The Best Things to do in West Des Moines with Kids

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Planning a visit to West Des Moines and looking for some fun things to do while you are here? Or perhaps you live in the area and are seeking some fresh ideas for family outings?

As a stay-at-home mom with four boys, I’ve lived in West Des Moines for the past decade and have explored all there is to offer. I always look forward to trying new attractions that open up, too!

Whether you are visiting or a local, this guide to things to do in West Des Moines will keep you entertained and offer memorable experiences for you and your family.

Note: All of these ideas are just in West Des Moines, Iowa. The entire Des Moines area has so many more things to do with kids as well! Links to some more family friendly fun in the Des Moines are at the end of this post.

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Spare Time

We love visiting Spare Time!

Don’t tell anyone but I secretly like visiting Spare Time the most of anyone in my family. I personally love playing the arcade games.

We typically plan our visits on Tuesdays since all of the arcade games and laser tag are half-price that day!

Spare Time is conveniently located off of Jordan Creek Parkway, close to Jordan Creek Mall.

While I’ve already mentioned how much I love the arcade, the bowling alley at Spare Time is equally impressive, featuring large flat screen televisions all around.  

In the summer, we take advantage of Kids Bowl Free program, allowing us to bowl for free (excluding shoe rental) in this fantastic facility.

Additionally, Spare Time offers an exciting laser tag experience and escape rooms.

There’s also a restaurant with a great selection of food and drinks. Our family especially enjoys their pizza!

Spare Time is a wonderful place for entertainment. Everything is so modern and clean. I definitely recommend this venue.

Best Ages: I recommend Spare Time for ages 5 and up as this age group can fully enjoy most all of the activities offered. That said, I do take my two and four year old to Spare Time, and they have a great time too! They also do have bowling ramps for younger kids to use. 

Time Needed to Spend Here: 1-2 hours

Dave and Buster’s

Let’s talk about another arcade option-Dave and Busters!

Located just across the parking lot from the Jordan Creek Mall, Dave and Buster’s is a fantastic destination for family fun.

We prefer to visit on Wednesdays when the games are half price.

In addition to arcade games, Dave and Buster’s offers a restaurant, allowing you to plan your visit around mealtime if you wish!

Best Ages: Dave and Buster’s is best suited for ages 5 and up. While Dave and Buster’s seems best for older kids and adults, we bring our younger children along, and they still have a good time. Just be sure to keep a close eye on them.

Time Needed to Spend Here: 1-2 hours

Smash Park

Smash Park is another fantastic spot to visit with family and friends.

We absolutely LOVE going to Smash Park. It’s a perfect destination for burning off energy, whether the weather is cold or rainy, and is even more enjoyable on nice days when you can take part in the outdoor games.

The menu at Smash Park is delicious and includes some unique options. One of my favorite is the pickleballs appetizer, but everything is really good.

There’s also a kids menu available.

Smash Park is an excellent dining option because there’s plenty to keep the kids entertained while you enjoy your meal.

Smash Park has games and activities both indoors and outdoors.

It offers pickleball courts, bocce ball, cornhole, shuffleboard, ping pong, Jenga, giant Connect 4, and foosball, among other games. 

There’s also a sizable arcade area.

Smash Park combines the best of a restaurant, arcade, and entertainment venue in one place! Your family is sure to have a blast here.

Best Ages: I recommend Smash Park for children ages 5 and up, as older kids can be easier to manage in this environment. However, younger children can still enjoy themselves here as well! We bring the whole family along, and while it can get a bit chaotic with the younger ones, that’s all part of the adventure!

Time Needed to Spend Here: 1-2 hours 

Jordan Creek Mall

The Jordan Creek Mall is a fantastic family-friendly destination in West Des Moines that offers a lot of entertainment options.

It is THE shopping destination in Iowa. 

The mall is a favorite spot for our family, especially since we live just a few miles away.

Families can explore a wide range of stores at the mall, including favorites such as Von Maur, Scheels, Barnes and Noble, and the Lego Store. 

My kids particularly enjoy browsing at Scheels and Barnes and Noble.

