March on! With a few glimpses of Spring, but some Winter left, March brings a variety of things to do in Des Moines. Not only is it Spring Break, but it’s also March Madness, as well as St. Patrick’s Day, plus lots of fun in between.
Ongoing Events
Tuesday & Thursdays | 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!
Thursdays | Caterpillar Club, Reiman Gardens in Ames
Get outside and have some fun with a weekly storytime at Reiman Gardens. This program is designed for kids ages 2-5 with an adult. Program is included with general admission to Reiman Gardens.
Thursdays | 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.
Thursdays | Imagination Station, Valley Community Center
9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Get crafty with your kids (without any mess in your house). Each week you’ll make a different winter craft. It’s a great activity to keep little ones and preschoolers busy this winter.
2nd Monday of the Month | Storytime with Ruby the Reading Red Panda, Blank Park Zoo
11 a.m.
Once a month, go to Ruby’s Story Time at the Zoo. Each month they read a story and you’ll meet a special live ambassador animal from the Zoo’s education department.
1st Thursday of the Month | Toddler Tales, Jester Park Nature Center
Let your imagination run wild with this nature-themed story time. 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.
Once a Month on Wednesdays | Knee-High Naturalists, Jester Park Nature Center
Are you ready to get outside and explore? Come and hear a story followed by some outdoor fun! As naturalists, you will hike, investigate, and navigate the trails and grounds of Jester Park as you learn what makes the outdoors such an amazing place. Dress to be outside. Cost is Free, registration is required.
Things to do in Des Moines in March 2024
March 1 – March 10 | Dragons Love Tacos, Des Moines Playhouse
What do Dragons really love? Tacos of course! A boy and his dog are watching a TV show about dragons when they unexpectedly get caught up in the ‘Dos and Don’ts’ of what to serve to dragons to eat. Dragons love tacos, but if they accidentally eat spicy salsa…watch out!
March 1 | Giggle Gala, Decades Event Center
5:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Get ready to giggle until your sides hurt as games are played and an amazing local comedian, Josh Alton performs. Whether you’re a comedy enthusiast or just looking for a good time, this in-person event is perfect for everyone. So grab your friends and get ready for a hilarious evening that will leave you in stitches.
March 2 | Friends of the Forest Avenue Library’s Soul Food Festival, Forest Ave Library
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Meals are $10 and will be served from 11 am to 2 pm. A la carte and dessert items also available for purchase.
March 2 | HOC Inspired Clothing Swap, MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Grab your friends and join us for a House of Colour Inspired and Sorted clothing swap. Light refreshments will be provided while supplies last. Wow Color Co will have a build-your-own bracelet bar for bracelets to purchase along with pre-made bracelets.
March 2 | Bluey Party!, Central Library
1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Celebrate everyone’s favorite Blue Heeler! You will play games you may recognize from the show and do crafts inspired by your favorite furry friends. For real life? For real life!
March 2 | Family Fun Night, Pioneer Columbus Community Rec Center
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Enjoy an inflatable obstacle course, laser tag, animals from the Blank Park Zoo, a live magic show meet the Des Moines Police Department & Des Moines Fire Department members plus, take home a special project from the Greater Des Moines Botanical Center. Cost is $10.
March 3 | Family Hours at Up-Down DSM, Up-Down Des Moines
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Doors are open to those under 21 to give families a place to hang out for an afternoon. Enjoy pizza by the slice as well as soda and other kid-friendly drinks and a full bar to those over 21. As always, games are 25 cents or one token per play.
March 4 | Dinofest, Indianola Public Library
9 a.m.
The 3rd Annual Dinofest means even MORE dino-stuff! Dinosaurs, stories, crafts, games, activities. It’s going to be dino-tastic!
March 8 | Wild Night Life & Hike, Jester Park Nature Center
6 p.m.
Join them for a campfire program about the wild nightlife in Jester Park. Take a short hike and search for nocturnal animals. Stay for s’mores. Registration required.
6 p.m – 9 p.m.
Sample the night away as the finest restaurants, wineries, breweries, and distilleries in Iowa come together for the popular tasting event and fundraiser. All proceeds raised during the event directly support Des Moines Metro Opera’s music education programs. Tickets are all-inclusive and only $50 if purchased in advance.
March 9 | March IABE Paint Party, Valley West Mall
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Join them in the backroom of IABE for a fun, laid-back RAINBOWS-themed paint party. After you are done, or while waiting for paint to dry, check out the awesome merch in the front of the store. Bring a drink and a snack if you want.
