Smithsonian Annual Museum Day

It's time for National Museum Day! If you love museums, you won't want to miss out on this fun opportunity to find a new favorite, or check out a museum you've been curious about but deterred from visiting by the admission fees! Here's how:

What is Museum Day?

On Museum Day, museums across the nation celebrate history and learning by offering free admission through tickets available on the Museum Day website! National Museum Day is organized by the Smithsonian Museum.

When is Museum Day?

Museum Day 2019 is on Saturday, September 21st, 2019. Most participating museums will have normal hours for a Saturday in fall on that day, but check with the specific venue you're visiting for the best info!

What Museums are participating in Museum Day 2019?

You can find the full list of participating museums on the Smithsonian Museum Day website, but some of the museums within a few hours of Sioux City who are offering free admission on Museum Day 2019 but aren't normally free include:

• Durham Museum in Omaha, NE 

Statues in the Durham Museum representing passengers who passed through Union Station in years past.

• Disclosure: I am a museum ambassador for the Durham and get free admission in exchange for blogging about them.
• Smithsonian affiliate history museum in Omaha's beautiful art-deco style Union Station featuring train history, Omaha area history, and traveling exhibits showcasing a variety of topics.
• Open from 10am-5pm on Saturdays
• Admission is usually free for children 2 & under, $7 for kids 3-18, and $11 for adults. 
• For more information visit the Durham Museum website or check out my post about visiting the Durham Museum with kids.

• Museum of Danish America in Elk Horn, IA
• History and culture museum featuring all things Danish and Scandinavian, from stone age artifacts to Legos and modern Danish design, with plenty of vikings, windmills, immigrants, and ebelskivers in between!
• Open from 10am to 5pm on Saturdays
• Admission is usually $2 for under 18 and $5 for adults
• For more information, visit the Museum of Danish America website. 

• El Museo Latino in Omaha, NE
• Art and culture museum featuring art from Latin American cultures from pre-Colombian artifacts to contemporary pieces, including a temporary exhibit highlighting the textile art of Guatemala.
• Open from 10am-2pm on Saturdays
• Admission is usually free for children under 5, $3.50 for k-12 students, and $5 for adults
• For more information, visit El Museo Latino's website. 

• Prehistoric Indian Village in Mitchell, SD

Kids Dig zone, picture used with permission of the Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village

Picture of prehistoric lodge used with permission of the Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village

• The only archaeological site in South Dakota open to the public! Features a village of over 70 earthen lodges from the prehistoric native Americans who lived in this area and includes a fun kids dig zone where little visitors can find an arrowhead to keep for free! 
• Open from 9am-6pm on Saturdays
• Admission is usually free for kids under 12, $4 for kids 13-18, and $6 for adults
• For more info, visit the Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village website.

• International Quilt Museum in Lincoln, NE

A mother and child admire a quilt. Photo used with permission from the International Quilt Museum

• The largest publicly held collection of quilts in the world (on the campus of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln). Also holds special events, and on Museum Day, will be holding two sessions of a hands-on educational program for children discussing old-world quilts, featuring American Girl dolls Felicity and Elizabeth!
• Open from 10am to 4pm on Saturdays
• Admission is usually free for children 4 & under, $4 for kids 5-18 years old, and $8 for adults, or $16 for a family consisting of up to 2 adults and their children
• For more info, visit the International Quilt Museum website. 

• University of Nebraska State Museum-Morrill Hall in Lincoln, NE

Fossils of Prehistoric elephants. Photo used with permission from the Nebraska State Museum.

• This history museum is also on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus and highlights state history with a particular focus on paleontology (especially prehistoric elephants) and archaeology!
• Open from 9:30am to 4:30pm on Saturdays
• Admission is usually free for kids 4 & under, $4 for kids 5-18, and $8 for adults
• For more info, visit the University of Nebraska State Museum website

How can I go to a museum for free on Museum Day?

To gain free admission to a participating museum on Museum Day, you must visit the Smithsonian Museum Day website and fill out the form to get a Museum Day ticket. The ticket grants free admission to two people, so you may need to bring a grandparent or friend if you have more than 2 kids you'd like tickets for! If you do not go through the website, you will not get free admission, so be sure to visit the site and print your tickets!

Museum Day in Sioux City

While none of the Sioux City museums with admission charges are offering free admission as part of this event, there is still tons of fun to be had right here in Sioux City at our many free museums and museums with an admission fee. Some of the special events happening at Sioux City museums that day include:

• "A Silhouette is Worth a Thousand Words" at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center from 1-3pm will let kids learn about an art technique from the days of the expedition through a fun hands-on project
• Kindness Rocks rock painting event at the Sioux City Public Museum from 1-4pm hosted by the Siouxland Rocks group lets museum visitors of all ages create their own art, then take it with them to hide somewhere in the community to spread joy!

Homecoming Parades and Games in Sioux City & Siouxland

Nothing says fall like homecoming parades and football games! Luckily Siouxland has plenty of great ones! All the parades and games are open to the public, and the parades are all free to attend, while the games have a small admission charge. This list will be updated as more details on routes, themes, and more are available!

Sioux City area high schools

Bishop Heelan

Sioux City, Iowa

• Colors: navy blue & gold
• Mascot: Crusaders
• Homecoming date:
• Oct. 4th, 2019
• Parade:
• Fri. Oct. 4th 
• Game:
• Fri. Oct. 4th at 7pm at Memorial Field vs. Denison

Dakota Valley

North Sioux City, South Dakota

• Colors: Purple
• Mascot: Panther
• Homecoming date:
• Sept 20th, 2019
• Parade:
• Fri. Sept 20th at 1:30pm on Military Road in North Sioux City from Centennial to River Drive
• Game:
• Fri. Sept. 20th at 7pm at Dakota Valley High School vs. Sioux Falls Christian 

Hinton

Hinton, Iowa

• Colors: Yellow & Black
• Mascot: Blackhawks
• Homecoming date:
• Oct. 4th, 2019
• Parade:
• Game:
• Fri. Oct. 4th at 7pm at Hinton High School vs. Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn

Sergeant Bluff

Sergeant Bluff, Iowa

• Colors: Orange & Black
• Mascot: Warriors
• Homecoming date:
• Parade:
• Game:

Sioux City East

Sioux City, Iowa

• Colors: Orange
• Mascot: Black Raiders (knight)
• Homecoming date: Sept. 20th, 2019
• Parade:
• Thurs. Sept. 19th at 6:30pm from the Morningside branch of the Sioux City Public Library, down Morningside Ave, then turning on Peters Ave and ending at Olsen Stadium.
• Game: Fri. Sept. 20th, at 7pm vs Abraham Lincoln, at Olsen Stadium
• Other fun includes: A Spirit Bonfire after the parade at the East High practice field, a pancake breakfast on Saturday morning, a dance Saturday night, and dress-up days throughout the week. This year's theme is "Arabian Nights." For more information, read the full East High 2019 Homecoming Press Release.

