Christmas Lights in Des Moines, Iowa 2025It’s the most wonderful time of the year! I do not know about you, but driving around and looking at lights is one of my favorite holiday activities. I love to get the kids dressed in their PJs, make some hot chocolate, pack some fun snacks, listen to holiday
Jolly Holiday Lights: A Family TraditionThe holiday season is approaching, which means one of central Iowa’s most beloved traditions, Jolly Holiday Lights, is right around the corner! For nearly 30 years, Jolly Holiday Lights has brought joy to thousands of families, filling Des Moines with magical
Fun Things To Do in Des Moines This Weekend: Friday, November 14th 2025 – Sunday, November 16th 2025Every weekend there are amazing Fun Things to do in Des Moines, Iowa! We have created a list of what we think are the most fun, most interesting family events in the Des Moines area this weekend – so
Things To Do with Teens in Des Moines This WinterWhen the temperatures drop and snow starts to fall, it can be a little trickier to find fun activities that actually get your teens excited to leave the house. (We get it … Netflix and hoodies are pretty appealing!) But Des Moines has no shortage of w
Tree Lightings in the Des Moines Metro 2025Kick Off the Holiday Season with Magical Lights and Family Fun!There’s something so magical about that first flicker of holiday lights! Tree lighting ceremonies around the Des Moines Metro are one of our favorite ways to welcome the season, complete with ho
Date Night: Pop-Up Christmas Bar in Des Moines, IowaGrab your partner, a group of friends, and your ugly sweaters! The holiday season is always magical, but why not leave the kids at home and enjoy the festive season with friends? Over the past few years, Des Moines has become home to several pop-up
Winter Wonderscape Experience at Reiman GardensReiman Gardens located in Ames, Iowa near, Iowa State University, is a year-round attraction many families think of visiting during the warmer months, but Reiman Gardens has given a big reason to visit during the holiday season. The Winter Wonderscape H
Celebrate the Season at Dome for the Holidays: Greater Des Moines Botanical GardenThe holiday season in Des Moines is always magical, an back for another year is one of the most enchanting events in the city, Dome for the Holidays at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. Perfect for families, cou
Experience the Magic at Miracle On 86th Street in Urbandale, IowaOne of my favorite holiday movies in Miracle on 34th Street and when I came across on this fun light display located in Urbandale, Iowa I knew we needed to make a visit! Miracle on 86th Street debuted in 2022 and we fell in love the mo
Winter Adventure to the Ice Castles in MinnesotaFrozen fans unite! Grab the whole family and head north for this fun winter adventure among giant ice formations. You will quickly feel you are a part of the classic Disney movie. This winter activity is a must and I am sharing all the details and tips
10 Surprising Facts About Kids’ TeethBy Dr. Hans Leonard, D.D.S. of Jordan Creek Pediatric DentistryDid you know your child’s mouth is changing all the time? Understanding how teeth grow and what to watch for can help parents stay one step ahead of some of the stranger things that can happen as kids
Iowa Adventure Passes: Free Admission to Zoos, Museums, and MoreSchool is out, and libraries are the perfect place to check out books, dive into a summer reading challenge, and make memories that will last beyond the last page. Just in time for summer, Iowa libraries have brought back the Iowa Adven
8 Winter Activities in Downtown Des Moines for KidsAs winter settles into Iowa families may not realize all of the fun that can still be had in the heart of Des Moines! There is so much to do in Des Moines, Iowa all year round, but what about winter activities?! I have gathered 8 of our favorite win
14 Ways to Enjoy the Christmas Magic in Branson, Missouri** I received free lodging and expenses paid for this visit to Branson, but all thoughts and opinions are my own. Please take a look at the Privacy Policy for more details. When the holiday season rolls around we love to enjoy all the fun at h
Local Independent Bookstores in the Des Moines AreaThere is nothing better than browsing new books! Whether you’re looking for a just-released novel, an antique book, or searching for a gift. Book lovers rejoice! The Des Moines area has plenty of bookstores to choose from. If you are looking for a u
Volunteer with Kids in Des MoinesFinding ways to volunteer as a family can become a lifelong tradition. Des Moines has many opportunities for those looking for ways to give back this holiday season. Giving back can mean volunteering your time, donating goods/services, or even writing a letter to som
The Holidays at St. Louis Union StationIf you have young kids (or not) enjoying the Polar Express experience is a bucket list item. There are many experiences all over the country and probably one close to home, but the holidays at the St. Louis Union Station will probably beat them all. The St. Lou
Must-Visit Holiday Events in the MidwestThe Midwest is home to some fun and magical holiday events. No matter where you travel you will find something to experience this holiday season from carriage rides, live music, train rides, ice skating, and so much more. Grab the family and start some new hol
Midwest Reindeer | Hardy’s Reindeer RanchIs there anything you cannot see or do in the heart of the Midwest? One thing I have learned in the past few years while traveling is that the Midwest truly offers some amazing gems and experiences. This includes reindeer! If you are looking to make friends a
Des Moines Winter at Brenton Skating PlazaWhen winter hits Des Moines, Iowa the kids and I love to bust out our Winter Bucket list and begin crossing outdoor activities off of our list like drinking hot cocoa, sledding, and building a snowman. One thing we always include is ice skating under the Des
Christmas Trees in Des MoinesHow many of you still buy a REAL Christmas tree every year? White pine, scotch pine, Fraser fir, balsam fir, or concolor fir. No matter the type of tree, the smell of live trees always brings the holiday season into the home. We used to always use artificial trees, but w
Blank Park Zoo in the WinterThe Blank Park Zoo is waiting for you to visit this winter. Without the crowds, you get a chance to meander and observe at your own pace, and is a great place to learn! They have a mix of indoor and outdoor experiences as well as winter programs for all ages. Winter is al
8 Ways to Enjoy Christkindlmarket Des Moines Like a ProA few years ago, many of our “normal” holiday traditions were upended, including one of Iowa’s newest ones – Christkindlmarket Des Moines. Fortunately, this three-and-a-half-day bit of European culture, shopping, eating, and imbibing is back sta
50 Things To Do in Iowa This WinterAfter our first cold weekend of the season, it got me looking ahead to winter in Iowa. There is no denying that most Iowa winters are spent indoors (which is why we look so forward to springtime). Luckily, we have plenty of indoor options, as well as some fun winte
