Des Moines Parent Spotlight: Jill Neil of Jill Neil PhotographyJill Neil is a lot of things: brand photographer, creative champion, and Des Moines native who’s mastered the art of capturing both moments and missions. Whether she’s snapping photos for solopreneurs or wrangling her husband, teen son,
Des Moines Parent Spotlight: Juelie Gish of Humble HandsA live watercolor painting on-site at an event?! Say no more! That’s just about the coolest thing ever, and Juelie Gish is hands down the best artist in the Midwest. Des Moines Parent connected with Juelie to learn more about her and her journe
Steve & Kate’s Camp Back in Des MoinesIf you have children, then you know planning for summer can be a challenge: Choosing a variety of activities. Planning around vacations and friends. Committing to weekly sessions 6 months in advance. But with Steve & Kate’s Camp, your entire summer could be sol
Whether it’s a bitter-cold, cold winter day, a scorching summer day, or something in between, come to Rainbow of the Heartland to play all year long. Rainbow of the Heartland sells swing sets, trampolines, and basketball hoops. Their showroom doubles as a play space for everyone to enjoy! This is a
Top 8 Things To Do in Des Moines in FebruaryCozy up with your sweetheart this month and cheer on the Iowa Wild, dream of warmer temps at the Des Moines Home & Garden Show, or enjoy The Price is Right Live! Let go of the winter blues and plan your February in Des Moines today. Iowa Wild Address: Wel
Walnut Creek Regional Park in Urbandale, IowaWalnut Creek Regional Park in Urbandale has a brand new playground and it is so fun! This expansive playground has something for every age. The towering main structure has a variety of steps, belts and ladders to reach the top and has countless nooks and
City Park in Bondurant, IowaThe long awaited City Park playground in Bondurant, Iowa is finished and it is amazing! Kids eagerly want to play at this vibrant and spacious playground. At the heart of the park, a large obstacle course style playground draws kids in. This structure feels like two play
How to Make Mom FriendsMaking new friends can be tough, especially as an adult and a busy mom. If you didn’t grow up in the area, like me, it can be even harder as you can’t rely on childhood connections. One of the most frequent topics of my online mom’s groups is women seeking to make connections
I’m Ready to Homeschool! Where Do I Begin?“I’m considering homeschool but I’m overwhelmed with how or where to begin!” Here’s what I would do first, because sometimes it’s nice to have someone who’s been in your shoes to tell you exactly what to do. It can seem like a lot all at once, but in my expe
Indoor Meet-Ups in GrimesWhen the weather is nice, scheduling meet ups with other homeschool friends is easy and convenient due to the abundance of parks and playgrounds in central Iowa. However, I’ve found during these long winter months, we need to get a little more creative with where we go to ha
Eau Claire, Wisconsin, A Fantastic Destination for Families with KidsEau Claire, Wisconsin, nestled in the heart of the Midwest, is a vibrant and family-friendly city offering countless opportunities for fun and exploration. From public art and indoor adventure parks to charming shops and delicious
10+ Ice Skating Rinks in Des Moines, IowaThe temperatures are beginning to drop in Iowa, but that does not mean you cannot have fun outdoors! One activity you and your family may enjoy is ice skating in Des Moines. This is a great activity for people of all ages! Enjoy the open air lace up those ska
Valentine Dances and Events in Des Moines 2025It is that time of year to grab your little one and celebrate Valentine’s Day in Des Moines. From Valentine’s dances to fun events and activities, there are many upcoming events to celebrate the season of love. We will update this page as we see more Val
Martin Luther King Jr. Day for ChildrenMartin Luther King Jr. Day takes place on the third Monday of January annually and has been a holiday observed as a federal holiday in all 50 states since 2000. While many enjoy an extra day off from schools and workplaces, parents may consider taking the oppor
Nature Indoors Around Des Moines, IowaWhile we aim to get outside for a chunk of the day no matter how cold it is, I completely understand that it isn’t an option for everyone and that there are plenty of hours in the day to fill! I try to keep a few places in the rotation that allow us to experienc
Exploring Wonders at the Kiewit Luminarium {Omaha Luminarium}The Kiewit Luminarium is an extraordinary destination that offers a vibrant and enriching experience for people of all backgrounds and people of all ages. I would describe it as an intersection of science and a children’s museum for the ul
5+ Things To Do at Arbor Day Farm in NebraskaAre you looking for a fun, outdoor adventure? Nature lovers rejoice! Plan a visit to Arbor Day Farm in Nebraska City. This little piece of Nebraska is fun for the whole family and filled with acres of natural beauty and outdoor exploration any day of the
Jurassic Quest at Iowa Events CenterCalling all dinosaur enthusiasts near and far! The “largest and most realistic traveling dinosaur experience in North America” is coming back to Des Moines! This prehistoric event is perfect for an afternoon out with the whole family. Learn more about Jurassic Que
Family Fun at the Mall of America in the Twin CitiesA visit to the massive Mall of America is a family great getaway idea. The Twin Cities are only a few hours from Des Moines and there are plenty of things to see, do, and eat without leaving the largest shopping mall in America. We have made severa
Des Moines Children’s Museum Details and ProgrammingThe Des Moines Children’s Museum’s focus is to build the foundation of lifelong learning through the power of play. They seek to make play accessible for all children and to connect families in our community. It started with a dream by two local mo
Best Cookie Spots in Des Moines, IowaCraving a delicious cookie but don’t feel like baking? The Des Moines area has lots of great cookie places to choose from whether you want a large cake like a cookie, a stuffed cookie, pan dulce, or even a cup of cookie dough. My boys and I set out to find the to
12+ Reasons to Love the Valley Community Center in West Des Moines, IowaThe Valley Community Center, located in West Des Moines, opened in 2013. The community center is owned and operated by Valley Church, located across the street. The center is located on a 35-acre campus and seeks to provide serv
Whether you are planning a family night, friends night out, or date night, Smash Park has everything you need - dinner, drinks, and games! Family Fun at Smash Park Des MoinesIf you’re looking for an all-in-one destination to entertain the whole family, Smash Park Des Moines is the perfect spot. This
As a busy mom, it can be tough to find the time for a mom’s night out. I recently watched a funny Instagram reel where the mom’s friends scheduled to meet 6 months into the future due to everyone’s schedules. But making the time to get together with friends is so important for overall support and we
