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!
Science Center of Iowa
Turn playtime into discovery at the Science Center of Iowa. Kids can explore physics in When Things Get Moving, learn about Iowa’s cold-blooded critters in What On Earth?, and engage in hands-on fun in the newly renovated Small Discoveries. Live science demos and planetarium programs add even more to every visit. Early childhood classes are offered in October and February.
Warrior Lanes
Your Waukee Indoor Oasis. Whether you’re dodging the Iowa wind or seeking shade from the sun, Warrior Lanes is your go-to for family-friendly vibes.
- Kid-Friendly: 16 lanes with automated bumpers and ball ramps = no gutter ball meltdowns!
- Full Experience: Tasty hot food, icy drinks, and a fun arcade.
- Mom-Approved: It’s super clean, and the layout makes it easy to keep an eye on the whole squad without the stress.
Rainbow of the Heartland
There are no limits to the grins and giggles at Rainbow of the Heartland. Play sets, trampolines, and basketball all in one space! Bring the kids to jump, climb, swing, and play in our massive indoor showroom for just $9 per child with a credit card or $8 per child with cash/check. Our punch cards make great gifts, too! Hosting your playgroup? Call ahead for groups of 6 or more for the best play date ever. Water is always available, or parents may bring along their own soft drinks and snacks, store them in our refrigerator, and let the kids enjoy snack time in the party room. Let’s play!
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
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 | Sunday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Monday – Thursday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Friday & Saturday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
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.
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
Emerge Academy | Twice a month, Saturdays 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
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.
