Need to get the wiggles out? Des Moines offers tons of fun and engaging options for indoor play – and we’ve compiled a comprehensive indoor play guide just for Des Moines moms!
You’re busy enough, so let us do the work for you with this full-service indoor play resource of indoor playgrounds, interactive activity centers, open gyms, mall play places, and more — all freshly updated for 2018. All you have to do is round up the kids, buckle those car seats, and decide which indoor play place sounds like fun today — we’ve done the rest.
We’re thrilled to partner with our presenting sponsor, Sky Zone Trampoline Park. Keep your chin up momma, we’re in this together!
Presenting Sponsor: Sky Zone Trampoline Park
Sky Zone Trampoline Park provides an exhilarating and safe environment for a large and very broad demographic base. Women and men, young and old, come to Sky Zone to exercise, play, and compete on one of the patented all-trampoline walled playing fields. The fields allow almost anyone to add a completely new dimension and element to any game or activity playable on a flat surface. Dodgeball, basketball, foam zone and open jump are some of the exciting things available at Sky Zone! On Wednesdays and Fridays, join from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. for Toddler Time — your little ones will discover the joy of being active, bouncing under the supervision of their parents without interference from the big kids.
Science Center of Iowa
The Science Center of Iowa (SCI) engages and inspires visitors by bringing learning to life. Centrally located in Downtown Des Moines, SCI features hands-on exhibits, special-format theaters and unique programming to encourage learning and fun for all ages. With live science demonstrations, a 50-foot planetarium, and a six-story IMAX dome theater, there’s always more to explore!
Rainbow of the Heartland
Rainbow of the Heartland has been helping families in Iowa raise happy, healthy kids for over 20 years. This spring, Rainbow of the Heartland is moving to a brand new location – on Highway 141 south of Grimes! Swing by and shop for a new swing set, basketball hoop, court, or trampoline! And Monday – Friday, they offer open play from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for just $10.
Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
With a mission of exploring, explaining, and celebrating the world of plants, the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden offers a host of fun, interactive learning opportunities for youth and families. Enroll in a workshop or camp, attend a drop-in activity or story time, or simply explore our tropical conservatory and seven acres of outdoor gardens. Learn more, see a calendar of events, and sign up for our programs online.
The Playground For Kids
The Playground For Kids in Ankeny is an indoor party and play facility for kids up to 12 years old! The Playground For Kids features more than 9,000 square-feet of inflatables and boasts an enormous tree house play structure, too. The clean facility features open play times, private party opportunities — and no obnoxious arcade games or time restraints!
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 Adventures | Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 5 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 – Thursday 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Friday & Saturday 10 a.m. – midnight; Sunday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Hop-A-Lot Indoors | Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Sunday noon – 5:30 p.m. (Hours vary due to Merle Hay Mall hours.)
Monkey Joe’s | Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Pump it Up | Open jump times vary, see website for details
Rainbow of the Heartland | Open play is Monday – Friday 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Sky Zone Trampoline Park | Every day from 12 p.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.
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 Children’s Museum | Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Monday 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.; Thursday 5 p.m. – 7:30 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 Laureates | Tuesdays 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 | Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Mid Iowa Gymnastics | Contact them for times
Sapphire Gymnastics Academy | Saturday 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Pioneer Columbus Community Center | Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 7:45 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 p.m. – 8 p.m.; Thursday 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.; Friday 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.; Saturday 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.; Sunday 1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Skate South | Wednesday 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.; Friday 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.; Saturday 1 p.m. – 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m. -4 p.m.
Skate West | Wednesday 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.; Friday 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.; Saturday 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.,
7 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Urbandale Community Indoor Pool | Public Recreational Swimming: Monday – Thursday 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.; Saturdays & Sunday: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Summit Indoor Pool in Johnston | Public Recreational Swimming: Saturday and Sunday: 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 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.
Burger King | Indoor play in Ankeny, Indianola, Waukee
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
McDonald’s | PlayPlaces in Ankeny, Altoona, Des Moines, Urbandale
