The City of Dubuque Has Fun Activities for Kids, Teens to Start 2026

It's a challenge to combat cabin fever in the winter, especially if you have children. Thankfully, the City of Dubuque Parks and Recreation Department has a plethora of activities geared towards infants, young children, and teens to start the year off right.

In partnership with the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, the City of Dubuque comprised a list of three separate events, including one with multiple dates, that will surely provide some fun for children looking to blow off some steam during the often long and gloomy winter season.

READ MORE: City of Dubuque Announces Long-Term Closure of Major Road

Little Gym (January 13th, 20th, and 27th):

• 18 mo. – 4 yrs.
• Tuesday, January 13th, 20th, 27th
• 9am – 10:30 am
• National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
• Tickets: $30 Resident, $36 Non-Resident

The first activity begins on Tuesday, January 13th, when the City of Dubuque helps the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium staff convert a portion of the second floor of the museum into a play gym. There will be a bounce house, ball pits, learning stations, balance beams, mats, and more for kids to blow off some steam. This is also a parent/caregiver child class.

Nerf Gun Extravaganza (February 12th):

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• Ages 7 – 11 yrs.
• Thursday, February 12th
• 5:30pm – 7 pm
• National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
• Tickets: $15 Resident, $18 Non-Resident

Life as a kid is pretty simple. You give them a Nerf Gun and they can entertain themselves for an entire afternoon. Such is the case with the Nerf Gun Extravaganza, which invites kids to bring their Nerf weaponry to the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. Promising a fun and competitive experience, this course will test players on their speed, accuracy, and strategy in a dynamic, non-contact course set throughout the museum:

If possible, please bring your own nerf blaster. A limited supply of blasters will be available for use. Elite Series darts will be provided. In addition to the target course, the camp will include Nerf blaster games where participants can use provided equipment to play against each other in a safe and supervised environment. This is a drop-off class - per the City of Dubuque Parks and Recreation Department

Family Mini Golf (May 19th):

• Ages 14yrs. and under
• Tuesday, May 19th
• 5:30pm – 7:30 p.m.
• National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
• Tickets: $18 Resident, $22 Non-Resident

It's one thing to play mini golf. It's another to design and build your own course and then play mini golf. That's what is going down at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium on May 19th. Participants will be permitted to use a variety of props and materials to build their desired course, including loops, jumps, obstacles, and more.

This is a family class, only child participants need to be registered. A parent/caregiver must attend with the class with their child.

For any additional questions, or to register for any of the above courses, you can call the City of Dubuque Parks and Recreation Department at 563-589-4263. Their offices are open Monday - Thursday (9am - 8pm); Friday (9am - 5pm); and Saturday (10am - 1pm).