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This event is in the "Children" group
This event is in the "Children" group
I Spy: Bad Guys 2
All Day
1/5–1/18
Central Library Children’s Area
Library Branch:
Central Library
Room:
Central Library Children’s Area
Age Group:
Children
Program Type:
Play & Learn
Event Details:
Come find pictures of your favorite Bad Guys 2 characters in the Central Youth area. Once you've found them all, stop at the Youth desk to claim your prize!
Disclaimer(s)
Children’s Program
Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.
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This event is in the "Children" group
This event is in the "Children" group
I Spy: Dog Man
All Day
1/20–1/31
Central Library Children’s Area
Library Branch:
Central Library
Room:
Central Library Children’s Area
Age Group:
Children
Program Type:
Play & Learn
Event Details:
Come find pictures of your favorite Dog Man characters in the Central Youth area. Once you've found them all, stop at the Youth desk to claim your prize!
Disclaimer(s)
Children’s Program
Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.
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| 10 am |
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This event is in the "Children" group
This event is in the "Children" group
Jan
22
2026
Thu
Park-N-Play
10:00am–12:00pm
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch:
Franklin Avenue Library
Room:
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group:
Children
Program Type:
Play & Learn
Event Details:
Join us for indoor Park-N-Play, hosted by the City of Des Moines Parks and Recreation department on Thursday mornings in the Franklin Avenue Library meeting room.
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| 11 am |
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| 12 pm |
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| 1 pm |
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| 2 pm |
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This event is in the "Children" group
This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Children" group
This event is in the "Teens" group
Jan
20
2026
Tue
Drop-In STEM Challenge : Marshmallow Tower
2:00pm–5:00pm
Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch:
Forest Avenue Library
Room:
Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group:
Children,
Teens
Program Type:
Educational,
Play & Learn
Event Details:
Join us at Forest for The Big Marshmallow Tower STEM Challenge!
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.
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| 3 pm |
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This event is in the "Children" group
This event is in the "Children" group
Jan
20
2026
Tue
ASAP Tuesdays: Fantastical Art
3:30pm–4:30pm
East Side Meeting Room
Library Branch:
East Side Library
Room:
East Side Meeting Room
Age Group:
Children
Program Type:
Arts & Crafts
Event Details:
Use your fantastic imagination to create castles, fairy houses, dragon eggs and more with a professional ASAP artist. A snack will be provided for all participants.
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.
This event is in the "Children" group
This event is in the "Children" group
Jan
20
2026
Tue
Dog Man Bingo
3:30pm–4:30pm
North Side Meeting Room
Library Branch:
North Side Library
Room:
North Side Meeting Room
Age Group:
Children
Program Type:
Gaming
Event Details:
Dog Man: The Musical is coming to town. Celebrate your love of Dog Man while competing for prizes at Dog Man Bingo!
Disclaimer(s)
Children’s Program
Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.
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This event is in the "Children" group
This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Children" group
This event is in the "Teens" group
Jan
21
2026
Wed
ASAP Wednesdays: Air-Dry Clay Creations
3:30pm–4:30pm
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:
Get hands-on with air-dry clay and create a miniature masterpiece to take home each week. A professional ASAP teaching artist leads this fun, creative class, and a snack is provided for every participant.
Disclaimer(s)
Children’s Program
Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.
This event is in the "Children" group
This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Children" group
This event is in the "Teens" group
Jan
21
2026
Wed
Paper Circuit Art
3:30pm–5:00pm
South Side Meeting Room
Library Branch:
South Side Library
Room:
South Side Meeting Room
Age Group:
Children,
Teens
Program Type:
Arts & Crafts,
Computers & Technology
Event Details:
Design your own glowing artwork using copper tape, LEDs, and batteries, while learning simple principles of electricity and creativity. All materials provided—just bring your imagination!
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| 4 pm |
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This event is in the "Children" group
This event is in the "Children" group
Jan
20
2026
Tue
Creative Readers
4:00pm–4:45pm
Franklin Avenue Children’s Area
Library Branch:
Franklin Avenue Library
Room:
Franklin Avenue Children’s Area
Age Group:
Children
Program Type:
Arts & Crafts,
Storytimes
Event Details:
Join us in celebrating the joy of reading and art as we explore materials and STEM activities inspired by a picture book. Ages 3 and up.
Disclaimer(s)
Children’s Program
Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.
This event is in the "Children" group
This event is in the "Children" group
Jan
20
2026
Tue
Reading Buddies with ARL TheraPets!
