities. You can even wear your jammies! Best for ages 6 and under, but all are welcome!
Babies, toddlers, and their caregivers can join us on Tuesdays for rhymes, songs, lap bounces, and a story. This program is recommended for children from birth to 24 months of age.
Join us for rhymes, songs, bounces, stories, and a little playtime. For caregivers and babies ages 0 - 18 months.
Take your tastebuds on a trip around the world! Each month we will be tasting snacks from a different country. Whether you like sweet or savory, we will try it all. Come in with an open mind, a readiness to experience the flavors of the world and to learn about the country we are tasting. This month we are tasting snacks from TWO COUNTRIES: The Netherlands and Colombia. Teens only please. This program is for ages 12 and up. Please register ahead of time, but drop-ins are welcome as space allows.
Join us weekly for rhymes, songs, bounces, stories, and a little playtime. For caregivers and babies ages 0 - 18 months.
Take part in a special storytime with Des Moines City Council Member Rob Barron! We will have our regular scheduled storytime with both Miss Emily and Mr. Rob reading a story. Listen to silly stories, sing songs, dance to music, and make art! Join Miss Emily for Family Storytime every Wednesday morning at 10:15 AM. Designed for children ages 0–5, this storytime welcomes all ages to join in the fun.
Join Miss Donna for this fun filled story time! Together we will enjoy stories, songs, and more, all selected to engage your active toddler. Ages 18 months to 3 years old.
Children ages 3 to 5 and their caregivers can join us Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. for a 30-minute storytime with stories, music, and fun activities!
Are you looking for a place to trade your Pokémon cards? Bring your friends and come to this monthly program with any cards you want to trade. This event is open to children ages 6-18. The Franklin Library is located on DART Route #5.
Enjoy children's stories, rhymes, and arts & crafts! Join us at the Forest Avenue Library for a bilingual story hour on the fourth Thursday of each month, starting at 6:15 P.M. The program is presented in Spanish and English. The intended audience is children ages 0–5, but all ages, along with parents or caregivers, are welcome to join. ¡Venga a la biblioteca de Forest Avenue por una hora de cuentos bilingües! Disfruta de cuentos, rimas y de hacer manualidades para llevar a casa. Este evento ocurre el cuarto jueves de cada mes a las 6:15 P.M. Este programa se presenta en español e inglés. Está dirigido a niños de cero a cinco años, pero niños de todas las edades y sus cuidadores son bienvenidos.
Bring your littles to our Play and Learn Group, designed for children ages 0-5, to discover, learn and play with different play equipment, toys, and sensory activities. This is also a chance for babies and toddlers to meet other children and caregivers to connect! No Registration is Required.
Take part in a special Saturday storytime with Des Moines City Council member Rob X. Barron! We'll sing a song, make a craft, and Rob will read us a story. Please note: this storytime will take place in the Franklin Youth Area.
Rosie's Dream Machine is visiting each library branch for one week at a time! See it this week in the Children's area at Central! This Rube Goldberg machine provides an opportunity for kids of all ages to write a "Library Dream" on a slip of paper, secure it in a ball, and send the ball through a series of obstacles past miniature models of each library branch. Library Dreams will be collected at each branch and reviewed, and thanks to our generous DMPL Foundation supporters, some of those Library Dreams will come true! What is your Library Dream? Maybe you'd like to see more books by a specific author at your home branch, maybe you've got recommendations for toys or updates to the Children's area, or maybe you have ideas of specific items you'd like to see added to Library of Things Junior. Let us know what you'd like to see, and maybe your dream will come true! Here's where and when you can visit Rosie's Dream Machine: - August 24 - August 28: South - August 31 - September 4: Franklin - September 7 - September 11: Forest - September 14 - September 18: North - September 21 - September 25: East - September 28 - October 2: Central
Join a special storytime featuring Latin Thunder, a Mexican Luchador (wrestler), for a reading of “Niño Wrestles the World” followed by a time for fan pics and autographs! Acompañenos a escuchar el cuento "Niño Wrestles the World" con Latin Thunder, un luchador Mexicano, seguido por fotos y autógrafos!
