Start the New Year with Fun and Discovery!

The City of Dubuque Parks and Recreation Department is excited to kick off 2026 with all-new programs in partnership with the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium! From playful adventures for toddlers to action-packed Nerf challenges and creative family mini golf, these unique experiences combine recreation with exploration in one of Dubuque’s premier destinations for learning and fun!

Featured Programs

Little Gym

18 mo. – 4 yrs.
Tuesday, Jan. 13, 20, & 27
9 – 10:30 a.m.
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium

We are converting a portion of the second floor of the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium into a play gym. We will have a bounce house, ball pits, learning stations, balance beams, mats, and much, much more! After each class, participants are free to explore and enjoy the rest of the museum! This is a parent/caregiver and child class.

$30 Resident, $36 Non-Resident  |  Register online

Nerf Gun Extravaganza

Ages 7 – 11 yrs.
Thursday, Feb. 12
5:30 – 7 p.m.
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium

Step into action with this Nerf Gun Extravaganza, where participants will test their speed, accuracy, and strategy in a dynamic, non-contact course set throughout the museum. Bring your favorite Nerf blaster and prepare to take on a series of target-based challenges. The course will offer a fun and competitive experience, with opportunities to score points based on precision and timing. 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.

$15 Resident, $18 Non-Resident  |  Register Online

Family Mini Golf

Ages 14yrs. and under
Tuesday, May 19
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium

Mini golf is always fun, but this class takes it to the next level by letting participants design and build their own course inside the museum. Using a variety of props and materials, we’ll build loops, jumps, obstacles, and more to shape a one-of-a-kind course. Once the course is complete, participants will challenge each other to a game and continue to modify the layout to keep the fun going. This is a family class. Only child participants need to be registered. A parent/caregiver attends with the child. Museum staff will be on-site to share information about upcoming summer programs and membership opportunities. This is a parent/caregiver and child class.

$18 Resident, $22 Non-Resident  |  Register Online