Field Trip Finder Des Moines

Homeschool & family fun around Des Moines, IA

Homeschool days, free outings, library passes and family events in Des Moines, each checked with the museum, zoo, library or organizer page.

9current listings
6with upcoming dates
2free or no fee listed
4good for little kids (2–4)

Jump to: Homeschool days & classes · Free outings · Family & holiday events · Library perks · Halloween events · Trick-or-treating · Calendar · Homeschool groups & resources

Age
Key
  • Free (per source) The organizer’s page says it’s free.
  • Price not listed The cost is on the card, or the source doesn’t say.
  • Next: Sat, Oct 24 The soonest date we found. More dates are under “More details.”
  • Ongoing / by arrangement Open on regular days or by booking, not one set date.
  • Preschool Kids Teens The ages the venue states. “All ages welcome” fits everyone.
  • Good for little kids (2–4) The venue’s own page lists something for toddlers or preschoolers, like a storytime, a tot lot or free entry for under-5s.
  • Area The part of town the event is in.

Tags are our planning notes, not the venue’s. Always check with the venue before you go.

Calendar

Tap a date to see that day's events. Only listings with set dates appear here; places you can visit any open day are listed further down.

Resources

Library perks

Library perks for Des Moines Public Library cardholders.

Getting a card: The Adventure Pass needs a Des Moines Public Library card. The pass page says the cardholder must be 18+ and live in Des Moines, Windsor Heights or Saylor Township. Ask any library branch about getting a card.

Full details, rules and sources (0 passes)
Local homeschool resources & groups
Homeschool co-ops & classesHomeschool days, discounts & library programs
Check before you go. We copy details from each venue's own page and show when we last checked. Where a page doesn't say something, we write "Not listed on source" instead of guessing. Dates sell out and programs change, so confirm with the venue.

All upcoming

Every dated event, soonest first (the next date for each listing).

Halloween events (3 listings)

Carnivals, festivals, corn mazes & spooky outings

Halloween events around Des Moines, checked on each organizer's page on Oct 24, 2026.

Night Eyes at Blank Park Zoo

Blank Park Zoo · Des Moines (Blank Park Zoo · Southwest side & suburbs)
Halloween eventNext: Sat, Oct 24Good for little kids (2–4)Southwest side & suburbsAll ages welcome

"Merry, not scary" Halloween nights with lighted displays, a treat safari with candy stations, a fun zone, costume characters and a costume show at 7 p.m. Animals are not on view at night. Bring your own treat bag.

📅 Add a date to your calendar
Sat, Oct 24Apple / OutlookGoogle
Sun, Oct 25Apple / OutlookGoogle
More detailsLess (includes a notice)

Upcoming dates: Sat, Oct 24, 2026; Sun, Oct 25, 2026

  • When: Through Sun Oct 25, 2026
  • Time: 5:30–9 p.m.
  • Price: $10, members $8 (free under 12 months). Separate from daytime admission.
  • Ages: All ages
  • Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Last admission is 8:30 p.m. Tickets are valid any of the eight nights.

Source:Last checked 2026-10-24.

Spooky Science at the Science Center of Iowa

Science Center of Iowa · Des Moines (Science Center of Iowa · Downtown & central Des Moines)
Halloween eventPrice not listedNext: Sat, Oct 31Good for little kids (2–4)Downtown & central Des MoinesAll ages welcome

A "safe" Halloween with spooky experiments, creepy-crawly critters and more. Costumes are encouraged. No costume weapons are allowed in the building.

📅 Add to calendar
Apple / Outlook (.ics)Google Calendar
More detailsLess (includes a notice)

Upcoming dates: Sat, Oct 31, 2026

  • When: Sat Oct 31, 2026
  • Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m. (building hours)
  • Price: Included with admission, free for members
  • Ages: All ages
  • Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Not fully confirmed: The page does not give a ticket price or a program schedule. The 9 a.m.–4 p.m. hours are the building's opening hours on the same page.

Source:Last checked 2026-10-24.

Trick or Trees at the Botanical Garden

Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden · Des Moines (Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden · Downtown & central Des Moines)
Trick-or-treatingNext: Sat, Oct 31Good for little kids (2–4)Downtown & central Des MoinesAll ages welcome

A "family-friendly, non-scary" day of trick-or-treating stations, activities, costumes, face painting, acrobatic and magic shows and fall foods inside the garden.

📅 Add to calendar
Apple / Outlook (.ics)Google Calendar
More detailsLess (includes a notice)

Upcoming dates: Sat, Oct 31, 2026

  • When: Sat Oct 31, 2026
  • Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
  • Price: Adult $14, senior $13, youth $11, members free. Free with Museums for All, SNAP/EBT and the Pineapple Program.
  • Ages: All ages
  • Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ The page does not say what "youth" covers.

