# Free things to do with kids in Des Moines this 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: 2026-10-19
- 21 free outings this week; 4 free days and events coming up; 4 always-free places
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/des-moines/free/
- Indoor play (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/des-moines/indoor-play/index.md
- This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/des-moines/index.md
- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/des-moines/llms.txt

## Free days and free events coming up

- **Bank of America Museums on Us weekend** at Science Center of Iowa, Des Moines. When: Sat Nov 7, Sun Nov 8, Sat Dec 5 and Sun Dec 6. Price: Free general admission for Bank of America, Merrill and Private Bank cardholders (one per card, with photo ID). Only the cardholder gets in free, so bring the card and an ID. Official page: https://about.bankofamerica.com/en/making-an-impact/museums-on-us-partners (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Santa at Ted Lare Garden Center's Holiday Art Show** at Ted Lare Garden Center, 2701 Cumming Ave, Cumming, IA 50061. When: Sat Dec 5, 2026. Time: Santa 10am–noon. Price: Free. 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: https://tedsgardens.com/garden-center/special-events/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Museums for All at the Des Moines Children’s Museum** at Des Moines Children’s Museum, Valley West Mall, West Des Moines. When: Any open day. Price: $2 with an EBT or WIC card; under 1 free. At Valley West Mall in West Des Moines. Official page: https://dsmchildrensmuseum.com/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Free garden visits with SNAP or WIC at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden** at Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, East Village riverfront. When: Any open day. Price: Free for up to 4 with a SNAP or WIC EBT card and ID. Official page: https://dmbotanicalgarden.com/tickets-and-hours/ (checked 2026-10-19)

## Free this week

- **Preschool Storytime (North Side)** at Des Moines Public Library – North Side, 3516 Fifth Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50313. When: Mon Oct 19. Time: 10am–10:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 3–5. Stories, rhymes and music that build school-readiness skills, then free play. Official page: https://www.dmpl.org/event/preschool-storytime-133760 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Toddler Storytime (East Side)** at Des Moines Public Library – East Side, 2559 Hubbell Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50317. When: Mon Oct 19. Time: 10am–10:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 1–3. Introductory stories, songs, music and movement for 18 to 36 months. Official page: https://www.dmpl.org/event/toddler-storytime-144153 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Pajama Family Storytime (South Side)** at Des Moines Public Library – South Side, 1111 Porter Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50315. When: Mon Oct 19. Time: 6:30pm–7pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–6. Evening songs, stories and activities; wear your jammies. Best for 6 and under. Official page: https://www.dmpl.org/event/family-storytime-130740 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Ghosts & Ghouls Scavenger Hunt (South Side)** at Des Moines Public Library – South Side, 1111 Porter Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50315. When: Next: Mon Oct 19, Tue Oct 20, Wed Oct 21, Thu Oct 22 and 2 more. Time: Mon–Thu 10am–8pm; Fri 10am–6pm; Sat 10am–5pm. Price: Free. Ages: 2–12. Drop in during open hours, find everything on the sheet and win a prize. Runs through Oct 31; closed Sundays. Official page: https://www.dmpl.org/event/ghosts-ghouls-scavenger-hunt-151287 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Library Scavenger Hunt (East Side)** at Des Moines Public Library – East Side, 2559 Hubbell Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50317. When: Next: Mon Oct 19, Tue Oct 20, Wed Oct 21, Thu Oct 22 and 2 more. Time: Mon–Thu 10am–8pm; Fri 10am–6pm; Sat 10am–5pm. Price: Free. Ages: 2–10. Find all the hidden pictures in the children's area for a prize. Drop in during open hours through Saturday. Official page: https://www.dmpl.org/event/library-scavenger-hunt-149771 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Baby Rhyme Time (Franklin Avenue)** at Des Moines Public Library – Franklin Avenue, 5000 Franklin Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50310. When: Tue Oct 20. Time: 10:15am–11am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–1. Rhymes, songs, bounces and a story with Miss Jennifer, then a short playtime; newborn to 18 months. Official page: https://www.dmpl.org/event/baby-rhyme-time-120963 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Baby and Toddler Rhyme Time (North Side)** at Des Moines Public Library – North Side, 3516 Fifth Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50313. When: Tue Oct 20. Time: 10am–10:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–2. Rhymes, songs, lap bounces and a story for birth to 24 months. Official page: https://www.dmpl.org/event/baby-and-toddler-rhyme-time-133771 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Play, Grow, Learn! (South Side)** at Des Moines Public Library – South Side, 1111 Porter Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50315. When: Tue Oct 20. Time: 10am–11:30am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. Open play with learning toys and a chance to meet other families with young kids. Official page: https://www.dmpl.org/event/play-grow-learn-131675 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Afterschool STEM: 3D Skeleton (Urbandale Public Library)** at Urbandale Public Library, 3520 86th St, Urbandale, IA 50322. When: Tue Oct 20. Time: 4:15pm–5:15pm. Price: Free. Ages: 3–11. Make a paper skeleton model with a ribcage that holds the heart and lungs. For ages 3–11 and families. Official page: https://urbandale.librarycalendar.com/event/afterschool-fun-32246 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Sensory Play Hour (South Side)** at Des Moines Public Library – South Side, 1111 Porter Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50315. When: Tue Oct 20. Time: 4pm–5pm. Price: Free; registration required. Ages: 0–8. An hour of sensory stations families can move through at their own pace. Official page: https://www.dmpl.org/event/sensory-play-hour-148386 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Paper Marigold Workshop for Día de los Muertos (Central)** at Des Moines Public Library – Central, 1000 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309. When: Tue Oct 20. Time: 5pm–7pm. Price: Free. Ages: 3–99. Make a tissue-paper marigold for the library's ofrenda. All ages. Official page: https://www.dmpl.org/event/paper-marigold-making-workshop-150942 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Family Storytime (Forest Avenue)** at Des Moines Public Library – Forest Avenue, 1326 Forest Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314. When: Wed Oct 21. Time: 10:15am–10:45am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. Silly stories, songs, dancing and art with Miss Emily; designed for 0–5. Official page: https://www.dmpl.org/event/family-storytime-125538 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Stories, Songs and Movement (Franklin Avenue)** at Des Moines Public Library – Franklin Avenue, 5000 Franklin Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50310. When: Wed Oct 21. Time: 10:15am–10:45am. Price: Free. Ages: 1–5. A storytime for active kids 18 months to 5 years with Miss Donna. Official page: https://www.dmpl.org/event/toddler-stories-songs-and-movement-127444 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Art Cart (North Side)** at Des Moines Public Library – North Side, 3516 Fifth Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50313. When: Wed Oct 21. Time: 4pm–7:30pm. Price: Free. Ages: 2–12. Drop in for the big cart of art supplies on Wednesday afternoon. Official page: https://www.dmpl.org/event/art-cart-149047 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Wiggles and Giggles (Central)** at Des Moines Public Library – Central, 1000 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309. When: Thu Oct 22. Time: 10:15am–10:45am. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. A storytime with movement, music and free play with Ms. Sam. Official page: https://www.dmpl.org/event/wiggles-and-giggles-95824 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Cuentacuentos: Bilingual Storytime (Forest Avenue)** at Des Moines Public Library – Forest Avenue, 1326 Forest Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314. When: Thu Oct 22. Time: 6:15pm–7pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–8. Stories, rhymes and crafts in Spanish and English on the fourth Thursday of the month. Official page: https://www.dmpl.org/event/cuentacuentos-bilingual-storytime-126906 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Play and Learn Group (Forest Avenue)** at Des Moines Public Library – Forest Avenue, 1326 Forest Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314. When: Fri Oct 23. Time: 10am–12pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–5. Play equipment, toys and sensory activities for ages 0–5, and a chance for caregivers to connect. No registration needed. Official page: https://www.dmpl.org/event/play-and-learn-group-140695 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Goldie's Halloween Bash at the State Historical Museum** at State Historical Museum of Iowa, 600 E. Locust St., Des Moines, IA 50319. When: Sat Oct 24. Time: 10am–12pm. Price: Free. Ages: 1–8. 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. Official page: https://history.iowa.gov/events/goldies-halloween-bash-0 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Trick-or-Treat for a Book (North Side)** at Des Moines Public Library – North Side, 3516 Fifth Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50313. When: Sat Oct 24. Time: 10am–5pm. Price: Free. Ages: 0–12. 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. Official page: https://www.dmpl.org/event/trick-or-treat-book-148585 (checked 2026-10-19)
- **America's Harvest Festival at the Iowa Capitol** at Iowa State Capitol grounds, 1007 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50319. When: Sat Oct 24. Time: 1pm until dark. Price: Free; food and vendors extra. Ages: 0–99. 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. Official page: https://www.americasharvestfest.com/ (checked 2026-10-19)
- **Crossroads: Blues Storytelling (Forest Avenue)** at Des Moines Public Library – Forest Avenue, 1326 Forest Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314. When: Sat Oct 24. Time: 2pm–3pm. Price: Free. Ages: 4–99. 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. Official page: https://www.dmpl.org/event/crossroads-journey-blues-blues-storytelling-tina-haase-findlay-and-rob-lumbard-131281 (checked 2026-10-19)

