Seven birthday party places for kids in and around Des Moines, with toddler birthday party ideas where a venue’s own page lists ages that fit a 1st, 2nd or 3rd birthday. Each card has the package basics that page posts: ages, how many kids, how long you get, what’s included, and the price, or “No pricing information” when it doesn’t list one. Prices change and many add tax or fees. No one pays to be listed here.
Packages
Starting price, kids included, length and ages, copied from each venue’s own party page. A dash means that page didn’t list it. “No pricing information” is not free.
| Place | Starting price | Kids included | Length | Ages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JouJou Montessori Play Space | $350 plus tax, up to 20 guests | Up to 20 guests, adults and kids; the $425 Full Package fits up to 40. | 2 hours of private play, plus 30 minutes of setup | — |
| Playgrounds Cafe | $150 for a Mini Party (6 children) | Mini Parties fit up to 10 children and 20 guests total; extra kids are $18 each. | — | — |
| Des Moines Children's Museum | $175 during open hours | 15 children included; up to 10 more at $6 each. | 2-hour party room reservation | 1–10 |
| Blank Park Zoo | $350 ($315 for members) | Zoo admission for 15 guests, adults included; $10 per extra guest, 30 max. | 90 minutes | 2–10 recommended |
| Sky Zone Des Moines | $249 for 10 jumpers (Mon–Thu) | $15 per extra jumper. | 60 minutes of jump time, then 60 minutes in the party room | — |
| Science Center of Iowa | SCI Member: $370 | up to 25 attendees | 90 minutes in a private party space | ages 6–12 |
| Bloom Play Co | $300 | Up to 20 children | 2 hours | — |
Party places
Ages, how many kids, how long you get, what’s included, and the price, from each venue’s own party page. When that page doesn’t list a price, the card says “No pricing information.” Prices often add tax.
Roosevelt / 42nd St.
Included: Tableware, coffee and tea for guests, and cleanup by party assistants.
Good to know: Saturday and Sunday slots. Prices exclude a 10% gratuity and tax.
Waukee
Good to know: Private parties for the whole space start at $412.50 plus tax for 2 hours.
Valley West Mall, West Des Moines
Good to know: Private after-hours parties are $350.
South Side
Good to know: No balloons, piñatas, candles or confetti.
Grimes
Good to know: Little Leapers parties for kids 7 and under are $249, Saturdays at 9 a.m. or Sundays at 10 a.m.
Downtown
Included: Admission until 4 p.m., a decorated party space, tableware, reserved seating at a live science program, a birthday shout-out, three parking passes, and a gift for the birthday child
Good to know: Non-member price is $400. Saturday times are 9:30–11:30 a.m. or 1:00–3:00 p.m. Sunday is 1:00–3:00 p.m. Adults and children both count toward the 25
Cumming
Included: Private access to the play space, parents and adult guests, 30 minutes of early access for setup, and cleanup by Bloom
Good to know: Saturday and Sunday slots are 1:30–3:30 p.m. and 4:30–6:30 p.m. Outside food and decorations are welcome. Families supervise the children
By age
A place is listed under a birthday only when its own party page gives ages that include that year. If the page doesn’t list ages, the place stays in the full list and out of these three.
Winter
These parties happen indoors, so they work when it’s cold: play places, trampoline parks, museums, aquariums, gymnastics and art studios. A zoo or farm is included only when its party page says the party itself is indoors.
Before you book
A quick checklist for the call or email. Tick them off as you go.
Keep planning
November: things to do in Des MoinesEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in Des MoinesEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in Des MoinesFree days, free events and places that never chargeIndoor play in Des MoinesIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in Des MoinesStorytimes for ages 0–6, by day and branch
Sledding in Des MoinesSledding hills and snow tubing, with height rules
Thanksgiving weekend in Des MoinesParades, turkey trots and what’s open on ThursdayNoon Year’s Eve in Des MoinesKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas parades in Des MoinesParades and tree lightings with dates and start times
The Nutcracker in Des MoinesBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in Des MoinesChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hours
Christmas tree farms in Des MoinesChoose-and-cut farms, wagon rides and kid notesTree lighting in Des MoinesDates, times and what the organizer posts for kids
Playgrounds in Des MoinesParks with a playground, restrooms and shelters
Splash pads in Des MoinesSpraygrounds with addresses and last season’s hours
Youth soccer, basketball and learn to skate in Des MoinesSoccer, basketball and learn to skate for kids under 6, with sign-up dates
More things to do with kids in Des Moines this weekDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
JouJou Montessori Play Space (from $350 plus tax, up to 20 guests); Playgrounds Cafe (from $150 for a Mini Party (6 children)); Des Moines Children's Museum (from $175 during open hours); Blank Park Zoo (from $350 ($315 for members)); Sky Zone Des Moines (from $249 for 10 jumpers (Mon–Thu)); Science Center of Iowa (from SCI Member: $370). Each card has what’s included and how many kids it covers.
Des Moines Children's Museum (1–10). See 1st birthday ideas.
Des Moines Children's Museum (1–10); Blank Park Zoo (2–10 recommended). See 2nd birthday ideas.
Des Moines Children's Museum (1–10); Blank Park Zoo (2–10 recommended). See 3rd birthday ideas.
JouJou Montessori Play Space, Playgrounds Cafe, Des Moines Children's Museum, Sky Zone Des Moines, Science Center of Iowa and Bloom Play Co. Those parties are indoors. See winter indoor options.
Science Center of Iowa: please submit a request 4–6 weeks in advance.
Posted starting prices on these party pages run from $150 for a Mini Party (6 children) at Playgrounds Cafe to SCI Member: $370 at Science Center of Iowa. That is the low package each page lists, not a citywide average, and tax or add-ons can be extra. Kids included, length and ages are in the package comparison. A place with no price on its page is marked “No pricing information.”
Open-play prices, toddler times, sock rules and toddler classes for a normal visit are on indoor play for toddlers in Des Moines.
No. We list places from their own party pages, and nobody pays for a spot or a better position.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Nov 9, 2026, and we recheck them every three months. How we choose and check.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Des Moines that weekend.
