Arts & Entertainment
School’s Out Safari
Jan 20, 9:00 am
Location
Blank Park Zoo - 7401 SW 9th Street, Des Moines, IA 50315
Event For
Grades 1-3
Cost
$75 per day, Blank Park Zoo members save 20%
Organization
Blank Park Zoo
Contact
Education Department
Email
camps@blankparkzoo.net
Phone
(515) 974-2550
School’s Out Safari Camps are one-day camps for students in grades 1-3. These camps are scheduled on certain days when metro area schools are out for holidays or teacher professional development.
Dungeons & Dragons
Jan 21, 5:00 pm
RSVP By
May 20, 2025 @ 5:00 PM
Location
6700 Merle Hay Rd
Event For
6th Grade to 12th Grade
Cost
Free
Organization
Johnston Public Library
Contact
Jessica Young
Beginners and experienced adventurers welcome! Bring a character or use one of our premade characters. We will meet monthly. Registration required at johnstonlibrary.com/events. If you register for this event, you will be automatically registered for all of the following events.
Teen Mario Kart Tournament
Jan 22, 3:30 pm
Location
6700 Merle Hay Rd
Event For
6th Grade to 12th Grade
Cost
Free
Organization
Johnston Public Library
Contact
Jessica Young
Let's go! Drive, dodge, and maneuver your way to a first-place finish in our Mario Kart Tournament! Prizes for the winners. 6th grade and up.
Smash Bros. Ultimate Tournament
Jan 22, 4:00 pm
Location
6700 Merle Hay Rd
Event For
6th Grade to 12th Grade
Cost
Free
Organization
Johnston Public Library
Contact
Jessica Young
Test your skills! Prizes and bragging rights for the winners. Tournaments held every Wednesday. 6th grade and up.
Anime Club
Jan 23, 4:00 pm
Location
6700 Merle Hay Rd
Event For
6th Grade to 12th Grade
Cost
Free
Organization
Johnston Public Library
Contact
Jessica Young
Join JPL's Anime Club each week for Japanese snacks, anime trivia, and art projects! All fans welcome! Registration is not required, but you will receive reminder emails about meetings if you register at johnstonlibrary.com/events
Dragon Ball FighterZ Tournament
Jan 23, 5:00 pm
Location
6700 Merle Hay Rd
Event For
6th Grade to 12th Grade
Cost
Free
Organization
Johnston Public Library
Contact
Jessica Young
Choose a team of three fighters from the game’s 44 characters and battle it out to become the champion! The tournament will be a one-round, single-elimination tournament using the Nintendo Switch version of the game. Prizes for the winners! 6th grade and up.
Book Bites
Jan 27, 4:30 pm
RSVP By
January 13, 2025
Location
6700 Merle Hay Rd
Event For
Kindergarten through 5th Grade
Cost
Free
Organization
Johnston Public Library
Contact
Sheila Olson
In this yummy storytime, we will be taste-testing foods and reading stories about how they are made. This month, in honor of the Lunar New Year, we will be taste-testing dumplings from Dumpling House and learning how they are made! Grades K-5. Register at johnstonlibrary.com/events to attend.
Teen Pokémon Club
Jan 28, 5:00 pm
RSVP By
January 28, 2025 @ 5:00 PM
Location
6700 Merle Hay Rd
Event For
6th Grade to 12th Grade
Cost
Free
Organization
Johnston Public Library
Contact
Jessica Young
Join us each month for the ultimate Pokémon Club, where we'll gather to talk all things Pokémon—whether you're into the video games, trading card battles, or the show. Bring your Pokémon cards or devices for battles and trades, or just come to hang out! Register at johnstonlibrary.com/events
Teen Mario Kart Tournament
Jan 29, 3:30 pm
Location
6700 Merle Hay Rd
Event For
6th Grade to 12th Grade
Cost
Free
Organization
Johnston Public Library
Contact
Jessica Young
Let's go! Drive, dodge, and maneuver your way to a first-place finish in our Mario Kart Tournament! Prizes for the winners. 6th grade and up.
Smash Bros. Ultimate Tournament
Jan 29, 4:00 pm
Location
6700 Merle Hay Rd
Event For
6th Grade to 12th Grade
Cost
Free
Organization
Johnston Public Library
Contact
Jessica Young
Test your skills! Prizes and bragging rights for the winners. Tournaments held every Wednesday. 6th grade and up.
Anime Club
Jan 30, 4:00 pm
Location
6700 Merle Hay Rd
Event For
6th Grade to 12th Grade
Cost
Free
Organization
Johnston Public Library
Contact
Jessica Young
Join JPL's Anime Club each week for Japanese snacks, anime trivia, and art projects! All fans welcome! Registration is not required, but you will receive reminder emails about meetings if you register at johnstonlibrary.com/events
Dragon Ball FighterZ Tournament
Jan 30, 5:00 pm
Location
6700 Merle Hay Rd
Event For
6th Grade to 12th Grade
Cost
Free
Organization
Johnston Public Library
Contact
Jessica Young
Choose a team of three fighters from the game’s 44 characters and battle it out to become the champion! The tournament will be a one-round, single-elimination tournament using the Nintendo Switch version of the game. Prizes for the winners! 6th grade and up.
