Family events in Iowa City, IA

Hosted by 319 Card Shows, this large-scale trading card show offers free admission to the main floor and spans more than 30,000 square feet of displays and deals. Browse 100 eight foot vendor tables featuring Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, One Piece, Disney Lorcana, Gundam, Dragonball Z, baseball and football sports cards, plus collectibles, comics, and games. Families can add access to a dedicated arena for $5 per family that includes bounce houses, mini golf, Connect 4, and other activities, with mini golf, bounce houses, and obstacle courses provided by Spacewalk. On-site barbecue will be available, catered by Backyard BBQ. Vendors can reserve tables for $60 to $80 per eight foot table, and each booked table includes one complimentary BBQ meal, limit one per table.

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Swap qualifying puzzles for a new-to-you puzzle. Puzzles must have at least 500 pieces, be new or gently used, and have no missing pieces. Each puzzle must be packed in a Ziploc bag inside its box. Puzzles without a Ziploc bag will not be accepted, and puzzles cannot be dropped off on swap day. Puzzle donations are gratefully accepted.

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Enjoy a family movie morning at the library with a big-screen showing of Toy Story 5. Free movie snacks are provided.

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Celebrate the store’s acorn logo at Acorn Fest, featuring prize drawings, games, refreshments, and acorn ornament decorating for children. A free pint glass is available with a purchase of $25 or more. The ornaments are provided by the Iowa Ceramics Center & Glass Studio.

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Choose a path for a one-mile hike in any weather while looking for signs of animals and other interesting sights in nature. Learn the principles of Leave No Trace, then practice them on the trail. The fee is $10 per scout and $5 per adult. Registration is required at least 48 hours before the program.

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Bring your kids to the studio for a magical experience with Santa. Donuts and hot cocoa will be provided, with additional special options available.

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Learn how to build a closed tropical terrarium and care for your new garden under glass. Workshop pricing is $55 or $75, depending on the vessel.

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Enjoy a storytime with Claudia McGehee as she reads from “Counting Winter” and leads a craft. Children can color a fox, ox, or husky dog mask to take home. This storytime takes the place of the regularly scheduled storytime.

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Littles + Lattes is a mommy-and-me coffee social at Zōetic Coffee.

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Enjoy a fun, interactive story time with Ms. Brittini at Tipton Public Library.

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Take part in a winter-long citizen science survey of birds at the nature center’s Bird Room. Stay for a few minutes or longer as you count birds. The observations will be shared with Project FeederWatch to help scientists track winter bird movements and long-term trends in bird distribution and abundance across North America. People of all skill levels and backgrounds are welcome. Participation is free, and registration is optional.

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Celebrate International Games Month with a selection of kid-friendly traditional games from around the world, including Chinese Checkers, Korean Gonggi, Japanese Kendama, French Pétanque, Ghanaian Jenga, and Nigerian Whot. Participants can also bring a favorite indoor game to share. Children and families from all backgrounds can play, learn fun facts about world cultures, make friends, and win prizes. All ages are welcome.

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This beginner-friendly class is for anyone curious about cookie decorating, new to sugar cookies, or looking for a fun activity with friends or family. Learn to decorate six Thanksgiving-themed cookies with royal icing. All supplies are provided, including a box to take your creations home. Designs may vary from the example photo. The class is suitable for ages 12 and up, and an add-on kit is available for children who will not attend.

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Community Day at the Eastern Iowa Diaper Bank provides 50 free diapers, from newborn through size 5, to each family with children ages 0 to 4. The program is for community members who are not already receiving diapers through the Diaper Bank’s partner agencies, including YPN, Eastern Iowa Health Center, and HACAP/WIC. Families remain in their vehicles while staff assist them.

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WAC will have Wash gear available for purchase in the North (old) gym, including apparel, stadium seats, yard signs, and more.

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Enjoy a bilingual English and Spanish puppet adventure inspired by Iowa City’s historic barrio. Follow Lupita and her brother Juanito as they watch a circus train arrive, then set out to find Yoyo the monkey and Nacho the Chihuahua after the pair runs off together. The show blends fantasy, circus fun, and original storytelling, with original songs, live ukulele music, and a two-part kazoo band.

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Celebrate DINOvember with author Kelly Crull and an interactive reading of his book, “The Chic-a-saurus.” Enjoy dinosaur-themed crafts and games in Beems Auditorium before and after the presentation in Whipple Auditorium, and take home a special dino egg.

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True Paws Dog Training offers daytime drop-off care for dogs while you host guests or prepare for the holidays, as well as in-home pet sitting while you travel. Both services are available through New Year’s. Check the event photos for pricing and additional details.

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This seasonal market spotlights small businesses from across the Midwest, bringing together handmade and homemade goods, vintage pieces, repurposed finds, collected items, and homegrown products. Taking place in Iowa’s corridor, it blends shopping with experiences to create a festive setting for holiday gift hunting. Mobile shops are set up indoors, and there are food trucks and live music. Promoted as a standout shopping weekend, it is designed to help you finish the Christmas list. Admission is $10 cash, and children under 12 are free.

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Celebrate the season in downtown Iowa City with Friday festivities in the Ped Mall, including trolley rides, carols, late-night shopping, family activities, pop-up shops, and free programming. Each week features different seasonal activities, such as hot cocoa, gift tag decorating, Nutcracker performances, a golden Nutcracker hunt, arts and crafts, holiday card making, letters to Santa, a gingerbread house competition, and festive food and drink offerings.

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Girl Scouts can work toward their Night Owl badge in a workshop led by experienced naturalists. Learn about and meet a nocturnal animal, explore the Nature Center trails at night using all your senses, and examine the night sky along with constellation stories. The workshop completes most of the badge requirements, except for step 3. The fee is $10 per scout and $5 per adult.

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