Toddlers and their caregivers can enjoy introductory stories, songs, music, and movement! For ages 18 months to 36 months.
Dive into a world of art and play in our puppet making class! We'll make different kinds of puppets each week, from paper puppets to marionettes. Snack provided for all participants.
Join us for our evening Family Storytime at 6:30 p.m.! Kids and caregivers can join us for fun songs, stories, and activities. You can even wear your jammies! Best for ages 6 and under, but all are welcome!
Babies, toddlers, and their caregivers can join us on Tuesdays for rhymes, songs, lap bounces, and a story. This program is recommended for children from birth to 24 months of age.
Join us for rhymes, songs, bounces, stories, and a little playtime. For caregivers and babies ages 0 - 18 months.
PLEASE NOTE: We will be meeting in the Family Room this week for Baby Rhyme Time! Join us weekly for rhymes, songs, bounces, stories, and a little playtime. For caregivers and babies ages 0 - 18 months.
Listen to silly stories, sing songs, dance to music, and make art! Join Miss Emily for Family Storytime every Wednesday morning at 10:15 AM. Designed for children ages 0–5, this storytime welcomes all ages to join in the fun.
Join Miss Donna for this fun filled story time! Together we will enjoy stories, songs, and more, all selected to engage your active toddler. Ages 18 months to 3 years old.
Children ages 3 to 5 and their caregivers can join us Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. for a 30-minute storytime with stories, music, and fun activities!
Join Ms. Sam for a fun storytime featuring movement, music, and free play! Today we'll have storytime outside by the Miffy fountain! In case of inclement weather. check back for updates.
Bring your littles to our Play and Learn Group, designed for children ages 0-5, to discover, learn and play with different play equipment, toys, and sensory activities. This is also a chance for babies and toddlers to meet other children and caregivers to connect! No Registration is Required.
Visit the library for a special sneak preview of the Des Moines Young Artists' Theatre production of The Addams Family: School Edition. Learn about the show and get a chance to meet the cast! The Franklin Library is located on DART Route #5.
Bring your young ones to our Little Explorers program, designed for children ages 0-5, to discover, learn and play with different sensory activities. No Registration is required. Please wear play clothes as some activities may be messy.
Preschoolers and their caregivers can enjoy stories, rhymes, music, and learn school readiness skills. Afterwards, we will enjoy free-play together.
The Des Moines Fire Department is joining us for a special storytime during Fire Prevention Week! Hear stories, learn about fire safety, and see a fire engine up close! Best for ages 6 and under, but all are welcome!
Join a special storytime featuring Latin Thunder, a Mexican Luchador (wrestler), for a reading of “Niño Wrestles the World” followed by a time for fan pics and autographs! Acompañenos a escuchar el cuento "Niño Wrestles the World" con Latin Thunder, un luchador Mexicano, seguido por fotos y autógrafos!
The Des Moines Fire Department is joining us for a special storytime during Fire Prevention Week! Hear stories, learn about fire safety, and see a fire engine up close! Best for ages 6 and under, but all are welcome!
The Des Moines Fire Department is joining us for a special story time during Fire Prevention Week! Hear stories, do a craft, learn about fire safety, and see a fire engine up close!
Join us for rhymes, songs, bounces, stories, and a little playtime. For caregivers and babies ages 0 - 18 months.
Acompáñanos a nuesta edición mensual de Baby Rhyme Time bilingüe con invitada especial Arlette el primer miercoles de cada mes! Para bebes de 0-18 meses de edad y sus cuidadores. Join us for our monthly Bilingual edition of Baby Rhyme Time with special guest reader Miss Arlette on the first Wednesday of every month! For caregivers and babies ages 0 - 18 months.
Listen to silly stories, sing songs, dance to music, and make art! Join Miss Emily for Family Storytime every Wednesday morning at 10:15 AM. Designed for children ages 0–5, this storytime welcomes all ages to join in the fun.
