• Story Sprouts Children’s Story Time

    Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden 909 Robert D. Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA

    Join us for Story Sprouts Children's Story Time on Fridays this summer! This fun, interactive story time explores nature and plants in the naturally inspiring setting of the Botanical Garden. During each program participants enjoy stories and an activity based on the week’s theme. Story Sprouts is geared toward children ages two to five. Explore the indoor or outdoor gardens with your kids, including Nature Play™, before or after the program. Your children will love it! Story Sprouts is included with general admission. Members enjoy free access. Not a member yet? Sign up here to enjoy free general admission and discounts to classes and events all season long. Theme: Wings

    $12
  • Magic in the Garden Summer Camp 7.13-7.17

    Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden 909 Robert D. Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA

    Experience the magic of the Garden through science experiments and imagination. Students will channel their inner wizard as they are sorted into houses, assigned a plant patronus, and create their own magic wand! Enrollment will ensure proficiency in botanical potions, herbology, plant defenses against the dark arts, and more! All camps run 9 am-4 pm and are designed for students entering first through fifth grade in fall 2025. Members: be sure to sign in at the top of the registration page to apply your member discount! Five-Day Camps: Members $265 Nonmembers $305 THIS CAMP IS FULL. Please add your name to the WAITLIST HERE.  

    $305
  • Magic in the Garden Summer Camp 7.13-7.17

    Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden 909 Robert D. Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA

    Experience the magic of the Garden through science experiments and imagination. Students will channel their inner wizard as they are sorted into houses, assigned a plant patronus, and create their own magic wand! Enrollment will ensure proficiency in botanical potions, herbology, plant defenses against the dark arts, and more! All camps run 9 am-4 pm and are designed for students entering first through fifth grade in fall 2025. Members: be sure to sign in at the top of the registration page to apply your member discount! Five-Day Camps: Members $265 Nonmembers $305 THIS CAMP IS FULL. Please add your name to the WAITLIST HERE.  

    $305
  • Extended Summer Evenings

    Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden 909 Robert D. Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA

    From June through September, the Botanical Garden stays open late on Tuesdays and Fridays—giving you more time to enjoy the beauty of summer, your way. Come early. Stay late. Or arrive just in time for sunset. Wander paths in full bloom, relax on the lawn, or take in the glow of golden hour across the gardens. Whether you’re meeting friends, planning a date night, or enjoying a family outing, Extended Summer Evenings offer a flexible, welcoming way to experience the Botanical Garden. PLAN YOUR EVENING of golden hours filled with flowers. Members and donors enjoy free access. Not a member yet? Join here.

    $12
  • Water Gardening & Koi

    Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden 909 Robert D. Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA

    Learn how water gardening and koi can help transform your garden landscape. Water gardens and features can add beauty, tranquility, and also be a benefit to wildlife. This workshop will cover the how-tos of building and maintaining water features, growing and caring for aquatic plants, and keeping koi. $17 Members | $20 Nonmembers REGISTER HERE Longer summer days invite you to take a moment and just get outside at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden as the sun starts to set. Join us in the early evening for Summer Extended Evenings—find out more here. Runs through the end of September. Members and donors enjoy free access and savings on classes plus events. Not a member yet? Join here.

    $20
  • Magic in the Garden Summer Camp 7.13-7.17

    Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden 909 Robert D. Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA

    Experience the magic of the Garden through science experiments and imagination. Students will channel their inner wizard as they are sorted into houses, assigned a plant patronus, and create their own magic wand! Enrollment will ensure proficiency in botanical potions, herbology, plant defenses against the dark arts, and more! All camps run 9 am-4 pm and are designed for students entering first through fifth grade in fall 2025. Members: be sure to sign in at the top of the registration page to apply your member discount! Five-Day Camps: Members $265 Nonmembers $305 THIS CAMP IS FULL. Please add your name to the WAITLIST HERE.  

