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 well-being, not to mention all the laughter that heals the soul. If you’re ready to plan your next mom’s night out, check out these fun suggestions.
Bookmark these other resources:
- Things To Do for a Dad’s {or Day} Night Out in Des Moines
- Postpartum Support Groups in Des Moines
- Fitness for Moms in Des Moines and Other Resources
These studios provide different mediums and often teach you step-by-step how to make something beautiful while having fun creating. Many places are BYOB or have beverages available for purchase.
Artfull (new location) in Johnston, IA
This art studio and do-it-yourself shop are perfect for drop-ins to try wood/ceramics, canvas, mixed media,a and more. Space can also be reserved for groups of 6 or more or book a workshop event. They now have a selection of wine and seltzers as well as Coke products to enjoy while you craft.
Board and Brush in Clive, IA
Create wood décor products while enjoying their selection of wine, beer, and seltzers. Check out their website to sign up for upcoming workshops.
Candle Bar DSM in West Des Moines
Create the perfect candle or reed diffuser by choosing your container, scent, blend, and then pouring your candle. Bring your own drinks and food. Reservations are required for weekends and recommended for weekdays. Learn more about our experience!
Glazed Expressions with locations in Clive and Ankeny
Get creative with pottery painting and candle making at their drop-in studios. Check their calendar for special events like themed nights and “Naughty Pottery Night.”
Painting with a Twist in Urbandale
Follow class instructors step by step to create a painting on canvas, wooden pallets, wooden cutouts, and various sizes of pine boards. Bring a snack and purchase a beverage from their bar. They also offer open drop-in times. Check their schedule for current classes offered.
There are many great restaurants in the Des Moines Metro to visit. Mix it up by signing up for a cooking class or wine/beer tasting.
Cooking with Alessandra in East Village, Des Moines
My friend and I took a cooking class at Cooking with Alessandra for sushi making. They have a fully stocked kitchen, and a large table for participants to sit and the classes are very hands-on. Everyone made our sushi rolls and we even left with extra sushi to take home. Bring your beverages to enjoy while cooking.
Afterward, walk across the street to Zombie Burger and enjoy a spiked milkshake.
Kitchen Collage of Des Moines
I completed a churro cooking class at Kitchen Collage with my husband. It’s a smaller, more intimate setting. We mostly watched and learned from the instructor but were able to help a little bit too. It was fun and we enjoyed sampling the food. They have a fancy espresso machine and we all got a cup to enjoy with our dessert. Visit their website to register for a class.
Lucca in Des Moines
This popular Italian restaurant has a delicious menu but up the experience by sampling their dinner prix-fixe menu including four different courses. My friend and I enjoyed dinner after a spa day at the nearby East Village Spa. This was quite an upgrade from our teenage days sharing a dessert and bottomless fries at Red Robin.
WineStyles West Glen and BeerStyles Taproom and Gastropub
Sister companies WinesStyles and BeerStyles offer wine/beer/cocktail tastings with monthly interactive and educational tasting events. Check their websites for schedules and to learn more about their offerings.
Crème Cupcake in Des Moines
We all know they have amazing desserts, but every Friday and Saturday from 6 PM to midnight they have Midnight Munchies. This is a millennial dream (I can say this as a millennial) with a cup of noodles, cakes, and jamming out to 90s music.
Check out events at Hoyt Sherman Place for a fun night out.
On January 23rd, 2025 the stand-up comedy show Moms Unhinged will be at The Tea Room in Des Moines. Purchase tickets here.
Climb Iowa with locations in Grimes and East Village
Challenge yourself with indoor rock climbing or check their schedule for a yoga or fitness class. A friend and I spent an afternoon climbing at the Grimes location and it was fun to try something new and accomplish climbing the wall.
Up-Down in Des Moines
Choose from over 60 arcade games from the 80s and 90s (including my favorite, Asteroids) as well as pinball machines, skeeball alleys, Nintendo and Sega gaming, and life-size Jenga and Connect Four. They serve pizza and drinks. Learn more here!
Smash Park in West Des Moines
Rent a pickleball court or have drinks and appetizers while playing arcade games, cornhole, axe throwing, and more. My friend and I had a “girl’s morning” and some experienced pickleball players taught us how to play and keep score. It was a lot of fun if you are looking for something active or competitive. We love Smash Park for many reasons!
Flix Brewhouse in Des Moines
Eat dinner while relaxing in their ultra loungers watching a movie on the big screen. You can arrive early for drinks/appetizers to catch up before the movie. My neighbor organized a mom’s night to hang out at our local theater for drinks and then watch the Barbie movie. We all had a blast and it was a relaxing night. Take a look at what is showing here!
If you are looking for other adventures nearby, check out the Merle Hall Mall Entertainment Webpage featuring Dink’s Pickleball, Gameday Bowling Lanes, SmashRoom Iowa, and White Rabbit Virtual Reality.
When I’m enjoying a mom’s night (or day), I want to do something that I wouldn’t normally do with my kids. For me, this means relaxing and enjoying some pampering. Here are a few places to relax with the girls:
East Village Spa in Des Moines
Relax with massages, facials, mani-pedis, and more at this tranquil spa. East Village Spa is truly a great place to pamper yourself.
Salon Spa W in Des Moines
Schedule mani-pedis or other relaxation services with complimentary coffee, wine, and prosecco.
And if the idea of putting on real pants and going out makes you feel more tired, invite your friends over for snacks, games, at-home movie night, dessert bar, make your own spa night, or even just sit on the couch to chat. We all need that sometimes too!