Spend Spring Break at the Des Moines Public Library! Our resources will keep you and your family both engaged and entertained, and there are tons of programs and activities at all our branches.
Check out our resources and events below, and be sure to take a look at our storytimes for the younger kids. Go to our events page for more information on all our events and programs.
Spring Break is also a great time to check out books from the library. Be sure to browse the children's section and find some fun books to bring home!
Iowa Adventure Pass
Use your library card to check out an Iowa Adventure Pass to the Blank Park Zoo, the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, the Brenton Skating Plaza, and the Science Center of Iowa. When you reserve an Adventure Pass with your library card, you book yourself and your family and friends a full day of fun. Each pass allows entrance for up to two adults and two children.
Launchpads
Launchpads are durable tablets made for kids now available to check out from the Des Moines Public Library. Preloaded with educational content they will keep your kids busy and learning for hours. Each of our 30+ Launchpads has a different theme or learning objective from reading comprehension to nature, space, and more.
Board Games
The library now has 50 board games including classics like Codenames, Settlers of Catan, and 7 Wonders, as well as great 2-player games, including Hive and Japiur. This board game collection is a great for get-togethers and game nights – like other Library of Things items, when you borrow a board game, you get it for up to a week. With such a large collection, there will always be something new to try!
Library of Things
Our Library of Things has lots of fun of the whole family. Spend time in the kitchen using our cookie cutters and ice cream maker, and check out some of our outdoor games, like cornhole and ring toss. Some of those outdoor games are even safe to use in a big space inside!
Tech Central
Create personalized gifts and for friends and family using our Tech Central Innovation and Maker Lab. Check out our sublimation printer, embroidery machine ,laser engraver, and more.
Kanopy Kids
Make extra screen time extra educational with Kanopy Kids, a video streaming service that’s free with your Des Moines Public Library card. Kanopy Kids includes hundreds of movies, TV shows, and read along books you’re your kids will love. The app is appropriate for children ages 2 and up, with an emphasis on programming for ages 2-8.
Monday, March 11
Wild Weather Scavenger Hunt
March 4-16 | Ages 3+ | South Side Library
I Spy: Travel
March 10-23 | Kids | Central Library
Fun with Folktales Take-and-Make
Kids | South Side Library
Origami Cat Craft
Ages 5+ | South Side Library
Kid's Art Cart
10 AM-5 PM | Kids and Teens | North Side Library
STEAM Cart Challenge: Rosie Robotics
2 PM | Kids | East Side Library | Registration Required
Birdfeeder Craft
4 PM | Kids | Central Library | Registration Required
Franklin VolunTeens
4 PM | Ages 12-18 | Franklin Avenue Library
Furry Tales
4 PM | Kids | North Side Library
Movie Watch Party: Barbie (PG-13)
4 PM | All Ages | Forest Avenue Library
Tuesday, March 12
Wild Weather Scavenger Hunt
March 4-16 | Ages 3+ | South Side Library
I Spy: Travel
March 10-23 | Kids | Central Library
Super Heroines Scavenger Hunt
March 12-16 | Ages 6+ | Forest Avenue Library
Play, Grow, Learn!
10 AM | Ages 0-5 | South Side Library
Design Your Own Pencil Pouch
3 PM | Kids | East Side Library | Registration Required
3-D Printing Basics: Story Starter Dice
3:30 PM | Ages 10-18 | North Side Library | Registration Required
Giant Board Games
3:30 PM | Ages 5+ | South Side Library
Level Up!
4 PM | Ages 8+ | Forest Avenue Library
Game On! Mario Kart Tournament
4:30 PM | Teens | Central Library | Registration Required
Wednesday, March 13
Wild Weather Scavenger Hunt
March 4-16 | Ages 3+ | South Side Library
I Spy: Travel
March 10-23 | Kids | Central Library
Super Heroines Scavenger Hunt
March 12-16 | Ages 6+ | Forest Avenue Library
Central Craftopia
1-3 PM | Kids | Central Library
Drop-In: Obstacle Course
1-7:30 PM | Kids | East Side Library
Drop-In Crafternoon: Egg Carton Flowers
2-7 PM | Kids and Teens | North Side Library
LEGO Boat Race Challenge
3 PM | Ages 6-12 | Franklin Avenue Library
Thursday, March 14
Wild Weather Scavenger Hunt
March 4-16 | Ages 3+ | South Side Library
I Spy: Travel
March 10-23 | Kids | Central Library
Super Heroines Scavenger Hunt
March 12-16 | Ages 6+ | Forest Avenue Library
Pokémon Bingo
3 PM | Kids | Franklin Avenue Library
Nano Tape Air Squishies
3:30 PM | Ages 8-18 | South Side Library
Hungry Games Escape Room
Ages 12-18 | Central Library
Session 1 | 4 PM | Registration Required
Session 2 | 5 PM | Registration Required
Teen Tiny Art
5 PM | Teens | East Side Library | Registration Required
Pajama Storytime
6 PM | Kids and Families | Forest Avenue Library
Friday, March 15
Wild Weather Scavenger Hunt
March 4-16 | Ages 3+ | South Side Library
I Spy: Travel
March 10-23 | Kids | Central Library
Super Heroines Scavenger Hunt
March 12-16 | Ages 6+ | Forest Avenue Library
Garden Starters
10 AM | Kids | Central Library | Registration Required
Crystal Wire-Wrapped Necklaces
2 PM | Teens | East Side Library | Registration Required
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (PG) Movie Party
2 PM | Kids | Forest Avenue Library
Saturday, March 16
Wild Weather Scavenger Hunt
March 4-16 | Ages 3+ | South Side Library
I Spy: Travel
March 10-23 | Kids | Central Library
Super Heroines Scavenger Hunt
March 12-16 | Ages 6+ | Forest Avenue Library
Family STEM Challenge: Build a Bridge
10 AM-12 PM | Kids and Families | Franklin Avenue Library
Art Cart
10 AM-4 PM | Kids | East Side Library
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with the Foy Irish Dancers
1:30 PM | All Ages | Central Library
Sunday, March 17
I Spy: Travel
March 10-23 | Kids | Central Library