## Always free

- **Des Moines Public Library, Central Library**, Downtown. The downtown library, with free children’s story times on the weekly calendar. Official page: https://www.dmpl.org/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Water Works Park**, West of downtown. A big riverside park west of downtown with trails and open space. Official page: https://www.waterworkspark.org/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Jester Park**, Granger (about 25 minutes). A big county park with a nature center, a natural playscape, fishing ponds and trails. Official page: https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/conservation/parks-trails/jester-park/ (checked 2026-10-18)
- **Iowa State Capitol**, East Village. Free guided tours run Monday through Saturday under the gold dome. Official page: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/resources/tourCapitol (checked 2026-10-18)

## Free library storytimes

- **Des Moines Public Library**: Weekly; days and times vary by branch. Free story times for babies, toddlers and preschoolers at Central Library and the branches. West Des Moines, Urbandale and Ankeny run their own libraries. Calendar: https://www.dmpl.org/
- **Urbandale Public Library**: Weekly at the Urbandale Public Library; Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, plus an evening session. Free baby, toddler and preschool storytimes. This fall's regular sessions include Toddler Time (Mondays 10am) and Family Storytime (Mondays 11am). Calendar: https://www.urbandalelibrary.org/events

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
- How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com).
- Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list.
- How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote.

## FAQ

### What’s free to do with kids in Des Moines this weekend?
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](https://littlesweekly.com/des-moines/free/#this-week); the list is rebuilt every Thursday.

### Are there free museum or zoo days in Des Moines?
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](https://littlesweekly.com/des-moines/free/#free-days).

### What free holiday events are there for kids in Des Moines?
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](https://littlesweekly.com/des-moines/free/#free-days).

### Where can we go for free any day in Des Moines?
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.

### Are library storytimes free in Des Moines?
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.

### How do you check these free listings?
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](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).