With glimpses of spring on the horizon, March is a great time to explore the city and have some fun. We’re kicking off the month with our Mom’s Night Out event on March 5, and we’d love to see you all there.
If you’re planning a staycation in Des Moines over spring break, be sure to check out our complete list of Spring Break Camps and Activities.
For family fun, date night ideas, and new storytime events, here are Des Moines event ideas the whole family can enjoy.
Things To Do in Des Moines | March 2020
March 5 | Mom’s Night Out, Sherwood Forest Event Center
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Meet your friends (and your favorite Des Moines Moms Blog contributors) at our annual Mom’s Night Out event. With your ticket, everyone will enjoy a drink, appetizers, desserts, a swag bag, and SOO MANY GREAT GIVEAWAYS!! Grab your mom tribe and enjoy an evening out with the girls!
March 5 | Caterpillar Club, Reiman Gardens
10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Bring your kiddos five and under to enjoy stories and creative activities with a nature theme. After Caterpillar Club, take time to enjoy the exhibits at Reiman Gardens. Regular admission prices apply.
March 5 | Nerf & Hoverboard Night, Skateland Des Moines
Nerf Battle: 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Hoverboard/Scooter/Skating: 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Score some major “FUN PARENT” points with your big kids when you take them to Skateland for a Nerf battle. $10 gets them in the door and includes a slice of pizza. They provide all the equipment or you can bring in your own non-electric Nerf shooter. For $5 more they can stay to skate or try out a hoverboard, rentals extra.
March 1–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.
March 6, 7, 20, 21 | My Little Artist + Me Workshop, Des Moines Art Center
10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Visit multiple creativity stations and allow your child to experiment with a variety of art materials. This go-at-your-own-pace workshop is great for kids ages 2-5 years old with a parent. During the session, there will also be storytime and music. Cost is $15 when you pre-register.
March 7 | Blippi Live!, Des Moines Civic Center
2 p.m.
Your kids will have a blast watching Blippi on stage. His bright personality makes learning fun!
March 7 | Mystery Dinner, Rollins Mansion
Attention all Downton Abbey fans! Get in on the Old World fun during a murder mystery dinner hosted by the Earl of Grantham and the entire Crawley family. You can play as big or as small of a role as you wish in solving the mystery. Enjoy a date night or evening out with friends, plus a four-course meal for $65 per person.
March 14 | 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 are $6 when you buy tickets online ahead of time. Admission is $7 at the door.
March 16 | Family STEM Night, South Side Library
Engage in hands-on STEM activities together that spur curiosity. Kids and parents can rotate through the following stations such as, making a sail car, exploring circuitry with little bits kits, learning coding with robot blocks, and building with Lego and Snap Circuit kids. This free program is designed for kids ages 5-12 and their parents.
March 16 | Critter Club, Jester Park Nature Center
1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Your little naturalists can meet (and maybe touch) a turtle or snake and learn more about these animals. This is a free come and go event for all ages. Explore the nature center or take a hike to round out your visit.
March 17 | 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 20-22 | 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 21 | Sensory Saturday with an ARL Therapet, East Side Library
9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Children with special needs are invited to borrow materials and enjoy the library with reduced distractions. The lights are lowered, there are calming spaces, and areas for activities. There will be a therapet visitor at 9:30 a.m.
March 21 | Space Day, Science Center of Iowa
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The clever folks at the Science Center realized that the date 3/21, sounds a lot like a countdown to launch (3… 2… 1… BLAST OFF!) Visit the Science Center on this date for special space-themed programming including planetarium shows, star dome experiences and more. Regular admission price includes these special activities.
March 26 | Paws to Read, Johnston Public Library
6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Boost your young reader’s confidence and let them read to a certified therapy dog. Register ahead of time for a 15-min one-on-one session to read to the dog. This program is best for independent readers in grades 2-7.
March 27 | Oregon Trail Escape Room, Central Library Imagination Station
3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Did you grow up playing Oregon Trail on an old black and green computer screen? Now your kids can enjoy the fun of surviving the trek in this Oregon Trail-inspired escape room game.
March 28 | 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.
March 28 | Love Your Fourth Trimester Fair, Eastview Community Center, 4101 E 42nd St, Des Moines
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Local professionals will be ready to help raise awareness of the services and products available to ensure your postpartum season is a time of growth and healing. Sign up to attend and let us help you make a plan to “LOVE Your 4th Trimester.”
March 28, April 4, April 18 | Kite Making Workshop, Crown Point Community Center in March
2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Get ready for Johnston’s annual Kites on the Green Festival on Saturday, May 2nd by attending a (or all three) Kite Making Workshops. Attendees will receive a free kite-making kit, personal instruction, and a chance to test out their new kite. April dates are held at the Johnston Public Library.
March 29-April 4 | 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 31 | Bilingual Storytime with Daniel Tiger, East Side Library
6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Join Daniel the Tiger for stories, rhymes, songs and crafts in English and Spanish! This is a free event designed for ages 2-6 to attend with a parent.
¡Acompañen a Daniel el Tigre para cuentos y fotos! Venga y disfrute de cuentos, rimas, canciones, y manualidades en inglés y español.
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.
