Family Workshops

Playing together is time well spent

Join us for a guided play experience that’s fun for the whole family! Work with a skilled educator to create art, carry out experiments, or learn something new. Family workshops are special activities where kids and caregivers learn and play together.

Children must be supervised by the adults in their group at all times. Each workshop lists the recommended age for participants, but everyone in the family is welcome! Bring along siblings, friend groups, grandparents, or anyone who wants to enjoy a family-focused activity.

Advanced registration is required. Museum admission is not included with program registration.

Turtle Tales Storytelling Workshop

January 2, 2024 | 9:30 – 11 AM

Inspired by Jon Klassen’s heartwarming tale, “We Found a Hat,” this art-focused family workshop at The Iowa Children’s Museum invites you and your little ones to play together as you make fancy hats and sock puppets that weave a storytelling adventure. Dive into the magical world of our turtle friends, Pete and Norm, as their charming story comes to life through play and interactive storytelling.

This family workshop is recommended for ages four and up.Please note that hot glue will be used in the crafting process, so parental guidance is encouraged. Siblings, caregivers, and friend groups are all welcome! Children must be supervised at all times by the grown-ups in their group.

Registration is required. Family workshops at The Iowa Children’s Museum are pay-what-you-can. We encourage participants to select the cost that they can afford, or pay a little extra to support other families and future programs! Member discounts do not apply to this program.

Out of This World Space Exploration Workshop

January 3, 2024 | 9:30 – 11 AM

Take an interstellar journey with The Iowa Children’s Museum during this cosmic family workshop! Inspired by the groundbreaking James Webb Telescope and the intrepid Perseverance Rover, this hands-on experience invites families to delve into the marvels of space exploration.

The James Webb Telescope allows us to see how stars are formed and explore some of the oldest galaxies. The Perseverance Rover is exploring Mars and gathering samples. This workshop will explore spacecrafts and what they do and perform some space exploration training. Families will then take what they’ve learned and design their very own spacecraft! Tools will be used during this experience.

Registration is required. Family workshops at The Iowa Children’s Museum are pay-what-you-can. We encourage participants to select the cost they can afford, or pay a little extra to support other families and future programs! Member discounts do not apply to this program.