Things to do in Des Moines with kids

Des Moines is a genuinely great family town. There's a real mix of big-ticket attractions and free, run-around-outside options, and most of it sits within a short drive of downtown. Here's where to take the kids, whatever the weather.

The big attractions

• The Science Center of Iowa is the reliable all-ages winner: hands-on exhibits, a planetarium, and a giant-screen theater. The go-to move on a hot or rainy day.
• Blank Park Zoo is Iowa's accredited zoo, walkable in an afternoon and perfect for younger kids.
• Adventureland in Altoona is the full amusement-park day, rides plus a water park, when the older ones want thrills.
• The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden and its indoor conservatory is a lovely, low-key stop year-round.
• Living History Farms in Urbandale lets kids walk through working historic farms and a re-created 1875 town.

Parks, playgrounds, and spraygrounds

Free and endlessly re-usable, these are the family workhorses:

• Gray's Lake Park has a newer playground and a sprayground (open roughly May through September) right by the beach.
• Water Works Park added the Reichardt Family Natural Play Area, a natural playscape kids love.
• Raccoon River Park in West Des Moines has playgrounds, a spray pad, a beach, and easy paved trails.
• Riverside Bridge Park is Des Moines' only park built on a bridge, a genuinely fun novelty.

Get out in nature

• Jester Park near Granger is the standout: a nature center with interactive exhibits, elk and bison herds, and a natural playscape for climbing and imagining. More outdoor ideas in our outdoor things to do in Des Moines guide.

Rainy day and winter

• The Science Center and Botanical Garden above are perfect when the weather turns.
• Take a spin at Skateland for old-school roller skating.
• In the cold months, the downtown skywalk offers nearly four miles of heated, connected walkways, and letting kids burn energy in the skywalk is a beloved local move.

A little planning goes a long way

Lots of these are free, see free things to do in Des Moines for the budget list. For the full picture of the city, start with our complete things-to-do guide, and check the events calendar for kid-friendly festivals and shows happening this week. And every August, the Iowa State Fair is the biggest family day of the year.