FreeDes Moines · Iowa’s capital

Free things to do with kids in Des Moines, this week and every week.

Yes, plenty is free with little kids in Des Moines this week: we found 21 free outings, including Ghosts & Ghouls Scavenger Hunt (South Side), Goldie's Halloween Bash at the State Historical Museum and Trick-or-Treat for a Book (North Side), plus 16 library programs. Four free days and events are coming up, including three museum or zoo free days, each with its date. And four places never charge admission, like Des Moines Public Library, Central Library and Water Works Park.

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

21free outings this weekincl. 16 library programs4free days and events coming upincl. 3 museum or zoo free days4places that are always freeDes Moines Public Library, Central Library, Water Works Park2free storytime calendarsDes Moines Public Library, Urbandale Public Library

This week

Free things to do with kids in Des Moines this week

Every free outing on this week’s Des Moines list, rebuilt every Thursday. Library programs may need a quick sign-up.

Mon Oct 1910am–10:30am

Preschool Storytime (North Side)

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

Stories, rhymes and music that build school-readiness skills, then free play.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 3–5
Mon Oct 1910am–10:30am

Toddler Storytime (East Side)

Des Moines Public Library – East Side · 2559 Hubbell Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50317

Introductory stories, songs, music and movement for 18 to 36 months.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 1–3
Mon Oct 196:30pm–7pm

Pajama Family Storytime (South Side)

Des Moines Public Library – South Side · 1111 Porter Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50315

Evening songs, stories and activities; wear your jammies. Best for 6 and under.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–6
Mon–Sat Oct 19–24Mon–Thu 10am–8pm; Fri 10am–6pm; Sat 10am–5pm

Ghosts & Ghouls Scavenger Hunt (South Side)

Des Moines Public Library – South Side · 1111 Porter Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50315

Drop in during open hours, find everything on the sheet and win a prize. Runs through Oct 31; closed Sundays.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 2–12
Mon–Sat Oct 19–24Mon–Thu 10am–8pm; Fri 10am–6pm; Sat 10am–5pm

Library Scavenger Hunt (East Side)

Des Moines Public Library – East Side · 2559 Hubbell Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50317

Find all the hidden pictures in the children's area for a prize. Drop in during open hours through Saturday.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 2–10
Tue Oct 2010:15am–11am

Baby Rhyme Time (Franklin Avenue)

Des Moines Public Library – Franklin Avenue · 5000 Franklin Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50310

Rhymes, songs, bounces and a story with Miss Jennifer, then a short playtime; newborn to 18 months.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–1
Tue Oct 2010am–10:30am

Baby and Toddler Rhyme Time (North Side)

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

Rhymes, songs, lap bounces and a story for birth to 24 months.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–2
Tue Oct 2010am–11:30am

Play, Grow, Learn! (South Side)

Des Moines Public Library – South Side · 1111 Porter Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50315

Open play with learning toys and a chance to meet other families with young kids.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Tue Oct 204:15pm–5:15pm

Afterschool STEM: 3D Skeleton (Urbandale Public Library)

Urbandale Public Library · 3520 86th St, Urbandale, IA 50322

Make a paper skeleton model with a ribcage that holds the heart and lungs. For ages 3–11 and families.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 3–11
Tue Oct 204pm–5pm

Sensory Play Hour (South Side)

Des Moines Public Library – South Side · 1111 Porter Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50315

An hour of sensory stations families can move through at their own pace.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–8
Tue Oct 205pm–7pm

Paper Marigold Workshop for Día de los Muertos (Central)

Des Moines Public Library – Central · 1000 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309

Make a tissue-paper marigold for the library's ofrenda. All ages.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 3–99
Wed Oct 2110:15am–10:45am

Family Storytime (Forest Avenue)

Des Moines Public Library – Forest Avenue · 1326 Forest Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314

Silly stories, songs, dancing and art with Miss Emily; designed for 0–5.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Wed Oct 2110:15am–10:45am

Stories, Songs and Movement (Franklin Avenue)

Des Moines Public Library – Franklin Avenue · 5000 Franklin Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50310

A storytime for active kids 18 months to 5 years with Miss Donna.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 1–5
Wed Oct 214pm–7:30pm

Art Cart (North Side)

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

Drop in for the big cart of art supplies on Wednesday afternoon.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 2–12
Thu Oct 2210:15am–10:45am

Wiggles and Giggles (Central)

Des Moines Public Library – Central · 1000 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309

A storytime with movement, music and free play with Ms. Sam.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Thu Oct 226:15pm–7pm

Cuentacuentos: Bilingual Storytime (Forest Avenue)

Des Moines Public Library – Forest Avenue · 1326 Forest Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314

Stories, rhymes and crafts in Spanish and English on the fourth Thursday of the month.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–8
Fri Oct 2310am–12pm

Play and Learn Group (Forest Avenue)

Des Moines Public Library – Forest Avenue · 1326 Forest Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314

Play equipment, toys and sensory activities for ages 0–5, and a chance for caregivers to connect. No registration needed.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–5
Sat Oct 2410am–12pm

