Share the Love is an awesome program that connects cloth diapers with families in need. There are so many families through-out Central Iowa, who cannot afford basic necessities. Share the Love helps with taking one of many expenses off their shoulders, diapers.
To be able to connect families with cloth diapers we need DONATIONS! Do you have cloth diapers at home, that you no longer use? It is okay if they are not in the best shape, we can make them work!
We now have an official drop-off location! Little Padded Seats, located in Valley West Mall, was gracious enough to offer their store as a drop-site for donations. If you come across any cloth diapers or accessories (i.e. wet bags, cloth wipes) bring them into the store and place them in the Share the Love basket!
Are you a family in need? Please follow this link and fill out the application. We will get you connected with diapers ASAP!
Learn more about Share the Love: Central Iowa here!
When: Thursday, December 12th – Sunday, December 15th
What: Make sure to purchase soon if you are wanting to see this Holiday classic! Go to Hoyt Sherman Place for information on show times and ticket prices.
2. Winter Market
When: Friday 11 am – 2 pm & Saturday 9 am – 1 pm
Where and What: Miss the weekly downtown farmers market? You do not want to miss this then! This market will be located at Capital Square and there will be more then 120 vendors to shop from. Wine, jams, honey, turkeys, crafts and much more will be available for purchase. Check out the Downtown Farmers Market for more information and scheduled entertainment!
3. Cloth Diaper Garage Sale
When: Saturday 10 am – 12 pm
Where and What: Whether you want to sell or buy cloth diapers, this event is for you! Check out the Little Padded Seats page for information on how to sell or buy!
4. Reiman Gardens Breakfast at the North Pole
When: Saturday 9 am or 11 am
What: There are two sittings available one at 9 am and 11 am. This event is for the whole family where you will enjoy a healthy breakfast in the Winter Wonderland, activity station, and carolers. You must register! For more information, prices, and to register check out Reiman Gardens website!
5. Santa at the Blank Park Zoo
When: Saturday 10 am – 2 pm
What: This event is for the whole family! Take a picture with Santa and his reindeer, write a letter to the North Pole, enjoy hot cocoa and cookies, and explore the zoo! For scheduled events going on through out the day, check out the Blank Park Zoo website!
6. Brunch with Santa
When: Saturday 10 am – 2 pm
Where and What: Located at the Urbandale Senior Center … bring your kiddos, camera, and wish list! Join Santa for donuts, juice, holiday crafts, cookie decorating, and so much more! $10 per child. For more information and to register check out the Urbandale website!
7. Brunch with Santa at Center Grove
When: Saturday 9 am – 12 pm & Sunday 11 am – 2 pm
What: Eat breakfast, do crafts, and visit with Santa & Rudolph! There will also be a coloring contest! Cost $7.95 per adult and $5.95 per child Check out the Center Grove flyer for more details!
8. Holiday Tea at Terrace Hill
When: Monday and Tuesday times vary!
What: This is an adult event! So make it a date day/night with your significant other! Enjoy the Terrace Hill decked out in holiday lights and decor, enjoy tea, desserts, sandwiches, and entertainment! For more information, times, and to purchase tickets check out the Holiday Tea at Terrace Hill event!
9. Rainforest Romp at the Science Center of Iowa
When: Tuesday 1 pm – 2 pm
What: For ages 3-5 and their families! General admission to the Science Center is included. Discover one of the world’s biggest and most incredible mysteries as we uncover life in the rainforest! Where are rainforests located? What animals live there? Find out all about this amazing ecosystem, the animals that live there and the amazing explorers who help us to understand it better.
10. Cloth Diaper 101
When: Tuesday 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Where and What: Are you wanting to learn more about cloth diapers? Not sure what to purchase or how to care for them? This class is PERFECT for you! Located at the local Little Padded Seats, you will learn everything you need to know. Check out Little Padded Seats website for more information.