For younger children, there’s an indoor play area.

The Jordan Creek Mall also has a really great food court, featuring a local favorite, Zombie Burger. 

For a sit-down dining experience, visitors can enjoy the Cheesecake Factory which is conveniently connected to the mall.

Dave and Buster’s is also located just across the parking lot.

The Century 20 Jordan Creek and XD movie theater located in the mall is also a great place to catch a movie.

On a gorgeous day or evening we enjoy strolling around the picturesque lake at the Jordan Creek Town Center.

It’s also a great spot for a morning walk with a cup of coffee.

Numerous restaurants surround the lake, making it a perfect place to dine!

Best Ages: The Jordan Creek Mall is perfect for ALL ages!

Time Needed to Spend Here: If you are doing some shopping plus eating at a restaurant, and then maybe taking a walk around the lake, you could spend anywhere from 2 hours to a half of a day here. 

Wanting to take a Day Trip? Check out 5 INCREDIBLE DAY TRIPS FROM DES MOINES

Blue Zoo

A newer attraction to West Des Moines, the Blue Zoo, is conveniently located in the Jordan Creek Town Center area next to Buffalo Wild Wings.

The Blue Zoo is an indoor aquarium featuring mostly aquatic animals and reptiles.

You’ll find a wide variety of creatures, including fish, stingrays, sharks, parakeets, turtles, tortoises, snakes, lizards, and more!

One of the best things about the Blue Zoo is that experiences that typically cost extra elsewhere are included with your admission.

With a paid entry, everyone can enjoy the parakeet encounter, touch stingrays, and even feed some fish and reptiles.

In addition to these experiences, kids will love the large pirate ship bounce house slides and the water play area.

A day pass to visit Blue Zoo costs $16.95 for kids ages 3-12 and $19.95 for ages 13 and older.

You are allowed to leave and return throughout the day.

The Blue Zoo also hosts a few different shows throughout the day. Be sure to ask at the front desk for the show schedule.

If you are done exploring the aquarium, you can leave to have lunch or shop, and return later to catch a show.

Best Ages: I think Blue Zoo is best suited for kids under 10, as the bounce house and water play areas are geared toward younger kids. However, visitors of any age will enjoy seeing the aquatic animals and reptiles and feeding the stingrays and parakeets.

Time Needed to Spend Here: We spent just over 2 hours at the Blue Zoo. Since you can leave and return, consider taking a break and coming back if there is a specific show you want to catch later in the day.

Des Moines Children’s Museum

Visiting the Des Moines Children’s Museum is a great way to spend an hour or two in the morning or afternoon. 

While it is not as big as other children’s museums, it is a fun place to go if you have little ones. Admission is only $6 for ages 1-10, with free entry for all others.

Located on the lower level of Valley West Mall, the Des Moines Children’s Museum is perfect for kids ages 10 and under.

While I personally feel that 10 may be pushing the upper limit, it’s most suitable for children aged 7 and under, unless you have a particularly imaginative and playful 10-year-old.

The Des Moines Children’s Museum offers fun opportunities for imaginative and pretend play for young children. My two year old loves the fire truck and fire house as well as the play house and farm area. 

Additionally, the museum also frequently has special activities and events going on. 

Before or after your visit you can grab a bite to eat at Blaze Pizza or Chipotle, conveniently located adjacent to each other on the mall’s top level.

This is a great opportunity to combine a visit to the Children’s Museum with a delicious meal.

Best Ages: The Des Moines Children’s Museum is best for kids under 10 years of age.

Time Needed to Spend Here: Most people spend about 2 hours here.

Jordan House

For a fascinating history lesson, plan a visit to the Jordan House.

As a historical museum, the Jordan House holds significant importance in the Abolitionist movement and the Underground Railroad. 

This house has a unique and interesting history and is filled with many intriguing artifacts. 

Visitors can take a tour of the Jordan House on Fridays and Sundays at two different times. 

Tickets for these tours must be purchased in advance on the West Des Moines Historical Society’s website. 

The Jordan House is located near Valley Junction in West Des Moines.

