EXPLORE: Fun for the kids

By Sofia Legaspi Dickens

Looking to fill those long summer days? Check out these fun things to do for small and big kids alike.

DSM CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
1551 Valley West Drive, Suite 108, West Des Moines
dsmchildrensmuseum.com 

Located in Valley West Mall by the play area, the DSM Children’s Museum is a nonprofit organization and the first of its kind in the metro. Their mission is to build the foundation of lifelong learning by promoting the power of play.

THE PLAYGROUND FOR KIDS
2401 S.E. Tones Drive, Suite 7, Ankeny
theplaygroundforkids.com 

P.T. Barnum once said, “The noblest art is that of making others happy.” That’s the mission of business owners Jordan Henry and Paul VanCleave. Let your kids expend that summer break energy at this indoor play area with inflatables, tunnels, slides, climbing and more. See website for current open play schedules.

GLAZED EXPRESSIONS
1315 S.W. Oralabor Road, Ankeny
8826 Swanson Blvd., Clive
glazedexpressions.com

As the winner of several CITYVIEW “Best Of” awards, Glazed Expressions has proven itself as one of the metro’s favorite DIY art studios. Choose from more than 350 bisque pottery items to paint and design. Experts will glaze and fire your pottery for a professional finish. The Clive location also offers DIY candle-making.

HOP-A-LOT
1600 Valley West Drive, Suite 200, West Des Moines
hopalotiowa.net 

A massive room filled with inflatables. What more could kids want? Open play day passes are $10 Wednesday and Thursday, $15 Friday to Sunday, and $5 for kids younger than 2.

JOUJOU
906 42nd St., Des Moines
joujoudsm.com

For the youngest kids in your family, Joujou offers an alternative indoor playspace that embraces Montessori principles and intentional play and parenting, led by children’s curiosity. Created by two moms who wanted to offer “a space filled with moments that inspire connectedness for parents and children.”

KIDS WARRIOR GYM
1551 Valley West Drive, West Des Moines
kidswarriorgym.com 

Let your kids burn all that energy on this obstacle course based on the popular sports reality show, “American Ninja Warrior.” Courses are designed for kids ages 4-13. Offering open gym, unlimited passes and weekly instructed classes. Located in Valley West Mall.

RAINBOW OF THE HEARTLAND
3300 S.E. Crossroads Drive, Grimes
rainbowoftheheartland.com/iowa-party-play 

While known primarily as a supplier of outdoor recreational equipment, Rainbow of the Heartland offers open play in their indoor showroom for $10 per child. Parents may even bring their own snacks — fridge and paper products provided.

IMAGINATION STREET ANKENY
1345 S.W. Park Square Drive, Suite 102, Ankeny
Imaginationstreetankeny.com

Opened just this spring, Imagination Street features a “main street” concept to inspire hours of imaginative play and wonder. Let your child pretend as a firefighter, veterinarian, pizza chef or anything else they can dream up at this new arrival to The District at Prairie Trail.

KIDS EMPIRE
6805 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines
jordancreek.kidsempire.com

Run, climb, jump, spin across 11,000 square feet of fun at the newest indoor playground in the metro. The first Kids Empire in Iowa offers ball pits, slides, basketball, soccer, motor circuit rides, building blocks, a dance floor and obstacle courses galore.

SCIENCE CENTER OF IOWA
401 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, Des Moines
sciowa.org

For a hands-on science experience, head to the Science Center of Iowa. Learn about zoology, meteorology, geology, physics, astronomy, architecture, engineering and more through the many permanent exhibits at SCI. Traveling exhibits shift throughout the year. n