Free & Cheap Things To Do With Kids

Explore the best free & cheap things to do with kids options for kids and families in Des Moines

Cowles Commons

Cowles Commons

Visit this great place for kids and families!

221 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50309, United States

Science Center of Iowa

Science Center of Iowa

Hands-on exhibits, IMAX theater & more. Science-focused interactive galleries & learning labs plus a planetarium & IMAX cinema.

401 W Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50309

Pappajohn Sculpture Park

Pappajohn Sculpture Park

Pedestrian space with public attractions. Park housing a sculpture garden, dedicated chess & picnic tables, the Central Library & more.

1330 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309, United States

Robert D. Ray Asian Garden

Robert D. Ray Asian Garden

Garden park with pagodas, a pond & more. Garden park featuring an Asian pavilion, stone pagodas, a pond, a series of waterfalls & more.

909 Robert D. Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA 50309, United States

Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

Horticultural exhibits & art galleries. Seasonal blooms showcased outdoors & in a geodesic dome, plus educational programs & art shows.

909 Robert D. Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA 50309, United States

Gray's Lake Park

Gray's Lake Park

Park with a lakeside walking loop. 167-acre park featuring a 1.9-mi. lighted walking path around a lake with small boat rentals.

2101 Fleur Dr, Des Moines, IA 50315

Union Park

Union Park

Storied park with BBQs & nostalgic rides. Public park since 1892, with an old-fashioned carousel, water play area, BBQ grills & sports courts.

725 Thompson Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313

Birdland Park

Birdland Park

Public park with trails & a marina. Park on a lake with trails, a marina & a boat ramp, plus enclosed shelters to reserve in advance.

2100 Saylor Rd, Des Moines, IA 50313, United States

Heritage Carousel of Des Moines

Heritage Carousel of Des Moines

Hand-carved & -painted wooden menagerie. Featuring 30 hand-carved & -painted animals, this replica carousel turns to band organ tunes.

1801 Pennsylvania Ave, Des Moines, IA 50316, United States

Salisbury House & Gardens

Salisbury House & Gardens

Museum & concert venue in a 1920s manor. Furnished 1920s stone mansion housing an art museum, library, concert venue & botanical garden.

4025 Tonawanda Dr, Des Moines, IA 50312, United States

Riverview Park

Riverview Park

Charming park with trails & lakes. Sprawling city park known for its green expanses, biking & walking paths & numerous bodies of water.

Riverview Park, 710 Corning Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313, United States

Des Moines Water Works Park

Des Moines Water Works Park

Daytime activities in open woodlands. Daytime spot with jogging & cycling trails, fishing, a picnic area with grills & sports fields.

2201 George Flagg Pkwy, Des Moines, IA 50321, United States

South Des Moines Sculpture Park

South Des Moines Sculpture Park

Quaint park featuring quirky sculptures. Small, offbeat attraction showcasing a jumbo archery target, an egg-shaped UFO & a giant clothespin.

768-798 McKinley Ave, Des Moines, IA 50315

Blank Park Zoo

Blank Park Zoo

Indoor/outdoor animal exhibits & more. Train rides, petting areas, carousel, concessions & more in a year-round zoo & conservation center.

7401 SW 9th St, Des Moines, IA 50315, United States

Raccoon River Park

Raccoon River Park

Spacious park, beach & sports complex. Large sports & recreation venue with athletic fields, a swimming beach, fishing pier & nature trail.

2500 Grand Ave, West Des Moines, IA 50265

Jordan House

Jordan House

Underground Railroad exhibits & history. Landmark Victorian home features guided tours, Underground Railroad history exhibits & artifacts.

2001 Fuller Rd, West Des Moines, IA 50265, United States

Breakout Games

Breakout Games

Visit this great place for kids and families!

3763 86th St, Urbandale, IA 50322, United States

Des Moines Children's Museum

Des Moines Children's Museum

Visit this great place for kids and families!

1551 Valley W Dr Suite 108, West Des Moines, IA 50266, United States

Living History Farms

Living History Farms

Outdoor agricultural-history museum. Iowa farming-history exhibits on a 500-acre site with an 1875 village & educational programs.

11121 Hickman Rd, Urbandale, IA 50322, United States

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