Monte and the entire family had a blast! Not only was the entire Science Center open to roam through, but there was also live music, crafts, jugglers, balloon animals, face painting and more!
Every Family Rocks! is a family fun event and concert for all ages. This event benefits EFR Employee & Family Resources. It was free for Science Center members, $8 for ages 2-12, $13 for Adults & $8 for Seniors.
There were some awesome bands and singers. I loved all the upbeat music and all the movement, from all the kids! Everyone was dancing and hula hooping around 🙂 Artists included:
Aaron Nigel Smith: I absolutely loved him and his band! I loved their reggae type vibe and we had a lot of fun dancing to their music.
Debbie Do Wop & Dynamite Dan: These guys were so much fun and very entertaining! They had colorful scarves to dance with and other awesome instruments to play with!
Monte loved the Sparkle Hula Hoop dance, balloon animals and magic from Jonathan May, and trying all the different instruments available from Rieman Music Interactive Music Booth.
There were also some great craft stations such as a DIY yarn streamer and animal rocks.
We had so much fun and Monte was definitely exhausted after we left! We are looking forward to next year’s Every Family Rocks!
Here are some 2014 Fall & Halloween Activities to mark on the calendar for this year!
1. Deals Orchard Fall Festival
Saturday & Sunday October 11th & 12th
This is one event we are for sure checking out this fall! Located in Jefferson, Iowa this apple orchard will not only have apples to offer! They will have a jumping pillow, horse-drawn hayrides, giant slides, sand art, corn pool, corn maze, petting zoo, yummy goodies and much more! Check out Deals Orchard’s website for more details!
2. Night Eyes at Blank Park Zoo
October 16th – 19th & 23rd – 26th
Even though we went to Night Eyes last year, we WILL be attending again! Night Eyes is a wonderful, kid-friendly event where your kiddos dress up in their costumes and trick or treat their way through the zoo. Some of the animals are out, train rides are available, and there are always some kid friendly characters making an appearance.
3. Great Pumpkin Party at Valley Church
October 21st – 23rd
I have always heard great things about this event and I am excited to take Monte this year! There are inflatables, pony rides, petting zoo, carnival games, food, and more! Tuesday, the 21st, is specifically for families with special needs to enjoy. For more information and to keep track of the event, “like” their Facebook page.
4. Spooky Science at the Science Center of Iowa
October 25th
Dress up in your costume and come out to the Science Center! Enjoy spooky flashlight tours of the dinosaur exhibit, participate in the costume contest, meet creepy crawly critters, experience live science experiments such as a pumpkin explosion, and get candy of course! Check out the Science Center of Iowa website for more details!
5. Pumpkin Walk at Valley Junction
October 26th
Trick or treat through Valley Junction in your costumes, enjoy fun children’s activities at Green Grounds Cafe, and get a free pumpkin at the Swander Gazebo. Chillin’ in the Junction will also be going on where you can sample great chili’s and play Bingo! Check out their website for more details and times.
6. Valley West Mall Trick or Treating
October 28th, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Who knows how cold it will be the week of beggars night? This is a great opportunity to trick or treat, indoors and get lots of candy! Not only is there candy, but free inflatables to bounce on, crafts, balloon animals, and more! This is the last family fun night of the season, so make sure not to miss it!
7. Living History Farms Family Halloween
October 18th – 19th, 23rd – 26th, & 30th – 31st
We attended this event last year and had so much fun! Trick or treat through the old town, enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides, storytellers, pumpkin bowling, roast marshmallows (Monte’s favorite part), and more! Check out the Living History Farms website for more details.
What fun events will you be attending this Halloween?
Make sure to check out the calendar on the right hand of the screen. There are a lot of festivals and events going on this weekend not listed here!
1. Friday Funday “The Little Red Hen”
When: Friday 9:30 am, 11:30 am & 1:30 pm
Where and What: This is a once a month event! Located at the Des Moines Community Playhouse. This is an interactive theater for preschoolers! Each month they play out a different story and this month it is “The Little Red Hen”. This will be last one of this season, but this will be something to remember when it starts up again in June! For more information check out the website to purchase tickets and learn more about this awesome program!
