Des Moines Guide to Indoor Play

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indoor play guide

Iowa weather can go from high to low in a blink of an eye! From snowstorms in January, freezing rains in April, and sweltering heat and humidity in July, moms need places they can take their kids when everyone needs out of the house! In our minds, indoor play is a necessity. Check out our extensive resource of indoor play and activities, updated for 2017. We are proud to once again partner with our presenting sponsor, Backyard Adventures of Iowa. Keep your chin up momma, we’re in this together!

Presenting Sponsor: Backyard Adventures of Iowa

Backyard Adventures of Iowa

Come visit us at Backyard Adventures of Iowa Family Recreation Store. We offer open play times on Monday- Friday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Backyard Adventures is a great place to meet with friends for a play date or just come and meet some new friends. We also offer private birthday party packages on weeknights and weekends, starting at $200 for a two hour party. While visiting our store, be sure to check out our play sets, basketball hoops, and all of our lines of patio furniture for your home. We sell and deliver or install everything you need to make your home a great place for family recreation.

3135 99th Street, Urbandale, Iowa 50322

(515) 270-2433

Science Center of Iowa

indoor play guide

The Science Center of Iowa engages and inspires visitors by bringing learning to life. Centrally located in downtown Des Moines, SCI features hands-on exhibits and unique programming to encourage learning and fun for all ages. Build and launch a rocket in When Things Get Moving. Explore Iowa’s native habitats and catch a live weather broadcast in What On Earth? Imagine, experiment, and play in Small Discoveries. And discover out-of-this-world science in Why The Sky? There’s always more to explore!

Complete Guide to Indoor Fun in Des Moines

Classes and Enrichment

Family Tree Yoga & Massage | Baby and Me Yoga: 2nd Saturday of the month from 11:15 a.m. – noon 

Family Tree Yoga & Massage | Fun on the Run Yoga: 2nd Saturday of the month from 10:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. 

Lifetime Fitness Kids Academy | Classes vary by type

Pied Piper Studios | Classes vary by date and age

Triad Kids Campus | Classes vary by age 

 

Indoor Play Areas and Playgrounds

Backyard AdventuresMonday – Friday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Chuck E. CheeseSunday – Thursday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Friday 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Get Air Des Moines | Monday – Thursday 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Friday & Saturday 10 a.m. – midnight; Sunday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Monkey Joe’sMonday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

The Playground for Kids | Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Pump it UpMonday – Friday Open jump 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Rainbow Play Systems of Iowa Open play is Tuesday, Wednesday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 

SkyZone | Everyday from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Valley Community Center | Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Interactive Learning

Blank Park Zoo | October – April: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; May – September: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.  

Des Moines Art Center Monday closed; Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Thursday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Sunday Noon – 4 p.m. 

Des Moines Botanical Center | Daily 10 a.m. — 5 p.m.

Reimen Gardens Open daily from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; Extended summer hours from Memorial Day to Labor Day 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Science Center of Iowa | Labor Day – Memorial Day: Monday closed; Tuesday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sunday noon – 5 p.m. Summer hours: Monday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sunday noon – 5 p.m.   

State Historical Museum of Iowa | Monday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Sunday: noon – 4:30 p.m.

World Food Prize Hall of LaureatesTuesdays 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12-noon & 1:30 p.m.; Saturdays: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

 

Mall Play Areas

Jordan Creek Towncenter Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Merle Hay Mall | Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Sunday noon – 5:30 p.m.

Southridge Mall Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Sunday noon – 6 p.m. 

Valley West Mall Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Open Gym

Apex Athletics | Varying Fridays from 1:30 – 3 p.m.

Mid Iowa GymnasticsContact them for times

Sapphire Gymnastics Academy | Saturday 1-2 p.m.

Recreation & Activities

Bowling | Open bowl times vary,  call ahead for lane availability. 

Climb Iowa Monday – Friday 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Glow Golf Monday – Thursday 3 – 9 p.m.; Friday 3 – 10 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. 

Skate North | Wednesday 5-8 p.m.; Thursday 6-8 p.m.; Friday 6:30-9:30 p.m.; Saturday 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 2 -4:30 p.m. and 4:30 – 7 p.m.; Sunday 1:30 – 4 p.m.

Skate South | Wednesday 6-8 p.m.; Friday 7-11 p.m.; Saturday 1 – 8 p.m. and 8:30 – 10:30 p.m.; Sunday 1-4 p.m. 

Skate West | Wednesday 6-8 p.m.; Friday 6-10 p.m.; Saturday 12-4 p.m.,
7-9:30 p.m.; Sunday 1-4 p.m.

Urbandale Community Indoor Pool Public Recreational Swimming: Monday – Thursday 7 – 8:30 p.m.; Saturdays & Sunday: 1 – 4 p.m. 

 

Retail Businesses & More

Bass Pro Shop | Fish Feedings: Tuesday, Saturday, Sunday at 3 p.m.

Barnes & Nobles | Three Fountains Location: 4550 University Avenue West Des Moines, IA 50266 | Monday – Saturday 9 a.m.- 10 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. 

Barnes & Nobles | Jordan Creek Towncenter: 101 Jordan Creek Parkway Unit 12170 West Des Moines, IA 50266 | Jordan Creek location: Monday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. 

Beaverdale Books | Storytime Thursday at 11 a.m.

Chick-Fil-A | Ankeny: 2410 SE Delaware Avenue, Ankeny, IA 50021 | Monday –Saturday: 6:30 am – 10 pm, Sunday: Closed 

Chick-Fil-A | 4040 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines, IA 50310| Monday –Saturday: 6:30 am – 10 pm, Sunday: Closed 

Chick-Fil-A | Paradise Pointe, 6555 Mills Civic Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50266 | Monday –Saturday: 6:30 am – 10 pm, Sunday: Closed

Chick-Fil-A | 4502 University Ave, West Des Moines, IA 50266 | Monday –Saturday: 6:30 am – 10 pm, Sunday: Closed 

Do you want to be part of our Des Moines Guide to Indoor Play?

We want to connect our readers to your business! Partnering with us allows your business greater visibility with a large targeted market of local moms (and dads!). Join us and help enrich the lives of the residents of Des Moines. Email [email protected] to get started! 

The Indoor Play Guide is a paid advertising opportunity, brought to you in collaboration with our presenting sponsor Backyard Adventures of Iowa. If you are interested in being a featured business, please contact us!
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Kara Knaack
Kara originally hails from northwest Iowa where she met her husband, Lance, through a 4-H fashion show. After a decade of living in central Iowa, Kara is still figuring out which way is north. Wearing the hat of “wife, mommy, employee, chef, ribbon tie-er and family calendar organizer,” Kara knows a bit about juggling life and work. Kara became a boy-mom in June of 2011 to Lucan and a girl-mom to Gracelyn in December of 2014. Most days you can find her mixing up metaphors and oversharing life’s moments via social media. Kara enjoys yoga, reading, gardening, cooking, sewing in straight lines and singing along to musicals. A spender by nature, but thrifty by necessity, Kara is always in hunt of a bargain. She’s an active member of Northpoint Church and a resident of Grimes. Her vision for life includes “doing the best we can with what God gives us.”

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