Visitors could pair a visit to the Jordan House with lunch and a little shopping at Valley Junction. 

Best Ages: Having personally taken the tour, I recommend it for older children, ideally 10 and over. The tour lasts approximately an hour and 15 minutes and has many historic artifacts. Children attending should be capable of standing and listening for over an hour without touching any of the artifacts. 

Time Needed to Spend Here: The tour is about 1 hour and 15 minutes long.

Valley Junction

For a blend of history, shopping and dining, Historic Valley Junction is another fun place to visit.

As West Des Moines’ original downtown, Valley Junction retains its historic charm and still offers so much for visitors to enjoy.

There are so many unique shops in Valley Junction. You can find everything from candy shops and art galleries to antique shops, and gifts and collectibles. 

Valley Junction also has numerous fantastic restaurants for lunch or dinner. 

The Hall stands out as dining experience, currently being Iowa’s only food and beverage hall.

Valley Junction also has many great events throughout the year including its Thursday evening Farmers Market that runs all summer through the end of September. 

Best Ages: People of all ages can enjoy Valley Junction.

Time Needed to Spend Here: You could spend 1-2 hours at Valley Junction.

Valley View Aquatic Center

During the summer months, Valley View Aquatic Center is an exciting place to cool down and have some fun!

Featuring four massive slides and a lazy river, Valley View Aquatic Center offers a mix of thrills and relaxation.

Additionally, there’s a zero depth pool with an interactive play area and an additional pool with a diving board. 

Valley View Aquatic Center truly caters to everyone and is suitable for all ages.

For adults, there’s the opportunity for lazy river walking and lap swimming from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on most evenings.

Also, Sunday and Wednesday evenings host family nights from 6:30-8:30, offering swimming for the entire family for a flat rate of $15.

Best Ages: This aquatic center caters to individuals of all ages!

Time Needed to Spend Here: You can plan to spend anywhere from 2 hours to most of the day here.

Kids Empire

One of West Des Moines’ newest attractions, Kids Empire, will for sure bring joy and excitement to anyone who visits.

This attraction is the ultimate play place for kids of all ages!

There are so many fun obstacles, humongous slides, balance beams, bridges, and more!

Kids Empire has two main play areas. One is designated for toddlers and babies in diapers while the other is for the older kids. 

When the kids need a break from playing, there is a snack shop inside of Kids Empire.

Another important tip is that you can leave and re-enter the facility. Just save your receipt and let a team member know before you leave. 

Kids Empire is a little bit pricey so it would be worth it to spend a few hours at the venue, then maybe leave for lunch or a little shopping, and then return for some more fun later in the day!

For more details on Kids Empire, check out this post.

Best Ages: Given the price to play at Kids Empire, I would recommend ages 3-10 as being the “sweet spot” for play here. 

Time Needed to Spend Here: With its almost $20 entrance fee for each child, I would make sure to spend at least 2 hours here. If you leave and take a break and come back, you can probably spend up to 4 hours. 

Brown’s Woods

One of my favorite places to hike or take a walk during all times of the year is Brown’s Woods. 

It is Iowa’s largest urban forest. 

Brown’s Woods is gorgeous at all times of the year and is a great place to take the kids for a short hike.

The total distance of hiking trails in Brown’s Woods is 4.4 miles. 

We usually just do a short hike and depending on the time of year enjoy picking up sticks, walking over logs, listening to the birds, and simply seeing what we can find in nature. 

On a busy day, the parking lot can fill up quickly so be aware of that. 

Additionally, there is a restroom in the parking lot. 

Note: The trails can be a little confusing so make sure you take a look at the map beforehand or print it out and bring it with you.

If you want to bring a picnic lunch, there is a small picnic area near the parking lot too!

Best Ages: Hiking or walking in Brown’s Woods is perfect for any age!

Time Needed to Spend Here: 1-2 hours 

Raccoon River Park

Raccoon River Park has a ton of adventure and excitement for visitors of all ages and interests. 

My favorite part of Raccoon River Park is Blue Heron Lake. 