March 13 | “In My Cake Era” Decorating Class (Molly’s Version), Molly’s Frozen
6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Listen to Taylor Swift and create your own Taylor Swift-inspired “Lover” cupcake design. This class is tailored for individuals between the ages of 14 years old and 18 years old, but older individuals are still welcome to sign up.
March 14, 15 | Wonka Escape Room, Ankeny Kirkendall Public Library
For the first time in ages, the famous Willy Wonka is opening his doors to a select few. Instead of golden tickets, however, this time Mr. Wonka wants to make sure his guests are deserving of entering the greatest candy factory in the world, so he set up a series of puzzles to find the best and brightest. If you can solve the puzzles and find the key to the factory doors, you’re in! This program is open to tweens and teens in grades 4-12. Registration required. Please register for one session only.
March 15 | Family Glow Skate, Skateland Des Moines
6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Bring family and friends for a night of fun with all the fun skating games: limbo, dice game, Andy is coming, Splitter, Skateland’s twister, traffic stop, and a Snow Ball fight. The first 100 online tickets will receive one FREE bingo sheet for Skateland Bingo.
March 16 | Entirely Kids Day: Africa, Des Moines Arts Center
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
This free event invites visitors to explore the museum and participate in hands-on activities, dance, music, and more inspired by the Art Center’s current exhibition, “States of Becoming”.
March 16 | St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Downtown Des Moines
Noon
Join the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick of Central Iowa for their annual parade that starts just before the intersection of Mulberry and 15th streets and makes its way to Grand Avenue. Don’t forget to wear green!
March 21 | Fairy Garden Workshop, Greater Des Moines Botanical Gardens
5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.
In this class, you will create handmade structures such as a twig fence, an arbor, and a bench or chair. Moss, pebbles, soil, and two plants are provided to create a natural environment. They offer a wide selection of fairies, cottages, and accessories to bring your fairy garden to life! Registration required.
March 17 | Dude Dad Live!, Hoyt Sherman Place
7:30 p.m.
Taylor Calmus AKA “Dude Dad” is a Colorado-based video creator who has become a viral sensation through his family-based comedy videos. A father of 3.5 kids and a husband to his wife, Heidi, Taylor taps into the relatability of parenthood to help parents laugh at their own struggles
Don’t miss country legend Tim McGraw’s Standing Room Only Tour with special guest Carly Pearce.
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March 22-24 | Just Between Friends Sale, Iowa State Fairgrounds
Friday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. (half-price sale day)
Stock up on shorts and t-shirts for the summer at a deep discount at this huge sale. This is also a great place for new moms to stock up on baby gear, toys, and books.
March 22 & 28 | Sensory Friendly Glowtastic Egg Hunt, Des Moines Children’s Museum
5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Enjoy an extra special continuous glow-in-the-dark egg hunt in a quiet and calm space. All regular exhibits will be open. There wil be sensory bins, communication boards, and a low-light calming space.
March 23 & 29 | Glowtastic Egg Hunt, Des Moines Children’s Museum
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
A special after-hours event featuring a glow-in-the-dark ongoing egg hunt, cotton candy, and a few special surprises. All regular exhibits will be open. $10 for ages 1 – 10; free for infants, adults, and members.
March 23 – 24 | Des Moines Comic & Toy Show, Merle Hay Mall
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
This free event will take over the entire mall – from Target to the Food Court! They are planning on ONE HUNDRED vendor and artist spots, so get ready to walk the mall to see all the cards, comics, pops, posters, toys, games, and art!
March 24 | Ruby’s Spring Kickoff, Blank Park Zoo
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Join Ruby and the animals at Blank Park Zoo as we welcome spring! Enjoy a day of keeper chats, storytimes, and activities demonstrating how you can enrich your life by exploring the world through reading and outdoor adventures. Activities include wallaby enrichment, bird poppers, foraging enrichment, and giraffe feeder enrichment.
2 p.m.
March 30 | Family Easter, Living History Farms
9 a.m. – noon
Join the 1876 town of Walnut Hill in celebrating Easter with traditional holiday activities with an old-fashioned flair. There will be ongoing egg hunts (for toddlers to 12-year-olds, divided by age), baby farm animals, horse-drawn wagon rides, games, “spring training” with our Walnut Hill Bluestockings, and more. Don’t forget to take your picture with the Easter Bunny and grab some grub from local food vendors!
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.