    $305
  • Marsh Walk

    Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden 909 Robert D. Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA

    Engeldinger Marsh, situated in northeast Polk County, is prized for its rare prairie pothole and sedge meadow habitats. This area supports as many as 300 species of plants and a variety of wildlife. Join experienced guides Loren Lown and Lael Neal for a casual walk through the marsh to discuss the history and geology of the site and explore plant species present in the remnant marsh and wet prairie habitats. Loren has 30 years of experience as a botanist with Polk County Conservation while Lael is a Natural Resources Technician for Polk County Conservation. This is a walk that welcomes the curious learner as well as the experienced botanist. Waterproof footwear is advised. FREE for Members | $5 Nonmembers REGISTER HERE

    $5
  • Magic in the Garden Summer Camp 7.13-7.17

    Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden 909 Robert D. Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA

    Experience the magic of the Garden through science experiments and imagination. Students will channel their inner wizard as they are sorted into houses, assigned a plant patronus, and create their own magic wand! Enrollment will ensure proficiency in botanical potions, herbology, plant defenses against the dark arts, and more! All camps run 9 am-4 pm and are designed for students entering first through fifth grade in fall 2025. Members: be sure to sign in at the top of the registration page to apply your member discount! Five-Day Camps: Members $265 Nonmembers $305 THIS CAMP IS FULL. Please add your name to the WAITLIST HERE.  

    $305
  • Music in the Garden: The NOLA Jazz Band

    Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden 909 Robert D. Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA

    Experience Music in the Garden all summer long at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. This popular outdoor concert series takes place on Thursday evenings in the picturesque Koehn Garden. Surrounded by lush plantings and the Botanical Garden’s signature walled landscape, the setting provides a one-of-a-kind backdrop for an evening of live music. Each week features regional and local bands performing a variety of musical styles, creating a relaxed and lively atmosphere for gathering with friends, enjoying great food and drinks, and celebrating summer in the Garden. Tickets may be purchased in advance online or at the door throughout the concert season. Single Concert Tickets* Members Adult — $7 Senior — $6 Child — $4 Non-Members Adult — $14 Senior — $13 Child — $11 *Children’s pricing applies to ages as defined by standard Botanical Garden admission categories

    $14
  • Magic in the Garden Summer Camp 7.13-7.17

    Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden 909 Robert D. Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA

    Experience the magic of the Garden through science experiments and imagination. Students will channel their inner wizard as they are sorted into houses, assigned a plant patronus, and create their own magic wand! Enrollment will ensure proficiency in botanical potions, herbology, plant defenses against the dark arts, and more! All camps run 9 am-4 pm and are designed for students entering first through fifth grade in fall 2025. Members: be sure to sign in at the top of the registration page to apply your member discount! Five-Day Camps: Members $265 Nonmembers $305 THIS CAMP IS FULL. Please add your name to the WAITLIST HERE.

    $305
  • Extended Summer Evenings

    Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden 909 Robert D. Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA

    From June through September, the Botanical Garden stays open late on Tuesdays and Fridays—giving you more time to enjoy the beauty of summer, your way. Come early. Stay late. Or arrive just in time for sunset. Wander paths in full bloom, relax on the lawn, or take in the glow of golden hour across the gardens. Whether you’re meeting friends, planning a date night, or enjoying a family outing, Extended Summer Evenings offer a flexible, welcoming way to experience the Botanical Garden. PLAN YOUR EVENING of golden hours filled with flowers. Members and donors enjoy free access. Not a member yet? Join here.

    $12
  • Story Sprouts Children’s Story Time

    Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden 909 Robert D. Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA

    Join us for Story Sprouts Children's Story Time on Fridays this summer! This fun, interactive story time explores nature and plants in the naturally inspiring setting of the Botanical Garden. During each program participants enjoy stories and an activity based on the week’s theme. Story Sprouts is geared toward children ages two to five. Explore the indoor or outdoor gardens with your kids, including Nature Play™, before or after the program. Your children will love it! Story Sprouts is included with general admission. Members enjoy free access. Not a member yet? Sign up here to enjoy free general admission and discounts to classes and events all season long. Theme: Garden Guests

    $12