Sioux City North

Sioux City, Iowa

• Colors: Red, white, and blue
• Mascot: Stars
• Homecoming date:
• Parade:
• Thurs. Oct 17th at 1:30pm
• Game:

Sioux City West

Sioux City, Iowa

• Color: Green
• Mascot: Wolverine
• Homecoming date:
• Parade:
• Fri. Oct. 4th at 1:30pm
• Game:

Siouxland Christian

Sioux City, Iowa

• Colors: Blue & Yellow
• Mascot: Eagle
• Homecoming date:

South Sioux City

South Sioux City, Nebraska

• Color: Red
• Mascot: Cardinal
• Homecoming date: Friday, October 4th, 2019
• Theme: Vintage Hollywood
• Parade: Friday, Oct. 4th at 4pm on Dakota Avenue from city hall to the railroad tracks
• Game: Friday, Oct. 4th at 7pm at the South Sioux City High School Sports Complex
• For more information on all of the South Sioux City Homecoming festivities, check their website!

Sioux City area colleges

Briar Cliff

Sioux City, Iowa

• Colors: Blue and yellow
• Mascot: Chargers (horse)
• Homecoming dates:
• Sept. 20th & 21st 
• Game:
• Sat. Sept. 21st at 1pm at Memorial Field vs. Doane
• Other fun includes:
• A full schedule for Briar Cliff's homecoming weekend can be found on the Briar Cliff University website and will include a Cookout on the Cliff, alumni golf and basketball, campus tours, happy hour, and more!

Morningside

Sioux City, Iowa

• Color: Maroon
• Mascot: Mustang
• Homecoming dates:
• Sept. 20th-22nd
• Game:
• Sat. Sept. 21st at Morningside's Elwood Olsen Stadium vs. Midland University
• Other fun includes:
• 2019 is Morningside College's 125th anniversary, and homecoming will be extra special to reflect that! Full schedule of events is available on the Morningside College website but will include campus tours, brunch, a 125th anniversary evening celebration, a block party, and much more! 

We have been to a few of the local homecoming parades in the past and they are always lots of fun, and the high schoolers seem to enjoy it when there are lots of little kids around to clap and wave at them, and the kids love the festive floats, the candy, and seeing the big kids at the school they might get to go to when they're older! No matter what Siouxland team you're cheering for, there's tons of homecoming fun just around the corner!

Autumn Grove Orchard: Apple Picking in Sioux City

***UPDATE: this post now reflects dates, hours, and prices for 2019***

It's officially apple picking season in Sioux City!! Autumn Grove Orchard just announced that they are opening for the 2019 season on Saturday, September 7th from noon to 4pm and that they should have Macintosh, Gala, and Honeycrisp apples ready!

What is Autumn Grove Orchard?

Autumn Grove Orchard is Sioux City's only pick-your-own apple orchard. Autumn Grove is locally owned by a Sioux City family and grows 9+ varieties of apples, which are available to pick as they ripen throughout the fall. They also offer honey from a local beekeeper, and a variety of baked goods and crafts for sale, and even some pumpkins near the end of the season!

Where is Autumn Grove Orchard?

Autumn Grove Orchard is at 1658 180th Street in Sioux City, just a few minutes past the Lakeport Commons shopping area and Fleet Farm.

When is Autumn Grove Orchard Open?

Starting 9/7/2019, Autumn Grove Orchard will be open on weekends in September and October, or until they're out of apples, from noon-4pm, rain or shine, unless there is lightning or otherwise actually dangerous weather. Always check their Facebook page before heading out though, because nature is unpredictable! Depending on the weather, there could be many varieties ripe some weeks and hardly any other weeks, and longer or shorter hours and/or a longer or season for them could be the result. While they can't control the weather, they do keep their Facebook page well updated, so I definitely recommend checking it before planning a trip to the Orchard.

What you do at Autumn Grove Orchard

My kids and I went to Autumn Grove Orchard a few years ago (they opened in 2013), and I can't wait to come back sometime and see how much it has grown. Basically there are rows and rows of apple trees, and you pay and then walk around and gather your apples! It is very kid friendly, and most of the rows are stroller and wheelchair accessible, but it is grass and dirt, so I recommend a jogging stroller or baby carrier to maximize your ability to get to all of the trees.

Picking apples in 2013...the trees and the boy are both much taller now!

One of the really fun things about Autumn Grove Orchard is that many of their trees have apples at a height that is easy for kids to pick them off themselves. I also loved how clean it was. I had expected lots of rotting apples around the bases and then flies and wasps eating them, and there was none of that. They kept it cleared so well! Like any pick-your-own orchard, you do need to anticipate the apples might be more "ugly" than grocery store apples. When we went, we didn't see any rot, but there were lots of dimples on some of our apples, which aren't a problem at all for food safety, flavor, or texture, but could be surprising if it's your first time picking your own apples. The owners are really nice and if you have questions about which apples are good, don't be afraid to ask.

Their apples have amazing flavor, and I recommend them for snacking and/or pie. When my family went before, we got several varieties and my kids thought it was really fun trying slices of different types and noticing how different types of apples vary in sweetness and tartness and how crisp or mealy they are. We also loved the pie I made with some of our apples from Autumn Grove Orchard!

It looks burnt, but I was just overenthusiastic with the cinnamon!

Special Events at Autumn Grove Orchard

Throughout the fall, Autumn Grove Orchard schedules a variety of fun special events. So far for 2019 they have announced several, including:

• Flashlight Apple Picking
• Friday, October 18th from 7-9pm
• Hot cocoa will be provided!
• Kids Day
• Sunday, October 20th from noon to 4pm
• Will feature face painting, food trucks, and more!

How much does it cost to go to Autumn Grove Orchard?

There is no charge to go to Autumn Grove Orchard; just pay for the apples you pick and any other treats you choose to buy. Autumn Grove Apple Orchard charges by volume, not weight, and their 2019 prices are $12 for a half peck, $21 for a full peck, and $34 for a half bushel (the internet says that a peck is about 2 dry gallons or 10 pounds of apples and a half bushel is about 4 dry gallons or 20 pounds--but is measured by volume and not weight and will not be exactly those amounts). The orchard accepts credit and debit cards and cash.

For more info on Autumn Grove Orchard

You can find out more about Autumn Grove Apple Orchard on their Facebook page and you can contact them through Facebook, by e-mailing AutumnGroveOrchard@gmail.com or by calling (712)204-5951

Nick Jr. Live! Move to the Music at the Sioux City Orpheum!

**UPDATE: The giveaway ended and the winner was Tammy S! Congrats Tammy! Also updated post with pics and thoughts to review my family's experience going to Nick Jr. Live: Move to the Music!**

This post is sponsored by the Sioux City Orpheum Theatre

Nickelodeon fans, get ready! Nick Jr. Live: Move to the Music is coming to the Sioux City Orpheum Theater this September, and it's going to be epic.

What is Nick Jr. Live: Move to the Music?

