Des Moines Moms Guide to September Events 2019

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Now that school is back in session, your evenings are probably busy with activities and sports practices. When you need a break from running to and from soccer, we have gathered lots of ideas for family fun!

So after junior scores the winning goal, celebrate with a stop at a cultural food festival, such as the World Championship Chili Cookoff, World Food and Music Festival, or the Latino Heritage Festival.

We’d also like to personally invite you to join us for the Des Moines Moms Blog Family Fun Day event on September 21 at Centennial Park in Waukee. With food, games, and prizes, there will be something for everyone in the family to enjoy! Get your tickets here.

Kick off fall fun and head to an apple orchard or pumpkin patch. And don’t miss our ultimate fall bucket list

SEPTEMBER EVENTS

August 31-September 2, 7-8, 14-15 | Renaissance Faire, Sleepy Hollow Sports Park
Take a step back in time to an old-world filled with a mix of fantasy and history. Adults and children alike can become a knight or lady-in-waiting, a pirate or fairy, or simply remain an entertained observer. There is a different theme each weekend. Tickets start at $12 online.

September 2 | Des Moines Mini Makers Faire, Science Center of Iowa
Part science fair, part county fair, and part something entirely new, Maker Faire is an all-ages gathering of tech enthusiasts, crafters, educators, tinkerers, hobbyists, and more. Admission is free for Science Center members; $13 for adults; $9 for children 2-12 and seniors.

September 5, 12, 19, 26 | SCI Code Camp, Forest Avenue Library
Big kids, ages 10-14, who love tech will get a kick out of this 4-week camp series. They will learn basic coding concepts while working together to create and test apps. Space is limited, please register by calling 283-4152 or by clicking here.

September 6 | Fall into Sensory Play, Northside Library
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Call your friends and plan a play date at Des Moines’ North Side Library and let the kids explore the fall sensory bins. Children can explore textures, colors, smells, and more at their own pace. This is a free, drop-in program.

September 6-8 | Pufferbilly Days, Boone, Iowa
Known for being a Railroad Town, Boone celebrates Pufferbilly Days the first weekend after Labor Day each year. Enjoy a carnival, parade, live music, tons of food, a car show, and more!

September 6-8 | World Championship Chili Cookoff, The District in Ankeny
Taste award-winning chili from world-class entries while your kids enjoy magic shows, clown acts, crafts and more. If you’d rather make it a date night, there’s also live music and an adult fun zone with tailgate games and beverages. Tickets start at $7 online; free for kids 10 and under.

September 13-15 | Just Between Friends Sale, State Fairgrounds
10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Grab your BFF, a couple of large shopping bags, and check out this savings extravaganza. You’ll find aisles and aisles of gently used clothes, toys, baby equipment, books, and so much more! (Can’t make it on Friday or Saturday? On Sunday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., many items are 50-percent off!)

September 14-15, 20-22 Day Out with Thomas, Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad 
Take a 25-minute ride on Thomas the Tank Engine. Tickets for Day Out with Thomas are $20 for ages two and up. Your train ticket also gives you admission to the railroad museum.

September 16 | Monarch Butterfly Migration, Franklin Avenue Library
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Monarch butterflies are attracted to the nectar of the native Iowa plants outside the Franklin Library. Joel Van Roekel, supervisor of Environmental Education with Des Moines Parks and Recreation, will be catching, tagging, and releasing monarch butterflies. 

September 17 | Meet the Doulas, Whole Health Chiropractic Wellness Center
6:30 p.m. to  8:30 p.m.
Are you curious about what a doula can do for you? Come with your partner and get to know labor and postpartum doulas. In this “speed date” style event, you will have one-on-one time to talk with each doula and hear about her skills and passion for helping pregnant and postpartum women and their families while discussing your needs as you prepare to welcome a new baby to your family. Event is free, but space is limited and registration is required.

