Des Moines Fun Activities

Family Friendly Attractions

• 

  Adventureland Park

  Altoona

  Map It

  Adventureland Park

  Email Send your request to Adventureland Park. * Your Name: * Email Address: Phone Number: Include Your Comments Below:

  Phone

  Adventureland Amusement Park contains over 100 rides, shows, and attractions including some of the country's most exciting roller coasters and thrill rides that can challenge the most avid amusement park enthusiasts. There are also plenty of rides for less adventurous guests including great water rides as well as a full compliment of children's rides spread throughout the park. But the entertainment doesn't stop with rides - Adventureland presents a full array of shows in the park - from live music to magic to song and dance - there's always something to suit everyone's taste. Simply the most fun you will have all year! Adventureland Park is a smoke free facility. (less) ... Read more

• 

  Camp Fontanelle

  Nickerson

  Map It

  Camp Fontanelle

  Email Send your request to Camp Fontanelle. * Your Name: * Email Address: Phone Number: Include Your Comments Below:

  Phone

  As a faith based summer camp, Camp Fontanelle tries to provide wholesome family fun at a family friendly price. Each fall a pumpkin patch and corn maze is available at a cost of only $4 for ages 3-11 and $6 for age 12 and older. 4 acres of pumpkins are free will donation and we offer a 10 acre maze (see website) that is challenging without a map. A petting barn, campfire rings with firewood provided, hayrack rides, a jumping pillow, games, and bounce houses are all part of the experience. Almost all concessions are only $1 and laser tag in the corn ($3/game), pony rides ($2), and zip lines ($10 for 2 rides) are also available. Toilets and wash sinks with soap are available. The camp offers the lodge, 5 miles of hiking, and above activities along with tree climbing on rope, overnight retreats, food service, 5 miles of hiking trails, a swimming pool (summer only), archery, and other activities for any event, reunion, or party which you might like the camp to host. As a Christian faith-based camp our goal is for your family to grow closer to God through a nature based encounter with creation. (less) ... Read more

• 

  Grizzly Jacks Starved Rock

  Utica

  Grizzly Jacks Starved Rock

  Email Send your request to Grizzly Jacks Starved Rock. * Your Name: * Email Address: Phone Number: Include Your Comments Below:

  Phone

  Welcome to Grizzly Jack's Grand Bear Resort A Hotel and Resort Near Starved Rock State Park

     Discover a magical family getaway just beyond the glow of Chicago at Grizzly Jack's Grand Bear Resort. Nestled in the Starved Rock area of Illinois, Grizzly Jack's is an oasis of relaxation and adventure - a destination where water park fun meets nature. Escape from the big city and enjoy a vacation in the scenic Northwoods at Grizzly Jack's - an unforgettable place to unwind, play, meet, dine and explore with family and friends.

• 

  Heritage Carousel

  Des Moines

  Map It

  Heritage Carousel

  Email Send your request to Heritage Carousel. * Your Name: * Email Address: Phone Number: Include Your Comments Below:

  Phone

  Union Park

     The Carousel is frequently used for birthday parties, family, business and non-profit gatherings and church and school outings. It offers private rentals and many forms of group ride discounts.

• 

  Lost Island Waterpark

  Waterloo

  Map It

  Lost Island Waterpark

  Email Send your request to Lost Island Waterpark. * Your Name: * Email Address: Phone Number: Include Your Comments Below:

  Phone

  Lost Island Waterpark is the largest waterpark in Iowa! Check out a tropical paradise in the heart of the Midwest with over 25 attractions, FREE parking, FREE tube rental, and delicious food. Ranked on TripAdvisor's Top Ten Waterparks in the U.S., Lost Island is a hidden treasure you have to see to believe.

• 

  Six Flags Great America

  Gurnee, IL

  Map It

  Six Flags Great America

  Email Send your request to Six Flags Great America. * Your Name: * Email Address: Phone Number: Include Your Comments Below:

  Phone

  Six Flags Great America offers a variety of activities that the family can enjoy together with 14 world class roller coasters, three children's areas and a free 20-acre water park.

Fun Family Activities

• 

  Altoona Campus

  Altoona

  Map It

  Altoona Campus

  Email Send your request to Altoona Campus. * Your Name: * Email Address: Phone Number: Include Your Comments Below:

  Phone

  The Greater Altoona Community Service Campus shall build a healthier community by improving its quality of life through diverse, multi-generational programming to meet the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social needs of those we serve.