Discover how kaleidoscopes create such amazing images and make your own spooky one to take home. Science Wednesdays is a chance for kids ages six to twelve to explore different aspects of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). Please pre-register for this program. The Franklin Library is located on DART Route #5.
Children ages 3 to 5 and their caregivers can join us Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. for a 30-minute storytime with stories, music, and fun activities!
The Des Moines Fire Department is joining us for a special story time during Fire Prevention Week! Meet a firefighter, hear a story, learn about fire safety, and see a fire engine up close!
Tweens and teens ages 8-18 can decorate a mini cake at North Side! Try your hand at piping designs with frosting and adding spooky decorations to make a mini pumpkin spice cake fit for Halloween. Supplies are limited; please register.
Join a special storytime featuring Latin Thunder, a Mexican Luchador (wrestler), for a reading of “Niño Wrestles the World” followed by a time for fan pics and autographs! Acompañenos a escuchar el cuento "Niño Wrestles the World" con Latin Thunder, un luchador Mexicano, seguido por fotos y autógrafos!
Bring your littles to our Play and Learn Group, designed for children ages 0-5, to discover, learn and play with different play equipment, toys, and sensory activities. This is also a chance for babies and toddlers to meet other children and caregivers to connect! No Registration is Required.
Preschoolers and their caregivers can enjoy stories, rhymes, music, and learn school readiness skills. Afterwards, we will enjoy free-play together.
Toddlers and their caregivers can enjoy introductory stories, songs, music, and movement! For ages 18 months to 36 months.
Join us for our evening Family Storytime at 6:30 p.m.! Kids and caregivers can join us for fun songs, stories, and activities. You can even wear your jammies! Best for ages 6 and under, but all are welcome!
Babies, toddlers, and their caregivers can join us on Tuesdays for rhymes, songs, lap bounces, and a story. This program is recommended for children from birth to 24 months of age.
Join us for rhymes, songs, bounces, stories, and a little playtime. For caregivers and babies ages 0 - 18 months.
Note: Please enter using the Ticket Office entrance on Walnut St, near 3rd St. There will be signs directing attendees on the day of the event. Take center stage with Miss Sam at the Des Moines Civic Center! We'll read a book together and learn a little about the theater from a member of the Des Moines Performing Arts Production Team. If you've ever wanted to know what it's like to go on the big stage, now's your chance! Thank you to Des Moines Performing Arts for this fun storytime opportunity!
Join us in the Forest Meeting Room where building blocks will be available for open play! Use your imagination to build your ideas or use the STEM-challenge prompts and building guides to bring ideas to life.
Join us at Forest Avenue Library for Noche de Juegos—an open play game night for bilingual kids and language learners! Designed for families & children aged 6 and up, this monthly program begins at 6:00 PM on the second Tuesday of each month. Board games in both Spanish and English will be available to build literacy, encourage language skills, and most importantly—have fun! Whether your child is fluent, learning a new language, or somewhere in between, this is a welcoming space to play and connect with others. Únete a nosotros en la Biblioteca de Forest Avenue el segundo martes de cada mes a las 6:00 de la noche para una Noche de Juegos. Este programa está pensado para niños de 6 años en adelante. Habrá juegos de mesa en español e inglés disponibles para fomentar la alfabetización, practicar idiomas y, sobre todo, ¡divertirse! Ya sea que tu niño hable con fluidez, esté aprendiendo un nuevo idioma o esté en el proceso, este es un espacio para jugar y conectar con otros.
Join us weekly for rhymes, songs, bounces, stories, and a little playtime. For caregivers and babies ages 0 - 18 months.
Listen to silly stories, sing songs, dance to music, and make art! Join Miss Emily for Family Storytime every Wednesday morning at 10:15 AM. Designed for children ages 0–5, this storytime welcomes all ages to join in the fun.
Children ages 3 to 5 and their caregivers can join us Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. for a 30-minute storytime with stories, music, and fun activities!
Join us at Forest for a special Pajama Storytime! Enjoy stories, a warm beverage, and a fun craft. Wear your coziest pajamas and bring a favorite stuffed animal to snuggle along.
