Adventure Pass Changes in 2025

Due to software issues affecting all libraries using the service, the Des Moines Public Library’s Iowa Adventure Pass program will no longer be available in 2025. Any reservation already made for 2025 will be honored, but we encourage anyone with a current reservation to print those passes immediately. Customers can make new reservations for passes that must be used by December 31, 2024. We hope to reintroduce the service at a later time, and we apologize for the inconvenience. 

Upcoming Events

Filters
Age Group

I Spy: Native American Heritage Month

All Day 12/1 - 12/8
Children
Library Branch: Central Library
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Play & Learn
Event Details:

Come to the Central Youth area to celebrate Native American Heritage Month by finding pictures of some of our favorite authors! And when you've found all the images, stop at the Youth desk to pick out your prize!

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

Power Rangers Scavenger Hunt!

All Day 12/2 - 12/14
Birth-Preschool, Children, Teens
Library Branch: South Side Library
Age Group: Birth-Preschool, Children, Teens
Program Type: Gaming
Event Details:

Visit South and try our Scavenger Hunt! Drop in and search the library for all of the items on the sheet and win a prize!

Drop-in STEM Challenge: Lego Challenges

2:00pm - 7:00pm
Children, Teens
North Side Children’s Area
Library Branch: North Side Library
Room: North Side Children’s Area
Age Group: Children, Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Educational
Event Details:

Build with Lego at North Side! Complete one of our challenges or express your creativity and build something of your own!

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

ASAP Wednesdays: Calligraphy

3:30pm - 4:30pm
Children, Teens
North Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: North Side Library
Room: North Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Children, Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Educational
Event Details:

Learn to make beautiful letters with ASAP at the North Side Library! Calligraphy is the art of lettering, like fancy writing. Practicing calligraphy helps develop fine motor skills and is a fun way to express creativity.

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

ASAP Thursdays: Mosaics!

4:00pm - 5:00pm
Children, Teens
South Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: South Side Library
Room: South Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Children, Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Event Details:

A mosaic is a picture produced by arranging small pieces of stone, tile, or other material.

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

Craftopia: Upcycle Edition!

4:00pm - 6:00pm
Children
Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2, 3
Library Branch: Central Library
Room: Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2, 3
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Play & Learn
Event Details:

Come join us at the Central Library for this special edition of Craftopia! You will get the opportunity to make upcycled rag wreaths, t-shirt tie bags, coasters, etc. and practice upcycling techniques in what is often seen as a season of waste.

Disclaimer(s)

Central Parking

Free library parking is available in Central's underground parking garage for two hours per visit. Parking around the library is metered at various costs from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

Gingerbread House Decorating

5:00pm - 6:15pm
Birth-Preschool, Children, Teens
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Registration
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool, Children, Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 0
Event Details:

We will provide all of the materials to make an amazing gingerbread house fit for an elf. Each family that registers will receive one house to decorate together.

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

Food Allergies

We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy, or other allergens.

Art Club : Faith Ringgold

6:30pm - 7:30pm
Children
Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Storytimes
Event Details:

Art Club will occur on the first Thursday of each month. It will feature picture books and a related art project each month. We will learn about artists, art concepts, and topics that will give us inspiration to make our own art.

Disclaimer(s)

Accompanying Adults

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

Makey-Makey Music

6:30pm - 7:30pm
Children
East Side Meeting Room
Registration
Library Branch: East Side Library
Room: East Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Computers & Technology
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 17
Event Details:

Create music using everyday fruit! Connect fruits to the Makey-Makey kit and explore how circuits and sound come together in this interactive workshop.

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.

Accompanying Adults

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.

Gingerbread House Decorating

6:30pm - 7:45pm
Birth-Preschool, Children, Teens
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Registration
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool, Children, Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 0
Event Details:

We will provide all of the materials to make an amazing gingerbread house fit for an elf. Each family that registers will receive one house to decorate together.

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

Food Allergies

We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy, or other allergens.

LEGO Fridays

10:00am - 4:00pm
Children
Franklin Avenue Children’s Area
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Children’s Area
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Play & Learn
Event Details:

Beat the boredom on Fridays by visiting the library and using your imagination to create amazing things with our LEGOs.

Kid's Craft Day: Popsicle Stick Snowflakes!

