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Match Activities

Updated: Jan 7

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.

  • Free Iowa Wolves Basketball Tickets THE PACK IS BACK!!! Let the howling begin... we have free tickets to Iowa Wolves basketball games.

    • Sunday, January 18th at 3:00 pm

    • Monday, January 19th at 1:00 pm

    • Saturday, January 24th at 6:30 pm

    • Monday, January 26th at 6:30 pm Tuesday, January 27th at 6:30 pm

    • Please click here to sign up.

    Tickets are available to Bigs, Littles, and families. Limit of 3 tickets per match or family. These tickets are provided to BBBSIA through a community partnership with the Iowa Wolves.

  • Volunteer with Meals from the Heartland on Monday, January 19th from 1:00 to 2:30 pm In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, we invite Littles and Bigs to join us for a meaningful volunteer activity at Meals from the Heartland. Together, we’ll be packaging meals. Please click here to sign up.


    There is no age minimum but all participants will need to stay engaged with meal packing tasks for the full 90 minutes, so please keep this in mind if you have a younger Little.

  • January Open Hours at the BBBSIA Youth Mentoring Center on Saturday, January 24th from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm Bigs are invited to bring their Littles to enjoy relaxed time together and take full advantage of everything our center has to offer, including:

  • The Cactus Blossoms on Tuesday, January 27th at 7:00 pm On Every Time I Think About You, The Cactus Blossoms continue to prove they’re masters of a distinctive, timeless sound that feels a bit like magic. Please click here to sign up.


    Tickets requests must be submitted before 1-20-2026. This event is open to Matches only and Bigs must submit the request with a limit of 3 tickets.

  • The Big Meetup on Tuesday, February 3rd from 5:30 to 7:00 pm The BBBS Big Impact Board will be holding occasional Big Meetups as informal opportunities for new and long-term Bigs to connect with open, engaging conversation. It's a chance to learn from one another, problem-solve together and strengthen your impact as a mentor. Please click here to sign up.

  • BBBSIA's Valentine's Day Party on Saturday, February 7th from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm Littles and Bigs, you're invited to BBBSIA's Valentine's Party! Join us for pizza, cookie decorating, a movie, and other fun activities. Please click here to sign up.

  • Bracelet Making with Jan's Jewels on Tuesday, February 10th between 6:00 to 8:00 pm BBBSIA's Big Sister, Jan Kellogg, is hosting an opportunity for Littles to make one unique bracelet for free. This is a great opportunity to let a special person know how much they are appreciated (even if that special person is themself). Please click here to sign up.


    If a Big wants to make a bracelet as well, or if the Little wants to make another bracelet, that can be done for $5 per bracelet. There is room for approximately 20 crafters in each 30-minute session between 6:00-8:00 pm. Please request a ticket for each individual that will be making a bracelet.

  • The Big Little Game Show on Thursday, January 29th For the first time, we’re inviting every Big and Little to participate in this one-of-kind Match Activity, The Big Little Game Show. Join us for an exciting evening of fun audience games that everyone will participate in, and the chance to be called up on stage to compete in front of the crowd!

    

    Here’s how it works:

    • Step 1: Bigs Register Online

      Please click here to complete the registration form. Please make your team name the first names of you and your Little. Note: Only Bigs need to register; your Little is automatically included.

    • Step 2: Check Your Email

      After registering, you’ll receive an email with a link to your personal fundraising page. Customize your page and use this page to track your progress and share your story!

    • Step 3: Fundraise!

      Share your fundraising page with friends, coworkers, and family to help you reach your goal. Each team must raise a minimum of $150 to be eligible to attend the event. Fundraising ends January 15, 2026 at 5:00 pm.

    • Step 4: Celebrate at the Big Little Game Show

      Join us on Thursday night, January 29, 2026 at The Shop DSM for a night of games, laughter, and friendly competition. Only those raising the minimum amount will be invited, and additional information about the event will be sent to those matches. All participating Littles will walk away with gift cards and a chance to earn more.


  • 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 ajia@civicmusic.org or Calla at calla@dmsymphony.org.

  • 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:

  • BBBSIA 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.

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