Des Moines Free Summer Camps and Clinics

The Des Moines community is filled with a ton of summer programs but it can be very costly to register for several summer camps. Sometimes financial assistance is available, but not always. Luckily, there are some great options for FREE summer camps and clinics in Des Moines. Football, dance and golf are some of the free camps available this summer. Summer camps and clinics are a great way for children to learn new skills and be introduced to new interests in a safe environment.

Bookmark this fun page full of Summer activities to keep your family busy all summer long.
Take a look at our full Summer Camp Guide in Des Moines including summer day camps, nature camps, overnight camp experience, specialty camps, sports camps, and much more.
Need to sign your child up for swim lessons? We have you covered in our Swim Lessons in Des Moines guide.

Rider Club Football

Where: Roosevelt High School, 4419 Center St, Des Moines, IA 50312

When: Sundays, June and July, 3:30 PM-5:00 PM

Who: 4th-8th graders

Rider Club Football is hosting free youth football skills clinics this summer. Bring a water bottle and wear cleats/athletic shoes.

All Iowa Attack Basketball Camps

Where: 2045 SE Glacier Trail, Waukee, IA 50263

When: June 3-4, 8-9, 10-11, 15-16, 17-18, 22-23, 24-25

Who: (Ages based on 2026/2027 school year)

Boys and Girls K-3rd grade: 9:00 AM-11:00 AM
Boys and Girls 4th-6th grade: 1:00 PM-3:00 PM

All Iowa Attack basketball are offering free camps for kids to work on their basketball skills. You can register for up to 3 of the sessions in June.

Pickleball Clinic

Where: Fox Creek Park, 522 NE Westgate Dr, Waukee, IA 50263

When: Wednesday, June 3 5:00 PM-6:30 PM and 6:30 PM-8:00 PM

Who: 14 years+

This free clinic is run by the Des Moines Metro Pickleball Club. Participants 14 years and older will gain a basic understanding of the sport and how to play. Intermediate players can up their game to learn more technical skills at 6:30 PM-8:30 PM.

Take a look at the complete guide to Pickleball in Des Moines and play anywhere with friends and family.

Adapted Youth Kayak Camp

Where: Nahas Aquatic Center and Grays Lake

When: June 4-5

Who: Ages 7-16

*$5 fee to register

At Adapted Youth Kayak Camp, campers will learn the fundamentals of kayaking. On day one, they will meet at Nahas Aquatic Center and on day two they will meet at Grays Lake to test out their new skills on the water.

Adapted Youth Flag Football Camp

Where: Stone Park, 2100 SE 5th St, Des Moines, IA 50315

When: Mondays, June 8-29, 5:30 PM-6:15 PM

Who: Ages 7-16

*$5 fee to register

At Adapted Youth Flag Football Camp campers will learn football skills and game play. This camp is specifically designed to accommodate individual needs and abilities.

ASAP Mondays: Drawing and Painting

Where: Forest Avenue Library, 1326 Forest Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314

When: Mondays in June, 4:00 PM-5:00 PM

Who: Children under 10 must have an adult

Learn something new, or expand your skills at ASAP Mondays: Drawing and Painting. Learn fun drawing exercises, painting techniques, and much more. Snacks provided for all participants.

Fly Fishing in Iowa

Where: Johnston Library Pond, 6700 Merle Hay Rd, Johnston, IA 50131

When: Saturday, June 6, 1:00 PM-4:00 PM

Who: Children 10+ with a parent

*MUST REGISTER

Learn about how to go Fly Fishing in Iowa at the Johnston Library Pond with anglers from Trout Unlimited North Bear Chapter and Central Iowa Fly Fishers to try your hand at fly tying and casting a fly rod. Fly rods and fly tying materials will be provided to use during the class.

ASAP Tuesdays: Clay Creations

Where: East Side Library, 2559 Hubbell Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50317

When: June 9, 16 and 23, 3:30 PM-4:30 PM

Who: Children under 10 must have an adult

Get hands-on with air-dry clay and make a miniature masterpiece to take home each week at ASAP Tuesdays: Clay Creations, Projects may include pinch pots and coil pots, personalized tiles, mini monsters, abstract sculptures, and more. Snacks will be provided for all participants.

