After Dark
Your inner child called—they want a night out! After a sold-out debut, After Dark returns to The Iowa Children’s Museum for another grown-ups-only night of play, presented by The Jill Armstrong Team.
Leave the grown-up stuff at the door and rediscover what it feels like to be a kid again! Explore the museum after hours, jump in a grown-up bounce house (no 5-year-olds giving you side-eye this time), relive parachute day in gym class, get crafty in the Art Studio, and play your way through exhibits designed for curiosity, creativity, and kid-at-heart fun.
We’re excited to partner with Millstream Brewing Co., who will be on site serving a selection of their craft beers, hard seltzers, and sodas. Whether you’re in the mood for something local and hoppy or a non-alcoholic option, there will be something for everyone! Late-night snacks will also keep the energy going all evening long. We’re talking Marco’s Grilled Cheese, Raising Cane’s, and sweet treats to round out the night.
Grab a team and put your puzzle skills to the test in our Speed Puzzling Tournament, hosted by our friends at Diversions Tabletop Game Lounge. Teams will race the clock to complete puzzles for bragging rights and prizes.
Fan-favorite activities are back, too. Lights Out Karaoke returns with expanded time so even more brave souls can take the mic from the shadow booth. You’ll also find scavenger hunts, exhibit-inspired challenges, creative competitions, and plenty of opportunities for unforgettable photos.
In other words, it’s a night where you can forget about bills, deadlines, and that laundry you still haven’t folded!
Event Highlights:
- Speed Puzzling Tournament with Diversions Tabletop Game Lounge
- Craft beer, seltzers, and sodas from Millstream Brewing Co.
- Late-night snacks, including Marco’s Grilled Cheese & Raising Cane’s
- Grown-up bounce house
- Lights Out Karaoke (sing anonymously from the shadow booth)
- Games and the parachute from gym class
- Creative crafts in the Art Studio
- Museum-wide scavenger hunts and exhibit-inspired challenges
- Full access to our one-of-a-kind space
Want to really get your recess on? Dress like a kid again! Rock a pair of neon overalls, your dino t-shirt, or whatever outfit gives you that “first day of summer vacation” feeling (there may be prizes for our favorite fits)!
Tickets:
🎟️$30 for a PLAY PASS – includes museum access, snacks, activities, and your first drink ticket
🎟️ $45 for a LEVEL UP – includes museum access, snacks, activities, two drink tickets, and a swag bag
We highly recommend purchasing tickets in advance—we sold out 2 weeks in advance last time!
This is a 21+ event—no exceptions. IDs will be checked at the door.
Presenting Sponsor:
Additional event support provided by:
All ticket sales for After Dark are final and non-refundable. If you are unable to attend, your ticket is transferable. Click the update button on your e-ticket, click “transfer this ticket,” and add the new contact information. If your ticket goes unused, the value of the ticket will be treated as a donation to The Iowa Children’s Museum in support of our nonprofit mission.