Bring your littles to our Play and Learn Group, designed for children ages 0-5, to discover, learn and play with different play equipment, toys, and sensory activities. This is also a chance for babies and toddlers to meet other children and caregivers to connect! No Registration is Required.
Celebrate TeenTober with an after-hours party! Enjoy laser tag, Nintendo Switch games, face painting, food, prizes, and more. We are leaning into the spooky season at this event, so feel free to wear a fun costume! Registration required to reserve your spot. Grades 6-12.
Little Explorers has a new twist! Join us for Little Explorers with Park-N-Play, hosted by the City of Des Moines Parks and Recreation department. Drop in to the Central meeting rooms and enjoy toys, games, crafts, and activities for families at no cost. All ages welcome!
Preschoolers and their caregivers can enjoy stories, rhymes, music, and learn school readiness skills. Afterwards, we will enjoy free-play together.
Toddlers and their caregivers can enjoy introductory stories, songs, music, and movement! For ages 18 months to 36 months.
Join us for our evening Family Storytime at 6:30 p.m.! Kids and caregivers can join us for fun songs, stories, and activities. You can even wear your jammies! Best for ages 6 and under, but all are welcome!
Babies, toddlers, and their caregivers can join us on Tuesdays for rhymes, songs, lap bounces, and a story. This program is recommended for children from birth to 24 months of age.
Join us for rhymes, songs, bounces, stories, and a little playtime. For caregivers and babies ages 0 - 18 months.
Come to South Side for an hour of sensory exploration! From cool textures to fun activities, kids can have a great time learning while doing what they do best: playing! The program space is set up in stations, so families can move between different activities at their own pace or just enjoy gathering around the story rug, where we have scarves and interactive story tools. It is a casual drop-in program, so no registration is required. Sensory-friendly tools are available, such as wobble cushions, noise-reduction headphones for babies and kids, some weighted blankets, and fidgets.
Join us weekly for rhymes, songs, bounces, stories, and a little playtime. For caregivers and babies ages 0 - 18 months.
Listen to silly stories, sing songs, dance to music, and make art! Join Miss Emily for Family Storytime every Wednesday morning at 10:15 AM. Designed for children ages 0–5, this storytime welcomes all ages to join in the fun.
Children ages 3 to 5 and their caregivers can join us Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. for a 30-minute storytime with stories, music, and fun activities!
Enjoy children's stories, rhymes, and arts & crafts! Join us at the Forest Avenue Library for a bilingual story hour on the fourth Thursday of each month, starting at 6:15 P.M. The program is presented in Spanish and English. The intended audience is children ages 0–5, but all ages, along with parents or caregivers, are welcome to join. ¡Venga a la biblioteca de Forest Avenue por una hora de cuentos bilingües! Disfruta de cuentos, rimas y de hacer manualidades para llevar a casa. Este evento ocurre el cuarto jueves de cada mes a las 6:15 P.M. Este programa se presenta en español e inglés. Está dirigido a niños de cero a cinco años, pero niños de todas las edades y sus cuidadores son bienvenidos.
Bring your littles to our Play and Learn Group, designed for children ages 0-5, to discover, learn and play with different play equipment, toys, and sensory activities. This is also a chance for babies and toddlers to meet other children and caregivers to connect! No Registration is Required.
Preschoolers and their caregivers can enjoy stories, rhymes, music, and learn school readiness skills. Afterwards, we will enjoy free-play together.
Toddlers and their caregivers can enjoy introductory stories, songs, music, and movement! For ages 18 months to 36 months.
Wear a costume and join our library-wide costume parade at this very special Family Storytime, where kids and caregivers can enjoy fun, spooky-but-not-scary songs, stories, and activities! Best for ages 6 and under, but all are welcome!
Babies, toddlers, and their caregivers can join us on Tuesdays for rhymes, songs, lap bounces, and a story. This program is recommended for children from birth to 24 months of age.
Join us for rhymes, songs, bounces, stories, and a little playtime. For caregivers and babies ages 0 - 18 months.
