Are you looking for fun family-friendly events in May around Cedar Rapids?
Look no further than our May Roundup of local activities.
The Sound of Music
Theater Cedar Rapids
April 29th – May 29th 2:30pm and 7:30pm Show Times
The refreshing, spirited Maria brings light, laughter, and love to the Von Trapp family in this enduring classic. From “My Favorite Things” to “Edelweiss” to “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” the entire family will leave humming with full hearts. Music by Richard Rodgers. Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. Book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse. Suggested by Maria Augusta Trapp. TCR strives to make your experience as safe and enjoyable as possible. View up-to-date visitor information at theatrecr.org/visit
Paw Patrol LIVE The Great Pirate Adventure
Xtream Arena Coralville
May 3 & 4 5:00pm
Nickelodeon and VStar Entertainment Group present PAW Patrol Live! “The Great Pirate Adventure,” an action-packed, music-filled production. The PAW Patrol is back and on a roll in person and LIVE on stage! Ryder and your favorite pups have been working hard to get back on the road and they are ready to roll to Coralville. In this production, the heroic pups from the top-rated animated preschool series PAW Patrol, produced by Spin Master Entertainment and airing on Nickelodeon, embark on a pirate-themed adventure to uncover hidden treasure. Do not miss this PAWsome opportunity to see the whole pack in this live touring stage performance.
Baby Shark Live! Splash Tour
Paramount Theater
Wednesday, May 4 6:00pm- 8:00pm
Take an adventure into the sea with Baby Shark as he joins up with his friend Pinkfong to sing and dance through some of your favorite new and classic songs! Baby Shark Live! is a state of the art enchanting kids spectacular .
In this one of a kind concert experience young fans will be dancing in the aisles as Baby Shark and friends, go on fun adventures to learn and meet new friends! Some of the hit songs include, Baby Shark, Five Little Monkeys, Wheels On The Bus, Jungle Boogie, and Monkey Banana Dance
Rock the Block 2022
NewBo City Market
Friday, May 6 6:00pm, every Friday following until August 26
FREE Concert series is back and better than ever. Featuring talented local and traveling bands each week, all summer long. Every Friday May through August
Watercolor Fun
Downtown CR Library and Ladd Library
Saturday, May 7 10:00am & 2:00pm
Create art with watercolors. Explore painting with watercolors over tape on paper to create trees, interesting landscapes or creative designs.
Just a Walk in the Park Series- Mushroom Ramble
Wikiup Hill Learning Center
Saturday May 7 9:00am
Marty Augustine of the Prairie State Mushroom Club will lead participants on a search for fungus. Get ready to head into the woods along the Cedar River. Bring a container to collect mushrooms and dress for conditions that may include hilly forested terrain, ticks, mosquitoes or poison ivy. This event is free, but registration is required. Click here to register for this event.
Chalk the Walk
Mount Vernon
Saturday, May 7 & Sunday, May 8 10:00am- 6:00pm
Chalk the Walk will feature the work of hundreds of all ages and abilities! They will use over 1/2 ton of chalk with a downtown city street as their canvas. Cash prizes will be awarded to chalk artists during a formal check presentation ceremony on Sunday afternoon, May 8. Outdoor food vendors and musicians will be on hand throughout both days of the event.
Kid N Canvas
Edgewood Rd Hy-Vee
Saturday, May 7 – 2:00pm
Each kid gets two 4-inch ceramic gnomes to paint. We are using glue & tissue paper to make this fun design. Kid N Canvas classes are for kids about 8 to 16 year olds. Join us at Hy-Vee (5050 Edgewood Rd NE Cedar Rapids, Iowa 5211) cafe on Saturday May 7 2:00 pm, Cafe space is for students painting & those purchasing food/drink from the location, please remember to you can shop while the kids paint. $20 per painting, please only 1 painter per ticket. All supplies (canvas, paints, brushes and apron) are provided for you, but please wear clothes that are ok to get paint on. Class lasts about 1 to 1.5 hrs.
