Things to Do in Des Moines in February

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This post is sponsored by Walnut Hills Pediatric Dentistry

FebruaryFamily Valentine Ideas

If picking out Valentine’s Day cards and gifts brings more anxiety than joy, may we suggest an alternative: Family Fun Day! We found lots of great events happening in Des Moines this month. Pick one (or two) and take your family out on a date to see Tinker Bell at the Des Moines Playhouse or walk among dinosaurs at Jurassic Quest. You can also treat yourself to Yoga Under the Stars at the Science Center or a ladies’ night of crafting and wine at WineStyles.

Time spent with the ones you love is better than any box of chocolates!

And your dentist will agree. February is National Children’s Dental Health MonthWalnut 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. 

Things to Do in Des Moines | February 2020 

Feb. 3 | Ladies Night Out Coloring Party, WineStyles Ankeny
6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Grab your gal pals for a night of art and wine. With the $15 ticket, you’ll get a wood block with a blank design to color and a glass of wine. All supplies are provided, but you are welcome to bring your own markers or colored pencils if you prefer.

Feb. 3, 10, 17 | Yoga Under the Stars, Science Center of Iowa
5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Enjoy your yoga practice under the stars in SCI’s Star Theater Planetarium! Yoga Under the Stars classes are held on Mondays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required.

Feb. 6 | Books + Blankets, Des Moines Art Center
11 a.m.
Take a moment to gaze into a painting and listen to child-friendly stories. Bring your blanket, your child, and let your imagination go! You never know what might spark your child’s memory in the coming years when art and literacy begin to merge.

Feb. 6-9 | Des Moines Home + Garden Show, Iowa Events Center, Des Moines
Get design insight from local and national experts. Find fresh inspiration, helpful products, and fantastic deals in remodeling, home improvement, decor, and outdoor spaces with hundreds of experts all under one roof. Times vary each day, check this site for details. Children 6 and under are free. Kids 7-12 are $4. Adult admission is $13, but you can save $2 when you buy tickets online ahead of time. 

Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28 | Story Sprouts, Des Moines Botanical Garden
10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
During the chilly days of February, enjoy the tropical warmth of the Des Moines Botanical Garden. Attend this interactive storytime, tailored to kids ages 2-5, that explores nature and plants. Admission is free for members, $3 for children, and regular admission of $10 for adults.

Feb. 8 | Red Flannel Run, Wellmark YMCA
The Red Flannel Run is the unofficial start of the running season in Des Moines. All proceeds benefit the YMCA. Costumes encouraged!

Feb. 8 | Girls in Science FestivalScience Center of Iowa
Girls and families of all ages are invited to SCI’s Girls in Science Festival to explore a variety of careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Connect with female role models and mentors, and imagine your future in STEM. Regular admission rates apply.

Feb. 8 | Handmade Hootenanny, Uptown Garage Brewing
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Shop for your valentine (or yourself!) with local vendors at the Handmade Hootenanny Winter Market. Find handmade jewelry, decor, and clothing. There is a kids zone to keep kids busy while you shop, and plenty of brews on tap to keep your partner distracted.

Feb. 8 | Love You First, Jester Park Nature Center
10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
This event encourages kids to show themselves and others kindness. Take a pic at the “I love myself because…” photo wall, decorate cookies, and go on a scavenger hunt. This event is free, but you need to sign up in advance.

Feb. 11 | Read What You Want Book Club, Johnston Public Library
6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Encourage your teen (grades 9-12) to meet other bookish friends and get reading suggestions. This book club allows them to read what they want and then talk about it with the group. This event is free, but registration is encouraged.

Feb. 14-16 | Jurassic Quest, Iowa Events Center
Friday: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Walk amongst more than 100 life-size dinosaurs. There are also bounce houses and a dinosaur ride. With face painting, craft stations and fossil digs, there is so much for your dino lover to explore. Tickets are $22-$36.

Feb. 15 | Mascot Skate, Brenton Skating Plaza
12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Bring the whole family to ice skate with your favorite mascots at Brenton Skating Plaza. There will also be prizes, photo opportunities with princesses, mascots, and superheroes. Admission is $9 for adults, $5.50 for children 5-12. Skate rental is $5.

Feb. 17 | President’s Day Skate, Skateland
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Dig into the piggy bank and let the kids pay for skate admission with 1 penny, 1 nickel, 1 dime, 1 quarter ($.41). Skate rental is $4.

Feb. 17 | Comics Creators, Franklin Ave. Library
3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Does your young reader love graphic novels? This free drop-in session provides paper and pens for your artist to try their hand at sketching cartoons, manga characters, or illustrate their own graphic stories. This unsupervised event is best for kids in 4th grade and above.

Feb. 17 | Family Storytime: Let it Snow!, South Side Library
6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
All ages will enjoy this free storytime session. They’ll start by reading the story The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats. After storytime, families can experiment with snow science STEM sensory stations.

Feb. 21–March 8 | Tinker Bell, Des Moines Playhouse
Fridays: 7 p.m.
Saturdays and Sundays: 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Introduce elementary-age kids to the theater with this fun tale where Tinker Bell shares her side of the Peter Pan story. Tickets are $14-$19.

Feb. 21-22 | Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in Concert, Des Moines Civic Center
If your big kid is a Harry Potter fanatic, this is a great opportunity to have a night out with mom or dad. Experience the thrilling tale of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban on the big screen while accompanied by the music of a live symphony orchestra.

Feb. 26 | Cake Decorating Class, Molly’s Cupcakes
6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Take your cake skills to the next level. Learn how to assemble a cake and choose between three beginner designs. The $40 class fee includes a 6-inch cake, all decorating supplies, and a complimentary glass of wine or refreshment.

Feb. 27 | Oliver’s Puppy Tales, West Des Moines Library
10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
Babies and preschoolers will be engaged during this class featuring stories, songs, and rhymes. They will also enjoy gross and fine motor play all with an early literacy focus.

Feb. 29 | The Amazing Max, Temple for Performing Arts
11 a.m.
Sensory Friendly Show: 2 p.m.
The Amazing Max is an interactive magic show with a mind of its own. Max conjures a custom experience that young ones will carry with them long after the show ends. In the afternoon, there will be a sensory-friendly performance that will contain all the joy of a typical theater setting with a few adjustments to light and sound to help those in attendance feel more comfortable. Families who do not require these accommodations are also welcome to attend. Tickets to either show are $12 each.

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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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