11. Children’s Craft Days at Center Grove Orchard
When: Wednesday 10 am – 12 pm
What: Bring the children out and create a kids holiday craft, eat some sweet treats, do a scavenger hunt, and story time! There will also be some lunch items available for purchase. $4.95 per child. Check out the Center Grove flyer for more details!
12. Ladies Night at Center Grove
When: Wednesday 6 pm – 8 pm
What: Make it a fun night out with friends at Center Grove Orchard! Enjoy appetizers, soup, bread, dessert and create a special holiday Pinterest craft. There will also be a drawing for a gift basket giveaway! $9.95 per person and reservations are required! Check out the Center Grove flyer for more information!
Make sure to check out the event calendar on the right hand side of the page! Also, for a list of places and times to visit Santa, check out my list I created “Places to visit Santa”.
1. Windsor Polar Express Movie Night
When: Friday 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Where and What: Located at the Windsor Heights Community Center in Colby Park, bring the family to see the classic holiday movie Polar Express! There will also be several activities and toy train on display. There will also be hot chocolate, popcorn, and hot dogs. $3 per person or $10 per family.
2. Peter Pan
When: Friday, December 6th – Sunday, December 29th
Where and What: Bring the family to see a Disney classic at the Des Moines Playhouse. Showtimes vary on days and times. To purchase tickets and view the details check out the Des Moines Playhouse website.
3. Snowball Express to Santa
When: Saturday 10 am – 2 pm
Where and What: Located at Jester Park, your children will take a ride, on a pony through a Winter Wonderland to Santa! They will get their picture with Santa, drink some hot cocoa and eat cookies! $20 per child and reservations are not required. For more information check out the Jester Park Equestrian website.
4. Santa at the Blank Park Zoo
When: Saturday 10 am – 2 pm
What: This event is for the whole family! Take a picture with Santa and his reindeer, write a letter to the North Pole, enjoy hot cocoa and cookies, and explore the zoo! For scheduled events going on through out the day, check out the Blank Park Zoo website.
5. A Flynn Family Christmas
When: Saturday 4 pm – 8 pm
Where and What: Celebrate Christmas at Living History Farms in beautiful decorated Victorian house! Frost cookies, make ornaments, dancing, music, horse-drawn wagon rides, and so much more! For more information and admission prices check out the Living History Farms website!
6. Windsor Wonderland Breakfast with Santa
When: Saturday 8:30 am – 12 pm
Where and What: Located at the Windsor Heights Community Center in Colby Park, bring the whole family for a pancake breakfast, music, and a child/pet photo with Santa (for FREE)!$6 per ticket which includes the Santa picture and pancake breakfast. Check out the Windsor Heights website information and to purchase tickets!
7. Brunch with Santa at Center Grove Orchard
When: Saturday 9 am – 12 pm & Sunday 11 am – 2 pm
What: Eat breakfast, do crafts, and visit with Santa & Rudolph! There will also be a coloring contest! For more information about the brunch and other events going on at Center Grove Orchard, check out their holiday flyer!
8. Nada Silent Night
When: Saturday at 7 pm
Where and What: The Nadas are putting on their 11th annual Nada Silent Night at the Scottish Rite Temple! This could be made into a “date night” OR and event for the entire family. The admission to this event is one ticket and at least one unwrapped toy per person attending. The toys will be donated to U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots. A ticket is $20 and children 10 year and younger are FREE. You can purchase tickets here!
9. Jingle Bell Rock ‘n Run
When: Sunday at 9 am
Where and What: This is another fun holiday run hosted by the Science Center of Iowa! Get dressed up in your festive attire and dash through downtown Des Moines and end at the Science Center. After the run there will be live music, and food catered by Hy-Vee. To register and more information check out the Science Center of Iowa event page.
10. Pajama Party with Santa
When: Tuesday 6 pm – 8 pm
Where and What: Bring your children to Jordan Creek Town Center, in the photo area. They can bring a blanket and/or a stuffed toy. You can also take a picture with Santa! Bring a toy donation for Toys for Tots, and you can also donate $3 and received a personalized letter from Santa!