4:00pm–5:00pm
Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2
Library Branch:
Central Library
Room:
Central Library Meeting Room 1, 2
Age Group:
Children
Program Type:
Educational,
Health & Wellness,
Play & Learn
Event Details:
When you're learning to read, practicing out loud can be daunting! Visit Central Library to practice reading with an ARL TheraPet. Engaging with animals is a great way to boost confidence and reduce anxiety around learning to read.
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.
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.
This event is in the "Birth-Preschool" group
This event is in the "Children" group
Birth-Preschool,
Children
This event is in the "Birth-Preschool" group
This event is in the "Children" group
Jan
20
2026
Tue
Sensory Play Hour
4:00pm–5:00pm
South Side Meeting Room
Library Branch:
South Side Library
Room:
South Side Meeting Room
Age Group:
Birth-Preschool,
Children
Program Type:
Play & Learn
Event Details:
Come to South Side for an hour of sensory exploration!
Disclaimer(s)
Children’s Program
Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.
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This event is in the "Birth-Preschool" group
This event is in the "Children" group
Birth-Preschool,
Children
This event is in the "Birth-Preschool" group
This event is in the "Children" group
Jan
21
2026
Wed
Art Cart
4:00pm–7:30pm
North Side Children’s Area
Library Branch:
North Side Library
Room:
North Side Children’s Area
Age Group:
Birth-Preschool,
Children
Program Type:
Arts & Crafts
Event Details:
Get creative at North Side! Drop-in on Wednesdays to enjoy our large cart of art supplies.
Disclaimer(s)
Children’s Program
Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.
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This event is in the "Children" group
This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Children" group
This event is in the "Teens" group
Jan
22
2026
Thu
ASAP Thursdays: Art Adventures
4:00pm–5:00pm
South Side Meeting Room
Library Branch:
South Side Library
Room:
South Side Meeting Room
Age Group:
Children,
Teens
Program Type:
Arts & Crafts
Event Details:
This class celebrates the process of artmaking as much as the final piece. Each week offers new techniques and mediums that create true art adventures. An ASAP teaching artist leads the class and supports every young creator.
Disclaimer(s)
Children’s Program
Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.
This event is in the "Children" group
This event is in the "Children" group
Jan
22
2026
Thu
Dog Man Crafternoon!
4:00pm–5:00pm
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,
Educational
Event Details:
Join us for an hour of Dog Man-inspired activities, crafts, and snacks! Enter a drawing to win 4 tickets to Dog Man: The Musical on January 31st, presented by Des Moines Performing Arts.
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.
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.
This event is in the "Children" group
This event is in the "Children" group
Jan
22
2026
Thu
Kids Pokémon Card Swap
4:00pm–5:00pm
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch:
Franklin Avenue Library
Room:
Franklin Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group:
Children
Program Type:
Gaming
Event Details:
Are you looking for a place to trade your Pokémon cards? Bring your friends and come to this monthly program with any cards you want to trade. This event is open to children ages 6-18.
Disclaimer(s)
Children’s Program
Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by a caregiver over 12 years old.
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| 5 pm |
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| 6 pm |
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This event is in the "Children" group
This event is in the "Children" group
Jan
22
2026
Thu
DOG MAN BINGO!
6:00pm–7:00pm
East Side Meeting Room
Library Branch:
East Side Library
Room:
East Side Meeting Room
Age Group:
Children
Program Type:
Arts & Crafts,
Play & Learn
Event Details:
B-I-N-G-O it's DOG MAN! Join us for a fun night of bingo, crafts and celebrating our favorite hero: Dog Man! BINGO Prizes are tickets to Dog Man the Musical at Civic Center, donated by Des Moines Performing Arts.
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.
This event is in the "Birth-Preschool" group
This event is in the "Children" group
Birth-Preschool,
Children
This event is in the "Birth-Preschool" group
This event is in the "Children" group
Jan
22
2026
Thu
Cuentacuentos: Bilingual Storytime
6:15pm–7:00pm
Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Library Branch:
Forest Avenue Library
Room:
Forest Avenue Meeting Room
Age Group:
Birth-Preschool,
Children
Program Type:
Arts & Crafts,
Storytimes
Event Details:
Enjoy children's stories, rhymes, and arts & crafts! Join us at the Forest Avenue Library for a bilingual story hour on the fourth Thursday of each month, starting at 6:15 P.M.
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.
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