We are launching GiGi’s Kitchen for 3 age groups this winter!
GiGi’s Kitchen is designed to emphasize the importance of health and wellness through nutrition education, kitchen safety, food preparation, social activities and a shared meal/snack. Under the guidance of program leaders, participants will learn about and progress through skills including measurements, food handling, knife skills, ingredient identification, palette expansion, and...
Program Spotlight: GiGi’s Kitchen Kids
GiGi’s Kitchen is designed to emphasize the importance of health and wellness through nutrition education, kitchen safety, food preparation, social activities and a shared meal/snack. Under the guidance of program leaders, participants will learn about and progress through skills including measurements, food handling, knife skills, ingredient identification, palette expansion, and nutrition....
Program Spotlight: LMNOP
LMNOP (Language, Music, N' Our Peeps) is an interactive and engaging program designed to guide parents and young children through learning basic sign language and other forms of communication using music and language-based activities. Recommended for ages newborn to 36 months. Speech Pathologist, Lori Leach, teaches the participants different signs and...
Dream a little dream with me✨💫☁
Join us Under the Stars on Leap Day because an extra night and an extra chromosome calls for an extra special celebration. So, won’t you join us for a little something extra this leap day? Click here to register, donate, sponsor, or learn more.
Program Spotlight: GiGiFIT Toddler
GiGiFIT Toddler takes concepts of foundational movements, mobility activities, visual-vestibular activities, and reflex integration to the next level in a fast-paced, super fun and socially interactive atmosphere for young children who have recently mastered the ability to walk on their own. Ashlee Downs first started volunteering for GiGiFIT Toddler when we...
We Have Some Exciting News to Share!
Thank you Variety- the Children’s Charity for believing in the potential of individuals with Down syndrome! Variety- the Children’s Charity has generously awarded us with a grant for $11,576 to renovate our kitchen. Variety- the Children’s Charity is dedicated to improving the lives of children who are at-risk, underprivileged, critically ill...
Thank you Variety- the Children’s Charity!
We Have Exciting News to Share! Thank you Variety- the Children’s Charity for believing in the potential of individuals with Down syndrome! Variety- the Children’s Charity has generously awarded us with a grant for $11,576 to renovate our kitchen, and as you can see from Paul’s and Leanne’s reactions we’re beyond excited! Variety-...
Thank you Variety- the Children’s Charity!
We Have Exciting News to Share! Thank you Variety- the Children’s Charity for believing in the potential of individuals with Down syndrome! Variety- the Children’s Charity has generously awarded us with a grant for $11,576 to renovate our kitchen, and as you can see from Paul’s and Leanne’s reactions we’re beyond excited! Variety-...
Yoga for GiGi’s 🧘♀️🧘♂️
We had a great group of yogi's who ventured out into the hot summer sun to do yoga in the park benefitting GiGi's Playhouse Des Moines on Saturday, July 27th! The event raised $875, this will continue to provide free purposeful programming to kids and adults with Down syndrome to...
Fun night out at the Iowa Cubs Game!!
Thank you Des Moines Pub Crawl and the Iowa Cubs for supporting GiGi's Playhouse Des Moines this past weekend. The rain couldn't stop all the people from attending and having fun on and off the field. Addi enjoyed running down on the field, tossing around the baseball and...
Meet our Summer Intern!
Hello, my name is Gillian Staten, and I just recently graduated from Iowa State University, where I majored in Child, Adult, and Family Services. During my major, I focused heavily on children and youth options. I have been working with children since I was about 13 years old. I began...
Strike a Pose
Last week our son Pierce was asked to be a model for the 2020 GiGi’s Playhouse National Calendar. We had such a blast visiting the first GiGi's Playhouse location in Chicago and meeting the founder Nancy Gianni. "She is living proof that miracles do exist. Fifteen years ago, she had...