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.

• Annual Match Celebration Picnic Join BBBSIA for our Annual Match Celebration Picnic on Saturday, September 19th from noon to 3:00 pm at Greenwood Park. Meet other Littles, Bigs, and BBBSIA staff for an afternoon of food, games, and fun.

  
  

  Mexican food and refreshments will be provided. There will be face painting and hair tinsel. This is a free event for Littles and Bigs. Be sure to register for the picnic so that we know how many people to account for.

  
  

  Feel free to bring a lawn chair or blanket. Thank you to our sponsors, Goliath Gutters, the Jack Pray Compassion Fund, Venerable, and prior Big Anna Anderson.
  

• Alysha Brilla: Prairie Meadows Live at the Temple Concert Series

  Enjoy music from Alysha Brilla on Friday, October 2nd at 7:00 pm at Temple Theater. Alysha Brilla is a 3× JUNO Award nominated songwriter, producer and electrifying live performer, as well as the 2025 Women in Music International Leadership Honoree and a 2024 Canadian Screen Award nominee. Please sign up here.

  
  

• Slick City Bigs and Littles, get ready for an action-packed Match Activity at Slick City on Sunday, October 11th from 2:00 to 3:30 pm! Join us for a fun-filled time of sliding, jumping, and making memories together at this event especially for Matches. Be sure to register soon, as space is limited and this exciting opportunity is expected to fill up quickly.

• Building Beds with Sleep in Heavenly Peace Bigs and Littles (age 12+) are invited to team up for a meaningful hands‑on service project with Sleep in Heavenly Peace on Saturday, October 24th from 2:30 to 4:30 pm. Sleep in Heavenly Peace is an organization dedicated to ensuring no child sleeps on the floor.

  10 Matches will work side by side to help build beds for children in our community who are in need. This is a wonderful opportunity to model the importance of giving back, compassion, and helping others.

  This Match activity promotes teamwork, service, and character development—all while making a lasting impact in our community. This is limited to 20 participants so sign-up soon to secure your spot.
  

• Hoyt Sherman Art Classes We have a several opportunities for Matches to attend art classes this fall at Hoyt Sherman 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.
  

• Free Tickets to the Des Moines Symphony Performances

Experience the magic of live music alongside your Little by attending performances by the Des Moines Symphony. To inquire about tickets, please email Angela at angela@dmsymphony.org,

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 9am 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.