2. Valley Junction – Gallery Night
When: Friday 5 pm – 9 pm
Where and What: Located in Valley Junction, walk around a visit six different galleries that will be open to the public. This events is FREE. Shops and other restaurants will be open later for this event. This would be a perfect date night!
3. Children’s Haunted Forest
When: Friday & Saturday 6:30 pm
Where and What: Located in Carlisle, this is the perfect opportunity for your kiddos to participate in a kid friendly “haunted” house! There will be swinging bridges, pirates, ball pits and more! Admission is $6 ages 12 and under in costume! Everyone else $8!
4. Ames Oktoberfest
When: Saturday 1 pm – 11 pm
Where and What: Located on Main Street in Ames come drink beer, play games and dance to Polka music! The Nadas will also be performing at 9 pm! You can purchase tickets ahead of time and take a look at their schedule of events here.
5. Walk for Wildlife
When: Saturday 8 am – 1 pm
Where and What: Come out to Jester Park for a beautiful fall walk! There is a 5 k or 10 k walk to choose from. You will walk through the woods, on trails and terrain. Activities will be available. Pets on leashes are also welcome! This is perfect for the entire family! For more information check out here.
6. Fall Craft Day
When: Saturday 1 pm – 2 pm
Where and What: Located at the Grimes Public Library for kids ages 7 and up. Come out and create fall crafts and decor including a spinning gourd. This event is FREE. Please register. For more information check it out here.
7. Zombie Nation 5 k Fun Run/Walk
When: Saturday 12:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Where and What: Dress up as a Zombie and walk around Water Works Park! $35.00 for individual, $30.00 per person for teams of 4 plus, and $8.00 per kid (5-13 years). The proceeds to go various charities including Blank Childrens Hospital. There will also be an after party for individuals 21+! For more information and to register check out here.
8. Pint Size Science– On the Farm
When: Tuesday, October 15th at 1 pm & Saturday, October 19th at 10 am
Where and What: Located at the Science Center of Iowa, this is a perfect learning experience for your kiddo and the whole family. Help harvest crops, learn about planting pumpkins, learn how farm machines work, how to plant a garden, and much more! This is for children ages 3-5 and families. $12 for non-member and $8 for member. Pre- registration is encouraged. Check out their website to register and for other Pint Size Science classes available through out the year.
9. Madison County Covered Bridge Festival
When: Saturday & Sunday 9 am – 5 pm
Where and What: Located in Winterset, take a tour of the beautiful covered bridges. There will also be arts, crafts, entertainment and food available! Check out here for a list of vendors, list of events, and information on the scarecrow contest!
10. Planned Parenthood of the Heartland Fall Book Sale
When: Friday & Saturday 9 am – 9 pm AND Sunday & Monday 9 am – 6 pm
Where and What: This is a book sale you do NOT want to miss! There will be over 600,000 books available to purchase AND CD’s, DVD’s, puzzles, and posters. This book sale will be taking place at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Admission is $10 and Monday is FREE! For more information check out here.
It’s that time of the year! Check out these Haunted Houses!!
Don’t forget to check out the events calendar on the right hand side of my page! Lots of fun things going on in the Des Moines area!
1. Mixology Night
When: Friday 5:30 – 9 pm
Where and What: Perfect date night activity! Located at the Science Center of Iowa. Come for drinks, live entertainment (The Parlours), and adult-themed presentations. Admission is $5 and FREE to Science Center members.
2. Slaughter House
When: Friday and Saturday
Where and What: This haunted house is located in Pleasant Hill. Definitely not recommended for the kiddos, but if you are a fan of terrors and haunted house, this is a definite must this Halloween season! Check out their website for times and also a $2 off coupon.
3. Soap Box Derby Association Haunted House
When: Friday and Saturday 7 – 10 pm
Where and What: This is the 29th year for the spooky haunted house! Located at Linn’s Supermarket, the tour takes approximately 20-25 minutes. The admission is $12 which also includes a free line of bowling at Plaza Lanes AND a coupon for Trophy’s. There are $4 off coupons available at Plaza Lanes and other Halloween shops around the metro area.
