Awww, spring! It’s really coming, well, at least Spring Break will be here soon.
If you’re planning a staycation in Des Moines, be sure to check out our complete list of Spring Break Camps and Activities.
There are also plenty of fun-filled family activities–and a few date night ideas–going on throughout the month. Mark your calendars today!
March 2019 Family Events and Activities
March 1 | Homeschool Day: Plant Science, Reiman Gardens
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Explore the extremes plants will reach to survive in their environments through adaptations and amazing plant parts. Discover what a plant really needs to live, and create a project you can take home. This program is geared for elementary age students. Cost is $7 for students and $9 for adults. Advance reservations encouraged.
March 1-3 and 8-10 | Judy Moody & Stink: The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt, Kate Goldman Children’s Theatre at the Des Moines Playhouse
Based on the hit children’s book series by Megan McDonald, Judy and Stink take up a swashbuckling adventure on “Artichoke” Island. This production is 90-minutes long and is perfect for children elementary age kids. Tickets are $19-$23.
March 2 | Mother and Son Fun Night, Pioneer Columbus Community Recreation Center
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Enjoy a fun-filled night with your child that won’t break the bank. Tickets are $10 per person, and include dozens of family-friendly activities. TIP: Buy tickets online as they won’t be sold at the door.
March 2 | Friends of the Forest Avenue Library Soul Food Festival, Des Moines Public Library Franklin Avenue
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sample mouth-watering soul food. This event is a fundraiser for the Friends of Forest Avenue Library. Tickets are $6, and desserts are available for an additional fee.
March 3-9 | Rhea Lana Consignment Sale, Ankeny
Stock up on summer clothes for a fraction of the retail prices at this well-organized consignment sale. Times vary per day, check website for details.
March 6-9 | TYR PRO Swim Series MidAmerican Energy Aquatic Center at the Wellmark
Watch swimmers from around the world compete in downtown Des Moines.
March 6, 13, 27 | Wednesdays After Class, Science Center of Iowa
Take advantage of early out Wednesdays to get a little extra time at the Science Center. Test your problem-solving skills with engineering challenges and unleash your creativity with extended making activities. Free for members, regular admission prices for non-members.
March 7 | Handcrafted Silhouettes, Swell Shop for Baby
3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Silhouette artist Kire Johnson hand cuts silhouettes just by looking at your child’s profile. Within minutes you’ll have an amazing keepsake for $30. Space is limited. Be sure to register ahead of time.
March 12, 19, 16; April 2, 9, 16 | Break Dancing for Kids, Des Moines Social Club
$60 for the session
This beginner break dancing class teaches the basic foundation of the dance along with history of the Hip Hop culture. Your kids will have a blast learning basic toprocking, footwork, freezes, transitions, and power in a fun and safe environment.
March 12 | ARL Craft for Paws: Knittin’ for Kittens, Animal Rescue League
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Play with yarn… AND KITTENS! In this session, you will learn how to knit a small blanket (although you’ll probably finish the project at home.) Beer, wine, soda, and water will be available for purchase.
March 14 | Blake Shelton: Friends and Heroes Tour, Iowa Events Center
7 p.m.
This country music concert is a great excuse to plan a girls’ night out, or an overdue date night. Blake shares the stage with his friends and other country music legends, including Lauren Alaina, the Bellamy Brothers, John Anderson, and Trace Adkins.
March 15-17 | Just Between Friends Consignment Sale, Iowa State Fairgrounds
Shop for new and gently used children and maternity items at deep discounts. This is a great way to stretch the budget and get great finds for your family.
March 16 | Underneath a Magical Moon, Temple Theater
11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Set in an ordinary back garden where three children, Wendy, John and Michael, have a sleep out, one summer evening. However, it’s a full moon, and Wendy just can’t get to sleep and she begins to tell her brothers the story of Peter Pan. Slowly but surely they are drawn into the famous tale. Tickets are $12.
March 16 | Entirely Kids Day: All About Animals, Des Moines Art Center
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Head to the Des Moines Art Center for a fun, free Entirely Kids Day featuring incredible art, music, and museum exploration—all about animals! Drop-in any time to participate in a variety of activities.
March 16 | St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Grand Ave.
12 p.m.
Enjoy a little luck of the Irish! Get your green on, and head downtown for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
March 17 | Kids’ Cupcake Decorating Class: St. Patrick’s Day Edition, Molly’s Cupcakes Des Moines
Bring your young chef (ages 6-14) to Molly’s Cupcake for a special kid cupcake decorating class. They will learn how to fill, frost, and decorate cupcakes. For $30 they get four cupcakes, a drink, and a chef’s hat! Pre-registration is required.
March 19 | National Ag Day, Living History Farms
12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Celebrate Iowa’s history and learn about the contributions of agriculture to the world! Several buildings in Living History Farms’ 1875 town will be open with activities and demonstrations, and there will be John Deere tractor rides. Tickets range from $5 to $7.25, and you can save money when you buy tickets online ahead of time. Admission is also available at the door.
March 24 | Community Easter Egg Hunt, Drake University Pomerantz Stage
9 a.m.
Kick off egg hunting season with a community egg hunt presented by Drake Association for Child Advocacy. The event is free, but registration is appreciated.
March 27 | Board Game Night, Des Moines Social Club
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Need a mid-week date night? Check out board game night at the Des Moines Social Club for a fun and inexpensive night out. Bring a small group of friends and make it a real competition, or challenge new friends to play.
March 30 | I Am Africa, Franklin Jr High in Des Moines
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Experience Africa in Iowa. Enjoy contemporary and traditional African dance performances, eat authentic African food, learn about the challenges and joys of African immigrant and refugee youth and their families living in Central Iowa. This event is a fundraiser to support Genesis Youth Foundation.
March 30 | DSM Book Festival, Capital Square
10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Book lovers, put this on your calendar now! There will be hands-on activities, children’s programming, book club discussions led by featured commentators, live music, and so much more. Admission to the festival is free, but some workshops have a small fee. Check the schedule for complete details.
Send us an email if we missed anything, and we’ll add your event to the list.
We work hard to ensure the accuracy of this information. However, you should always call ahead to confirm dates, times, location, and other information before heading to an event or activity, since it may change.