Mother’s Day Bird Banding
Indian Creek Nature Center
Sunday May 8 12:30pm – 3:30pm
Bring your mother, grandmother, aunts, and the special women in your life to meet ornithologist Dr. Neil Bernstein for a bird banding program! Be our guest and drop in anytime to watch Dr. Bernstein net, band, and release birds from Nature Center property. You’ll get a chance to see the equipment he uses, observe the banding process, and learn about the importance of banding. You’ll also get an up close look at the birds! Children and families are welcome to join in on the fun. Banding is a weather-dependent activity. This program is free and open to the public; free will donations to the Nature Center are welcome.
Paws to Read
Hiawatha Library
Monday, May 9 – 6:30pm – 7:15pm
Share a tale with a pup! Who let the dogs in? Join us for this popular reading program that pairs emerging readers with certified Therapy International dogs. Pull up a book and a dog and let the magic begin.
6th Annual Bloom Moms Night Out
National Czech and Slovak Museum & Library
Tuesday, May 10 – 6:00pm- 9:00pm
Join us for our 6th Annual Bloom Moms Night Out event with our Presenting Sponsors: MWR Counseling, The University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, and Family Medicine Specialists!! This event is for all Cedar Rapids area moms and moms-to-be! This fun night out will feature informational and vendor tables from fantastic local businesses, a panel discussion with local wellness and parenting experts, delicious food, amazing giveaways, and a chance to meet other mamas! Whether you come solo or with a group of friends, this event will be sure to leave you feeling refreshed and ready to tackle this motherhood thing! GENERAL ADMISSION: $25.00 Includes admission to the event, delicious food, 1 glass of wine or mocktail, 10 raffle tickets for giveaways, and swag! This event SELLS OUT every year, so share with your girlfriends and be sure to get your tickets!
Mother & Daughter Camp
Camp Wapsie
Friday, May 13 – Sunday May 15
Come together for conversations and campfires. Grow together while enjoying arts & crafts, tie-dye, and climbing the tower. Strengthen your bond with the important females in your life. Bring your mothers, daughter, aunts, grandmas, and friends. Each person signs up individually and you can request friends or family to be in your cabin. Otherwise cabin assignments are based on families with similarly aged kids.
Outdoor Zumbini
Cleveland Park
Friday, May 13 – 10:30am – 11:00am
Created by Zumba and BabyFirst for kids ages 0-4, the Zumbini program combines music, dance, and educational tools for 30 minutes of can’t-stop, won’t-stop bonding, learning, and fun! Get ready to move, dance and wiggle along to the music during this free outdoor Zumbini class!
Jurassic Quest
Xtream Arena
Friday, May 13 through Sunday, May 15
Jurassic Quest is roaring into Xtream Arena and GreenState Family Fieldhouse , May 13-15! Jurassic Quest is back indoor and better than ever. See our herd of life size animatronic dinosaurs including Apatosaurus, Spinosaurus, T-Rex and an incredible 50 Foot Long Megalodon. Jurassic Quest is the world’s largest, most popular dino event with unique and exciting experiences for the whole family. Meet our trainers, baby dinos and watch a live interactive Raptor show. You don’t want to miss “The Quest interactive adventure, dinosaur rides, giant fossil dig, inflatables, fossil science exhibit, “Triceratots” soft play area, and MORE! Tickets are flying fast! Sellouts expected, buy in advance at www.jurassicquest.com to guarantee your timeslot.
