Match Activities

Upcoming Match Activities
Match Activities are low-cost to free events organized by the Match Activities Committee. These events provide Bigs and Littles the opportunity to meet and interact with other Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa (BBBSIA) matches.

Adventureland Fun on Saturday, May 24
Get ready to dive into summer fun like never before! BBBSIA is hosting an opportunity for 20 lucky matches to be the FIRST 40 people to go down Adventureland’s brand new Hyperlight Water Slide at their grand opening on Saturday, May 24th. This will be a highly-publicized event to promote this heart-pumping ride in Adventure Bay. This isn’t just any water slide—it’s a sensory adventure packed with dazzling laser lights and mind-blowing surround sound that will leave you breathless from start to finish! Matches (Bigs and Littles only) can enter to be selected for this special opportunity by submitting a 1-2 minute video OR a photo and 200+ word essay. Your first step is to complete this form. Afterwards, BBBSIA staff will email you the link to upload your video or photo and essay.

Video & Essay Guidelines
1. Introduce yourselves with your first names (no last name) and share how long you've been matched.
2. Describe the BEST thing about being a Big/Little and why others should consider joining the Big Brothers Big Sisters program?
OR
3. Share a heartwarming memory as a match that will be impactful to others.
Don’t miss out—the deadline to enter is May 9th! Winners will be contacted the week of May 12th.

Important Info:
There is a slide height requirement of 48 inches.
Winning Matches will receive 2 tickets and 1 parking pass.
The Big must attend with the Little.
Big Duos and Family Matches are welcome to enter but will need to be responsible for purchasing extra tickets.

Des Moines Soapbox Derby Opportunities - Littles age 7-18
We have sponsorships for 5 Matches to participate in the DSM Soapbox Derby. Littles age 7-18 and their Big must be able to attend at least one SPEED clinic (options below) & the full day race on June 7.

-Build Clinic/Speed Clinic: May 10 
-Speed Clinic May 31
-Local Race: June 7 - all day

Matches will learn the basics of Soap Box Derby Car Construction with a "hands on" opportunity for children to work on and race a real Soap Box car! Additional details will be provided to those registering here.

Puppy Jake Foundation Match Activity on Saturday, June 7
Bigs and Littles are invited to join us for a special Match Activity in collaboration with the Puppy Jake Foundation!

Date: Saturday, June 7, 2025, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location: BBBSIA Youth Mentoring Center, 2130 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312

Event Highlights:
** Make Dog Toys: Get creative and craft fun toys for furry friends in need.
** Interact with Retired Service Dogs: Meet and spend time with well-trained retired service dogs from the Puppy Jake Foundation.
** Light snacks provided.

Please sign up here. This is a wonderful opportunity to bond with your Little and other Matches while you enjoy a fun-filled afternoon with our four-legged heroes. We look forward to seeing you there!

Free Tickets to the Des Moines Symphony and Civic Music Association Performances
Experience the magic of live music alongside your Little by attending any performance by the Des Moines Symphony and Civic Music Association. To claim your tickets, please email Ajia at [email protected] or Calla at [email protected].

Game Day Play Cards
We still have cards that can be used for 1 hour of video game play at Game Day in Merle Hay Mall. Please note, this is limited to ONE card per Match and cards must be picked up in the BBBSIA office (2130 Grand Avenue in Des Moines). Please contact your Match Support Specialist if you would like one.

Ongoing Opportunities:
BBBSCI Library is Open!
Matches, stop by the BBBSIA library at our office (2130 Grand Avenue in Des Moines) and browse our collection of books. Matches are able to check out books- we ask that you return them when finished reading so others can use them. The library is open during our office hours, Monday-Thursday from 8am to 6pm and Friday from 8am to 5pm. 

YMCA
Free admission (with your Little) to any location in Greater Des Moines except the Healthy Living Center. Just show your Big ID card! 

Attend the Science Center of Iowa for Free!
To attend the Science Center of Iowa for free, please contact your Match Support Specialist, and they will help get you signed up.

Attend the Blank Park Zoo for Free!
BBBSIA is now a member of the Blank Park Zoo. This is a great opportunity for you and your Little as you will be able to attend the Zoo for FREE. If you would like to go to the Zoo, contact your Match Support Specialist or stop by the BBBSIA office (2130 Grand Avenue in Des Moines) to check out one of our 4 membership cards. Please arrange to return the card to our office within 2 business days of when you attend the Zoo so that other matches will be able to use it. Also, if a match would happen to lose a membership card, the Big would be responsible for paying to replace it. Please contact your Match Support Specialist with any additional questions.

Attend the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden for Free!
BBBSIA is now a member of the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. This is a great opportunity for you and your Little as you will be able to attend the Botanical Garden for FREE. If you would like to go, contact your Match Support Specialist or stop by the BBBSIA office (2130 Grand Avenue in Des Moines) to check out one of our 4 membership cards. Please arrange to return the card to our office within 2 business days of when you attend the Botanical Garden so that other matches will be able to use it. Also, if a match would happen to lose a membership card, the Big would be responsible for paying to replace it. Please contact your Match Support Specialist with any additional questions.

Attend Living History Farms for Free!
BBBSIA is now a member of Living History Farms. This is a great opportunity for you and your Little as you will be able to attend Living History Farms for FREE. If you would like to go, contact your Match Support Specialist to check out a digital pass. Please contact your Match Support Specialist with any additional questions.