EXPLORE: Kid Friendly
By Cyote Williams
Take the whole family out (except the furry members)!
HOLIDAY LIGHTS
Pack the kids in the car and get your “ooos” and “aahhs” ready. Many of these are free. Be sure to check websites for dates, cancellations or fees.
TRAMPOLINE PARKS
If you’re looking for an easy way for the kids to burn some energy or celebrate a birthday and get some exercise while doing it, take them to any of these bounce emporiums.
LIBRARIES
For the kiddos looking for a quieter getaway from the house or school, most libraries around the metro regularly offer educational programs and events for kids of all ages.
SCIENCE CENTER OF IOWA
401 W. Martin Luther King Jr Parkway, Des Moines
www.sciowa.org
A world of scientific wonders and activities awaits downtown. A steady stream of programs for all and interactive exhibits keep children of all ages engaged and ready to learn while also being entertained. Permanent exhibits will allow kids to learn about zoology, outer space, building, designing and more.
LIVING HISTORY FARMS
11121 Hickman Road, Urbandale
www.lhf.org
A working agriculture museum that preserves the history of farming in Iowa, while providing programs and events throughout the year that anyone can enjoy. Only 3% of the country’s museums are accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, and Living History Farms is one of them.
RAMADA TROPICS RESORT
5000 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines
www.ramadatropicsresort.com/indoor-water-park
Buccaneer Bay resides inside this hotel with an 18,000-square-foot waterpark for your kids to enjoy while you hit the poolside tiki bar. When the weather is cold, and you’re looking for a tropical feel, book a staycation here and let the young ones splash the time away.
Take the whole family out (except the furry members)!
HOLIDAY LIGHTS
Pack the kids in the car and get your “ooos” and “aahhs” ready. Many of these are free. Be sure to check websites for dates, cancellations or fees.
-
Jolly Holiday Lights
Adventureland Park, 3300 Adventureland Drive, Altoona
www.jollyholidaylights.org -
Gingerbread Lane
S.E. Richland Court, Ankeny
Facebook: Gingerbread Lane Ankeny, IA -
Prairie Ridge Church
825 N.W. 36th St., Ankeny
www.ridgelife.org -
Winter Wonderlights
Uptown Ankeny, 715 W. First St., Ankeny
www.uptownankeny.org -
Winter Wonderscape
Reiman Gardens, 1407 University Blvd., Ames
www.reimangardens.com -
Beaverdale
Ashby and Wallace Avenues near Beaver Avenue, Des Moines
www.beaverdale.org -
Dogtown Lights
University Avenue between 23rd and 25th streets in Des Moines’ Drake neighborhood
Facebook @ Dogtown Business and Entertainment District -
First Church of the Open Bible
2200 Beaver Ave., Des Moines
www.firstchurch.org -
Miracle on 86th Street
3600 86th St., Urbandale
www.urbandale.org -
Santa’s Rock N Lights
Living History Farms, 11121 Hickman Road, Urbandale
www.santasrocknlights.com -
Historic Valley Junction
Fifth Street, West Des Moines
www.valleyjunction.com -
Lights in the Heights
Franklin Avenue, Marylynn Drive, 72nd Street, and other streets in Windsor Heights
www.windsorheightsfoundation.org
TRAMPOLINE PARKS
If you’re looking for an easy way for the kids to burn some energy or celebrate a birthday and get some exercise while doing it, take them to any of these bounce emporiums.
-
Get Air Trampoline Park
3799 86th St., Urbandale
www.getairsports.com/des-moines -
Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park
829 S. Ankeny Blvd., Ankeny
www.urbanair.com/iowa-ankeny -
Sky Zone Trampoline Park
1300 S.E. Gateway Drive, Suite 103, Grimes
www.skyzone.com/desmoines
LIBRARIES
For the kiddos looking for a quieter getaway from the house or school, most libraries around the metro regularly offer educational programs and events for kids of all ages.
-
Des Moines Public Library
5000 Franklin Ave., Des Moines -
Central Library
1000 Grand Ave., Des Moines -
Des Moines Forest Avenue Library
1326 Forest Ave., Des Moines -
East Side Library
2559 Hubbell Ave., Des Moines -
North Side Library
3516 5th Ave., Des Moines -
South Side Library
1111 Porter Ave., Des Moines
www.dmpl.org for all of the above. -
Des Moines University Library
3200 Grand Ave., Des Moines
www.lib.dmu.edu/home -
State Library of Iowa
Ola Babcock Miller Building, 1112 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines
www.statelibraryofiowa.gov -
Grimes Public Library
200 N. James St., Grimes
www.grimeslibrary.org -
West Des Moines Public Library
4000 Mills Civic Parkway., West Des Moines
www.wdmlibrary.org
SCIENCE CENTER OF IOWA
401 W. Martin Luther King Jr Parkway, Des Moines
www.sciowa.org
A world of scientific wonders and activities awaits downtown. A steady stream of programs for all and interactive exhibits keep children of all ages engaged and ready to learn while also being entertained. Permanent exhibits will allow kids to learn about zoology, outer space, building, designing and more.
LIVING HISTORY FARMS
11121 Hickman Road, Urbandale
www.lhf.org
A working agriculture museum that preserves the history of farming in Iowa, while providing programs and events throughout the year that anyone can enjoy. Only 3% of the country’s museums are accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, and Living History Farms is one of them.
RAMADA TROPICS RESORT
5000 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines
www.ramadatropicsresort.com/indoor-water-park
Buccaneer Bay resides inside this hotel with an 18,000-square-foot waterpark for your kids to enjoy while you hit the poolside tiki bar. When the weather is cold, and you’re looking for a tropical feel, book a staycation here and let the young ones splash the time away.