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.

• Science Center of Iowa Workshop: Robotics on Tuesday, May 12th from 6:00 to 7:00 pm Get to know one of the Science Center of Iowa's favorite educational coding robots and learn to think like a programmer using IF/THEN statement. Appropriate for Littles in 3rd-12th grades. Please click here to sign up and for details.
  

• Escape Game at Escapology on Sunday, May 17th at 2:00 pm or 3:00 pm Join us for an exciting match activity at Escapology! Bigs and Littles will work together to solve puzzles, crack clues, and beat the clock in a fun, immersive escape room experience.

  
  

  You must pre-register for this event & space is limited, so be sure to register early! Details with your assigned time will be sent a week before the event. Please click here to sign up and for details.
  

• Skating at Skateland on Sunday, May 31st from 2:00 to 4:00 pm Bigs and Littles, join us for skating at Skateland. Free skate rental is included. Please click here to sign up.
  

• Science Center of Iowa Workshop: Microbits on Tuesday, June 9th from 6:00 to 7:00 pm Meet the Science Center of Iowa's BBC microbit and use the computer to program it for tasks and games – learn to think like a computer programmer using inputs and outputs. Appropriate for Littles in 3rd-12th grades. Please click here to sign up and for details.
  

• Building Beds with Sleep in Heavenly Peace on Saturday, June 13th from 1:00 - 3:00 pm

  Bigs and Littles (age 11+) are invited to team up for a meaningful hands‑on service project with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, 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. Please click here to sign up.
  

• Des Moines Soapbox Derby Opportunities for Littles BBBSIA has sponsorships for 8 Littles (age 7-18) to participate in the Des Moines Soapbox Derby for FREE. A Big or parent/guardian must be able to attend the build/practice clinic AND the race day with the child.

  
  

  Build/Practice Clinic: June 13th

  Race Day: June 20th - 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! Please click here to sign up.

  
  

• 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.