Nick Jr. Live: Move to the Music is a brand new live stage production featuring talented singers, dancers, and entertainers in costume as favorite Nick Jr. characters! The show actually just started their run in Cedar Rapids a week before coming to Sioux City, so we are some of the first people who get to see it! This new story stars Dora the Explorer and her puppy buddies, Marshall and Rubble, plus lots of other familiar friends from Nick Jr show. Here are the shows with characters appearing in Nick Jr Live: Move to the Music:

• Dora the Explorer
• This Latina explorer is always prepared with her backpack, her map, and her monkey friend/sidekick, Boots! But watch out for Swiper the Fox...he's always up to mischief!
• Dora is the star of this show, appearing on stage almost the entire performance, as she hosts a "show within a show" with Marshall and Rubble. The actress who played Dora did a great job of capturing Dora's youthful enthusiasm and high energy the entire show. 
• Paw Patrol
• When Adventure Bay's in trouble, Mayor Goodway and her purse chicken Chickaletta can always count on the rescue hero puppies who form the Paw Patrol, including clumsy Dalmatian Marshall, kind-hearted Rubble, and their friends Chase, Rocky, Zuma, Skye, Everest, Tracker, and more.
• Marshall and Rubble are the stars of this show, while their puppy pals seem to have stayed in Adventure Bay. Marshall is on stage almost the entire performance, to the delight of the crowd, and the actor who played him did a wonderful job of living up to so many kids' favorite character! Marshall is Dora's co-host for the show-within-a-show, while Rubble is their DJ, keeping the beat going throughout the show. 
• Bubble Guppies
• Molly, Gil, their sweet pet Bubble Puppy, and their mermaid friends Ooma, Deema, Goby, Zooli, and Nonny, are always ready for fun as they learn and play under the sea with their teacher Mr. Grouper!
• 4 of the Bubble Guppies appeared live on stage as animatronics attached to human performers, and Bubble Puppy and Mr. Grouper had cameos on the video screen. The Bubble Guppy segment was nice and long and the young audience absolutely loved it! The choreography really shined, and I was really impressed with how great of a job the cast did with dancing and singing while also controlling the animatronics, not to mention some silly costumes and cute set pieces!
• Shimmer and Shine 
• Twin genies Shimmer and Shine are genies-in-training who live in a bottle owned by their friend Leah. The girls grant 3 wishes to Leah each day and spread kindness on their magic carpet adventures with their pet monkey and tiger as they learn to use their powers (and clean up the messes when they don't quite get it right!)
• Some of the complicated place (Zahramay Falls, a magical genie land) and character names (like Nazboo the dragon) were a little difficult to understand when sung quickly (to an audience member less familiar with this show, anyway), but the actresses playing Shimmer and Shine made up for it in charm and dancing skill. 
• Top Wing
• Young birds Swift, Penny, Brody, Rod are cadets in the Top Wing Academy where instructor Speedy and mechanic Bea help them learn to use awesome vehicles and teamwork to accomplish their missions!
• Penny and Rod appear in Nick Junior Live: Move to the Music as animatronic puppets, and as with the Bubble Guppies, I was impressed with how well the cast did at singing, dancing, and acting while also essentially serving as puppeteers to the characters they were wearing! 
• Blue's Clues & You
• The classic 90's puppy is back in a brand new show, premiering in fall 2019. This time, Blue lives with a new friend named Josh who uses clues from Blue to solve problems for himself and their friends!
• While Blue may not be a familiar character yet to many of the young audience members, they seemed to love her, and Blue and Marshall leading the crowd in the "Pup Pup Boogie" was probably the highlight of the entire show. It was for my kids anyway!
• Blaze and the Monster Machines
• Monster Truck Blaze and his driver AJ work together as they race and play with other monster trucks, drivers, and mechanics, and try to beat the cheating blue Crusher!
• Blaze appears in this show as a huge inflatable, and the kids in the audience were totally into it as the talented cast led Blaze through increasingly daring stunts!
• Butterbean's Café
• Butterbean is a fairy chef who runs a neighborhood café with her sister and friends.
• Butterbean and a few friends make a quick surprise cameo in Nick Junior Live: Move to the Music! It was really cute and well-done, enough so that I looked up the show despite having never heard of it before today!

Nick Jr. Live includes lots of singing, dancing, and laughs, and promises to be an "interactive adventure" that will captivate their young audiences. I think they made good on that promise. The energetic show was just the right length, and the intermission was well-placed. I'm really impressed with how great of a job the cast did, especially considering this is just the second weekend of their run!

There is no age restriction for attending this show, but the Nick Junior Live website says it will be most enjoyed by kids about 1-6 years old. This was my two youngest kids' first time in a real theater and it was a perfect show for that. They stayed happy and interested the entire time!

The show is 65 minutes long, with a 15 minute long intermission near the middle.

When will Nick Jr. Live! Move to the Music be in Sioux City?

Nick Jr. Live: Move to the Music will be at the Sioux City Orpheum, downtown on Pierce Street, for three show times:

• Saturday, September 14th, 2019 at 10am
• Saturday, September 14th, 2019 at 2pm
• Sunday, September 15th, 2019 at 2pm

The Sioux City Orpheum Theatre recommends arriving at shows early to make sure you have time to park, walk to the theatre, and find your seat!

How can I get tickets to Nick Jr. Live in Sioux City?

You can buy tickets to Nick Jr. Live! Move to the Music at the Sioux City Orpheum online, from OrpheumLive.com, by calling (712)279-4850, or at the PrimeBank Box Office at the Tyson Events Center.

Regular tickets start at $19.50 and are required for everyone who is 1 year old or older.
VIP Tickets including some of the best seats in the house, special behind-the-scenes meet & greet opportunities, photo opps, souvenir lanyard and some Nick Jr. surprises start at $99.

You can also WIN a free family 4-pack of tickets, courtesy of the Sioux City Orpheum Theatre! To enter, head over to the Siouxland Families Blog Facebook page and find the official giveaway post (Don't have FB? Send me an e-mail and I'll get you entered!)
I'll choose a winner on Monday, September 9th and contact you to make sure you get your tickets!

Get ready for some adorable fun, Siouxland families!

Rhea Lana's Presents Sioux City's New Kids' Consignment Event!

This post is sponsored by Rhea Lana's of Siouxland, but I had actually already liked their page and signed up to consign before they ever contacted me about partnering with my blog to spread the word!


Have you ever seen the meme about it being customary for Midwesterners to explain, upon being complimented on an article of clothing, that they acquired it at a significant discount? Well, it's funny because it's true! Here in Siouxland, we know the value of hand-me-downs and how buying used items can save money and reduce waste. And Rhea Lana's plays into that perfectly! Here's how:

What is Rhea Lana's?

photo used with permission of Rhea Lana's of Siouxland

Rhea Lana is a children's consignment chain known for their high standards and guided by the saying "Moms helping Moms". That means community members can resell their used items there, and then Rhea Lana's pays the person who brought in the items (about 65 % if you label, price, and drop-off your items yourself, or 40% if you use Rhea Lana's VIP service to have your items picked up, labeled, and priced for you!). For shoppers, it means getting quality used children's items at a significant discount (about 60-90% off!) compared to buying new, and knowing that they will be clean, in-style, and in good condition. After the event, remaining items can be picked up by sellers along with their money, or donated if buyers choose that option. Siouxland Rhea Lana's is also opening their doors to foster families in our area to choose before the clothes are donated!

When will Rhea Lana's of Siouxland be open?

Rhea Lana's isn't a traditional store that is open 360ish days a year. Instead, they hold seasonal shopping events lasting about a week, twice a year. Before the sale opens, there is time for consigners to bring in their items and for Rhea Lana's staff to get the sale set up. Then, VIPs and sellers get early access to the sale, and then it will be opened to the general public for about a week.
The first event at Rhea Lana's of Siouxland will be the fall/winter 2019 event from September 28th through October 5th, 2019. The first day, Saturday, September 28th, will be open only with special tickets/passes, then starting Sunday, September 29th the event will be open to the public. Here are the special shopping times on Saturday:

Then starting Sunday, the public hours are:

• Sun 9/29 1-5pm
• Mon 9/30 10am-8pm
• Tues 10/1 10am-8pm
• Weds 10/2 10am-8pm
• Thurs 10/3 10am-3pm
• Fri 10/4 10am-8pm *HALF PRICE SALE*
• Sat 10/5 10am-3pm *HALF PRICE SALE*

There will also be early access to the half price sale on Thursday afternoon available to platinum pass holders and consignors!