Source:Last checked 2026-10-24.

Trick-or-treating (2 listings)

Trunk-or-treats & Halloween-night neighborhoods

Halloween falls on Saturday, Oct 31, 2026. Trick-or-treat events checked Oct 24, 2026.

Trunk-or-treats & trick-or-treat events, Oct 24–31

Night Eyes at Blank Park Zoo

Blank Park Zoo · Des Moines (Blank Park Zoo · Southwest side & suburbs)
Halloween eventNext: Sat, Oct 24Good for little kids (2–4)Southwest side & suburbsAll ages welcome

"Merry, not scary" Halloween nights with lighted displays, a treat safari with candy stations, a fun zone, costume characters and a costume show at 7 p.m. Animals are not on view at night. Bring your own treat bag.

📅 Add a date to your calendar
Sat, Oct 24Apple / OutlookGoogle
Sun, Oct 25Apple / OutlookGoogle
More detailsLess (includes a notice)

Upcoming dates: Sat, Oct 24, 2026; Sun, Oct 25, 2026

  • When: Through Sun Oct 25, 2026
  • Time: 5:30–9 p.m.
  • Price: $10, members $8 (free under 12 months). Separate from daytime admission.
  • Ages: All ages
  • Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Last admission is 8:30 p.m. Tickets are valid any of the eight nights.

Source:Last checked 2026-10-24.

Trick or Trees at the Botanical Garden

Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden · Des Moines (Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden · Downtown & central Des Moines)
Trick-or-treatingNext: Sat, Oct 31Good for little kids (2–4)Downtown & central Des MoinesAll ages welcome

A "family-friendly, non-scary" day of trick-or-treating stations, activities, costumes, face painting, acrobatic and magic shows and fall foods inside the garden.

📅 Add to calendar
Apple / Outlook (.ics)Google Calendar
More detailsLess (includes a notice)

Upcoming dates: Sat, Oct 31, 2026

  • When: Sat Oct 31, 2026
  • Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
  • Price: Adult $14, senior $13, youth $11, members free. Free with Museums for All, SNAP/EBT and the Pineapple Program.
  • Ages: All ages
  • Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ The page does not say what "youth" covers.

Source:Last checked 2026-10-24.

Bigger Halloween events that also have trick-or-treating (listed under Halloween events): Night Eyes at Blank Park Zoo (Sat, Oct 24), Trick or Trees at the Botanical Garden (Sat, Oct 31).

Safety tips
  • Check each event's page before you go, since tickets and times can change.
  • Bring your own treat bag where the event asks for it.
  • Clocks fall back one hour on Sunday, Nov 1.

Homeschool days & classes (3 listings)

Advanced homeschool workshops (Science Center of Iowa)

Science Center of Iowa · Des Moines (Science Center of Iowa · Downtown & central Des Moines)
WorkshopNext: Thu, Oct 29Downtown & central Des MoinesKids · Teens

One-hour project-based workshops for older homeschool learners. October 2026 is "Brain & Behavior" (Oct 29: "Motivation & Mindset"). The February 2027 series is "Robotics & Innovation" (Jan 28 to Feb 25). Registration includes Science Center admission for the rest of the day.

📅 Add a date to your calendar
Thu, Oct 29Apple / OutlookGoogle
Thu, Jan 28Apple / OutlookGoogle
Thu, Feb 4Apple / OutlookGoogle
Thu, Feb 11Apple / OutlookGoogle
Thu, Feb 18Apple / OutlookGoogle
Thu, Feb 25Apple / OutlookGoogle
More detailsLess

Upcoming dates: Thu, Oct 29, 2026; Thu, Jan 28, 2027; Thu, Feb 4, 2027; Thu, Feb 11, 2027; Thu, Feb 18, 2027; Thu, Feb 25, 2027

  • When: Thursdays: Oct 29, 2026 and Jan 28, Feb 4, 11, 18, 25, 2027
  • Time: 1–2 p.m.
  • Price: $16 members or $26 non-members per workshop ($75 / $125 for the 5-week package)
  • Ages: Ages 11–18
  • Booking: Register online with the Science Center.
Source:Last checked 2026-10-24.

Homeschool Science Series at the Science Center of Iowa

Science Center of Iowa · Des Moines (Science Center of Iowa · Downtown & central Des Moines)
WorkshopNext: Thu, Oct 29Downtown & central Des MoinesPreschool · Kids · Teens

Five-week Thursday science workshops for grades K–8. A parent or caregiver who registers joins a free workshop at the same time. October 2026 is "Brain Games" (the last session, Oct 29, is "Your Changing Brain"). The next series, "Think, Make, Improve," runs Jan 28 to Feb 25, 2027. Registration includes Science Center admission for the rest of the day.

