December 2026Des Moines · Iowa’s capital

December in Des Moines with little kids.

29 things to do with kids up to age 6 in and around Des Moines in December 2026, sorted by week. Each listing links to its own page and to the organizer’s page, and we add more as new dates are posted.

29 listings · 15 free

Last checked · Every listing links to its official page. How we choose

12 listings

Dec 1 to Dec 6

Dec2Wed

Art Cart

North Side Library · 3516 Fifth Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50313

Free
When
Wednesday, Dec 2
Time
4pm–7:30pm
Price
Free
Ages
Ages 3–5
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked

2 listings

Dec 7 to Dec 13

5 listings

Dec 14 to Dec 20

Know one we missed?Send us the organizer’s page and we’ll check it.Suggest an event

3 listings

Dec 28 to Dec 31

Know one we missed?Send us the organizer’s page and we’ll check it.Suggest an event

7 listings

Open for weeks at a time

Light displays, exhibits and other runs that last longer than a week. Check each page for the nights or days they’re closed.

Dec1to 24

Santa's Wonderland photos at Bass Pro Shops

Bass Pro Shops Altoona · Des Moines

SantaFree
When
Nov 8 to Dec 24
Time
Free reservations open up to seven days ahead; walk-ins are first come, first served
Price
Free 4x6 photo and shareable video; additional packages cost extra, and CLUB members get 20% off those packages
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Dec1to 31

Jolly Holiday Lights

Iowa State Fairgrounds · 3000 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50317

Holiday lights
When
Nov 20 to Jan 3
Time
Sun–Thu 5:30–9 p.m.; Fri–Sat 5:30–10 p.m.; Dec 20–27 5:30–10 p.m.
Price
$25; bus, limo or RV $50; season pass $65 for unlimited 2026 visits; taxes and fees not included
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Dec1to 27

Winter Wonderscape

Reiman Gardens · 1407 University Blvd., Ames, IA 50011

Holiday lights
When
Nov 27 to Dec 27
Time
5:00–9:00 p.m. (last entry window 7:30–8:00 p.m.)
Price
No pricing information
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Know one we missed?Send us the organizer’s page and we’ll check it.Suggest an event

Guides

More December guides for Des Moines

Santa visits in Des MoinesBreakfasts, photos and Santa trainsChristmas lights in Des MoinesDrive-thru and walk-through displaysIndoor play for toddlersThings to do with toddlers in Des MoinesSledding and snow tubingHills and tubing parks, with height rulesNoon Year’s EveA noon countdown on Dec 31Every year in Des MoinesAnnual events by month, with last year’s dates

Keep planning

More for little kids in Des Moines

November: things to do in Des MoinesEvery dated listing for the month, by weekFree things to do in Des MoinesFree days, free events and places that never chargeIndoor play in Des MoinesIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with pricesLibrary storytimes in Des MoinesStorytimes for ages 0–6, by day and branchSledding in Des MoinesSledding hills and snow tubing, with height rulesThanksgiving weekend in Des MoinesParades, turkey trots and what’s open on ThursdayNoon Year’s Eve in Des MoinesKid-friendly countdowns, home by napChristmas parades in Des MoinesParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesThe Nutcracker in Des MoinesBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flaggedChristmas markets in Des MoinesChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursChristmas tree farms in Des MoinesChoose-and-cut farms, wagon rides and kid notesTree lighting in Des MoinesDates, times and what the organizer posts for kidsPlaygrounds in Des MoinesParks with a playground, restrooms and sheltersSplash pads in Des MoinesSpraygrounds with addresses and last season’s hoursBirthday party places in Des MoinesStarting prices, ages and what’s includedYouth soccer, basketball and learn to skate in Des MoinesSoccer, basketball and learn to skate for kids under 6, with sign-up datesMore things to do with kids in Des Moines this weekDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday

Good questions

December in Des Moines: the FAQ

29 dated listings so far, including Play, Grow, Learn! (Dec 1), Art Cart (Dec 2), Stories, Songs and Movement (Dec 2) and Gingerbread House Decorating (Dec 3). The rest are below, by week. We add more as organizers post their dates.

Play, Grow, Learn! (Dec 1), Art Cart (Dec 2), Stories, Songs and Movement (Dec 2), Mayor's Tree Lighting (Dec 4) and Play and Learn Group (Dec 4), plus 10 more marked Free below. For free days and places that never charge, see free things to do in Des Moines.

Cold or rainy days are on indoor play for toddlers in Des Moines, with ages, prices and hours from each place’s own site.

Hills and tubing parks, with height rules for little kids, are on the sledding page. Every hill needs snow, so check the park’s status page the morning you go.

Yes, at the same address. After Dec 31, 2026 it switches to December 2027, starting with the events that come back every year.

Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Nov 12, 2026, and we recheck them every Monday and Thursday. How we choose and check.

The checked list, every Thursday.

One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Des Moines that weekend.

Des Moines skyline