ASAP Wednesdays: Wet Felting and Fiber Art

Where: North Side Library, 3516 Fifth Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50313

When: Wednesdays in June, 3:30 PM-4:30 PM

Who: Children under 10 must have an adult

Make your own colorful felt fabric art using fine wool fibers, soapy water, and lots of friction at ASAP Wednesdays: Wet Felting and Fiber Art. Snacks will be provided for all participants.

ASAP Thursdays: Colorful Collage

Where: South Side Library, 1111 Porter Ave, Des Moines, IA 50315

When: Thursdays in June, 4:00 PM-5:00 PM

Who: Children under 10 must be with an adult

Glue magazine images, wallpaper, and other materials together to create new works of art ASAP Thursdays: Colorful Collage. Snacks will be provided for all participants.

Beginner’s Ukulele Camp

Where: North Side Library, 3516 Fifth Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50313

When: Monday, June 8-Wednesday, June 10, 1:30 PM-2:30 PM

Who: Ages 8-18

*MUST REGISTER

Have a child that wants to try an instrument? How about the Ukulele! At this three day Beginner’s Ukulele Camp, children will learn ukulele basics, chords, and strumming patterns. Bring your own ukulele or borrow one from the library.

Babysitting Basics Workshop

Where: Grimes Public Library, 200 NE Beaverbrooke Blvd, Grimes, IA 50111

When: Thursday, June 11, 9:00 AM-3:00 PM

Who: Students in grade 6-8

*MUST REGISTER

Have a teen ready to babysit? Have them attend Babysitting Basics Workshop to learn the basics of babysitting with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach of Dallas County. Participants are required to bring their own sack lunch and water.

TnT Football

Where: North High School, 501 Holcomb Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313

When: Saturday, June 13, 8:00 AM-12:00 PM

Who: 3rd-8th graders

*MUST REGISTER

The IOWA Foundation is partnering with TnT Football and Hoover High School Athletics to host a free football camp. Children will get a chance to learn football fundamentals from former NFL, Iowa Hawkeye, and Iowa Football Legend Tim Dwight. Coaches and Players from the North High School Football team will also be helping with instruction.

Costume Design Mini Camp with ASAP Arts

Where: Grimes Public Library, 200 NE Beaverbrooke Blvd, Grimes, IA 50111

When: Thursday, June 25 and Friday, June 26, 1:00 PM-2:00 PM

Who: Ages 7+

*MUST REGISTER

At Costume Design Mini Camp with ASAP Arts children will spend two days exploring costume design and working on their own handmade creation.

Bank On It!: a Mini Market Money Workshop

Where: Altoona Public Library, 700 8th Street SW, Altoona, IA 50009

When: Saturday, June 27, 10:00 AM-11:00 AM

Who: All ages

*Must Register!

Financial professionals from VisionBank are hosting Bank On It!: a Mini Market Money Workshop at Altoona Public Library. They will be teaching all about earning, saving, spending, and making change.

Johnston Golf Foundation

Where: 2944 NW 66th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313

When: Saturday. July 18

K-2nd graders: 9:00 AM-10:00 AM + 9:30 AM-10:30 AM
3rd-5th graders: 10:00 AM-11:00 AM + 10:30 AM-11:30 AM
6th-8th graders: 11:00 AM-12:00 PM + 11:30 AM-12:30 PM

*MUST REGISTER

Johnston Golf Foundation is hosting a free 1 hour junior golf clinic at the Des Moines Driving Range. Juniors will be introduced to fundamentals of full swing and putting with Sarah Bidney and Johnston High School golf team as the instructors.

Tie Your Shoes Bootcamp

Where: Grimes Library, 200 NE Beaverbrooke Blvd, Grimes, IA 50111

When: Friday, July 24, 10:00 AM-11:00 AM

Who: Children entering 1st or 2nd grade in the fall

*MUST REGISTER Registration opens on June 26.

Calling all children entering 1st or 2nd grade come learn a new skill at Tie Your Shoes Bootcamp! There will be crafts, group activities and of course lots of practice in tying your shoes. Every kid will leave with a new pair of shoelaces.

