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WINTER 2017 HOMESCHOOL IOWA 17
Extend your visit on
Homeschool Iowa
Capitol Day
BY JENNIFER CIHA
Plan a fun family visit to Des Moines this year around Homeschool
Iowa Capitol Day, March 13, 2018. After enjoying fellowship with
other like-minded families, meeting and greeting your Iowa rep-
resentatives, explore one of the many educational opportunities in the
metro.
Invite a few other homeschool families and get group discount ad-
mission rates to the Science Center of Iowa, Greater Des Moines Bo-
tanical Garden, and Blank Park Zoo. These museums participate in
reciprocal programs, so check your current museummember-
ships.
Consider the State Historical Museum (located one block west
of the Capitol), Iowa Gold Star Military Museum, I-Cubs Stadium
Principal Park tour, Animal Rescue League of Iowa, Iowa Public
Television Station for inexpensive museums and tour options. Please
plan ahead. Some tours may need to be scheduled in advance and
may require a minimum number of participants.
Older students will appreciate Salisbury House & Gardens, Terrace
Hill (the Governor’s mansion), Iowa Hall of Pride, Jordan House,
Wallace House, Hoyt Sherman Place, Des Moines Art Center, World
Food Prize Hall of Laureates, and Celebrate! Innovation™ Learning
Exhibition (located at Des Moines Area Community College).
Have active kids? Jump on trampolines at Skyzone and Get
Air. Inflatable fun is found at The Playground for Kids, Monkey
Joes, and Pump It Up. Climb Iowa has over 10,000 square feet
of indoor rock climbing. Putt-putt a round or two at Glow Golf or
try their Lazer Maze Challenge. Zoom and race at MB2 Raceway indoor
go-karting facility. Backyard Adventures’ indoor showroom playground
lets kids enjoy backyard fun for a small fee. Swing a ball and bowl at Val
Lanes, Plaza Lanes, Air Lanes, Warrior Lanes, Merle Hay Lanes and Bass
Pro Shop. Test out your balance at Skate West, Skate North, Skate
South. If the ice hasn’t melted, go ice skating at Brenton Skating
Plaza. Take in God’s beautiful nature and hike one of several trails,
including Art On The Trail at Jordan Creek Trail.
Make your visit extra special and splish-splash at Ramada
Tropics Resort & Conference Center Hotel or Adventureland
Inn. Both feature a small indoor water park.
Download the Iowa Culture App, an interactive map that high-
lights the arts, history, science, and nature all across the
state. Planning is a snap with the Favorites tool.
Don’t forget to capture a few photos. Your children may not al-
ways remember every exhibit, tour, or experience, but they
won’t forget the memories of connecting as a family!
Jennifer Ciha is a NICHE homeschool graduate and helps coordinate the social me-
dia for She and her husband, Tom, currently homeschool
their two children in Ankeny, Iowa. Jennifer blogs about her family’s field trips and
adventures at where you can find practical information
and inspirational photographs.