4. New Moms Event by Des Moines Moms Blog
When: Saturday 10 – 12 pm
Where and What: Located at the Valley Community Center in West Des Moines. There will be food, drinks, giveaways and a great chance to meet other new moms. There will also be swag bags valued at over $300! Oh yeah, and FREE massages! Do NOT miss this! $15 and reservations are required. Click here to purchase tickets. Also, check out the Des Moines Moms Blog. It is a great blog to follow!
5. DSM Sushi Roll
When: Saturday at 11:45 am
Where and What: Do you LOVE sushi? This is the perfect event for you! Make it into a date activity also. A party bus will pick you up at Appare Steakhouse and drop you off at about 4 pm at Appare Steakhouse. You will travel around the Des Moines area, traveling to different sushi restaurants including: Sakura Sushi, Wasabi Tao, Wasabi Chi, and Waterfront. $45.00 per ticket and reservations are required. Check out here for reservation information and schedule.
6. Corn Harvest: Living History Farms
When: Saturday 10 am – 3 pm
Where and What: Discover how hard it is to harvest 80 bushels of corn a day! There will be horse drawn wagon rides and demonstrations on how corn is harvest! You can also see what tools are used in person. Check out here for more information!
7. DSM Zombie Walk
When: Saturday at 1 pm
Where and What: Event will start at 1 pm downtown in the East Village at Zombie Burger! This is something you will NOTwant to miss. Starting 1 pm go get your make up done, check out the vendors, and eat some crazy burgers and drinks. There will also be a costume contest beginning at 3 pm with CASH prizes. At 4:30 pm the Zombie Walk will begin through downtown Des Moines ending at Zombie Burger. For adults, enjoy the Zombie Pub Crawl which starts at 6:00 pm. Bars that will be included are El Bait Shop and High Life Lounge. This is truly an event for the whole family! For more information check out their website.
8. Cat-N-Around Cat Club
When: Saturday and Sunday 9 am – 4pm
Where and What: This event is for all you cat lovers! It will be held at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. There will be over 200 cats and 30 different breeds being judged. There will also be lots of different vendors for food, treats, beds, toys, and other fun cat products. Admission is $10 for a family, Adulst $5, and Children $4. Children 4 and under are FREE!
9. Apple Pumpkin Fest
When: Saturday 9 am – 6 pm & Sunday 1 pm – 6 pm
Where and What: Come out to Wills Family Orchard! Lots of events, activities, and entertainment! Pick pumpkins, pick apples, go on a hay rack ride, meet some farm animals, paint gourds, and much, much more! Check out our visit from last weekend, we had so much fun!
Where and What: For ages 3 – 1o come to the Franklin Library to celebrate Star Wars Reads Day. Dress like your favorite character, participate in games and trivia. There will also be special appearances from the galaxy far, far away! All of this is FREE! You do NOT want to miss it!
11. Oktoberfest
When: Saturday 2 – 6 pm
Where and What: Located in Windsor Heights at Colby Park. Lots of fun things to do including: inflatables, live music from a Polka band, costume contest, pumpkin carving contest, balloon animals, food & drinks, and more! Check out here for time of certain events and contests.
12. Craftoberfest
When: Saturday 6 pm – 12 am
Where and What: Located at Keg Stand this is the first year of Craftoberfest! There will be 20 seasonal beers available with live entertainment. Advance tickets are $6 and include a commemorative mug and first beer of choice. You can also purchase tickets at the door for $10. Check out here to purchase tickets before!
13. Pumpkin Train
When: October 5 & 12 at 10 am and October 8 & 9 at 6 pm
Where and What: Located at the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad and Museum in Boone. Seating is limited so make sure to make your reservations ASAP! Ride the train, across the Bass Point Creek High Bridge, to the pumpkin patch and have your kiddos pick out their own pumpkin for FREE. $15 for all ages 2 and up. Check out their website for reservations.
14. Nature Friends: Bats
When: Monday 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Where and What: Located at Quail Cove Park in West Des Moines, all preschoolers with an adult are welcome! Guided exploration, art activities, and snack provided. Reservations are required at it is $7 per child with adult. Check out here for reservation information.
