Things to do in Des Moines in February 2022

0
This post is sponsored by Walnut Hills Pediatric Dentistry.

woman rolling out sugar cookie dough. Things to do in February. Des Moines Mom

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month

Walnut Hills Pediatric Dentistry is proud to serve Waukee and the surrounding communities and has a board-certified pediatric dentist on staff. Their team is compassionate and committed to giving your child the best pediatric dental experience possible. Their office has an animated barnyard theme complete with three-dimensional barn animals, a silo-slide, touch-screen video games, and tv monitors above every treatment chair.

Walnut Hills dentists and staff are experts at serving the unique dental needs of infants, children, and teenagers. Please contact their office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Waage or Dr. Leonard. 


Plan a family date or mom-and-me day for Valentine’s Day this year. There are cookie decorating classes for your little baker or indoor kayaking classes for your adventurous one. Opt for a warm stroll around the Greater Des Moines Botanical Center or snag tickets to Step Afrika! at the Civic Center.  

We’ve also included some events that highlight Black History Month. If you’re looking for other ideas for talking about the importance of Black history with your kids, check out this post for ways to celebrate Black History Month

There is an event for every age and interest. So whether you’re planning a parents’ night out or you’re looking for free library activities, this is the place to start your search for things to do in Des Moines.

Things to do in Des Moines in February 2022

Jan 31 – Feb 25 | Explore Visual Black History, Forest Avenue Library
Take time to look through photo books, graphic novels, and other visual records of Black history. There are tables and chairs to sit and reflect. 

Feb 1-28 | Des Moines Art Center
Strolling through the Des Moines Art Center is a great way to take a break from the cold and take in some beautiful pieces of artwork. Admission is free, but masks are required.

Feb 1-28 | Greater Des Moines Botanical Center
A great way to warm up and beat the winter doldrums is to visit the Botanical Center. It’s open Tuesday-Sunday. Cost is $10 for adults and $7 for kids 4-17. Free admission is available through the Museums for All program with your EBT card and ID for up to four people.

Feb. 1-28 | Ice Skating, Brenton Skating Plaza
Channel your inner figure skater and go ice skating downtown. Cost is $8 for adults and $5 for kids 12 and under. You can rent skates for $4.50 or bring your own. Online registration is recommended. Walk-up admission is available if under capacity.

Feb. 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24 | Toddler Time, Get Air
10 a.m.
Little jumpers get special access to the trampolines on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Admission is $8.99 (free for a parent). It’s a great way to burn some winter energy!

Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22 | Tot Town, Valley Community Center
9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Bring the little ones out to play for a morning at the Valley Community Center. This event is free!

Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23 | Arts & Snacks, Johnston Public Library
3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Plan an after-school art session at the library. Kids in grades K-5 can drop in for a variety of art activities on Wednesday afternoons. All supplies will be provided as well as light snacks and beverages.

Feb. 3 | Toddler Tales, Jester Park Nature Center
Let your imagination run wild with this nature-themed storytime! Hear a story followed by the naturalist’s choice of an activity such as an animal encounter, puppets, or a craft. This event is designed for ages 3 and up.

Feb. 3-6 | Iowa’s RV Show, Iowa State Fairgrounds
Interested in learning more about camping? Check out what’s new in RVs and camping gear at Iowa’s RV Show. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children.

Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25 | Drop-in Playdates & Perks, Ankeny Kirkendall Public Library
9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Make new friends for you and the kids? Drop into the library to enjoy some coffee, the company of other adults, and playtime for your kiddos! 

Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25 | Homeschool Days on the Slopes, Seven Oaks Recreation near Boone
Get your homeschool group together for a fun outing on the slopes. See their site for details on group rates.

Feb 5 | Step Afrika!, Des Moines Civic Center
11 a.m.
Step Afrika! introduces audiences to the importance of stepping in cultural identity, the use of body percussion as a means of communication, and to the continuity of the use of polyrhythms and audience participation from traditional Zulu dance to contemporary stepping. Tickets are $12-$24.

Feb 5 | Lunar New Year Celebration, Waukee Public Library
10 a.m.
Celebrate Lunar New Year, an important festival in Chinese culture! CultureALL Ambassador Phoebe Liang D’Alessandro will share traditions surrounding the celebration of Lunar New Year in China, including food, colors, traditional clothing, and other aspects of Chinese culture. This session is designed for children in grades K-5 and their caregivers. The event is free, but registration is required.

Feb. 5 | Cookie Decorating Class, Kids Create in Polk City
1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Plan a mom-and-me day where you learn the basics of decorating cookies with royal icing. This class is designed for kids ages 7+ and a caregiver to have fun and be creative together. You’ll head home with 8 beautifully decorated cookies and lots of memories. $50 fee includes space for you and your child.

Feb. 12 | Eric Church Concert, Wells Fargo Arena
Are you a country music fan looking for a night out? Look no further. The Gather Again Tour will be in Des Moines in February. Perfect for a date night or girls’ night out!

Feb. 12 | Indoor Kayaking, Trail Point Aquatic and Wellness Center
Got a case of cabin fever? Go kayaking on a cold winter day! Adults and kids 12+ can learn the basics of recreational kayaking from a Polk County Conservation naturalist in the comfort of an indoor pool. Participants will learn about types of kayaks, equipment, techniques, self-rescues, and have a chance to practice skills on the water. Plan on getting wet and bring a towel and a change of clothes. Cost is $20, registration is required.

Feb. 14 | Chef’s Table at WineStyles, Ankeny
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Enjoy a unique Valentine’s date with a chef-prepared 5-course meal paired with wines. Wine lovers and foodies will fall in love with this distinctive event.

Feb. 14 | Storytime with Ruby the Reading Red Panda, Blank Park Zoo
11 a.m.
Join Ruby’s storytime in person at the Zoo. Listen to a story and meet a special live ambassador animal from the Zoo’s education department. The event is free for members or with paid Zoo admission. You can also join in virtually at 11:45 a.m. with EveryStep for a special bilingual storytime. They’ll read a story in a different language and then read it again in English. Check the link to view the log-in instructions.

Feb. 24-27 | Des Moines Home and Garden Show, Iowa Events Center
We’ve all spent more time in our homes in the last two years, and if you’re ready to make some updates to your house you’ll want to meet the pros at the Des Moines Home and Garden Show. Get ideas for your space and get your project started. Tickets are $11 for adults and $4 for kids 12 and under.

Feb. 24 | Black History Month Inventors, Forest Ave Library
4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Celebrate famous black inventors from history with a variety of hands-on STEM activities and make and takes themed to some of our greatest scientific minds. The event is free, but registration is required. 

Feb. 25 | Kids Night Out, Blank Park Zoo
5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Parents, enjoy a kid-free evening while the kids enjoy the zoo! Let us be your sitter for the night and send the kids to Blank Park Zoo for an animal-tastic evening. Kids will experience the exhibits after hours, an ambassador animal program, crafts, stories, games, and more. Pizza dinner is included.


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.

Previous articleWhat’s New in Des Moines this Winter 2022
Next articleCommunicating with Tweens: The Ups and Downs
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.    

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here