This lake has a beach for swimming, sunbathing, and building sand castles. 

We love spending a few beach days here in the summer. 

Additionally, there is the Boathouse where visitors can rent kayaks, canoes, and stand up paddle boards.

Blue Heron Lake also has a designated fishing pier for not only fishing but also taking in the breathtaking views.

Even more, Raccoon River Park has a crushed gravel trail that goes around parts of Blue Heron Lake and between the Raccoon River. A small portion of the trail is paved.

This trail is perfect for running, walking, or bike riding. The loop is 3.2 miles long.

The newest highlight at Raccoon River Park is its playground.

This playground caters to kids of all ages. It has a fantastic climbing structure and slides for older kids, along with a couple of charming small houses for toddlers to explore.

I love watching the kids play while enjoying stunning views of Blue Heron Lake in the background. If you go in the evening, you may even catch a sunset!

Additionally, Raccoon River Park has a nature lodge, dog park, soccer fields, and softball complex. 

With its diverse offerings, Raccoon River Park is an ideal destination for a morning, afternoon, or even an evening outing. Consider packing a picnic lunch or dinner and enjoy some beach time, a stroll on the trail, or a kayak rental.

There really is so much fun to be had in the great outdoors at Raccoon River Park.

Best Ages: All ages can enjoy Raccoon River Park.

Time Needed to Spend Here: You could spend anywhere from 1 hour to a half of a day here. Most people probably spend 1-2 hours at Raccoon River Park.

Quail Cove Park

One of our favorite activities when the weather is nice is to explore all of the playgrounds in West Des Moines.

Among these, Quail Cove Park is one of our favorite parks in West Des Moines.

We love it because it is nestled within a hilly landscape and although the edge of the park is close to the Interstate, the trees and hills keep it protected and create a sense of seclusion and tranquility.

I absolutely love the views of the sky and trees from this park. 

Quail Cove Park is also one of my top choices for a picnic lunch, with its covered picnic tables and scenic beauty. 

Featuring two different playgrounds, Quail Cove Park caters to a wide range of ages. One playground is tailored for younger kids while the other offers more challenging climbing structures, including a humongous rock perfect for older kids to conquer.

In addition to the playgrounds, Quail Cove Park offers amenities such as a basketball court and a 1⁄2 mile loop trail. I highly recommend taking a leisurely hike around the park to soak in its picturesque surroundings. 

Best Ages: All ages can enjoy Quail Cove Park. While the playground equipment may be a little advanced for kids under 2, there’s still plenty to enjoy, including a baby swing and the scenic hiking trail.

Time Needed to Spend Here: 1-2 hours

Knoll’s Park

Another one of our favorite playgrounds in West Des Moines is Knolls Park. 

What sets Knolls Park apart is its towering play structure, which the kids love! 

This playground has humongous slides that are a hit with the kids.

For the younger kids, there’s a separate playground designed for this age group.

Additionally, there is a little sand pit area if you want to bring some sand toys. 

With both baby and regular swings, there is no shortage of swinging adventures to be had!

Parking at Knolls Park is available along the street.

It’s worth noting that restroom facilities are limited to a portable toilet.

There is also a paved bike trail near the park if you want to go on a walk or bike ride while you are there.

We love spending summer mornings at Knolls Park. Sometimes we will pick up donuts beforehand and then bring them to this park. 

Best Ages: All ages can enjoy Knolls Park

Time Needed to Spend Here: 1-2 hours 

West Des Moines Parks and Playgrounds

You really can’t go wrong with any of the parks and playgrounds in West Des Moines. 

They are all very unique and fun for kids of all ages. Most of them are newer too!

Currently, the city is working to rejuvenate some of its older playgrounds.

Recently, both Willow Springs Park and Peony Park received brand new playgrounds, including a rubberized ground surface, providing a safer and more comfortable environment for play.  

So many things to do in West Des Moines and beyond

West Des Moines really does have so many things to do for families!

For more to do in the West Des Moines area check out The Best Things to do in Des Moines with Kids plus Free Things to do in Des Moines.

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May you love your adventure in West Des Moines. KW