Kinder Club: Fall Session 1 Starts
2026-09-24 09:00 - 10:30 (America/Chicago) | Iowa Children’s Museum, 1451 Coral Ridge Ave., Coralville, IA, 52241, United States
In this program, children will learn and play in our one-of-a-kind space while building skills that prepare them for formal learning settings. We offer sensory and art-based activities to help develop your little one’s fine motor skills and confidence. We also use Kindergarten School Readiness checklists and hands-on learning to help your child build skills like sharing, taking turns, and respecting the rights of others. By encouraging children to explore, imagine, and create, they in turn enhance and develop their critical thinking skills, creativity, and ability to express themselves!
Sponsored by Purple Bloom School
Registration: Pre-registration is required.
Session Dates: September 24, October 1, 8, 15
Schedule:

Time
Activity

8:50 AM
Drop off and Greetings

9:00 AM
Exhibit Exploration

9:25 AM
Storytime/Music

9:50 AM
Exhibit Exploration

10:10 AM
Fine Motor Practice and Play

10:30 AM
Pick Up

Mid-Autumn Festival
2026-09-25 17:00 - 20:00
Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival at The Iowa Children’s Museum!
Join us in celebrating the harvest moon, a tradition cherished in many Asian cultures, with a special focus on Chinese customs in partnership with Midwest Chinese Academy. Experience Mid-Autumn traditions through hands-on art activities and a Jade Rabbit Scavenger Hunt.
This year, our Mid-Autumn Festival coincides with STEM Family Free Night! Enjoy free museum admission in addition to special event activities.

Move it! Dig it! Do it!
2026-10-04 10:00 - 15:00
Get an up-close look at construction equipment, big trucks, emergency vehicles, and more at our biggest outdoor event of the year! Move it! Dig it! Do it! takes place just outside the museum in the Coral Ridge Mall parking lot.
Explore vehicles of all shapes and sizes, meet the people who operate them, and enjoy hands-on games and activities throughout the event.
We’re still putting the finishing touches on this year’s lineup, so check back soon for additional activities and participating vehicles.
Outdoor activities are FREE for everyone to enjoy. Museum admission is required to explore our indoor exhibits during the event.
Thank you to our sponsors for helping make this event possible!

Presenting Sponsors

To learn more about how to be a sponsor or display equipment, contact Jackie McCall at jmccall@theicm.org.

Tech Trek: Fall 2026 Session Begins
2026-10-14 15:15 - 17:30
Tech Trek introduces children (grades 1-5) to the world of technology through interactive projects and imaginative play. Our program is specifically designed for elementary-aged learners to build 21st Century skills like collaboration, communication, and creativity. We combine hands-on technologies and unplugged activities for a fun introduction to tech concepts.
During Tech Trek, your child will have the opportunity to tinker, create, and problem-solve. We use programmable robots, 3D printers, coding games, and more to give kids a glimpse into the exciting careers that are possible in the tech industry. With Tech Trek, kids learn through play as they tackle educational and engaging projects.
One of the things that makes Tech Trek so special is that it’s completely hands-on. Kids explore the inner workings of technology and use their creativity and curiosity to come up with their own solutions to challenges. Tech Trek is also unique in that it includes time for kids to explore museum exhibits.
Skills we explore: basic coding concepts, program development, circuitry, internet safety
Tools we use and love: BeeBot programmable robots, Lego WeDo, Makey Makey invention kits, Snap Circuits, Finch Robot 2.0, Cubelets robot blocks, 3D printer, CoDrone educational drones

Schedule: This session is 6 weeks long and meets on Wednesday afternoons from 3:15 to 5:30 pm. To accommodate school release and travel time, we offer a flexible drop-off period and free play in the museum between 3:15 and 4:00 before moving into project-based learning time.
Fall 2026 session meets: Oct. 14 21, 28 Nov. 4, 11, 18
Cost: $180 per session (sessions meet weekly for six weeks). Pre-registration is required.
Who This Program is For: Children in Grades 1-5. This enrichment program is built on the use of laptops, so children need to have some experience with a laptop. This includes being able to power it on and off, as well as manipulate a mouse/touchpad. This program also helps build computer literacy skills, so typing skills are not necessary!
Other Program Details

Class size is a maximum of 12 students.
Our learning environment will include exhibits at The Iowa Children’s Museum as well as our classroom space.
Caregivers are asked to bring a reusable water bottle for their child each day. Snacks will not be provided.
Extended care (before 3:15 or after 5:30 PM) is not available at this time

Traditional Mexican Dances with Fuerzas Culturales Ballet Folklorico
2026-10-17 13:00 - 14:00
Enjoy a lively Ballet Folklórico performance celebrating the traditions of Mexico with Fuerzas Culturales!
Two groups will perform dances from the states of Sinaloa and Jalisco. After the performance, children and families are invited to join us to learn a few basic steps!
Performances are included with museum admission.
