GiGi's Playhouse Des Moines

12/21/2025

'Tis the week that it's Christmas, and at Playhouse
There's stuff you can do, Monday-Tuesday COME OUT!

Yes, in-person programing will be limited at GiGi's this week, but that doesn't mean it'll be it will be quiet. We have Family Fun on tap for all ages on Monday with a dog biscuit activity at 1 p.m. followed by an hour of karaoke at 2. (Or longer than a hour if you want to keep singing!)

Then on Tuesday, it's two hours of Open Play.

Although that's all the in-person programming that we have on tap, this might be a great week to participate in GiGi's Virtual Playhouse. Anything you see in orange blocks on our calendar represents programs that you can take from the comfort of your own home. Give it a try and let us know what you think!

Drop-ins are always welcome, but we'd appreciate if you register here: regsiterttps://gigisplayhouse.org/desmoines/sfcalendar

12/20/2025

You may know that the term “fan” comes from the word “fanatic”, defined as “a person with an extreme and uncritical enthusiasm or zeal”. We think that the best sports fans around might just be hockey fans, and that’s why GiGi’s is excited to partner with the Iowa Wild on a very special game coming up later this month!

When the Wild take on the Dallas Stars at the Casey's Center on Tuesday evening, December 30 at 7 p.m., GiGi’s will featured as the Non-profit of the Night. We’d love to have you join us for the game and lots of fun!

In addition to getting discounted tickets, there’s a lot taking place on and off the ice to benefit GiGi’s Playhouse! You won’t want to miss it as we all sit together and root on the Wild. (And their mascot, Crash, who paid us a visit earlier this month!)

P.S. It's also $1 hot dog night! All the more reason to make this game part of your Holiday Break plans!

We'd love to have you join us! Discount tickets can be purchased here: https://ow.ly/u2I750XLBfb, with a portion of each ticket going to GiGi's!

12/20/2025

GiGi's Des Moines was fortunate to have two great interns to help us in this past semester. We've asked them both to share a reflection on their experience, and our first is from Allie. To read her thoughts, read our latest blog:

Hello. My name is Allie Petracek, and I’ve had the great privilege of serving as an intern at GiGi’s these last few months while working on my degree at Des

12/19/2025

As we look back at 2025, we do so with a great deal of pride. We have improved in every measurable program metric compared to last year. Our average monthly participation hours have grown to 628 (up from 500 in 2024) and we are serving an average of 162 participants each month, up from 139. That’s amazing!

But we know we can do better! Would you like to help us build on that momentum?

You can be part of that by making a year-end gift. Now is the best time to do that and DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT!!

Thanks to two very generous and dedicated donors, we have a pool of funds established to match, dollar-for-dollar, every gift made to GiGi’s Playhouse Des Moines from now through December 31st up to $10,000!

Please give now;: https://ow.ly/ZsJi50XMEgI.

12/19/2025

Transitioning from 2025 to2026 will be tough for some people, but once you flip a few pages on the wall calendar and save the date of March 7 for the GiGi's Gala, the new year will be something to get really excited about!

The theme is "Boots and Bling -- It's a GiGi's Thing!" and we can hardly wait for this unforgettable evening of music, inspiration, dancing, socializing and fundraising!

This year's event will feature festive entertainment with an inspirational keynote speaker, music by DJ DAS, a sit-down dinner, silent auction, live auction, dessert auction, live entertainment, and more! You'll want to stay tuned to all the developments here on social media and go here for more details: https://ow.ly/lrvh50XKrKZ

12/18/2025

Program reminder: on Saturday morning, it's time for the third class in our popular Family Speaker Series on American Sign Language. In this class, we introduce family signs, giving children the words they need to talk about the people they love most. While that's going on, we'll offer GiGiFIT for kids and teens.

To register for these or any GiGi's in-person classes, go here: https://ow.ly/ijly50XJYxm

12/17/2025

We are excited to announce the 1st Annual GiGi’s Playhouse "Pub Crawl for a Cause" on January 17th!

For the grown-ups who get those post-Holiday blues, GiGi’s has just the thing to get your “feel-good” back while you support your favorite charity-- a Saturday afternoon Pub Crawl!

The event, sponsored by Full Court Press and Confluence Brewing Company, will feature stops at El Bait Shop/High Life Lounge, Hessen Haus and the Royal Mile with drinks and half-price appetizers part of the $25 per person entry fee. In addition, there will be drawings at each stop.

For more information or to get your tickets, go here: https://ow.ly/NByM50XKrTb

12/17/2025

Reading was just the beginning.​

When Jade learned to read, it wasn’t just about the words on the page; it was the key that opened new doors. As her mom, Kim says, reading helped others see her full potential.​

That’s the power of GiGi’s FREE 1:1 Literacy and Math Tutoring Programs. ​

They’re designed to meet individuals with Down syndrome where they learn best—building confidence, unlocking opportunities, and changing the way the world sees them.​

There's still time to enroll in our Literacy and Math Tutoring Program for our Spring session. Click here to learn more! http://ow.ly/Xnuz106qH2y

12/16/2025

Just a bit of fitness drumming from Nikki Russell and Aptitude Fitness Des Moines. How was your afternoon?

12/16/2025

We're a bit late on posting our schedule for the week, but that's no commentary on the progressive and purposeful programming that we have on tap for you this week -- far from it!

Tuesday is packed (as usual) for adults. After that, it's morning offerings of Open Play on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings. Then we end the workweek with another edition of Fantastic Friends in the evening.

On Saturday morning, we move onto the third class in our Family Speaker Series on American Sign Language. In this class, we introduce family signs, giving children the words they need to talk about the people they love most. While that's going on, we'll offer GiGiFIT for kids and teens.

To register for these or any GiGi's in-person classes, go here: https://ow.ly/N2fC50XJYbN

12/16/2025

GiGiMOVE and the return of Fitness Drumming is here on Tuesday!

We remember when Nikki Russel of Aptitude Fitness Des Moines came to our Playhouse this past summer with the idea of bringing a class to GiGi's inspired by Aptitude member (our pal and participant) Daniel, who has Down syndrome. That first class was a big hit and Nikki, Daniel and a group of Aptitude volunteers have been back to lead an activity for teens and adults every month since!

In November, she introduced our group to Fitness Drumming -- a high-energy, full-body workout that combines rhythmic drumming with aerobic exercise, using equipment like buckets, stability balls, and drumsticks. The response was so great that she's bringing it back to us tomorrow!

We’d love to have a big turnout, so we hope you’ll register. To do so, please go here: https://ow.ly/xj6T50XJYLk

12/15/2025

Help GiGi's Playhouse change lives!​

Our FREE 1:1 Tutoring in Literacy and Math program supports individuals of all ages in building essential skills like reading, comprehension, problem-solving, and critical thinking. These programs are tailored to help individuals with Down syndrome learn in a way that work best and succeed in reading and math.​

But we need your help! On average, we can only match 50% of our participants because we don't have enough tutors.​

You can help us change this! Just 1 hour a week can make a life-changing difference. ​

As a volunteer tutor, you can help someone reach their full potential, and we’ll work around your schedule!​

Tutor applications for our Spring session close in 2 weeks!​

Apply now! http://ow.ly/Xnuz106qH2y