Family events in Cedar Rapids, IA

Stay & Play creates a relaxed play space for children ages 0 to 5, with parents and guardians staying nearby and enjoying conversation with other adults. It offers caregivers a change of scenery and an easy way to connect while little ones burn off energy. Sessions are held in the nursery at FaithLife Church, with entry at the awning. Registration is not required, and there is no expectation of membership or prior church experience. Coffee and pastries are available at each gathering.

At Ladd Library, children from birth through age three can enjoy a 15 minute session of stories and songs, followed by 45 minutes of play. The activities nurture early literacy through rhyme, rhythm, repetition, stories, and movement.

A six week Baby and Me Yoga series at Toula Yoga offers postpartum mothers and their babies a chance to reconnect through gentle movement, calming breathwork, baby massage, and simple relaxation and self care. Guided by Stacey Schmitt, each session supports healing and recovery while encouraging meaningful conversation and a sense of community with others in the same season of life. Come as you are with no pressure or expectations, spend time bonding with your little one, share stories, and find connection in a supportive setting. Pricing options are $78 for the full series or $20 for a single drop in.

Settle in at Cedar Rapids Public Library for casual Magic: The Gathering play. Space is set up for all formats, so whether you are hunting for a Commander pod or hoping to meet Pauper and Pioneer players, you will find a table. Bring your favorite deck and jump into games, or browse a selection of commons and uncommons to patch up your build at no cost. Pokemon players are welcome as well, with play supported alongside Magic. Spend time with fellow fans, share your collection, and enjoy laid back matches. If you are new, tutorials are available for both games.

Rock the Chalk is a community chalk art festival downtown in Iowa City. Artists will create original chalk artworks along the streets surrounding the MidWestOne building, and you can enjoy live Iowa music while they work. From 5:00 to 8:00 PM, there will also be free community activities and crafts along with continuing live music.

Celebrate the new school year with Families Helping Families at Hawkeye Downs. This family-friendly rally includes fun activities, community resources, and free school supplies. Foster children will have the chance to pick out their own supplies to help start the school year feeling prepared and confident.

Get ready for a Friday night rodeo with a family pre-show at 5:00 PM and the main rodeo starting at 7:00 PM. After that, the Outlaw Band kicks off at 9:30 PM for the evening’s live entertainment.

Rock the Block is a no-cost weekly music series hosted by NewBo City Market, bringing live performances to Friday nights on the Bankers Trust Stage in the Market Yard. Each season showcases a mix of local favorites and touring acts, creating a lively outdoor setting for music fans. Admission is free and space is first come, first served. Guests may bring lawn chairs to relax and enjoy the show. To keep the focus on the music and the Market community, outside food and beverages are not allowed, except for reusable water bottles filled with water only. Coolers are not permitted. Smoking is not allowed. Alcohol purchased on the property must stay within designated boundaries. Please plan to pick up snacks from the Market’s shopkeepers to support small businesses. Rock the Block 2026 is supported by the Iowa Arts Council, FastTrans, ImOn, Councilmember David Maier, Rinderknecht Associates, Lion Bridge Brewing, Wendler Inc., Physicians' Clinic of Iowa, The Martini Lounge, and That Girl Tree Care. The 2026 lineup features Dogs on Skis, Alicia Monee, Surf Zombies, Betty Calling, Funk Daddies, The King of Mars, Redemption, Jasper Tide in collaboration with CR Pride, Matthew Kane and the Band Greenbrier, Star Trucker, BRETT NEWSKI Duo, The Dead Century, Vinyl Alibi, The Lily Schloss Band, Evan Stock Band, The Invisible Band, and Fresh Fighters. Photography, audio, and video may be recorded during the event. By entering the property, attendees consent to appear in such media without royalties or other compensation.

Car enthusiasts gather at Big Grove Brewery in Cedar Rapids for a relaxed Cars and Coffee meetup. Attendees may bring a special interest vehicle, enjoy coffee provided by Big Grove, and see what others have brought. Parking is on the street.

K9Splash turns Bever Park Pool in Cedar Rapids into a canine pool party filled with splashing, paddling, and wagging tails. The event welcomes dogs of every swimming style, from bold cannonballers to cautious paw dippers. The day begins with a dedicated swim for small dogs under 15 inches tall, then opens for dogs of all sizes. Admission is $15 per dog, per day, with cash preferred. A weekend discount is available when paying for both days at once on the first day, reducing the second day’s fee by $5. Babies and children under 48 inches are not allowed inside the pool area, though they may watch from outside the fence. Registration forms are available on site to streamline check in. Dogs must be current on rabies, parvo, and distemper vaccinations, and proof from a licensed veterinarian is required. Rabies tags alone are not accepted. Acceptable proof includes vaccination certificates, vet billing reminders listing vaccines, or a screenshot or printout from a veterinary portal. Volunteer and sponsorship opportunities are available, and the event supports local off-leash dog parks.

