Siouxland Families

Every month I share some of the best things to do in Sioux City and Siouxland, from storytimes and crafts to music festivals, streaming concerts, and holidays from silly to serious. This June, you might also be interested in my guide to pools & swim lessons in Siouxland , my post about Siouxland Splash Pads , or my post about summer day camps in Siouxland . I hope this event list inspires you to go make some happy memories with your family this month!  *now updated with June 2025 events and activities!* Recommended Midwesty Reads for June 2025 Critters of Iowa by Alex Troutman (nonfiction guidebook for kids.) Full review coming soon! Fishing With Dad by Kevin Lovegreen (picture book.) Full review coming soon! *** Jump to a Week in June 2025 June 1 - June 7 June 8 - June 14 June 15 - June 21 June 22 - June 28 June 29 - June 30 Things to do in Sioux City and Siou...

Get ready to splash and dive! I'm excited to share the best places to swim in Siouxland, water safety tips, and where to find swim lessons in the Sioux City area! Swimming can be one of the best forms of exercise, along with tons of fun, and it's important to make sure you and your family are ready to be safe in the water! Water safety in Siouxland I had the chance to chat with Kristin Rager, a mom of 4 kids and certified Infant Swim Resource Instructor, about pool safety for kids and I was really impressed. This isn't a sponsored post--her message is just important enough that I wanted to share it.  One of Rager's kids nearly drowned as a toddler when Rager turned away for a second to put sunscreen on her then-preschooler. When Rager looked back, her 18-month-old daughter was gone. She ran to the water, terrified, and dove in to rescue her daughter immediately. Rager got to her daughter in time and she's a happy, healthy kid (and a great swimmer) now. But the inc...

If you're looking for an imaginative picture book to kick off your kids' summer reading, check out The Dinosaur Seed by Lindsey Yankey, new in late May 2025. Thank you to Beaming Books for sending a copy so that I could review it. Read on for my full thoughts on The Dinosaur Seed  and why parents and kids will love it:  Who wrote The Dinosaur Seed ? The Dinosaur Seed is written and illustrated by Lindsey Yankey, who is an experienced author and illustrator from Kansas also known for her other books, including Sun & Moon and Bluebird , both award-winning picture books with stunning illustrations. I love her dreamy, colorful style, and her talents really bring The Dinosaur Seed  to life. You can learn more about Yankey and her books on her official author website .  The Dinosaur Seed is published by Beaming Books , and imprint of Augsburg Fortress. Our review of The Dinosaur Seed In The Dinosaur Seed , a group of kids on a playground f...

Nestled just to the northwest of Des Moines, in Altoona, Iowa, you'll find a wonderland of roller coasters and waterslides, known as Adventureland. Adventureland is Iowa's only theme park and is all about grand adventure, from cowboys to pirates to biplanes. Here's what families should know about visiting Adventureland, including firsthand perspective I gained during a trip to Adventureland in 2018 with complimentary passes courtesy of Catch Des Moines . We had a blast and learned a lot! This post has also now been updated to reflect an additional visit to Adventureland, additional research, and new updates and changes for the 2025 season: Where is Adventureland? Adventureland Park is located at 3200 Adventureland Drive, Altoona, Iowa, just minutes from downtown Des Moines. From Sioux City, it's about a 3-hour drive to Adventureland. There is ample parking at Adventureland, and it is $21 per car and $26 for vehicles that require multiple spaces, so carpool wisely! ...