Arts & Snacks
Feb 3, 4:15 pm
Location
6700 Merle Hay Rd
Event For
Kindergarten to 5th Grade
Cost
Free
Organization
Johnston Public Library
Contact
Sheila Olson
We will have hands-on art projects that will spark learning and discovery for kids in K-5 as well as a snack! Disclaimer(s): This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.
Kids Kitchen: Chocolate Tarts
Feb 6, 4:30 pm
RSVP By
February 6, 2025 @ 4:30 PM
Location
6700 Merle Hay Rd
Event For
Kindergarten to 5th Grade
Cost
Free
Organization
Johnston Public Library
Contact
Sheila Olson
Ready for an afterschool treat? Kids can join our monthly cooking class to learn basic cooking skills and practice following a recipe. Registration at johnstonlibrary.com/events is required for this class and is open to kids K-5. Children ages 8 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Quick Craft: Happy Heart Bookmarks
Feb 8, 10:00 am
Location
6700 Merle Hay Rd
Event For
Kindergarten to 5th Grade
Cost
Free
Organization
Johnston Public Library
Contact
Sheila Olson
Stop by the youth services area between 10am-Noon for a quick craft! This is a drop-in program for kids, so no registration is necessary. Available while supplies last. This month's craft is a happy heart-shaped bookmark!
LEGO® Club
Feb 10, 4:15 pm
RSVP By
February 10, 2025 @ 4:15 PM
Location
6700 Merle Hay Rd
Event For
Kindergarten to 5th Grade
Cost
Free
Organization
Johnston Public Library
Contact
Sheila Olson
LEGO Club provides a fun atmosphere where children can learn, build and play with the library’s set of LEGOs. Each meeting will have a new theme or challenge. Great for kids in grades K-5. Registration at johnstonlibrary.com/events required.
Needle-Felted Heart Keychains
Feb 13, 4:30 pm
RSVP By
February 20, 2025 @ 4:30 PM
Location
6700 Merle Hay Rd
Event For
4th Grade to 5th Grade
Cost
Free
Organization
Johnston Public Library
Contact
Sheila Olson
Learn the basics of needle felting as we make a cute, fuzzy creation! Needle felting is a way to sculpt objects and make art with wool. Registration is required for this class and is open to kids in 4th-5th grade. This month, we're making a cute, heart shaped keychain!
Mini Masterpiece Workshop
Feb 18, 1:30 pm
RSVP By
February 18, 2025 @ 1:30 PM
Location
6700 Merle Hay Rd
Event For
Kindergarten to 5th Grade
Cost
Free
Organization
Johnston Public Library
Contact
Sheila Olson
Want to see your artwork on display at the library? Come and create a mini masterpiece for our tiny art gallery display cases! Kids must register at johnstonlibrary.com to attend this fun, no-school day event. Artwork will be on display in the library in March and available for pick up in April.
D&D for Kids
Feb 20, 4:30 pm
RSVP By
February 20, 2025 @ 4:30 PM
Location
6700 Merle Hay Rd
Event For
4th Grade to 5th Grade
Cost
Free
Organization
Johnston Public Library
Contact
Sheila Olson
Calling all heroes! Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is a table top role-playing game (TTRPG) that promotes creativity and problem solving skills. We will be learning the basics of how to do battle in D&D. Kids in grade 4-5 can register at johnstonlibrary.com/events for this 90 minute class.
Pizza + Sledding- Wesley Woods
Feb 22, 1:00 pm
RSVP By
02/12/2025
Location
Wesley Woods Camp + Retreat Center, 10896 Nixon Street, Indianola, Iowa
Event For
everyone
Cost
$5 per person, max $25 per family
Organization
Wesley Woods Camp + Retreat Center
Email
info@wesleywoodsiowa.org
Phone
(515) 961-4523
Join us for an afternoon of Pizza and Sledding at the beautiful Wesley Woods Camp + Retreat Center. Bring your sleds (or borrow ours) and friends and enjoy pizza, sledding, crafts and hot chocolate. $5 per person, max $25 per family.
Book Bites
Feb 24, 4:30 pm
RSVP By
February 24, 2025 @ 4:30 PM
Location
6700 Merle Hay Rd
Event For
Kindergarten to 5th Grade
Cost
Free
Organization
Johnston Public Library
Contact
Sheila Olson
Take a bite! Try something new! In this yummy storytime, we will be taste-testing foods and reading stories about how they are made. Kids must register at johnstonlibrary.com/events to attend. Children ages 8 & under must be accompanied by an adult for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.
Slimecraft
Feb 27, 4:30 pm
RSVP By
February 27, 2025 @ 5:00 PM
Location
6700 Merle Hay Rd
Event For
3rd Grade to 5th Grade
Cost
Free
Organization
Johnston Public Library
Contact
Sheila Olson
Watch out! We are making our own Minecraft Slimes in this after-school program for kids in grades 3-5. Registration at johnstonlibrary.com/events is required.
March Piano and Guitar Lesson at Arrow Academy of Music
Mar 9 (all day)
RSVP By
3/9/25
Location
Arrow Academy of Musi10430 New York Ave G, Urbandale, IA 50322
Event For
Elementary through high school students
Organization
Arrow Academy of Music
Contact
Kevin
Phone
(515) 331-0700