Where is Rhea Lana's of Siouxland?

photo used with permission of Rhea Lana's of Siouxland

Rhea Lana's of Siouxland will be at the Southern Hills Mall in the space that was formerly the Hallmark store, near the Chuck E. Cheese/ Barnes & Noble entrance.

What kinds of things can you buy at Rhea Lana's?

The first shopping event at Rhea Lana's in Sioux City will be the fall/winter shopping event, and some of the items you'll be able to sell or buy at that event include:

• Fall clothes for kids & babies
• Cold weather outerwear for kids & babies
• Fall shoes for kids & babies
• Fall & winter  maternity clothing
• Toys
• Baby gear like strollers, playpens, and carriers
• Kids bedding
• And much more!

How can you be a seller at Rhea Lana's?

photo used with permission of Rhea Lana's

To be a seller at the  Rhea Lana's of Siouxland Fall 2019 event:

• Sign up on the Rhea Lana's website and/or using the Rhea Lana's app by Sept 24th, 2019
• Prepare your items (they have great detailed instructions on selecting items, labeling and pricing them, and logging them into the Rhea Lana's system!)
• Bring your items in
• Let Rhea Lana's do the work of selling your items
• Pick up your check!

There is also a VIP selling option. With the VIP program, Rhea Lana's staff will pick up your items, sort them, label, them, price them, and log them into the system. All you do is hand them your items, wait about a week, and then get paid! With the VIP program, you get 40% of the price of your items and Rhea Lana's gets 60%.

For more info:

To find out more about Rhea Lana's of Siouxland, you can visit the Rhea Lana's of Siouxland website or connect with them on Facebook. Whether you're interested in selling, buying, or both, I think you'll be impressed with the organization, customer service, and quality standards of Rhea Lana's!

September 2019 Siouxland Kids Events

Each month we will bring you info on family friendly events and activities in the Siouxland Area. If you know of one we have missed, please leave us a comment or send us an email. We will update our lists throughout the month as we hear of new things to do in Sioux City and our surrounding communities, so check back often for the latest scoop! We also recommend checking out our Event Lists tab to find our lists for other months.

Free Events in Siouxland

• Sun 9/1
• Mon 9/2
• Labor Day: many area attractions closed, so be sure to check with individual venues before planning to go somewhere this day. 
• 4-5:30pm: Family Movie at the South Sioux City Public Library
• Tues 9/3
• 11am: Storytime at the Perry Creek Branch of the Sioux City Public Library
• 4-5:30pm: Family Movie at the South Sioux City Public Library
• Weds 9/4
• 10:30am: Storytime at the Morningside Branch of the Sioux City Public Library
• Thurs 9/5
• 10am: Pat-a-Cake Pals at the South Sioux City Public Library
• Fri 9/6
• 10-11am: Toddler Time at the South Sioux City Public Library
• Sat 9/7
• 9am-noon: Home Depot Kids Building Workshop: Scarecrow Planters, registration online recommended to ensure a kit for your child(ren), best for ages 5-12
• 11am: One-Millionth Storytime celebration at Barnes & Noble with a brand new Dr. Seuss book, a crayon giveaway while supplies last, and more! 

• Sun 9/8
• 11am: One-Millionth Storytime celebration at Barnes & Noble with Hey Grandude!, a picture book by Paul McCartney
• 2-4pm: Bruguier's Cabin at Riverside Park (near Miracle Field) open for tours
• Mon 9/9
• 4-5:30pm: Family Movie at the South Sioux City Public Library
• 4-5pm: Super Builders Lego club at North Sioux City Community Library, must call (605)422-2366 if not already part of the club (attendance limited to ensure adequate bricks for everyone who comes, but they have several clubs and try to find room for as many kids as they can!)
• Tues 9/10
• 10am: Nature Tales at the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center for preschoolers with an adult caregiver, please register by calling (712)258-0838 or by e-mailing TKruid@WoodburyParks.org
• 11am: Storytime at the Perry Creek Branch of the Sioux City Public Library
• Weds 9/11
• 10:30am: Storytime at the Morningside Branch of the Sioux City Public Library
• Thurs 9/12
• 10am: Pat-a-Cake Pals at the South Sioux City Public Library
• 7pm: Young Adult Book Club featuring I'm Not Dying With You Tonight at Barnes & Noble
• Fri 9/13
• 10am: Toddler Time at the South Sioux City Public Library
• Sat 9/14
• 10-11:30am: Family Movie at the South Sioux City Public Library
• 10am-4pm: Art in the Park at Latham Park, featuring food trucks, live entertainment, and lots of art from a variety of mediums
• 11am: Pete the Cat and the Perfect Pizza Party storytime at Barnes & Noble

• Sun 9/15
• 11am: Baby & Me Storytime at Barnes & Noble
• Mon 9/16
• 4-5:30pm: Family Movie at the South Sioux City Public Library
• Tues 9/17
• 11am: Storytime at the Perry Creek Branch of the Sioux City Public Library
• 11:30am:  Beginner Lego club at North Sioux City Community Library for ages 3-5, call (605)422-2366 to register
• Weds 9/18
• 10:30am: Storytime at the Morningside Branch of the Sioux City Public Library
• Thurs 9/19
• 10am: Pat-a-Cake Pals at the South Sioux City Public Library
• Fri 9/20
• 10am: Toddler Time at the South Sioux City Public Library
• 10-2pm: Parking Day--downtown parking spaces will be filled with fun instead of cars!More details coming soon. 
• Sat 9/21
• 9am-5pm: Missouri River Outdoor Expo at Ponca State Park
• 10am: Family Movie at the South Sioux City Public Library
• 11am: Batman 5-Minute Stories storytime at Barnes & Noble
• 1-4pm: Kindness Rocks rock painting event hosted by the Original Siouxland Rocks Facebook group at the Sioux City Public Museum
• 1-3pm: "A Silhouette Says a Thousand Words" hands-on workshop at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center for kids to learn about and try an easy and fun historical art technique
• 2pm: Batman Day celebration with games, activities, and a photo opp at Barnes & Noble

• Sun 9/22
• 9am-5pm: Missouri River Outdoor Expo at Ponca State Park
• 11am: Baby & Me Storytime at Barnes & Noble
• Mon 9/23
• 4-5:30pm: Family Movie at the South Sioux City Public Library
• Tues 9/24
• 11am: Storytime at the Perry Creek Branch of the Sioux City Public Library
• Weds 9/25
• 10:30am: Storytime at the Morningside Branch of the Sioux City Public Library
• Thurs 9/26
• 10am: Pat-a-Cake Pals at the South Sioux City Public Library
• Fri 9/27
• 10am: Toddler Time at the South Sioux City Public Library
• Sat 9/28
• 10am: Family Movie at the South Sioux City Public Library
• 11am: How I Met My Monster storytime at Barnes & Noble
• 2pm: Demigod Day celebration with Rick Riordan themed scavenger hunt & other activities at Barnes & Noble

• Sun 9/29
• 11am: Baby & Me Storytime at Barnes & Noble
• Mon 9/30
• 4-5pm: Club Creative  Lego club at North Sioux City, for grades K-6, must call (605)422-2366
• 4-5:30pm: Family Movie at the South Sioux City Public Library