11. Pathways Connect – Discussion Group
When: Tuesday 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Where and What: Pathways Connect uses the Pathways to Family Wellness magazine as a launching point for discussions on living a conscious, holistic lifestyle. We take articles from the current issue to spring board the conversation and help educate each other on the path to conscious and holistic living. We hope you will join us, and bring a guest! This meeting’s topics will include: “All Your Health Solutions…As Simple As I Can Put It “How do we lose health? One main answer is STRESS. Stress comes in the form of physical, chemical or psychological.Conscious Path – “Fear or Freedom” We will all experience fears in life, and the way to live in freedom from being controlled by fear is to see fear as a sign of growth and challenging yourself beyond your comfort zone. All gatherings are FREE and located at Little Padded Seats in Valley West Mall.
As always make sure to check out the calendar on the right hand side of the page for more events going on in the area! Have a great weekend!
1. Science Center of Iowa
When: Friday 5 pm – 8 pm
What:TWO great events are going on at the same time!
Family Night: You can build a rocket, travel through outer space, eat some snacks from the cafe, and more! $5
LEGO Build: The Iowa LEGO Users group will discuss the process and engineering behind the SCI LEGO Build. There will also be plenty of LEGO bricks to play with! $5
2. Wells Fargo Arena
When: Friday & Saturday
What: Are you wanting to get out and go to a concert this weekend? You have two opportunities! Pink will be performing Friday night at 8 pm and Keith Urban will be performing Saturday night at 7 pm. Check out Iowa Events Center to get your tickets!
3. Iowa’s Premier Beer, Wine and Food Expo
When: Friday 4 – 10 pm & Saturday 10 am – 8 pm
Where and What: Find a sitter and make it a date night! This event is a great way to try wonderful food from various chefs in the Midwest, and to try beer and wine! Please check out the Iowa’s Premier Beer, Wine and Food Expo’s website for a list of scheduled events, vendors, and to purchase tickets!
4. Holiday Open House
When: Saturday 10 am – 1 pm
Where and What: It’s that time of year! West Glen Town Center is hosting a holiday open house. There is a chance to win a $500.00 gift card and Santa will be available for a FREE family photo! Everyone is encouraged to bring a personal hygiene product that will be donated to Children & Families of Iowa.
5. Disney’s Alice in Wonderland Jr.
When: November 8th – December 1st
Where and What: Today is the opening night for this wonderful show at the Des Moines Playhouse! The show is for ages 5 years and older, so if you think your kiddo can sit, listen and watch a classic, this would be a great family event! Tickets are $17 for adults and seniors, and $13 for students and children. To purchase tickets and for show times check out the Des Moines Playhouse.
6. Infant & Children’s Clothing Swap
When: Saturday 10 am – Noon
Where and What:Little Padded Seats, located in Valley West Mall is hosting a great event! Are you looking for winter clothes, for your little one or looking to get rid of some clothes? This is also a great way to make some extra cash for the holiday season too! Please check out all of the rules and guidelines whether you are looking to sell or buy here.
7. On the Wagon Ride
When: Saturday 6 pm – 10 pm
Where and What: Do one last Fall celebration before all the Holiday activities start! Summerset Winery, in Indianola is hosting “On the Wagon”. Join them for a bon-fire, hay rack rides, hot dogs, chili, and of course wine! The cost is $25 per person and RSVP is requested. For more information check out Summerset Winery.
8. Central Iowa Wind Ensemble Children’s Concert
When: Sunday at 2 pm
Where and What: The Central Iowa Wind Ensemble will be conducting a special children’s concert at the Temple of Performing Arts. This is a FREE event, so bring the whole family! There will be themes from the Hobbits, Peter and the Wolf, Barnum & Bailey’s Favorite, and more. It is a great educational event for everyone! For more information regarding the concert and directions please check out Central Iowa Wind Ensemble.