At Cedar Rapids Public Library, the End of Summer Party teams up with the Back to School Social for a festive sendoff that welcomes kids from those gearing up for kindergarten through students finishing high school. Greene Square buzzes with hands-on fun, including spin art with the Grout Museum, a trampoline and climbing wall, story time on the Urban Plaza, and a chance to explore and ride a school bus. Indoors, cool off with a dance party, creative crafts, and a scavenger hunt. Outdoor activities depend on the weather, and some may move inside if needed. The Back to School Social is supported by Corda Credit Union.

Free school supplies will be available in limited quantities. An inflatable and snow cones for kids will be on hand, courtesy of Oak Street Health. Hyvee on Johnson ave will supply cookies and water.

A performance will be presented on the Family Entertainment Stage at the St. Jude Sweet Corn Festival.

A welcoming gathering with plenty for everyone, featuring sweet corn, beer, and carnival fun.

Settle in for a golf cart style drive in movie night featuring Field of Dreams. Before the film, enjoy a round of mini golf that is included with admission. Tickets are 15 dollars and cover one round of mini golf plus the outdoor screening. Golf cart seating is limited to the first 40 registrants. Additional guests can take part in mini golf and watch the movie from their own chairs or blankets. Registration is required in advance. For questions, call 319-286-5566.

Start the week at Greene Square Park with interactive fun for children ages 5 to 12. Kids can dive into games, make crafts, try creative projects, and get moving with active play, and each visit offers something new to discover.

Start the week at Greene Square Park with interactive activities designed for children ages 5 to 12. Kids can dive into games, make crafts, explore creative projects, and enjoy active play, with something different to discover on each visit.

Enjoy a complimentary screening of Shrek at the ImOn Stage. Attendees can bring the family, plus blankets and lawn chairs for comfortable seating. The event is made possible by Community 1st Credit Union.

Kids can get creative at Greene Square Park, experimenting with paint, color, and glue while working through playful art themes and hands-on projects. Everyone wraps up with a piece they crafted themselves to bring home.

Enjoy half-off pricing on Game Zone games, open bowling, and laser tag. Some exclusions apply.

Greene Square Park turns into a lively arena for NERF fun with games, creative challenges, and good-natured matchups. Blasters and goggles are provided, so everything needed for the fun is ready to go.

Think & Drink Entertainment hosts a weekly game night at Mulligan's Pub with a rotating mix of favorites like trivia, Name That Tune, music bingo, and old school 75-ball bingo. It is free to play, prizes are available, and all ages are welcome. Seating can fill quickly, so plan to arrive early to secure a table.

Get a night of James Bond inspired music in Brucemore’s historic courtyard carriage house. This year’s Music in the Courtyard program features songs made famous by 007, reimagined by Brucemore’s Artisan in Residence Gerard Estella and performed by singers Stephanie Goff and Allison Yoder. It’s an outdoor, all-ages experience under the stars.

At Greene Square Park, children ages 5 to 12 can take part in interactive activities. Expect games, craft-making, creative projects, and physical play, with something new to try each time.

Enjoy half-price fun each Wednesday, from opening to closing, with 50% off Game Zone games, open bowling, and laser tag. A few exceptions apply.

Explore a farmers market set at Old MacDonald’s Farm where vendors from the area offer produce, meats, and handmade items near the farm entrance. Some sellers are certified by the Iowa Department of Agriculture to accept WIC Program IFMNP checks. Bring a reusable bag, take a moment to chat with the vendors, and enjoy a relaxed midweek stop at the farm.

Experience Dungeons & Dragons at Cedar Rapids Public Library with weekly tables offering plenty of adventure. Rulebooks from 2014 and dice will be on hand, and players can arrive with a first-level character and plenty of imagination. Help with building a character and tutorials on how the game works are available for beginners. Open to all ages and all levels of experience. Dungeon Masters interested in launching a table of their own are welcome.

