Spring has arrived in Des Moines! Discover the best family-friendly activities happening this April, from exciting spring festivals and Easter egg hunts to Earth Day celebrations and live concerts. Whether you’re planning a weekend outing or looking for fun things to do with kids, Des Moines offers plenty of ways to celebrate the season.
Save the date for the annual Kites on the Green festival on Saturday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Johnston Commons Park.
Enjoy giant show kite displays, kite fighting, free kite building, bol racing, live music, magic shows, stilt walking and sway pole performances, an inflatable obstacle course, visit with Johnston Police and Fire, draw with sidewalk chalk, candy drops and much more. A variety of food trucks will be available for you and your family to enjoy lunch or a sweet treat. A full schedule of events can be found by visiting www.cityofjohnston.com/kitesonthegreen.
For more information and a schedule of all the activities:
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Things to do in Des Moines in April 2026
April 1 | Beyond the Bump, Iowa Hospital Association
5:15 p.m.
The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine is hosting a free Mini Medical School program designed to share cutting-edge research and discoveries with our community. This interactive evening will explore how advancements in maternal and neonatal care are improving outcomes across Iowa, with expert insights on: preeclampsia and pregnancy complications, fetal movement monitoring and stillbirth prevention, neonatal immune system development, and research supporting healthier moms and babies. Space is limited. Register today.
April 2-4 | Kid’s Closet Connection, Franklin Jr. High Event Center
Save up to 90% off the retail price of quality, gently used clothes.
April 3 | Egg Hunt, Des Moines Children’s Museum, West Des Moines
Sensory hour from 5-6 p.m. and 6-8 pm will be the glowtastic egg hunt. No candy or treats, there will be prizes for the scavenger hunt.
April 4 | Family Easter, Living History Farms
9 am – 12pm
It’s Easter in Walnut Hill! Egg hunts and so much more!
// RELATED CONTENT: Easter Egg Hunt Guide //
April 6 | Geocache Egg Hunt, Jester Park Nature Center
Learn how to use a GPS, then go search the park to find some “eggciting” treasures. Space is limited, so register early.
April 11, 12 | Monster Jam®, Casey’s Center
Get ready to cheer, scream, and be amazed as massive Monster Jam trucks and world-champion drivers take over Des Moines for a weekend packed with high-flying action and jaw-dropping stunts.
April 11-17 | Rhea Lana’s Consignment Sale, United Center DSM – Indoor Futsall Center, 1202 Thomas Beck Rd, Des Moines
The sale includes children’s clothes, shoes, toys, books, baby equipment, furniture, nursery bedding, maternity clothing, nursing accessories, and more.
April 11 | Des Moines Mini Maker Faire
9 am to 4 pm
This event is for all ages and celebrates “Empowered Tools” and how both traditional and modern technology help makers bring ideas to life. It features hands-on activities, workshops, and robotics demonstrations from creators across the state.
April 18 | Iowa Wild Fan Appreciation Night featuring Jordan Beem, Casey’s Center
April 18 | Doodle Pop, Temple Theater
A mischievous duo, Woogie & Boogie starts to doodle, and ends up creating a whole imaginative world! They invite us along on their sea adventure with a tiny little turtle. Will they return the turtle to the sea safely?
April 24 | Cinderella, Adventure Clubhouse, Des Moines Playhouse
A lost slipper, a royal ball, and a little fairy-tale magic! This interactive show is designed for ages 4-6.
April 25 | Model Train Display with DesMoiNTrak, Central Library
Visit the library to see a huge model train display.
April 18 | Free Admission for Earth Day, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
9 am to 4 pm
Visit Des Moines’ favorite indoor garden for free in celebration of Earth Day.
April 21 | Changemakers Luncheon, Community Choice Convention Center
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
This annual fundraiser is an uplifting and inspirational opportunity to celebrate babies saved while raising awareness and funds to support their mission. Join the community of Count the Kicks Changemakers who are working to create systemic change, improve birth outcomes, and make stillbirth a maternal health tragedy of the past.
April 20-25 | Drake Relays, Drake Stadium
Witness the best track and field athletes at the Drake Relays. Go for one session or the whole weekend.
April 24 | Nate Bargatze: Big Dumb Eyes World Tour, Casey’s Center
7 pm
April 25 | Folk Art Fair, Living History Farms
10 am to 3 pm
Celebrate the creativity and heritage skills of Iowa artisans.
April 24-25 | Junk Jubilee, Iowa State Fairgrounds
Vintage vendors from all over the Midwest bring their finds for a great vintage experience.
April 25 | Earth Day Celebration, Colby Park in Windsor Heights
Honor our planet and enjoy a day outdoors!
April 28-May 3 | Suffs, Des Moines Civic Center
Tony Award®-winning musical about the brilliant, passionate, and funny American women who fought tirelessly for the right to vote.
May 2 | Kites on the Green, Johnston Commons Park
10 am – 5 pm
Enjoy giant show kite displays, kite fighting, free kite building, bol racing, live music, an inflatable obstacle course, learn about stormwater best management practices, visit with Johnston Police and Fire, draw with sidewalk chalk and much more.
Ongoing Events in Des Moines
Tuesday & Thursdays | Toddler Time, Get Air
10 a.m.
Little jumpers get special access to the trampolines on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Admission is $8.99 (free for a parent). It’s a great way to burn energy!
Thursdays | Caterpillar Club, Reiman Gardens in Ames
Get outside and have some fun with a weekly storytime at Reiman Gardens. This program is designed for kids ages 2-5 with an adult. Program is included with general admission to Reiman Gardens.
Thursdays | Tot Town, Valley Community Center
9:30 am to 11:30 am
Bring the little ones out to play at the Valley Community Center. This event is free.
2nd Monday of the Month | Storytime with Ruby the Reading Red Panda, Blank Park Zoo
11 am
Each month they read a story and you get to meet a special live ambassador animal from the Zoo’s education department.
1st Thursday of the Month | Toddler Tales, Jester Park Nature Center
Let your imagination run wild with this nature-themed story time. Hear a story followed by the naturalist’s choice of an activity such as an animal encounter, puppets, or a craft. This event is designed for ages 3 and up.
Once a Month on Wednesdays | Knee-High Naturalists, Jester Park Nature Center
Are you ready to get outside and explore? Come and hear a story followed by some outdoor fun! As naturalists, you will hike, investigate, and navigate the trails and grounds of Jester Park as you learn what makes the outdoors such an amazing place. Dress to be outside. Cost is free; registration is required.
Fridays | Story Sprouts, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
10:30 am – 11 am
A fun, interactive story time that explores nature and plants. During each program participants will enjoy stories and an activity based on the week’s theme. Story Sprouts is geared toward children ages two to five. Included with general admission.
Second Saturday of the month | Social Saturdays, Des Moines Art Center
11 am to 2 pm
Enjoy fun, creativity, and social engagement. Activities will be offered across all areas of the Art Center, from the galleries, studio classrooms, and Bookey Family Courtyard to Levitt Auditorium, the Art Center Café, the Museum Shop, and more.
Send us an email if we missed anything, and we’ll add your event to the list.
We work hard to ensure the accuracy of this information. However, you should always call ahead to confirm dates, times, locations, and other information before heading to an event or activity, since it may change.