All Day
Children
South Side Children’s Area
Library Branch: South Side Library
Room: South Side Children’s Area
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Play & Learn, Take & Make
Event Details:

Drop in at South for Kid's Craft Day in the Children's Area! For kids ages 5-12. Crafts will be available all day while supplies last. 

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

Art Cart Saturdays

10:00am - 4:00pm
Children
East Side Children’s Area
Library Branch: East Side Library
Room: East Side Children’s Area
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Event Details:

Stop in the library for fun arts and crafts with our Art Cart! While supplies last. Adult supervision is required. 

Disclaimer(s)

Accompanying Adults

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.

Disney's Beauty and the Beast Sneak Preview

10:30am - 11:00am
Children, All Ages
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Children, All Ages
Program Type: Performances
Event Details:

Visit the library for a special sneak preview of the Des Moines Community Playhouse production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast.

Enjoy the performance and enter to win free tickets to the play!

 

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

I Spy: Moana 2

All Day 12/9 - 12/23
Children
Library Branch: Central Library
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Play & Learn
Event Details:

Search the Central Youth area for characters from the film Moana 2! Find classic favorites like Moana and discover new characters from the new movie. Find all of the pictures to pick a prize at the desk!

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

ASAP Mondays: Still Life Drawing

4:00pm - 5:00pm
Children
Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Event Details:

If you’re a kid who likes to draw (or wants to learn or improve your skills), this class is for you! In these three weeks we will use charcoal, colored pencils, white pencils, and graphite drawing pencils to practice drawing.

Disclaimer(s)

Accompanying Adults

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

Family Storytime

6:30pm - 7:00pm
Birth-Preschool, Children
South Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: South Side Library
Room: South Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Birth-Preschool, Children
Program Type: Storytimes
Event Details:

Join us for our evening Family Storytime at 6:30 p.m.! Kids and caregivers can join us for fun songs, stories and crafts. You can even wear your jammies!  All Ages Welcome!

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

ASAP Tuesdays: Cookie Decoration

3:30pm - 4:30pm
Children
East Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: East Side Library
Room: East Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Event Details:

Art helps us practice patience and focus; but how about applying those skills to make something yummy?

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.

Accompanying Adults

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.

Cocoa, Cookies and Canvas! Creative Readers-From Book to Art!

4:00pm - 4:45pm
Children
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Franklin Avenue Library
Room: Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Storytimes
Event Details:

Celebrate the holidays with cookies and  hot cocoa while we listen to the story, Wonder and Awe by Annie Herzig. Children will paint their own masterpiece. Ages 3+.

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

Chess Club

4:00pm - 5:00pm
Children, Teens
Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch: Forest Avenue Library
Room: Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group: Children, Teens
Program Type: Educational, Gaming
Event Details:

Join the fun at Chess Club! Chess is one of the world's most popular games and is played by millions of people worldwide. Learn to play or come to test your skills with other players.

Disclaimer(s)

Accompanying Adults

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

Art Club: Crochet a Scarf

4:00pm - 5:30pm
Children, Teens
North Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: North Side Library
Room: North Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Children, Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Event Details:

Crafty tweens and teens ages 8-18 can join us on the 2nd Tuesday of each month for Art Club!

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

Drop-in Crafternoon: Paper Gingerbread Houses

2:00pm - 7:00pm
Children, Teens
North Side Children’s Area
Library Branch: North Side Library
Room: North Side Children’s Area
Age Group: Children, Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Educational
Event Details:

Make a gingerbread house out of cardstock! Drop-in to North Side to decorate and build a paper gingerbread house.

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

ASAP Wednesdays: Calligraphy

3:30pm - 4:30pm
Children, Teens
North Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: North Side Library
Room: North Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Children, Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Educational
Event Details:

Learn to make beautiful letters with ASAP at the North Side Library! Calligraphy is the art of lettering, like fancy writing. Practicing calligraphy helps develop fine motor skills and is a fun way to express creativity.

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.

DIY Cookie Decorating

4:00pm - 5:00pm
Children, Teens
South Side Meeting Room
Library Branch: South Side Library
Room: South Side Meeting Room
Age Group: Children, Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Event Details:

Visit South Side to decorate your own sugar cookies! From colorful frosting to fun toppings, we'll provide everything you need to design delicious cookie creations as unique as you are!

Disclaimer(s)

Children’s Program

Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.