Bringing the Play to You

You can play anywhere! Below are ideas to play at home, in nature, and anywhere else outside the walls of The Iowa Children’s Museum. Check back often for new ways to play and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for even more ideas!

We have so much fun in store this summer! Come find us at these FREE community events during the 2023 summer months.

Monday Mornings (9:30 – 11 a.m.) in Coralville Central Park

Come play in the park with The Iowa Children’s Museum! Our educators and PLAYologists will be in Coralville Central Park on Monday mornings throughout the summer. Enjoy some free outdoor activities as we learn through play.

Dates: 6/12, 6/19, 6/26, 7/10, 7/17, 7/24, 7/31, and 8/7 from 9:30 – 11 a.m.

Join the Facebook Event

Tuesday Evenings (6:30-8 p.m.) in Iowa City Parks

Dates:

• 6/27 – Fairmeadows Park
• 7/11 – Mercer Park
• 7/25 – Willow Creek Park
• 8/1 – Wetherby Park

Join the Facebook Event

Thursday Afternoons (4:30 – 6:30 p.m.) in Cedar Rapids Parks

Dates:

• 6/22 – Jacolyn Park
• 8/3 – Cleveland Park

Join the Facebook event

Other Community Events

In addition to events hosted by The Iowa Children’s Museum, we participate in other festivals, farmer’s markets, and events throughout the summer. Come find our team for some hands-on learning!

• 5/13 – NewBo City Market STEAM Saturday (11 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
• 5/20 – Iowa City Farmer’s Market (9 a.m. – Noon)
• 5/20 – North Liberty Playground Crawl (2-5 p.m.)
• 6/3 – ABC Saturday, Iowa Arts Festival (11 a.m. – 3 p.m.)
• 6/8 – South District Diversity Market (3-7 p.m.)
• 6/16 – Juneteenth Health and Education Fair (4-6 p.m.)
• 6/22 – South District Diversity Market (3-7 p.m.)
• 6/24 – Downtown Iowa City Block Party (3:30-8:30 p.m.)
• 6/25 – Iowa City Community Band at Upper City Park (2:30-4 p.m.)
• 7/8 – LGBTQ Iowa Library Storytime (10 a.m.)
• 7/8 – South District Diversity Market (3-7 p.m.)
• 7/13 – Collins Aerospace Community STEM Day (9 a.m.-1p.m.)
• 7/22 – South District Diversity Market (3-7 p.m.)
• 7/28 – RAGBRAI KidZone (10a.m.-4p.m.)
• 8/19 – South District Diversity Market (3-7 p.m.)
• 8/26 – Iowa City Latino Fest (12 – 3 p.m.)
• 8/27 – Iowa City Optimist Pancake Breakfast (8 a.m. – Noon)

Want to bring The ICM to your organization or event? Fill out our Outreach Programs form!

There’s no better way to keep your child engaged and having fun at home than a Play Pack from The Iowa Children’s Museum! These kits provide everything you need to make hands-on learning fun.

What can you find?! Constructed from reused materials and found objects, each Eye See ‘Em Monster is a free-standing installment in this public art and eye spy experience!

More At-Home Fun

Explore your world! Download adventure plans that get the whole family involved in scientific exploration and observation.

Let’s learn about science, technology, engineering, and math! These virtual STEM Family Free Night activities make learning at home easy and fun.

Activity Channels

When you’re looking for fun activities at home, check out the playlists on our YouTube channel. New videos are added all the time, so check back often!

Check out activities that can be completed with a few basic household items.

Turn your craft dials up to 11. Let’s make some art!

You can sing, dance, and get moving with us during Kinder Sing-Along!

Join PLAYologists Alexa and Fatima as we learn about American Sign Language.

A sneak peek into our community to see what folks have been creating!

Follow along with Pete as we learn more about businesses in our community!

Let’s Be Social

Do you follow us on social media? There’s always something new to keep kids playing!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Gather your own drum set with items around your house and join Will and Boston for a Drum Along! 🥁

A post shared by The Iowa Children’s Museum (@iachildrensmuseum) on May 14, 2020 at 8:43am PDT