September 17 | Harry Potter Fan Club, Johnston Library
5 p.m.-6 p.m.
Hang out with fellow Harry Potter fans as they discuss favorite characters, create magical projects, eat Honeydukes inspired snacks, and more! Perfect for students in 6th grade and up. Register here.

September 19 | Study Zone, Johnston Library
3:30 p.m.-5 p.m. (repeats every Thursday)
Drop in to receive one-on-one assistance with homework from high school volunteers. Students without homework can read aloud to a volunteer, work on homework, or play learning enrichment games.
No reservations are needed. 

September 20 | Farm Dinner, Dayton, Iowa
5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Join Commonground Iowa and area Iowa farmers for a delicious farm dinner. You will have a chance to tour a family farm, enjoy a tasty meal featuring Iowa meat and produce, and hear from members about their passion for farming. The event is free, but registration is required. To RSVP contact Natalie Te Grootenhuis by email: [email protected] or phone: 515-225-9242. RSVP by September 16.

September 20-22 | World Food & Music Festival, Western Gateway Park
Introduce your children to the world through the flavors, sights, and sounds of cultures from across the globe. The festival opens at 11 a.m. each day and admission is free. Free parking is also available at the Nationwide Parking Garage at Walnut and 12th street.

September 20-21 | Beaverdale Fall Festival, Des Moines
This annual event is a local favorite. Featuring a kid zone, parade, food vendors, live music, and a carnival, Beaverdale Fall Festival is a Des Moines classic.

September 21 | Des Moines Moms Blog Family Fun Day, Centennial Park, 1255 Warrior Lane, Waukee
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
A morning of fun for the whole family! Tickets include all activities, snacks, a goody bag for each child ticket, and access to all giveaways as part of our raffle. 

September 21 | Art on the Lake Festival, Copper Creek Lake in Pleasant Hill
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This family-friendly event is free to the community and features music by local musicians, food from local vendors, interactive kids’ crafts, and showcases more than 50 artists.

September 22 | Corks & Caps: Iowa Wine & Craft Beer Festival, Ankeny
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Plan a #sundayfunday with friends to enjoy live music and yard games while sampling craft beer, wine, and food from local Iowa vendors. Tickets are $25 in advance; $30 at the door.

September 24 | Teen TableTopGaming Club, Johnston Library
5:30 p.m.-7 p.m.
Offline gaming fun for big kids! They can try a selection of classic games and popular new releases. No experience needed, they will teach you the rules. Available fore grades 6-12. RSVPs appreciated as pizza will be served.

September 24 | Anime & Manga Club, Johnston Library
4 p.m.-5 p.m.
Eat Japanese snacks, watch anime, and talk about your favorite comics and manga. Ideal for students in 6th grade and up.

September 28-29 | Latino Heritage Festival, Western Gateway Park
Saturday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Bring the family out to experience a variety of entertainment from martial arts performers to folkloric dancers, artists’ works and displays about the history of Latin American cultures. Everyone is sure to find something they love when tasting traditional Latin American foods from countries such as Cuba, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Peru, Venezuela, and Argentina. Admission is $5 for adults; $1 for kids.

September 28 | Applefest, Living History Farms
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Spend the afternoon in the 1875 town celebrating all things apple! Try your hand at stirring the copper kettle of apple butter and take your turn cranking the cider press. Children’s games and crafts round out the fun.

 

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.

 

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Megan Boettcher
Content Coordinator Megan doesn’t really fall into any one mom category. With three kids from ages 5 to 12, she’s been a working mom and a stay-at-home mom. She’s breastfed and bottle-fed. She’s kept kids on strict sleeping schedules in their own beds and also embraced the benefits of co-sleeping. She’s a big believer in finding what works for you and your kiddo (and it’s often different for each kid). Megan is an Iowa native and lives in Ankeny with her husband Darren. They love to travel and are often planning their next road trip (even it’s a year away). They also enjoy entertaining and are famous among their friends for throwing big bashes to celebrate the Olympic Games. But her everyday life is mostly comprised of playdates, trips to the park, and trying to stay ahead of the never-ending laundry pile.    

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