Take your tastebuds on a trip around the world! Each month we will be tasting snacks from a different country. Whether you like sweet or savory, we will try it all. Come in with an open mind, a readiness to experience the flavors of the world and to learn about the country we are tasting. This month we are tasting snacks from: Teens only please. This program is for ages 12 and up. Please register ahead of time, but drop-ins are welcome as space allows.
Join us weekly for rhymes, songs, bounces, stories, and a little playtime. For caregivers and babies ages 0 - 18 months.
Listen to silly stories, sing songs, dance to music, and make art! Join Miss Emily for Family Storytime every Wednesday morning at 10:15 AM. Designed for children ages 0–5, this storytime welcomes all ages to join in the fun.
Curious about cooking? Sharpen your kitchen knowledge and learn to make delicious dishes. On October 28, we will cook the ultimate cozy, fall breakfast... pumpkin spice French toast! Registration is required due to limited supplies.
Children ages 3 to 5 and their caregivers can join us Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. for a 30-minute storytime with stories, music, and fun activities!
Are you looking for a place to trade your Pokémon cards? Bring your friends and come to this monthly program with any cards you want to trade. This event is open to children ages 6-18. The Franklin Library is located on DART Route #5.
Bring your littles to our Play and Learn Group, designed for children ages 0-5, to discover, learn and play with different play equipment, toys, and sensory activities. This is also a chance for babies and toddlers to meet other children and caregivers to connect! No Registration is Required.
Bring your young ones to our Little Explorers program, designed for children ages 0-5, to discover, learn and play with different sensory activities. No Registration is required. Please wear play clothes as some activities may be messy.
Preschoolers and their caregivers can enjoy stories, rhymes, music, and learn school readiness skills. Afterwards, we will enjoy free-play together.
Toddlers and their caregivers can enjoy introductory stories, songs, music, and movement! For ages 18 months to 36 months.
Bring your whole family to our Day of the Dead Celebration! Learn about this cultural tradition from Mexico. Try some tamales, pan de muerto, and Mexican hot chocolate. See the ofrenda and catrinas created by Latinx Immigrants of Iowa in partnership with DMPL. Enjoy the movie Coco (2017), dance performances, a resource fair with free flu shots for kids plus much more! ¡Trae a toda tu familia a nuestra Celebración del Día de Muertos! Aprende más de esta tradición cultural de México. Prueba unos tamales acompañados con pan de muerto y chocolate caliente mexicano. Mira la ofrenda y las catrinas creadas por Latinx Immigrants of Iowa en colaboración con DMPL. ¡Disfruta de la película Coco (2017), presentaciones de danza, una feria de recursos con vacunas contra la influenza y mucho más!
Join us for our evening Family Storytime at 6:30 p.m.! Kids and caregivers can join us for fun songs, stories, and activities. You can even wear your jammies! Best for ages 6 and under, but all are welcome!
Babies, toddlers, and their caregivers can join us on Tuesdays for rhymes, songs, lap bounces, and a story. This program is recommended for children from birth to 24 months of age.
Join us for rhymes, songs, bounces, stories, and a little playtime. For caregivers and babies ages 0 - 18 months.
Acompáñanos a nuesta edición mensual de Baby Rhyme Time bilingüe con invitada especial Arlette el primer miercoles de cada mes! Para bebes de 0-18 meses de edad y sus cuidadores. Join us for our monthly Bilingual edition of Baby Rhyme Time with special guest reader Miss Arlette on the first Wednesday of every month! For caregivers and babies ages 0 - 18 months.
Listen to silly stories, sing songs, dance to music, and make art! Join Miss Emily for Family Storytime every Wednesday morning at 10:15 AM. Designed for children ages 0–5, this storytime welcomes all ages to join in the fun.
Create a sparkly work of art using itty-bitty jewels. Art in the Library is for children ages 6-12 and requires preregistration. Younger siblings are welcome to attend.
Children ages 3 to 5 and their caregivers can join us Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. for a 30-minute storytime with stories, music, and fun activities!