The beloved Waterland Children’s Festival promises a magical day filled with fun, learning, and community spirit for families across Des Moines.
Scheduled for Noon–4 p.m. on Friday, July 17, 2026, at Des Moines Field House Park, this year’s festival will feature a variety of Camp KHAOS games, sports, waterplay and contests, live DJ, puppeteer, and dance performances, interactive arts and crafts, hat making, and hydroplane, kite, and parade float construction projects, facepainting, firetrucks, free food and snacks, community booths, learning activities, and four big Merry Makers inflatables.
“Bring a towel and sunscreen!”
The festival, which celebrates creativity and childhood joy, will open its gates at 12 p.m. and run until 4 p.m. Parking is located at the Field House and at the adjacent elementary school parking lot.
“We are excited to bring the community together once again to celebrate the joys of childhood,” said Patrice Thorell, Legacy Foundation President. “Our goal is to create an exciting, inclusive, engaging, and memorable experience for Des Moines children and their families. Please share the Waterland Children’s Festival details with your friends and on social media!”
Admission is free, with donations welcomed to support youth programming and community outreach.
For more information and to get involved, visit www.DMLegacy.org, contact desmoineslegacyfoundation@gmail.com, and follow the festival on City of Des Moines, Des Moines Legacy Foundation, and Waterland Blog social media!
Event Details
- WHAT: FREE Waterland Children’s Festival Fun Inflatables, Great Entertainment, Creative and Construction Activities, Sports and Games, Splash Areas, Face Painting and Hair, Fire Trucks, Frolicking for the Family,
- WHEN: Friday, July 17, 2026, 12-4 p.m.
- WHERE: Des Moines Field House Park, 1000 S. 220th Street, Des Moines, WA (map below)
- Presented By: Des Moines Legacy Foundation, City of Des Moines Community Enrichment and City Departments, and Rotary Club of Des Moines Normandy Park
- Sponsors and Partners: The Waterland Blog, Des Moines Area Food Bank, Des Moines Yacht Club and Wesley Des Moines Wood Shop, Des Moines Pool Metropolitan Park District/MRP, Rolf and Alison Pedersen, South King Fire and Rescue, King County Library System Des Moines, Red Robin Restaurant, Printplace, Salon Michelle, Melanie’s Dance Unlimited, NW Karate School, Ruckus Art, and Waterland Parade
- Volunteer Organizations: MRHS Girls Wrestling Team, Des Moines Gospel Chapel, and Des Moines WA Chamber of Commerce
“HAVE THE TIME OF YOUR SUMMER with exciting Bounce Houses and Water Slide, Hydroplane and kite, and Parade Float making.”
Entertainment:
- Interactive Bounce Houses and Slides: Merry Makers
- Construction Zone: Wooden Hydroplane and Kites Customizing: Des Moines Yacht Club, Waterland Parade Float Building: Volunteers
- Antique Fire Truck, Waterland Parade Sign Up Area: 12–4 p.m.: Pedersen Family
- South King County Fire and Rescue
- Midway Activities: Bubbles, Bubbles, Bubbles: Volunteers
- King County Des Moines Library: Crafts, Stories, and Reading
- Center Stage, DJ, Melanies Dance Unlimited Shows 2 p.m., Puppeteer Lisa Taylor 1 p.m.
- City Booth: Popcorn and Popsicles
- Police Department Booth: Give away Swag
- Crazy Creativity Zone: Art Coloring Booth: Fred Andrews and Artists, Crafty Hats- Ruckus Art, and Melanie’s Dance Unlimited
- Face Painting and Crazy Hair: Salon Michelle, Volunteers
- Camp KHAOS Events:
Sports Area: soccer, jump ropes, parachute, relays, Splash Pad- Sprinkler and water toys, Outdoor Games: Musical Dots, Potato Sack Races, Hula Hoop Competition, Parachute, Splash Pad and Water Games, Lawn Games Area: giant Jenga, lawn bowling, bean bag tic-tac-toe, and more!
- Mt. Rainier Pool Duck Pond Game and Da Big Duck!
- NW Karate School: Karate Demonstrations
- Free Food and Snacks: Popsicles and Popcorn at Center Stage, and Des Moines Area Food Bank Picnic at the Picnic Shelter: Lunch from 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Snack from 2:30–3 p.m.
- Food Vendor: Hotdog Food Truck
“Hey community volunteers, and businesses serving youth! Your help supporting the festival is appreciated. The Waterland Children’s Festival is looking for twelve community members to assist with activities. Please contact Legacy at: desmoineslegacyfoundation@gmail.com or visit Legacy’s website www.DMLegacy.org.”
