Celebrate Mother’s Day in style with a variety of special events and experiences happening around Des Moines, Iowa. Whether you're planning a relaxing brunch, a fun outing, or a unique gift experience, there’s something for every kind of celebration.

🍽️ Dining & Events:

🌿 Botanical Garden
Enjoy the Flora Mother’s Day Brunch from 9 AM – 1 PM ($45), and take advantage of the Mother’s Free Visit Day for a beautiful, relaxing experience.

🎉 Brunch Buffet & Bingo
A lively brunch from 9 AM – 2 PM (starting at $24.99), featuring bingo, prizes, and fun vibes.

🥂 Mulberry Street Tavern
Special Mother’s Day brunch offerings available May 10 & 11.

🥩 AJ’s Steakhouse
Open for Mother’s Day dining from 11 AM – 9 PM—perfect for a classic celebration.

🍷 Ruth’s Chris Steak House
Hosting a special brunch May 9–10 ($45+) with an elevated dining experience.

🎨 Confluence Brewing Co.
Celebrate creatively with a Mother’s Day Paint & Sip—a fun and memorable outing.

🎁 Unique Experiences & Gifts:

🌸 Perennity Home
Join a hands-on paper flower workshop paired with wine—a thoughtful and creative experience.

💐 Flowers & Bouquets
Pick up a stunning bouquet from Boesen the Florist or explore downtown floral shops for the perfect gift.

Make this Mother’s Day unforgettable by exploring these local events and creating lasting memories with your loved ones.

Four real, happening-right-now ideas for families in Des Moines 🌸

Weekends right now include giraffe feedings, train rides, carousel, and Kids Kingdom — an easy half-day adventure where kids can interact with animals and stay active outdoors.

Hands-on exhibits, live science demos, and planetarium shows make this a perfect mix of fun + learning — especially great as a weather backup plan.

Pack snacks, walk the scenic loop trail, rent bikes, or just relax while kids play. Sunset here is one of the best in the city.

Step into the past with interactive farm activities, costumed interpreters, and open spaces where kids can explore and learn by doing.

A hidden gem for families — kids love the miniature train rides and playground. Easy, affordable, and perfect for a relaxed outing.

A fun twist on movie night — comfy seating, food served at your seat, and family-friendly screenings running all weekend.

Dinner. No phones. One question. That's all it takes.

Thursday: Say yes for one hour this weekend—what would you choose to do, eat, or explore if you were in charge?

Friday: If you could take photos of anything at a market or park, what theme would you pick—colors, animals, funny signs, or something else?

Saturday: What’s one new ingredient you’d love to try cooking with, and how should we turn it into dinner together?

Sunday: What’s one moment from this week you wish you could keep forever?

Monday: If you could plan a “Yes Hour” for our family next weekend, what would it look like from start to finish?

Tuesday: What kind of photo challenge would you give the whole family just for fun?

Wednesday: What’s one small thing we can do together this week that would make you feel more heard and important?

Want more tips to help your kids succeed in school? Subscribe to our newsletter and stay ahead with proven strategies, ideas, and support.

School is almost over. Are your child’s grades where they need to be?
Camp Homework offers affordable K–12 tutoring with real human tutors — not AI — starting at just $150/month.— camphomework.com

The DMSO closes its stunning 88th season with Richard Strauss' monumental Alpine Symphony — 34 brass players, sweeping drama, and cinematic grandeur from start to finish. Violinist Amaryn Olmeda joins the orchestra for Mendelssohn's beautifully melodic Violin Concerto. This is the season finale — the last chance to experience the Symphony in full force until September. Saturday night is electric; Sunday's matinée is perfect for families. Tickets start at $22 and are available at the door, but go fast for season finales.

Des Moines Performing Arts brings Aesop's beloved fables to life in this energetic, music-filled production designed for young families. Perfect for ages 3 and up, it's a wonderful first live-theater experience for littles — and honestly a delight for parents too. One hour, great seats, and memories that'll stick. A Saturday morning well spent.

Now in full swing for 2026, the Downtown Farmers' Market is one of the best in the country — 306 vendors, 43 of them brand new this year, representing farms and makers from 42 Iowa counties. Fresh produce, hot food, live music, handmade goods, and 28,000 neighbors showing up every single Saturday. This is Des Moines at its very best. May 10 is a perfect morning to make it a tradition.

Thank you so much for reading — we hope you found something fun, helpful, and inspiring in today's edition! If you enjoyed this newsletter, please share it with your friends and family so they can be part of the fun too. The more the merrier! We'll see you back here on Monday for our next edition. Have a wonderful weekend, Des Moines! 🎉

— Alex | Des Moines Digest
📘 facebook.com/desmoinesdigest |
📸 instagram.com/desmoinesdigest