Looking for ways to stay entertained at home for Spring break this year? We've compiled plenty of ways to keep busy and have fun in Greater Des Moines – either virtually from home or live and in person. No matter your comfort level, there's something for everyone to enjoy and #CATCHdsm!
Virtual/At home
DMACC's Celebrate Innovation Week - ciWeek12
Where: Virtual – join the livestream via YouTube, Facebook Live, and e360tv
When: Daily, March 10 - 12, 2021
Admission: Free
Why: For the 12th year, DMACC presents Celebrate Innovation week with another impressive lineup of speakers sharing their stories and inspiring audiences to shoot for the stars. This year, audiences can hear from Dr. Sian Proctor, a geoscientist, analog astronaut, space artist, speaker, and solar system ambassador; Nikki van Schyndel, one of North America's top wilderness survivalists, as well as a best-selling author and star of the self-filming, survival show "Alone" on the History Channel; The Ghost Brothers - Atlanta's Premier Ghost Hunting Team; and many more!
Mountain Goat Mountain
Where: A virtual, screen-free theater adventure – from home!
When: This event can be enjoyed at a time of your family's choosing. Activate your pass any time before March 7, 2021, and you'll have 30 days to complete the hour-long adventure as many times as you'd like.
Admission: $10 access pass
Why: This new audio theater work guides families through no-prep activities to set up and step into their own imaginative world. An evocative narrative soundscape will take you on a journey that bumps you out of the ordinary and into a world where you work together to uncover its secrets and discover the hidden treasures in each other. What you need: A sheet (the bigger, the better), a piece of blank paper, colored pencils, a device (computer, phone, iPad) you can plug into speakers - you're going to want to play it really loud! And, some people you love.
The University of Wonder & Imagination
Where: Virtual performance - Hogwarts meets virtual escape room in this interactive, visually-stunning Zoom performance
When: March 19 - 21, performances are one hour long and occur at 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3 p.m. each day
Admission: $10 access pass
Why: The University of Wonder & Imagination is now enrolling students of all ages and magical abilities, and there's a place with your name on it! Journey to the most unusual school, where the mysterious Professor Bamberg will send you off to interact with the liveliest of lecturers, choose your subjects of study, enter themed rooms (such as Math, Science, and Art!) and encounter all kinds of problems and puzzles, unlocking your magical powers as you go. The decisions made by you during the event will shape your unique experience.
Both in-person and virtual/at home
Iowa Wild Hockey
Where: Wells Fargo Arena
When: 6 p.m. Saturday, March 13 and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 14
Admission: Tickets start at $15 per person or buy access to AHL TV to stream the game from your devices starting at $7.99 for single-day access
Why: Catch the fast-paced, puck-flying action at Wells Fargo Arena when the Iowa Wild take on the Chicago Wolves. Tickets are limited to ensure social distancing, so reserve yours today!
AR Workshop
Where: 1631 SW Main St Suite 104, Ankeny
When: Customizable workshops offered Wednesday - Sunday
Admission: Projects start at $55, or pick up a DIY to-go kit available for both kids and adults
Why: Join a scheduled workshop for a memorable DIY experience. Hands-on classes to teach you how to create the latest on-trend designs on customizable decor accessories. Wood, canvas, metal, yarn… something for everyone. No skill necessary!
Stuart Little
Where: Des Moines Community Playhouse or online live or on-demand
When: March 12 – 14
Admission: $15 per person for a live in-person theater performance or $15 for on-demand access to the show recording on one device
Why: Being a mouse in a house full of humans is an adventure waiting to happen. Stuart has plenty of little mishaps, like getting caught in a window-blind, participating in a boat race, and getting trapped in a garbage can. When his friend, the bird Margalo, disappears, this heroic mouse travels in search of her. It's a great big world out there, and Stuart is ready to conquer it.
Leaving Iowa
Where: Des Moines Community Playhouse or online live or on-demand
When: March 18 - 21, performances are 90 minutes with no intermission
Admission: $29 per person for a live in-person theater performance or $25 for on-demand access to the show recording
Why: An outlandish take on the classic family road trip, Leaving Iowa is the story of writer Don who returns home to find a final resting place for his father's ashes. When he discovers his grandmother's house is now a grocery store, Don travels across Iowa searching for a proper resting place for his father. This father and son road-trip transitions smoothly between Don's present predicament and his memories of the torturous but hilarious annual family vacations with Mom, Dad, and Sis. With his father's help, Don realizes that the journey really is as important as the destination.
In-person/Outdoors
Science Center of Iowa Sock Skating
Where: Science Center of Iowa
When: Thursday, Saturday or Sunday through March 28, but EVERY DAY during Spring Break
Admission: Included with general admission – free for SCI members
Why: It’s a fun new spin on a skating rink...with socks! Made from a high-tech synthetic polymer surface, this rink isn’t made of real ice, but is just as slippery. Bring your own socks (BYOS) or stop by the A-ha! Store to purchase a pair. Face coverings are required and capacity is limited to allow for social distancing.
Where: Blank Park Zoo
When: 4:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 17
Admission: $30 for members, $35 for non-members
Why: This 21+ event at the zoo consists of indoor/outdoor viewing of the animals, keeper chats, cold drinks, delicious food from Street Eats DSM, St. Patrick’s themed trivia, and live music from South of Society. Masks are required unless you are actively eating or drinking.
Where: Any one of the over 800+ trails or parks in Greater Des Moines
When: Whenever the weather cooperates!
Admission: Free!
Why: Because Des Moines is full of outdoor adventure! Check out our Outdoors page for ideas on where to hike, bike or even snowshoe (please no, but hey, this is Iowa).
