Des Moines Indoor Play Guide

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This is a sponsored guide.
INDOOR PLAY DES MOINES

Central Iowa weather can be extreme, and so can a kid’s need to play. Ignore the season and play indoors!

With every-growing options around the Des Moines metro, we have created a guide to where to head when you need an indoor option, whether it’s cold, rainy, or you don’t want to hassle with sunscreen.

Let the kids be kids with our guide to indoor activities: play places, playgrounds, interactive activity centers, open gyms, mall play places, and more.

Forget worries about the weather and get inside to play!

MVP DSM

MVP

MVP DSM (4600 Park Ave) is open from 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. daily for kids 12 and under. Use code MVPPLAYJAN24 for 1 free pass.
The 10,000-square-foot turf and three full-size basketball courts are available for any type of play activity. The turf features daily inflatables, weekly movie days, kids’ fitness classes, and more. Daily packages and monthly memberships are available. 

MVP Leagues: MVP DSM offers a variety of youth and adult leagues. From 3 on 3 basketball to wiffleball, leagues are fun for all ages and skill levels.  Leagues start April 2024!

Academies/Clinics: MVP DSM has a passion for creating an environment for youth participants to learn and grow their skills in both sports and life. Their academies build confidence and skill that can be carried from the court or field and beyond.

4600 Park Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50321

515-282-2768

Science Center of Iowa

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Imagine, experiment, and play at the Science Center of Iowa! Catch science in action in When Things Get Moving, meet Iowa’s native cold-blooded critters in What On Earth?, or make a splash in Bubble Bay. Live science demonstrations and planetarium programs mean there’s something new to explore each time you visit. Special early childhood classes are offered throughout the month.

Warrior Lanes

WARRIOR LANES

Choose Warrior Lanes in Waukee as your ultimate destination for a variety of enjoyable activities, whether you’re seeking refuge from the cold, heat, snow, wind, or sun. Our bowling center offers 16 accessible bowling lanes with automated bumpers, along with hot food, cold drinks, and arcade games for affordable and family-friendly fun. Rest assured, our space is both safe and clean, ensuring that keeping an eye on your kids is a manageable and stress-free experience.

Climb Iowa

climb iowa spring break des moines mom

Climb Iowa offers an amazing experience at either of their locations (Grimes and the East Village in downtown Des Moines) for first-time climbers. Upon arrival, their friendly staff will assist you in taking the first step into the world of climbing. Just bring an adventurous spirit and be ready to get outside your comfort zone!

Complete Guide to Indoor Fun in Des Moines

Classes and Enrichment

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

MVP DSM | Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Chuck E. Cheese | Sunday – 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, Wednesday, Sunday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday, Saturday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

JouJou | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; Wednesday 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.; Friday 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; Sunday 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Closed Saturdays

Kids Empire | Monday – Thursday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Friday – Sunday 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Pump it Up | Open jump times vary, see website for details

Rainbow of the Heartland | Open play Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Sky Zone Trampoline Park | Monday closed; Tuesday – Thursday 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.; Friday 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Sunday 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. 

The Playground for Kids | Hours vary, see website for details

Valley Community Center | Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Interactive Learning

Blank Park Zoo | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Blue Zoo | Opening soon

Des Moines Art Center | Monday closed; Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Thursday 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Des Moines Children’s Museum | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.; Wednesday 9:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m; Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Des Moines Botanical Center | Tuesday – Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Imagination Station | Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9 a.m. –  4  p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday 9 a.m. – 1  p.m.; Saturday – Sunday 9 – 11  a.m.

Reiman Gardens | October 1 – April 30 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; May 1 – September 30 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Butterfly Wing 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 

Science Center of Iowa | Thursday – Sunday 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.  

State Historical Museum of Iowa | Tuesday – Friday 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

World Food Prize Hall of Laureates | Tuesdays 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12 p.m., 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.

Valley West Mall | Monday – Saturday 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Sunday 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Open Gym

MVP DSM | Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Emerge Academy | Twice a month, Saturdays 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Kids Warrior Gym | Wednesday – Friday 3:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (varies)

Kids Zone at the Grimes Community Complex | Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Mid Iowa Gymnastics| Contact them for times

NinjaU | Monday – Friday, Sunday 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

RecPlex | Times vary

Sapphire Gymnastics Academy | Contact them for times 

Recreation & Activities

Go Bowling, check out our guide to Bowling Alleys!

Climb Iowa | in Grimes and the East Village. Times vary by location.

Skateland | Wednesday — Friday 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.; Saturday 1 p.m. – 8 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Skate South Wednesday 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.; Friday 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.; Saturday 1 p.m. – 8 p.m. and 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Want to swim? See our guides to Indoor Pools or Indoor Waterparks.

Other Indoor Activities

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

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!

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