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.

• Hoyt Sherman Art Classes

  We have several opportunities for Matches to attend art classes at Hoyt Sherman (1501 Woodland Ave., Des Moines) but space is limited for each class. First priority will be provided to matches where Bigs and Littles can attend together. Parents/guardians may register their child for the wait list if space is available. Please sign up here.

  
  

  BBBSIA will send an email approx. 2 weeks prior to the event confirming if you are registered or on the wait list. You will receive an email from Hoyt Sherman approx. 1 week before the class with important details on location. It's very important to communicate to BBBSIA in advance if you sign up and cannot attend.

  
  

  • Class Descriptions:

    • Acrylic Art Adventure: Wednesday, July 2nd from 5:30-7:00 pm. AGE 7-14 (5 Littles, Bigs can watch)

    • Acrylic Canvas Sunsets: Monday, July 21st from 5:00-8:00 pm. AGE 16+ (3 Matches)

    • Diamond Painting: Wednesday, July 30th from 5:30-7:30 pm. AGE 7+ (3 Littles, Bigs can watch or pay $25 to participate if desired)

    • Charcoal Exploration: Wednesday, August 13th from 6:00-8:00 pm. AGE 14+ (4 Matches)
      

• Open Hours at our Youth Mentoring Center on Saturday, June 28th or Saturday July 19th

  Matches, enjoy a fun afternoon together and take full advantage of everything our Youth Mentoring Center has to offer, including:

  • Game Room

  • Arts & Crafts

  • Library

  • Board Games

  • Video Games, Pool Table & More!

    • Sign up here to join us on Saturday, June 28th from 1:00 to 4:00 pm

    • Sign up here to join us on Saturday, July 19th from 1:00 to 4:00 pm

      
      

• 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.