Houby Days 2022
Czech and Slovak Village
May 13 – 5:00 pm through May 15 – 4:00 pm
Come join us for Houby Days 2022! Celebrate Czech and Slovak traditions as well seeing what’s new Czech Village has to offer. We will have live music and entertainment, food and craft vendors, classes, costume walk, and of course Kolaches! There will also be a Fun Run sponsored by SOKO
Movies on the Move
Butterfield Park
Tuesday, May 17
Open To All Ages l Join the Marion Parks and Recreation Department as the popular “Moonlit Movie” series hits the road this summer! These smaller but equally as entertaining events break down geographic barriers by bringing the cinematic adventures right to your neighborhoods. Bring your chairs/blankets and sprawl out in the park to take in some classic flicks. Watch for more details as dates get closer with Marion Parks and Recreation. Open to the public and free
Baby Animals Days
Bloomsbury Farms
May 20- June 5, Friday-Sunday (+Monday the 30th) 11:00am – 5:00pm
Visit us for Baby Animal Days on the farm. Snap photos, visit the sweetest animals, enjoy our attractions & so much more!
Marion Arts Festival 5k and Half Marathon
Saturday, May 21 – 6:00am – 11:00am
The Marion Arts Festival Half Marathon & 5K Run-Walk has long been a favorite season opener for many serious amateurs, recreational runners and the casual walkers. There will be prize money, as well as many free gifts, giveaways, and raffle drawings. Join us for a Half Marathon and the 5K experience, with the best shirt, door prizes, and finish line amenities! The nationally recognized Marion Arts Festival (MAF) is a free, family friendly, come-as-you-are community art party…accessible high quality culture, for all. The MAF will once again feature a fun, competitive half marathon and a 5K Run-Walk to kick off the day’s festivities. After the race, participants are invited to enjoy festival activities. The Art in the Depot public art program, Empty Bowl Project and Patron Sponsor Program are all offered in conjunction with the exhibiting artists. Continuous live music and specialty food vendors will also be featured throughout the day. Race day registration and race day packet pickup up will be held May 21st 2022 from 6:00am to 7:00am
STEM Car Derby
Cedar Rapids Public Library
Saturday, May 21 – 10:00am – 2:30pm
Make a vinegar and baking soda-powered car and compete for first, second, or third place. Use your engineering skills and materials provided by the Library to come up with the fastest design. Prizes will be awarded after the races. 10-11:30 am Downtown Library, Living Learning Roof and 1-2:30 pm Ladd Library, parking lot.
Marion Iowa Community Kite Festival
Pee Wee Diamonds at Lowe Park
Saturday, May 21 – 10:00am – 4:00pm
The Marion Parks and Recreation Department is pleased to welcome back Great American Kites to Marion Iowa on Saturday, May 21, 2022. The kites will be flying over the PeeWee Diamonds at Lowe Park, with easy access from 4401 Irish Drive, between 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Great American Kites specializes in producing the most astonishing and colorful outdoor giant kite displays, with over 15 years of providing giant kite flying experiences and unique aerial displays. The come-and-go event features displays that provide lasting memories for attendees of all ages. The event is free to the public. Guests should bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating. Outside food and drink are permitted.
KinderBots Robotics (Beginner Coding)
Marion Parks and Recreation
Friday, May 27 – 1:00pm – 4:00pm
In this beginner robotics program, your little engineer will begin to explore the world of robotics as they build simple models that teach the fundamentals of robotic design. Whether learning about motors while building drills and catapults or exploring how to use sensors while playing with a magic wand or a goal kicker, we’re certain your child will have a great time while they are learning a ton about robots and how to work effectively with a partner!
Memorial Day Family Camp
Camp Wapsie
Saturday, May 28th – Monday, May 30th
Kick off the start of summer as families enjoy time together in cabins and exploring the great outdoors while trying fun, active camp programs.
Moonlit Movies
Lowe Park Marion
May 28th
Save the date for the first Moonlit Movie Summer Series at Lowe Park. Watch for more details with the Marion Parks and Recreation
Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market
Downtown Cedar Rapids
May 28thf
The 17th Annual Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market season will kick off May 28.
Build It-LEGOs
Downtown CR Library and Ladd Library
Saturday, May 28 – 10:00am- 11:00am & 2:00pm – 3:00pm
LEGO building game. See if you are up to the challenge to build and create fun things with LEGOs using flashcards.
Are we missing any family-friendly events in May? Let us know in the comments or on our Facebook page!
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