10+ Mom and Women’s Groups to Check Out Around Des Moines

Making friends and networking as an adult isn’t always easy. Whether you’re new to the Des Moines area, a mom looking for connection, or simply hoping to meet people who share your interests, finding your community can take some effort.

Fortunately, the Des Moines metro has a growing number of groups designed to bring women together. From mom meetups and workouts to hiking adventures, networking events, and social clubs, there’s something for nearly every stage of life and interest. Here’s a roundup of local groups bringing women together.

Did we miss a great group? Let us know! We will update this guide as new communities and groups form around the Des Moines metro.

Save the other great resources to connect with others in our community:

Mom Groups and Motherhood

A Little Social

A Little Social hosts playdates 3 times per month at the Granger Community Center. 

Each playdate will begin with 10-15 minutes of a structured “warm-up” activity for the kids, followed by 1 hour of free play. All ages of kids are welcome, but activities will be geared towards ages 0-5. The playdates are just as much for the caregivers as they are for the kids! 

The cost is $7 per family per playdate. Registration and payment will be run through the Granger Parks and Rec website 

DSM Motherhood Collective

DSM Motherhood Collective is a Des Moines-area community built for moms who are craving real, in-person connection (because let’s be honest, scrolling through mom content at 11 pm doesn’t quite cut it). I host curated events like mom walks, supper clubs, playdates, and mom/kid centered pop-ups — all designed to make it easy to actually leave the house and make friends as an adult, which somehow gets so much harder once you have kids. 

Whether you’re brand new to Des Moines or you’ve lived here forever, DSM Motherhood Collective is a judgment-free, welcoming space to show up as you are – running on 4 hours of sleep and all. At the end of the day, it’s really about reminding moms they’re not doing this alone.

MomCo

MomCo is a non-profit organization that encourages and equips moms of young children to realize their potential as mothers, women, and leaders, in relationship with Jesus and in partnership with the local church. Groups are held at churches in West Des Moines, Des Moines, Urbandale, and Pleasant Hill. Search for a group near you on their website.

Sip and Stroll Iowa 

Sip and Stroll Iowa has an Instagram page, but it is set to private. Request to join and learn more about their offerings.

Women’s Social Groups

Her Social Ames

Her Social is a social club open to women 18 and up. Most members are between 21 and 40, but women of all ages have attended. The three moms representing Her Social have young kids and are in their late 20s to early 30s. They typically host 2 events each month, such as girls’ night, shopping, and crafts. Events vary to make them more accessible to all types of women. Follow their Instagram page to learn about current events.

Women on Adventures Des Moines

Women on Adventures is for women over age 18 who are looking for adventure, activities, friendships, and fun in a safe space. Expand your comfort zones, gain new experiences, make memories, and try new things with other like-minded women. Create your own event or attend an existing event such as walks, dinner, trivia, book club, and more.  

Outdoor and Active Groups

iStroll DSM

Bring the kids and join this village of moms for a certified instructor-led workout providing high-intensity interval training, cardio, strength training, and agility work. iStroll offers three workouts per week, as well as monthly activities, including a play date, Mom’s Night Out, a craft, story time, and Walk, Run, Coffee. See their website for pricing and the monthly schedule.

Nurture Movement

Nurture Movement DSM offers a Saturday Toddler & Me dance class designed to be accessible for working parents. The 30-minute, fun, and low-pressure classes give parents and young children an opportunity to bond through movement while building community with other local families. Classes are held at a local yoga & movement studio and are facilitated by a fellow toddler parent, pediatric physical therapist, and dance teacher. 

For more information and registration, visit https://bit.ly/