No matter the season or the weather, Des Moines, Iowa offers a variety of wonderful indoor playgrounds where kids of all ages can have fun in a safe and engaging environment. Let’s take a look at 7 top spots that are well worth a visit.
1.Des Moines Children's Museum
Address:1551 Valley W Dr Suite 108, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Website:https://dsmchildrensmuseum.com/
Des Moines Children’s Museum is a play place tailor-made for family outings. The museum features multiple themed areas where children can stimulate their creativity while playing in the soft climbing zone, at the train table, or with the block wall, and engage in exploratory learning through role-play in the farm-themed area or the doctor's office. Additionally, Des Moines Children's Museum offers a variety of themed activities for kids, providing social opportunities for parents and children alike and fostering community connections. It is a top choice for educational yet fun-filled parent-child activities!
2.Kids Empire Merle Hay
Address:3800 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines, IA 50310, USA
Website:https://www.kidsempire.com/park/merle-hay
Kids Empire Merle Hay is a multi-functional indoor play center. It features facilities such as slides, soft mazes, climbing frames, a soft soccer area, a large LEGO building zone, and a dance area, ensuring that both toddlers and older kids can have a great time. The venue has a dedicated activity area designed for infants aged 0–4, with a comfortable and secure environment, and parents can watch over and accompany their children from the spacious seating area. It also offers birthday party packages with exclusive venue rental services, helping parents easily arrange celebration events. With its various facilities, clean and bright space, Kids Empire Merle Hay is a perfect choice for children's outings filled with creativity and fun.
3.JouJou DSM
Address:906 42nd St, Des Moines, IA 50312
Website:https://joujoudsm.com/
JouJou DSM is a Montessori-style indoor play park meticulously designed for families with infants and toddlers. The entire environment features natural materials and soft colors, with its core area housing multiple interactive functional zones, including a gross motor area, a self-directed reading corner, a role-play area, and an open-ended sensory exploration zone—each designed to stimulate children's independent thinking abilities. All toys are non-electric, encouraging children to focus on creative play. For younger babies, a quiet and comfortable infant play area is specially set up, ensuring that safety and freedom of exploration coexist. Parents can not only stay by their children's side with ease but also participate in parent-child courses such as music and art to grow together with their kids. JouJou DSM is more than just a play park; it is a warm space that inspires growth.
4.Hop-A-Lot Indoors
Address:1600 Valley W Dr Suite 200, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Website:https://desmoinesparent.com/directory/hop-a-lot-indoors/
Hop-A-Lot Indoors is a multi-functional indoor play center. It features a spacious indoor area with inflatable bounce castles, providing ample space for running and jumping. Children can enhance their physical fitness and coordination skills on various inflatable obstacle courses. Older kids can enjoy VR and other electronic games, while parents can rest in the large seating area while keeping an eye on their children. The venue has a snack bar offering a variety of meals for parents and children, ensuring a great experience. The park also supports party bookings, providing one-stop birthday party services for parents to make party arrangements easier. With a wide range of amusement facilities, Hop-A-Lot Indoors is an ideal destination for family outings.
5.Valley Community Center
Address:4444 Fuller Rd, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Website:https://www.valleycommunity.center/
Valley Community Center is a comprehensive community hub perfect for parents and children, offering a free, open, friendly, and safe play environment. Its Eric’s Place is specially designed for kids, featuring accessible slides, wheelchair swings, spinners, sensory interaction activities, and more. The ground is covered with artificial turf, ensuring safety and cleanliness—so children can play comfortably, and parents can feel at ease. Children under 7 can head to the indoor play area, where they can enjoy padded climbing structures, slides, and small tunnels, while parents can watch comfortably nearby. Valley Community Center is not just a multi-functional community center; it’s also a wonderful growth paradise for children!
6.Pioneer Columbus Community Recreation Center
Address:2100 SE 5th St, Des Moines, IA 50315
Website:https://www.dsm.city/departments/parks_and_recreation-division/places/community_recreation_centers.php
Pioneer Columbus Community Recreation Center is a community leisure center suitable for the whole family and all age groups. The center has a small indoor game zone for children under 10, where kids can enjoy slides and safe toys on padded surfaces in a secure and comfortable environment, giving parents peace of mind. Older teenagers can freely play sports on the basketball court, exercise on the green lawn, or fly kites. With a variety of facilities and low costs, Pioneer Columbus Community Recreation Center allows parents to take their children and enjoy different kinds of fun in the same space, making it an ideal family-friendly destination.
7.Climb Iowa - East Village
Address:150 E 4th St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Website:https://climbiowa.com/
Climb Iowa - East Village is a rock climbing gym that emphasizes the experience and atmosphere of play. It uses no ropes, allowing for low-risk climbing fun, making it suitable for beginners and younger children. The entire gym features well-maintained, clean facilities, with clear separation between training areas and climbing zones, enabling kids to freely choose their play spaces. Professional courses are offered for guidance, so parents can feel confident letting inexperienced children participate in activities, or even join in and climb with their kids. Climb Iowa - East Village also regularly hosts fun climbing events in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere, making it a great choice for family outings and group activities!
These seven indoor playgrounds in Des Moines cover all the bases for a great family outing. No matter which one you choose, you’re in for a fun-filled time with the kids.