Paid Events in Siouxland

• Sun 9/1
• Sioux City Art Center's ArtSplash at Riverside Park
• 1pm: STEAM Explorers at LaunchPad Children's Museum (included with daily admission or membership)
• Mon 9/2
• Tues 9/3
• Weds 9/4
• 9:30am: Baby Braniacs at LaunchPad Children's Museum (included with daily admission or membership)
• Thurs 9/5
• 5:30pm: Farm-tastic Learning at LaunchPad Children's Museum (included with daily admission or membership)
• Fri 9/6
• 3:30m: Kinder Kickstarters at LaunchPad Children's Museum (included with daily admission or membership)
• Sat 9/7
• 10am-7pm: Sunflower Festival at Scarecrow Farm, more details here.
• 10:30am-noon: Saturday Art Lesson: Mixed Media Collages at the Sioux City Art Center, $7 per child
• noon-4pm: Fall Open House at Michael's Crafts including a fall wreath craft from 1-3pm, raffle prizes, and more
• 1pm: STEAM Explorers at LaunchPad Children's Museum (included with daily admission or membership)

• Sun 9/8
• 10am-7pm: Sunflower Festival at Scarecrow Farm, more details here.
• 1pm: STEAM Explorers at LaunchPad Children's Museum (included with daily admission or membership)
• Mon 9/9
• Tues 9/10
• Weds 9/11
• Thurs 9/12
• Fri 9/13
• 7:30pm: Young Frankenstein at the Sioux City Community Theater
• Sat 9/14
• Sunflower Festival at Scarecrow Farm moved to 9/7 & 9/8 due to weather!
• 10am: Nick Junior Live at the Orpheum
• 10:30am-noon: Saturday Art Lesson: Recycled Metal Owls at the Sioux City Art Center, $7 per child
• 1-2:30pm: Painting in the Studio: Bouquet of Sunflowers at the Sioux City Art Center, $10 per project
• 2pm: Nick Junior Live at the Orpheum
• 7:30pm: Young Frankenstein at the Sioux City Community Theater

• Sun 9/15
• Sunflower Festival at Scarecrow Farm moved to 9/7 & 9/8 due to weather! 
• 2pm: Young Frankenstein at the Sioux City Community Theater
• 2pm: Nick Junior Live at the Orpheum
• Mon 9/16
• Tues 9/17
• Weds 9/18
• Thurs 9/19
• Fri 9/20
• 7:30pm: Young Frankenstein at the Sioux City Community Theater
• Sat 9/21
• 10:30am-noon: Saturday Art Lesson: Hot Air Balloons at the Sioux City Art Center, $7 per child
• 7:30pm: Young Frankenstein at the Sioux City Community Theater

• Sun 9/22
• 2pm: Young Frankenstein at the Sioux City Community Theater
• Mon 9/23
• Tues 9/24
• Weds 9/25
• Thurs 9/26
• 7:30pm: Young Frankenstein at the Sioux City Community Theater
• Fri 9/27
• 7:30pm: Young Frankenstein at the Sioux City Community Theater
• Sat 9/28
• 10:30am-noon: Saturday Art Lesson: Clay Monsters at the Sioux City Art Center, $7 per child
• 1-2:30pm: Painting in the Studio: Migrating Ducks at the Sioux City Art Center, $10 per project
• 7:30pm: Young Frankenstein at the Sioux City Community Theater

• Sun 9/29
• 2pm: Young Frankenstein at the Sioux City Community Theater
• 2-4pm: Fall Floral Pumpkins at Michael's (free decorating supplies with purchase of pumpkin)
• Mon 9/30

We do not run any of these events and encourage you to call or visit the websites of the hosting locations, organizations, or stores with any questions and to confirm details. Many paid events and some free events require tickets or registration in advance and some may sell out or fill up quickly or very far in advance. Age and other recommendations are general guidelines provided by the event or activity organizer and should not be considered legal or medical advice and may not apply well to all children.

Siouxland Sunflower Festival

**UPDATE: due to weather, the sunflowers are blooming early and Sunflower Festival has changed to September 7th and 8th!**

Sunflower lovers rejoice: Scarecrow Farm in Lawton, Iowa is hosting their first ever Sunflower Festival this September! Here's the scoop on how Siouxland area families and visitors can enjoy this fun event:

When is Sunflower Festival?

NEW DATES: Sunflower Festival 2019 at Scarecrow Farm will be on Saturday 9/7 and Sunday 9/8, and not on Saturday September 14th & Sunday September 15th, 2019 as previously scheduled. The time of the festival is still from 10am to 7pm on both days.

Where is Sunflower Festival?

Sunflower Festival is held at Scarecrow Farm in Lawton, Iowa, about 10 minutes past the Sioux City Menards on Highway 20.

What can you do at Sunflower Festival?

At Sunflower Festival at Scarecrow Farm, there will be a wide variety of fun, including

• Lots of sunflowers! The center circle of Scarecrow Farm where pumpkins ready to buy are placed during pumpkin season has been taken over as a sunflower field, plus there are several more acres of sunflowers beyond that! Besides enjoying the view and taking photos, you can also buy sunflowers to take home with you. Each ticket includes one free sunflower. 
• Live music and entertainment 
• Morning yoga in the sunflower field
• Pony rides
• Kid-powered tractor pull
• New Kakashi Warrior ninja course for kids
• All of Scarecrow Farm's fun permanent attractions including a giant corn box, bounce pillow, playground, pirate ship, trike track, and more.
• Food and drink for sale, including turkey legs, root beer floats, chocolate chip cookies, and kettle corn
• Farm Market open to buy jams, jellies, honey, squash, and other locally produced goodies to take home with you

How to get tickets to Sunflower Festival at Scarecrow Farm

Tickets to Sunflower Festival at Scarecrow Farm are $11.95 (plus tax) for each person 3+. Toddlers and babies who are 2 or younger can attend for free!

You can buy tickets to Sunflower Festival at the door, but if you'd prefer to buy ahead of time, you can buy tickets on the Scarecrow Farm website. Even better, there's a special discount code for tickets bought before September 5th, 2019 (NOTE: early bird discount previously extended through the 13th, but that date has changed in accordance with the festival dates changing). Type in the code "EarlyBird" to get $2 off tickets purchased before that date! 

For more information

To find out more about Sunflower Festival, check out the Scarecrow Farm website or Facebook page. You can also see my Scarecrow Farm post from 2017 to see more of the family-friendly fun you could enjoy there!

More Sunflowers

Want to see even more sunflowers? Here are some great posts from other Midwest bloggers about sunflower festivals across the region:

• St. Louis Sunflowers from And Hattie Makes Three
• Sunflower Maze at Eckert's Farm in Belleville, Illinois from Cornfields & High Heels

What's New in Siouxland Summer 2019

If you've lived in Sioux City very long, or even visited much, you might think you've seen all there is to see. But there's actually tons of new fun to discover! Here are some of the top new exhibits, attractions, and upgrades in Siouxland for summer 2019:


Want more details? Keep reading: 

What's New

Wells Blue Bunny Visitors Center and Ice Cream Parlor

Captivating soda jerk feature in the newly renovated ice cream parlor

New rooftop garden at the Blue Bunny Parlor

The iconic Wells Blue Bunny Parlor in the company's hometown (and ice cream capitol of the world!), LeMars, Iowa, just about a half hour north of Sioux City, has been totally renovated with new interactive displays, a rooftop dining area, and gorgeous décor that provides the perfect background for enjoying their delicious ice cream and other treats. The Wells Blue Bunny Visitors Center and Ice Cream Parlor re-opened early in June 2019, and for more info on the updates there, you can check out my Wells Blue Bunny Visitors Center and Ice Cream Parlor post!