Goldie's Halloween Bash at the State Historical Museum

State Historical Museum of Iowa · 600 E. Locust St., Des Moines, IA 50319

A costume-friendly drop-in morning of crafts, games and trick-or-treat stations, best for younger kids. The museum stays open until 6pm for the Harvest Festival across the street.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 1–8
Sat Oct 2410am–5pm

Trick-or-Treat for a Book (North Side)

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

Drop in, show off your costume and pick a free book to take home, plus a Halloween scavenger hunt and crafts. Books while supplies last.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 0–12
Sat Oct 241pm until dark

America's Harvest Festival at the Iowa Capitol

Iowa State Capitol grounds · 1007 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50319

A free fall festival across the Capitol Complex with a corn maze, bounce house and slide, face painting, rock painting, farm exhibits and food trucks. Opening ceremony with a National Guard flyover at 2pm.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAll ages
Sat Oct 242pm–3pm

Crossroads: Blues Storytelling (Forest Avenue)

Des Moines Public Library – Forest Avenue · 1326 Forest Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314

Tina Haase-Findlay's vocals and Rob Lumbard's guitar bring blues stories to life in an all-ages hour. Seating is limited, so arrive early.

Event page ↗Checked Report a problem
FreeAges 4–99
Showing all 21 free outings

Mark the calendar

Free days and free events coming up in Des Moines

Museum and zoo free days, free festivals and other one-off free events, soonest first. Some free days are only for residents or cardholders, so each one says who gets in free.

Who gets in free:EveryoneResidents onlyCardholders only
Nov7
Nov8
Dec5
Dec6

Bank of America Museums on Us weekend

Science Center of Iowa · Des Moines

Only the cardholder gets in free, so bring the card and an ID.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Cardholders onlyFree general admission for Bank of America, Merrill and Private Bank cardholders (one per card, with photo ID)
Dec5

Santa at Ted Lare Garden Center's Holiday Art Show

Ted Lare Garden Center · 2701 Cumming Ave, Cumming, IA 50061

Santa 10am–noon. Photos with Santa in his sleigh, indoors, during a local artists' holiday show. The garden center also holds a free Story Time in the Garden each month (ages 2 and up).

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
EveryoneFree
Any open day

Museums for All at the Des Moines Children’s Museum

Des Moines Children’s Museum · Valley West Mall, West Des Moines

At Valley West Mall in West Des Moines.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Who gets in$2 with an EBT or WIC card; under 1 free
Any open day

Free garden visits with SNAP or WIC at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden · East Village riverfront

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Cardholders onlyFree for up to 4 with a SNAP or WIC EBT card and ID

Any day

Places that are always free in Des Moines

Parks, gardens, nature centers and museums that don’t charge admission.

Free to get in, but parking, special exhibits and seasonal extras can cost money. Check each place’s site before you go.

Every week

Free library storytimes

Des Moines Public Library

Free story times for babies, toddlers and preschoolers at Central Library and the branches. West Des Moines, Urbandale and Ankeny run their own libraries.

Weekly; days and times vary by branch

BabiesToddlersPreschoolFree
Find a storytime near you ↗

Urbandale Public Library

Free baby, toddler and preschool storytimes. This fall's regular sessions include Toddler Time (Mondays 10am) and Family Storytime (Mondays 11am).

Weekly at the Urbandale Public Library; Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, plus an evening session

BabiesToddlersPreschoolFree
Find a storytime near you ↗

Keep planning

More for little kids in Des Moines

Indoor play in Des MoinesIndoor playgrounds, toddler times and museums, with pricesThanksgiving weekend in Des MoinesParades, turkey trots and what’s open on ThursdayNoon Year’s Eve in Des MoinesKid-friendly countdowns, home by napThis week in Des MoinesDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday

Good questions

Free things to do with kids in Des Moines: the FAQ

This week we found 21 free outings for ages 0–6, including Ghosts & Ghouls Scavenger Hunt (South Side), Goldie's Halloween Bash at the State Historical Museum, Trick-or-Treat for a Book (North Side) and America's Harvest Festival at the Iowa Capitol. See free this week; the list is rebuilt every Thursday.

Bank of America Museums on Us weekend: Sat Nov 7, Sun Nov 8, Sat Dec 5 and Sun Dec 6. Museums for All at the Des Moines Children’s Museum: Any open day ($2 with an EBT or WIC card; under 1 free). Free garden visits with SNAP or WIC at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden: Any open day. Dates come from each venue’s own page; see free days and free events.

Santa at Ted Lare Garden Center's Holiday Art Show is free this season. Dates and times are on each card under free days and free events.

Des Moines Public Library, Central Library, Water Works Park, Jester Park and Iowa State Capitol don’t charge admission. Some charge for parking or special exhibits; the cards say so where the place does.

Yes. Des Moines Public Library and Urbandale Public Library run free storytimes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Times change by branch, so check the calendar linked below.

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 Oct 19, 2026, and we recheck them every Thursday for dated events and once a month for free places. How we choose and check.

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