Pokémon Night is a weekly gathering where new and seasoned Trainers connect for free play and trading across the video game, trading card game, and Pokémon GO communities. Bring a Nintendo Switch for friendly battles in formats such as VGC, OU, and casual matches. Trade cards, learn the basics, or try out a deck in low-pressure TCG games. Coordinate raids, make trades, and test PVP battles in Pokémon GO. Optional mini tournaments and challenges are available each week and welcome all skill levels. Tips, team-building help, and friendly strategy conversations are part of the experience. People of all ages and skill levels are welcome. This is a bring your own device event, so attendees should bring a console, cards, or a mobile device. Sharing may be limited and is not guaranteed. Admission is free and no registration is required.

An all-ages chess club that welcomes newcomers who want to learn, players aiming to deepen their understanding, and experienced participants ready to share their knowledge with others.

This all-levels group yoga therapy session with Sayde emphasizes mindful breathing, purposeful movement, and a heart-centered focus that helps calm the mind and reconnect with inner spirit. Open to every body and accommodating for families, the class is offered through monthly registration at The Studio at Illuminations for $15. Participants are welcome to bring a mat, and supplies are available if needed. Sayde brings more than two decades of teaching experience and holds master’s degrees in Yoga Therapy and Exercise Science. Her approach goes beyond a typical class to help identify the sources of physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual strain, encouraging freer movement and supportive shifts in thoughts and actions for a grounded return to self.

At Picasso in the Park, kids dive into paint, add color, and get creative with glue while exploring playful themes. They will build interactive art projects and head home with a one-of-a-kind piece they made themselves.

The Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation Department brings its Rollin' Recmobile to Cleveland Park for a summer stop featuring free activities and a designated free lunch option. This traveling program uses colorful vans to visit parks across the city each week, offering chances to make new friends and chase away summer boredom. There is no cost to participate, and people may visit at any park as often as they wish. Plans call for a steady schedule, though weather or other factors may occasionally prompt changes. Presented by the City of Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation Department, with support from the City of Cedar Rapids, the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, Cedar Rapids Kiwanis, and the Cedar Rapids Parks Foundation. For questions, contact 319-286-5566 or recreation@cedar-rapids.org.

Meet Me at the Market is NewBo City Market’s premier summer wellness event, bringing the community together in the Market Yard for free guided walks, runs, bike rides, dance fitness, and yoga. People of every fitness level are welcome and no advance registration is required. Dance fitness and yoga are led by a rotating team of instructors on the Bankers Trust stage on the Market Lawn. Bring a water bottle, and a mat if you plan to practice yoga. Walks and runs typically cover one to four miles with fresh routes each week, including special destination outings. Bike rides vary in distance and route as well. Many activities take place outdoors, so dress for the weather. Family Nights return with fitness for all ages, including a bounce house and additional activities to keep everyone moving. Presented by Dupaco and sponsored by 7G Distributing, Iowa Running Company, PCI, STACK Wellness, and Twenty40 Concepts.

Groups receive their own set of random LEGO bricks and take on a series of build challenges designed by the librarian. The emphasis is on teamwork and creativity, with a laid-back atmosphere that makes it easy to relax and have fun together.

Iowa’s Jazz Station begins its next half-century with an evening at Noelridge Park that spotlights rising artists shaping the jazz scene in Iowa and beyond. This concert features performances by the Paul Lichty Jazz Orchestra and Young Artists: Jazz on 76th from Prairie, and it will be broadcast live on 88.3 KCCK. Led by Central Iowa musician and composer Paul Lichty, the Paul Lichty Jazz Orchestra draws on his wide-ranging work as music director and trombonist for BYOBrass and The Domita Show and as jazz chair of the Iowa Pride Ensembles. The ensemble’s debut album, Dark Soul, was released in 2021 and is available on streaming platforms. Lichty also serves as a band director at Winterset Junior High School and is a recipient of the CJC Des Moines Hall of Fame Next Generation award recognizing emerging talent in Des Moines. Jazz on 76th brings together current and recently graduated Prairie High School students from a program that has reached the Iowa Jazz Championships for the past two years. Attendees are welcome to bring a picnic or purchase food from vendors. For weather-related updates or potential cancellations, tune to 88.3 KCCK. This event is supported by sponsors including McGrath Family of Dealerships, Collins Community Credit Union, Illuminate Digital, Brian and Marty Stoll, Nile and Lois Dusdieker, West Music, and Kirkwood Community College.

Think & Drink Entertainment brings a free, all ages game night to Spare Time Entertainment in Cedar Rapids. Teams can include up to eight players, and competitors have a chance to win house cash and other prizes. Seating can go quickly, so plan to arrive early to secure a table.