Bandits and Heroes exhibit at the Sioux City Public Museum

This summer, catch the new exhibit "Bandits and Heroes" at the Sioux City Public Museum to learn about the history and culture of northeast Brazil. In this region, indigenous people, African slaves, and European colonists (mostly Portuguese and Spanish) came together, some by choice and many by force. They blended their artistic, musical, and religious traditions to form a unique culture. At the Bandits and Heroes exhibit at the Sioux City Public Museum, you get a colorful taste of the result. For more information, check out my post about the Bandits and Heroes exhibit at the Sioux City Public Museum.

Toddler Playground at Miracle Field

Miracle Field at Riverside Park was already one of Sioux City's best places to play, and they've taken it up another notch by adding a toddler playground. The adorable small-scale play structures are just perfect for the under-5 crowd, and to the delight of parents, the new toddler play area is completely fenced in with only one way out!

Also new at Miracle Field this summer is a really fun, wheelchair-accessible spinning toy, a shade cover over the musical playground, and two new swings! Want to know more about Miracle Field? Check out my Miracle Field overview.

Missouri River Trail plaque

Since at least the early 1800's, fur trappers and native Americans followed a route through Siouxland, along the Missouri River, and in the early 1900's, a plaque was placed marking part of that trail, in what is now War Eagle Park. Over time, that plaque was lost. Sioux City historians recently uncovered the rock, and were able to order a replacement plaque from the same foundry where the original was forged! Now, visitors can see the rock and plaque, along with a nearby information plaque about the park. For more information on War Eagle Park, check out my War Eagle Monument and Park post.

Rose Hill Park and Splash Pad

Firetruck waterslide at Rose Hill

Firetruck play structure

Sioux City's newest splash pad is also its cutest, with a firefighting theme that extends through the splash pad and accompanying play structures. A fire truck that's really a waterslide and Dalmatians that spray water captivate the imagination and soak the swimsuits of all who visit! You can find out about all of who visit. You can find out about all of Sioux City's splash pads, including Rose Hill, in my Sioux City splash pad post.

Siouxland Artists Exhibition at the Sioux City Art Center

The Siouxland Artists Exhibition at the Sioux City Art Center is on the second floor of the Sioux City Art Center and puts the focus on local artists with pieces from a variety of mediums. Catch it quickly if you're interested, because it won't be here long--the Siouxland Artists Exhibition will be on display through September 1st.

Morningside Branch of the Sioux City Public Library

The Morningside Branch of the Sioux City Public Library was completely renovated over winter and spring, and is now officially re-opened to the public! Highlights include a colorful kids area anchored by a tree, a teen area with comfy seating, new computers, new self-checkout kiosks, several small meeting/work rooms, and a huge room for storytimes, classes, and other special events!

Coming Soon:

"Best of" exhibits at the Sioux City Art Center

Step into the past of the Sioux City Art Center as two exhibits open this summer and fall featuring some favorite works from earlier years of the Sioux City Art Center. The first, "Best of 1938-1988" will open on July 21s, while the second, "Best of 1988-2008" will open this September. 

The 2019 Woodbury County Fair

Kids Photography Contest entries and ribbons at the 2018 Woodbury County Fair

Every year there is fresh fun at the Woodbury County Fair, and 2019 is no exception! The 2019 Woodbury County Fair in Moville, Iowa, about 15 minutes east of Sioux City, will feature several new acts, plus several new competitions, including the "Trash to Treasure" upcycling challenge and a "Barns of Woodbury County" division of the photography contest. Head over to my 2019 Woodbury County Fair post for full details on this year's fair.

Sunflower Festival

Scarecrow Farm is full of so many fun activities for all ages including this Small, Small World zone for preschoolers!

Scarecrow Farm in Lawton, Iowa, about 10 minutes east of Sioux City, is hosting their first ever sunflower festival, on September 14th and 15th, 2019. The Sunflower Festival will include live music, family-friendly fun, delicious food, and tons of beautiful sunflowers, for $12 per person 3 years and older. More details coming soon!

Sioux City is always changing and upgrading, so keep your eyes open for new fun! I'll try to share it when I see it too!

August 2019 Siouxland Kids Activities

Each month we will bring you info on family friendly events and activities in the Siouxland Area. If you know of one we have missed, please leave us a comment or send us an email. We will update our lists throughout the month as we hear of new things to do in Sioux City and our surrounding communities, so check back often for the latest scoop! We also recommend checking out our Event Lists tab to find our lists for other months.

Free Events in Siouxland

• Thurs 8/1
• All Day: FREE admission to LaunchPad Children's Museum 
• All Day: FREE admission to the Woodbury County Fair for kids under 12
• 10:30am: Teen Book Club at the downtown branch of the Sioux City Public Library, registration required
• 2-4pm: Legos at the Library at the downtown branch of the Sioux City Public Library, drop-in event for kids in kindergarten through 5th grade
• Fri 8/2
• 10am: Family Movie: Ralph Wrecks the Internet at the downtown branch of the Sioux City Public Library
• Sat 8/3
• 9am-noon: Kids Building Workshop: Rocket Pencil Box at Home Depot, register online to ensure they have a kit for you
• 11am: The Pigeon Has to Go to School storytime at Barnes & Noble
• 2pm: The Tale of Emily Windsnap book event at Barnes & Noble (book recommended for kids 8-12)

• Sun 8/4
• 11am: Baby & Me Storytime at Barnes & Noble
• Mon 8/5
• Tues 8/6
• 11am: Storytime at the Perry Creek Branch of the Sioux City Public Library
• Weds 8/7
• 9-11am: Birding Hike at Southwood Conservation Area near Smithland, IA, hosted by Woodbury County Conservation
• 10:30am: Storytime at the Morningside Branch of the Sioux City Public Library
• Thurs 8/8
• 10am: Atlatl ancient weapon learning event at Little Sioux Park near Correctionville, IA, hosted by Woodbury County Conservation
• 4:30pm: Live Animal Lunchtime at the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center
• Fri 8/9
• 7pm: Evening Campfire at the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center with live music and free s'mores!
• 8:30-10:30pm: Firefly Hunt and Star Gazing event at Adams Homestead & Nature Preserve, please call to register. 
• Sat 8/10
• 10am-4pm: Free Day at the Sioux City Railroad Museum including free grand scale train rides!
• 10am-4pm: Adams Homestead Celebration at Adams Homestead & Nature Preserve in North Sioux City, including live music, crafts, competitions like watermelon seed spitting and buffalo chip tossing, plus food vendors, and lots of other fun
• 11am: Dear Boy and Dear Girl storytime at Barnes & Noble
• 2pm: Kids Book hangout at Barnes & Noble
• 9:30pm: Perseid Meteor Shower viewing at Southwoods Conservation Area near Smithland, IA, hosted by Woodbury County Conservation