• 

  Grizzly Jacks Starved Rock

  Utica

  Grizzly Jacks Starved Rock

  Email Send your request to Grizzly Jacks Starved Rock. * Your Name: * Email Address: Phone Number: Include Your Comments Below:

  Phone

  Welcome to Grizzly Jack's Grand Bear Resort A Hotel and Resort Near Starved Rock State Park

     Discover a magical family getaway just beyond the glow of Chicago at Grizzly Jack's Grand Bear Resort. Nestled in the Starved Rock area of Illinois, Grizzly Jack's is an oasis of relaxation and adventure - a destination where water park fun meets nature. Escape from the big city and enjoy a vacation in the scenic Northwoods at Grizzly Jack's - an unforgettable place to unwind, play, meet, dine and explore with family and friends.

• 

  Warrior Lanes

  Waukee

  Map It

  Warrior Lanes

  Email Send your request to Warrior Lanes. * Your Name: * Email Address: Phone Number: Include Your Comments Below:

  Phone

  KBF 2017 starts April 19th ends September 30th this year! Register your children now to receive 2 FREE games of bowling every day all summer long- you just cover the shoe rental fee! Your coupons will arrive in your email box every Sunday morning. You can add an optional family pass to your kids' coupons for a low one time fee which will allow up to 4 additional bowlers 2 Free games a day, too! Affordable Family Fun is just a click away! Kids Bowl Free Hours by day are printed on each individual coupon also- Sunday through Thursday Noon-10pm & Friday & Saturday Noon-Midnight. Hours may change based on lane availability. It's a good idea to call ahead to check on lane space. (less) ... Read more

Family Fun Centers

• 

  Warrior Lanes

  Waukee

  Map It

  Warrior Lanes

  Email Send your request to Warrior Lanes. * Your Name: * Email Address: Phone Number: Include Your Comments Below:

  Phone

  KBF 2017 starts April 19th ends September 30th this year! Register your children now to receive 2 FREE games of bowling every day all summer long- you just cover the shoe rental fee! Your coupons will arrive in your email box every Sunday morning. You can add an optional family pass to your kids' coupons for a low one time fee which will allow up to 4 additional bowlers 2 Free games a day, too! Affordable Family Fun is just a click away! Kids Bowl Free Hours by day are printed on each individual coupon also- Sunday through Thursday Noon-10pm & Friday & Saturday Noon-Midnight. Hours may change based on lane availability. It's a good idea to call ahead to check on lane space. (less) ... Read more

Museums & Zoos

• 

  Ankeny Art Center

  Ankeny

  Map It

  Ankeny Art Center

  Email Send your request to Ankeny Art Center. * Your Name: * Email Address: Phone Number: Include Your Comments Below:

  Phone

  The Ankeny Art Center is an innovative visual arts organization committed to providing superior art experiences that inspire, educate and challenge all members of our community. We are dedicated to supporting local artists, providing educational development and a diverse art experience for people of all ages. Our art gallery has new and inspiring exhibits every eight weeks and provides space for Iowa artists to showcase their work. Our gallery is designed to facilitate the introduction and development of diverse artists that work in a variety of styles and media to enrich the culture of our community. All of our exhibitions and artist receptions are free and open to the public. We provide exciting art classes, summer camps and workshops to students of ages and skill levels. Our certified art teachers are working artists or art instructors from the community who demonstrate an outstanding ability in teaching and artistic expression. The Ankeny Art Center also hosts the annual Santa's North Pole Village Craft Show featuring 300 vendors and approximately 5,000 shoppers. This event is one of the most popular craft shows in Iowa, has been an Ankeny tradition for more than three decades and features a variety of hand-crafted items. (less) ... Read more

  20% Off Classes for 1 Year!

  Become a member at the Ankeny Art Center and receive 20% off classes during your membership.

  View Ankeny Art Center Coupon
• 

  Blank Park Zoo

  Des Moines

  Map It

  Blank Park Zoo

  Email Send your request to Blank Park Zoo. * Your Name: * Email Address: Phone Number: Include Your Comments Below:

  Phone

  Iowa's Wildest Adventure!

     Enjoy the wonderful park atmosphere as you and your family view over 800 furry, finned and feathered exotic creatures at the Zoo. You'll find a surprise around every corner as you follow the winding path and manicured gardens! Experience the wonders of nature found in the Wilds of Africa and the Australian Outback. The indoor Discovery Center will amaze you with its mountainous and tropical habitats filled with exotic plants, birds, fish and animals.

• 

  Insect Zoo

  Ames

  Map It

  Insect Zoo

  Email Send your request to Insect Zoo. * Your Name: * Email Address: Phone Number: Include Your Comments Below:

  Phone

  at Iowa State University

     The Insect Zoo in Iowa State University's Department of Entomology is an outreach program developed to foster an appreciation of insects found in Iowa and throughout the world. Participants can view and interact with live insects and other arthropods. We emphasize the diversity, ecology and behavior of arthropods while the students are exposed to many basic concepts of biology. Participants will learn about interrelationships among diverse insect groups and their important role in life on Earth.