Des Moines Public Schools

Des Moines Public Schools are offering free camps this summer. They do require a $10 deposit but if you attend the camp, you get the deposit back! There are so many to choose from including football, wrestling, track, volleyball, rugby and so many more. See the full list here.

Love You DSM Sports Clinics

The Valley Community Center will be hosting their Love You DSM Days from June 12-June 21. Throughout the ten days, there will be sports clinics including futbol, soccer, dance, cheerleading and so much more. Check out the full list of clinics here.

Tippi Toes Dance Class

Throughout the summer Tippi Toes Dance Company will be hosting classes at surrounding libraries. At this high energy class children will learn a few new dance skills and have fun doing it. This is a perfect opportunity for your child to try dance. Below is a list of times and locations.

Johnston Public Library, 6700 Merle Hay Rd, Johnston, IA, 50131

When: Wednesdays, June 3, June 17, July 1, 10:00 AM-10:45 AM

Altoona Public Library, 700 8th Street SW, Altoona, IA 50009

When: Mondays, June 8, July 13, 10:00 AM-10:30 AM

Norwalk Easter Public Library, 1051 North Ave Norwalk IA 50211

When: Friday, July 17, 10:00 AM-10:30 AM

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

When: Wednesday, July 22, 9:30 AM-10:15 AM AND 10:30 AM-11:15 AM

Ankeny Kirkendall Public Library, (Dance class held at Ankeny Market Pavilion, 715 W 1st Street, Ankeny, IA 50023)

When: Tuesday, July 21, 10:00 AM-10:30 AM

Yaro Dance Company

The Yaro Dance Company will be visiting libraries throughout the summer.. Children will get a chance to learn basic moves, a little history behind dance, and watch a short performance. Below is a list of times and locations.

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

When: Wednesday. June 17, 9:30 AM-10:15 AM AND 10:30 AM-11:15 AM

*Register here

Des Moines Public Library, Franklin Avenue Location, 5000 Franklin Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50310

When: Tuesday, June 30, 4:00 PM-4:45 PM

Soccer Shots

Soccer Shots is hosting free trial classes this summer at several locations around the metro. Children will learn fundamental soccer skills, develop teamwork and engage in interactive activities that reinforce those skills. Below is a list of times and locations.

Urbandale SIG Sportsplex, 5100 NW 72nd St, Johnston, IA 50131

When & Who:

Ages 2-3: Tuesday, June 9, 5:30 PM-6:00 PM
Ages 3-5: Tuesday, June 9, 5:30 PM-6:00 PM

Ankeny Dance & Performing Arts Academy, 515 N Ankeny Blvd, Ankeny, IA 50023

When & Who:

Ages 2-3: Saturday, June 13, 9:30 AM-10:00 AM
Ages 3-5: Saturday, June 13, 10:05 AM-10:35 AM

Campbell Park, 12385 Woodlands Pkwy, Clive, IA 50325

When & Who:

Ages 2-3: Saturday, June 13, 9:30 AM-10:00 AM
Ages 3-5: Saturday, June 13, 10:05 AM-10:35 AM
Ages 5-8: Saturday, June 13, 10:45 AM-11:30 AM

DSM United Futbol Academy, 1202 Thomas Beck Rd, Des Moines, IA 50315

When & Who:

Ages 2-3: Saturday, June 13, 9:15 AM-9:45 AM

Can Play Programs

Can Play’s mission is to create adaptive and no-cost recreation programs. There are several camps throughout the summer at locations all over the Des Moines Metro Area. These programs make it possible for children of all skill levels to participate. Some of the programs are baseball, lacrosse, and soccer. Visit this link to learn all about the programs available.

Free Summer Lunch Program-Waukee

Where: Check here for locations

When: Weekdays from June 8-July 31 (Closed July 3)

Who: For children 18 years old or younger

Throughout summer Waukee Community School District hosts free summer lunches at different locations in West Des Moines and Waukee. This program is an opportunity for children to get a meal and play with their peers. Meals and activities are free to all children 18 years old or younger.