• Sun 8/11
• 11am: Baby & Me storytime at Barnes & Noble
• 2pm: Magic Show with Dave Madsen and the Sioux City Magic Club at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center & Betty Strong Encounter Center
• Mon 8/12
• Tues 8/13
• 11am: Nature Tales: Fireflies at the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center, for preschoolers with an adult caregiver, registration required by calling (712)259-0838 or by e-mailing TKruid@WoodburyParks.org
• 11am: Storytime at the Perry Creek branch of the Sioux City Public Library
• Weds 8/14
• 10:30am: Storytime at the Morningside branch of the Sioux City Public Library
• Thurs 8/15
• Fri 8/16
• 5-8pm: Kayaking on the Lake at the Southwoods Conservation Area near Smithland, Iowa, hosted by Woodbury County Conservation, ages 8+, limited number of boats and life jackets available so please register!
• Sat 8/17
• 10am-4pm: Sergeant Floyd Memorial Encampment at the Sergeant Floyd Welcome Center, with historical reenactors and demonstrators, plus kids crafts from 10am-1pm.
• 11am: The Color Monster storytime at Barnes & Noble
• 2pm: History Bee event celebrating the "Who Was" book series at Barnes & Noble
• 6pm: Sergeant Floyd Burial Ceremony Reenactment at the Sergeant Floyd Monument

• Sun 8/18
• 10am-3pm: Sergeant Floyd Memorial Encampment at the Sergeant Floyd Welcome Center, with historical reenactors and demonstrators, plus kids crafts from 10am-1pm.
• 11am: Baby & Me Storytime at Barnes & Noble
• Mon 8/19
• Tues 8/20
• 11am: Storytime at the Perry Creek branch of the Sioux City Public Library
• Weds 8/21
• 10:30am: Storytime at the Morningside branch of the Sioux City Public Library
• Thurs 8/22
• Fri 8/23
• First Day of School for most students at Sioux City Public Schools and Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools 
• Sat 8/24
• 7-9am: Zen in Nature at the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center, no ages specified but will involve extensive quiet time
• 11am: Dog Breath storytime at Barnes & Noble

• Sun 8/25
• 11am: Baby & Me storytime at Barnes & Noble
• Mon 8/26
• Tues 8/27
• 11am: Storytime at the Perry Creek branch of the Sioux City Public Library
• Weds 8/28
• 10:30am: Storytime at the Morningside branch of the Sioux City Public Library
• Thurs 8/29
• Fri 8/30
• Sat 8/31
• 11am: A Tale of Two Tribes: A Wetmore Forest Story storytime at Barnes & Noble

Paid Events in Siouxland

• Thurs 8/1
• ALL DAY: Woodbury County Fair
• Fri 8/2
• ALL DAY: Woodbury County Fair
• Sat 8/3
• ALL DAY: Woodbury County Fair
• 10:30am-noon: Saturday Art Lesson: Matisse Paintings at the Sioux City Art Center, $7 per child, recommended ages 6-12 (if younger, must bring a parent/adult helper)

• Sun 8/4
• ALL DAY: Woodbury County Fair
• Mon 8/5
• Tues 8/6
• 7:12pm: Sioux City Explorers baseball vs St. Paul Saints at Sioux City's Lewis & Clark Park
• Weds 8/7
• 9:30am: Baby Braniacs at LaunchPad Children's Museum (event included in membership or daily admission) 
• 7:12pm: Sioux City Explorers baseball vs St. Paul Saints at Sioux City's Lewis & Clark Park
• Thurs 8/8
• 5:30pm: Family Fun Night at LaunchPad Children's Museum (event included in membership or daily admission) 
• 7:12pm: Sioux City Explorers baseball vs St. Paul Saints at Sioux City's Lewis & Clark Park
• Fri 8/9
• 3:30pm: Kinder Kickstarters at LaunchPad Children's Museum (event included in membership or daily admission)
• 7:12pm: Sioux City Explorers baseball vs Cleburne Railroaders at Sioux City's Lewis & Clark Park **Get 4 free tickets per family to this game from the Sioux City Public Library by participating in the summer reading program! Here's how.**
• Sat 8/10
• 10:30am-noon: Saturday Art Lesson: Assemblage Boards at the Sioux City Art Center, $7 per child, recommended ages 6-12 (if younger, must bring a parent/adult helper)
• 1pm: STEAM Explorers at LaunchPad Children's Museum (event included in membership or daily admission)
• 1-2:30pm: Painting in the Studio: Matisse Goldfish at the Sioux City Art Center, $10 per person, recommended ages 8+ (if younger, must bring a parent/adult helper)
• 6:05pm: Sioux City Explorers baseball vs Cleburne Railroaders at Sioux City's Lewis & Clark Park
• 7pm: Sioux City Stampede football championship game vs Fargo Invaders at Bishop Heelan Memorial Field

• Sun 8/11
• 1pm: STEAM Explorers at LaunchPad Children's Museum (event included in membership or daily admission)
• 4:02pm: Sioux City Explorers baseball vs Cleburne Railroaders at Sioux City's Lewis & Clark Park
• Mon 8/12
• Tues 8/13
• Weds 8/14
• 9:30am: Baby Braniacs  at LaunchPad Children's Museum (event included in membership or daily admission)
• Thurs 8/15
• 5:30pm: Smart Art at LaunchPad Children's Museum (event included in membership or daily admission)
• Fri 8/16
• 3:30pm: Kinder Kickstarters at LaunchPad Children's Museum (event included in membership or daily admission)
• Sat 8/17
• 10:30am-noon: Saturday Art Lesson: Clay Dove Ornaments at the Sioux City Art Center, $7 per child, recommended ages 6-12 (if younger, must bring a parent/adult helper)
• 1pm: STEAM Explorers at LaunchPad Children's Museum (event included in membership or daily admission)

• Sun 8/18
• 1pm: STEAM Explorers at LaunchPad Children's Museum (event included in membership or daily admission)
• 4:02pm: Sioux City Explorers baseball vs Kansas City T-Bones at Sioux City's Lewis & Clark Park
• Mon 8/19
• 7:12pm: Sioux City Explorers baseball vs Kansas City T-Bones at Sioux City's Lewis & Clark Park
• Tues 8/20
• 7:12pm: Sioux City Explorers baseball vs Kansas City T-Bones at Sioux City's Lewis & Clark Park
• Weds 8/21
• 9:30am: Baby Braniacs at LaunchPad Children's Museum (event included in membership or daily admission)
• 7:12pm: Sioux City Explorers baseball vs Cleburne Railroaders at Sioux City's Lewis & Clark Park
• Thurs 8/22
• 5:30pm: STEM with a Scientist at LaunchPad Children's Museum (event included in membership or daily admission)
• 7:12pm: Sioux City Explorers baseball vs Cleburne Railroaders at Sioux City's Lewis & Clark Park
• Fri 8/23
• 3:30pm: Kinder Kickstarters at LaunchPad Children's Museum (event included in membership or daily admission)
• 7:12pm: Sioux City Explorers baseball vs Cleburne Railroaders at Sioux City's Lewis & Clark Park
• Sat 8/24
• 10:30am-noon: Saturday Art Lesson: Wet Felted Painting at the Sioux City Art Center, $7 per child, recommended ages 6-12 (if younger, must bring a parent/adult helper)
• 1pm: STEAM Explorers at LaunchPad Children's Museum (event included in membership or daily admission)
• 1-2:30pm: Painting in the Studio: Grant Wood inspired landscapes at the Sioux City Art Center, $10 per person, recommended ages 8+ (if younger, must bring a parent/adult helper)
• 6:05pm: Sioux City Explorers baseball vs Kansas City T-Bones at Sioux City's Lewis & Clark Park