📅 Add a date to your calendar
Thu, Oct 29Apple / OutlookGoogle
Thu, Jan 28Apple / OutlookGoogle
Thu, Feb 4Apple / OutlookGoogle
Thu, Feb 11Apple / OutlookGoogle
Thu, Feb 18Apple / OutlookGoogle
Thu, Feb 25Apple / OutlookGoogle
More detailsLess (includes a notice)

Upcoming dates: Thu, Oct 29, 2026; Thu, Jan 28, 2027; Thu, Feb 4, 2027; Thu, Feb 11, 2027; Thu, Feb 18, 2027; Thu, Feb 25, 2027

  • When: Thursdays: Oct 29, 2026 and Jan 28, Feb 4, 11, 18, 25, 2027
  • Time: 11 a.m.–noon
  • Price: $16 members or $26 non-members per child per workshop ($75 / $125 for the 5-week package). Parents who register pay nothing extra.
  • Ages: Ages 5–14 (grades K–8)
  • Booking: Register online with the Science Center. Only registered children and parents can attend. Children under 5 with a registered parent do not need to register.

⚠️ The page lists the price per child as "$16 or $75/package" (members) and "$26 or $125/package" (non-members).

Source:Last checked 2026-10-24.

Homeschool group visits at the Science Center of Iowa

Science Center of Iowa · Des Moines (Science Center of Iowa · Downtown & central Des Moines)
Science centerOngoing / by arrangementDowntown & central Des MoinesAll ages welcome

Homeschool co-ops and organized homeschool groups can book a visit at the school-year group rate. It includes the hands-on exhibits and any programming available that day.

More detailsLess (includes a notice)
  • When: Tue, Wed and Thu, September–May (by booking form)
  • Time: Not listed on source
  • Price: $8.50 per student
  • Ages: All ages
  • Booking: Use the group booking form on the Science Center page.

⚠️ The center's hours on that page show it closed on Tuesdays, so ask about a Tuesday visit when you book.

Source:Last checked 2026-10-24.

Free outings (1 listings)

Free admission at the Des Moines Art Center

Des Moines Art Center · Des Moines (Des Moines Art Center · Downtown & central Des Moines)
MuseumFree (per source)Ongoing / by arrangementGood for little kids (2–4)Downtown & central Des MoinesAll ages welcome

The museum and sculpture park are free every day they are open, with free parking on site. The 4.4-acre Pappajohn Sculpture Park downtown is open to walk through too.

More detailsLess (includes a notice)
  • When: Tue–Sun (closed Mondays)
  • Time: Tue–Wed 10–4, Thu–Fri 10–7, Sat–Sun 10–5
  • Price: Free
  • Ages: All ages
  • Booking: Not listed on source

⚠️ Closed on federal holidays such as Thanksgiving.

Source:Last checked 2026-10-24.

Family & holiday events (1 listings)

School's Out Safari day camps at Blank Park Zoo

Blank Park Zoo · Des Moines (Blank Park Zoo · Southwest side & suburbs)
Day campNext: Mon, Nov 2Southwest side & suburbsKids

Single-day, drop-off camps for children in grades K–5 on days metro schools are out. Campers explore the zoo, meet some animals and do hands-on STEM. Bring a non-refrigerated lunch and two snacks. Nov 2, 2026 is the next day.

📅 Add a date to your calendar
Mon, Nov 2Apple / OutlookGoogle
Mon, Dec 21Apple / OutlookGoogle
Tue, Dec 22Apple / OutlookGoogle
Mon, Dec 28Apple / OutlookGoogle
Tue, Dec 29Apple / OutlookGoogle
Wed, Dec 30Apple / OutlookGoogle
Thu, Dec 31Apple / OutlookGoogle
More detailsLess (includes a notice)

Upcoming dates: Mon, Nov 2, 2026; Mon, Dec 21, 2026; Tue, Dec 22, 2026; Mon, Dec 28, 2026; Tue, Dec 29, 2026; Wed, Dec 30, 2026; Thu, Dec 31, 2026

  • When: Mon Nov 2; Dec 21–22 and 28–31, 2026
  • Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m. (drop-off 8:45)
  • Price: $75 per day, members save 10%
  • Ages: Grades K–5
  • Booking: Register and prepay online. Cancel more than 2 weeks ahead for a refund minus $15/day.

⚠️ Not specific to homeschoolers. It is open to any child in grades K–5.

Source:Last checked 2026-10-24.