☀ 84° and sunny — perfect splash pad weather. We ranked all 19 of them →
Sister site: DesMoinesDigest.com
THINGS TO DO

25 Free Things to Do With Kids This Summer

Splash pads, story times, free museum days — no wallet required.
EATS & TREATS

12 Kid-Friendly Patios Where Parents Can Actually Relax

EVENTS

Iowa State Fair 2026: The Ultimate Family Survival Plan

PARKS & OUTDOORS

Every Splash Pad in the Metro, Ranked by a 6-Year-Old

CAMPS & SCHOOLS

Fall Preschool Open Houses: Dates & What to Ask

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This Weekend

Full calendar →
FRI JUL 24

Movies in the Park: Moana

Gray's Lake · Free
SAT JUL 25

Downtown Farmers' Market

Court Ave · 7am–12pm
SAT JUL 25

Family Day at the Art Center

DSM Art Center · Free
SUN JUL 26

Blank Park Zoo Brew & Roar

Zoo · Ticketed

Latest Stories

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PARKS

New Playground Alert: Raccoon River's Big Upgrade

JUL 21 · 4 MIN
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EATS & TREATS

The Metro's Best Ice Cream, Mapped

JUL 20 · 6 MIN
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FAMILY LIFE

Rainy Day? 15 Indoor Backups That Aren't the Mall

JUL 18 · 5 MIN
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EVENTS

Adventureland vs. Lost Island: Which Wins for Littles?

JUL 17 · 8 MIN
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CAMPS & SCHOOLS

Back-to-School Supply Drives Across the Metro

JUL 16 · 3 MIN
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THINGS TO DO

The Great DSM Library Passport Challenge

JUL 15 · 4 MIN
MORE STORIES

The Weekend List

5 family picks every Thursday. Free forever.
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OUR SISTER SITE

Des Moines Digest

Metro news, openings and happenings — beyond the family beat.
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SEASONAL GUIDE

The 2026 Summer Camp Guide

120+ metro camps, filterable by age, price and neighborhood.
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