• Sun 8/25
• 1pm: STEAM Explorers at LaunchPad Children's Museum (event included in membership or daily admission)
• 4:02pm: Sioux City Explorers baseball vs Kansas City T-Bones at Sioux City's Lewis & Clark Park
• Mon 8/26
• 7:12pm: Sioux City Explorers baseball vs Kansas City T-Bones at Sioux City's Lewis & Clark Park
• Tues 8/27
• Weds 8/28
• Thurs 8/29
• Fri 8/30
• Sat 8/31
• 10:30am-noon: Saturday Art Lesson: Labor Day Lanterns at the Sioux City Art Center, $7 per child, recommended ages 6-12 (if younger, must bring a parent/adult helper) 

We do not run any of these events and encourage you to call or visit the websites of the hosting locations, organizations, or stores with any questions and to confirm details. Many paid events and some free events require tickets or registration in advance and some may sell out or fill up quickly or very far in advance. Age and other recommendations are general guidelines provided by the event or activity organizer and should not be considered legal or medical advice and may not apply well to all children.

Visiting the North Iowa Fair with Kids

I absolutely love county fairs, so when I found out I had a family event in Mason City the same weekend as the 2019 North Iowa Fair, I lept at the chance to come early and check out the fair while I was there!
I reached out Visit Mason City to plan my visit, and along with lots of great info, they were also kind enough to provide free meals for my family at the fair, so be sure to scroll down for pics of that deliciousness! So here's a quick look at our trip to the North Iowa Fair, followed by the full details on visiting the North Iowa Fair with kids:

What is the North Iowa Fair?

The North Iowa Fair is a county fair and hot air balloon rally in north central Iowa that features free parking, free admission, and free rides & inflatables!

One of the many fun FREE rides at the North Iowa Fair!

Where is the North Iowa Fair?

The North Iowa Fair is held at the North Iowa Events Center at in Mason City, Iowa, about 3 hours from Sioux City. Most of the drive there is a pretty easy drive on Highway 20.

What is there for kids to do at the North Iowa Fair?

There's tons for kids to do at the North Iowa Fair. Specific attractions may vary by year, but in 2019 some of the great options included:

This was my older son's favorite ride (and it was FREE!)

• Free inflatables including obstacle courses, bounce houses, and more!
• Free rides including a potato sack swing, fun house, airplane ride, and some awesome spinning rides. There were also a few rides that had a cost to ride, including some fun mini paddle boats and a mini-train! My son was just barely below the line for the airplane ride and was so excited to get to ride it, as it reminded him of his favorite ride at Adventureland last summer (the Red Baron)!

Adorable mini-train!

• Carnival games with lots of adorable stuffed animals as prizes. The carnival games weren't free, but the prices were not exorbitant either. I thought for a fair they were very reasonably priced.
• Little Farmers kids zone for hands-on agricultural themed fun. Because of the dangerous temperatures when we went, we didn't play outside much, but we did see the Little Farmer's area and it was adorable and a lot bigger than I expected it to be! There was also a shady barn full of kids activities near the inflatables and the carnival that was completely full of kids the entire time we were at the fair!
• Open class and 4H events you can compete in, or admire the entries others entered! We are saving our entries for the Woodbury County Fair, but we were so impressed with the 4H and open class exhibits. One of my favorites was a quilt with a purple coneflower pattern, and my 10 year old loved seeing the Lego building entries and voting on our favorite! As a bonus, other than the animals, both the 4H and open class events were housed in air-conditioned buildings, so even though we went when it was extremely hot out, we were comfortable as we walked around to see the great exhibits. There were also adorable animals there to compete, and those are always a hit with kids! 

This quilt is so amazing!!

• Hot air balloons to see and ride! Unfortunately when we went, the hot air balloons were delayed due to weather, so we didn't have a chance to see them up close or go on a tethered ride (tethered rides were $10 in 2019), but we did get to see them light up in a "glow show" later in the evening, and it was SO pretty! My 10 year old mentioned that it was the first time he had ever seen hot air balloons other than in a book, and he was really impressed. This year 16 hot air balloons were scheduled to attend, and at the North Iowa Fair, you can catch several balloon launches each day, and a glow show each night!
• Watch some live entertainment, including many free performances from musicians and more! I was amazed that even the headliners were free at the North Iowa Fair, and we really enjoyed the dog show that was happening when we were there. There were so many cute puppies! We also caught a glimpse of Wildlife Wendy and her amazing parrot show, and the kids and parents alike were all captivated by the talented birds and by Wendy's calm expertise and cheerful humor. We didn't catch the Nerveless Nocks, but they are incredibly talented aerial stunt artists who were also appearing at the North Iowa Fair and I wish we had seen them!

A few of the many free inflatables at the North Iowa Fair

What can you eat at the North Iowa Fair?

Perfect sandwiches for my toddler and me!

The North Iowa Fair is small, but don't let that fool you--there's no shortage of delicious food! There is a building that is basically a 4H run restaurant where everything smells amazing, plus there were a variety of food trucks selling fair classics like funnel cake, mini donuts, and giant lemonades, and meals from many different types of cuisine including Greek, Mexican, BBQ, American, and more. 

We ended up eating pulled pork sandwiches and grilled hot dogs from Black Dog Barbecue from Mason City and grilled cheese sandwich and a cheesy BLT from the Lunch Wagon from Waterloo, and all of it was amazing.

This cheesy BLT from the Lunch Wagon tasted even better than it looks!

The Lunch Wagon Food Truck served fresh food and plenty of Iowa Nice!

Black Dog BBQ from Mason City had such a cute red food truck!

I also couldn't believe how reasonable the prices are. As I mentioned, the meals were covered by Visit Mason City, but I looked at the prices and the more complicated entrees were about $6-8 and the simpler entrees were only $3-4, which is more like what you'd expect at a family-owned restaurant than at a fair. I really appreciated that they don't price gouge as much as a lot of fair vendors tend to, and if we are lucky enough to go back (and I hope we will be!), I will definitely plan on eating there, because I know I'll get great food for a great price!

This pulled pork sandwich from Black Dog BBQ made it clear why they win awards!

The delicious hot dogs from Black Dog BBQ was a favorite with my kids!

What should you bring with you to visit the North Iowa Fair with kids?

Zoltar predicts that you'll be happy you brought some change with you to the North Iowa Fair!

I would recommend bringing the same types of things you'd bring to any fair or outdoor festival:

• Play clothes and sturdy shoes
• Sunscreen and hats
• Strollers or carriers for little ones who might tire out
• Diaper changing supplies
• Some cash for food and drinks
• A bag or stroller basket with a little extra space to stash goodies from fair vendors or prizes from carnival games
• Antibacterial wipes or hand sanitizer to clean hands before meals and after touching animals, even if you don't normally do that. There have been some issues at other fairs in other parts of the country of kids getting very sick and even dying after petting animals, and we don't want that to spread to Iowa! Let's keep our kids safe and healthy!
• Camera or smartphone to capture some of the great memories you're making

We love Mother & Son selfies!

For more information

To find out more about the North Iowa Fair, you can visit the North Iowa Fair website, or connect with them on Facebook or Twitter.



Thank you to Visit Mason City and the North Iowa Fair for hosting my family!