Des Moines is an easy, low-cost city with little kids: a manageable zoo with a carousel, a downtown science center, a small children’s museum with tiny prices and a botanical garden on the river.
Not this week’s events, just the reliable stuff. Where to eat with a toddler, where to burn off energy when it rains, where to splash, what’s worth the admission, and where to spend a night without going far.
Places where a dropped fork is no big deal and nobody minds a little noise.
A family Italian place known for baked cavatelli and onion rings. The kids’ menu covers pizza, tortellini and tenders.
A counter-order Asian kitchen across from Merle Hay Mall, with pho, bulgogi and orange chicken. The kid’s meal comes with nuggets and fries or fried rice.
An all-day brunch spot at 418 E Grand Ave, open early every day.
A long-running Italian restaurant with a short kids’ menu of pasta, small pizzas and grilled cheese. Dinner only.
For rainy mornings, cold afternoons and anyone who needs to run in circles for an hour.
A small play museum on the mall’s lower level, with low prices for little kids.
Hands-on science exhibits downtown, open Wednesday through Sunday.
The downtown library, with free children’s story times on the weekly calendar.
Trampoline courts for burning off energy on a cold day.
Pools, fountains, zoos and theme parks: the big all-day outings.
Indoor and outdoor gardens along the Des Moines River.
A big riverside park west of downtown with trails and open space.
A big county park with a nature center, a natural playscape, fishing ponds and trails.
Free guided tours run Monday through Saturday under the gold dome.
Museums, animals and farm days that hold a little one’s attention.
A manageable zoo with a carousel, a train and a kids’ petting area.
An open-air museum of historic farms and a town, with a tractor cart out to the farms. General admission runs through Oct 31.
2026 season Apr 30–Oct 31; programs by reservation Nov–Apr
A night away without a long drive. New bed, same bedtime.
A historic hotel downtown, close to the river.
Sandstone ledges 100 feet above the Des Moines River, a stone CCC bridge over Peas Creek, and campsites.
These don’t change week to week. Last checked . Hours and prices change, so check the place’s own site before you go. Know a spot we missed? Tell us at hello@littlesweekly.com.
Where a family can go in Des Moines without paying for admission. For free days, free events and this week’s free outings, see every free thing to do in Des Moines.
DowntownDes Moines Public Library, Central LibraryThe downtown library, with free children’s story times on the weekly calendar.FreeIndoor
West of downtownWater Works ParkA big riverside park west of downtown with trails and open space.FreeGranger (about 25 minutes)Jester ParkA big county park with a nature center, a natural playscape, fishing ponds and trails.FreeEast VillageIowa State CapitolFree guided tours run Monday through Saturday under the gold dome.FreeFree or cheap for babies and toddlers, and easy with a stroller.
DowntownScience Center of IowaPlenty of low, hands-on exhibits for toddlers.Kids $16Adults $20IndoorValley West Mall, West Des MoinesDes Moines Children’s MuseumSmall and calm, and babies under 1 are free.Kids $6Adults $4Under 1 freeIndoorDowntownDes Moines Public Library, Central LibraryWeekly story times for babies and toddlers.FreeIndoorRecurring and free. Times change by branch, so check the calendar.
Weekly; days and times vary by branchFree story times for babies, toddlers and preschoolers at Central Library and the branches. West Des Moines, Urbandale and Ankeny run their own libraries.
Schedule ↗Weekly at the Urbandale Public Library; Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, plus an evening sessionFree baby, toddler and preschool storytimes. This fall's regular sessions include Toddler Time (Mondays 10am) and Family Storytime (Mondays 11am).
Schedule ↗Baby storytimes, places where babies get in free, and where to change and feed. For rainy days, see indoor play places; for zero-cost ideas, see free things to do.
Mondays and Thursdays at 11am · Urbandale Public LibraryFamilies with babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Weekday Storytime Schedule: This storytime cycle starts on Monday, October 26, with the break week running November 16-19.
Storytime calendar ↗
Under 1 free
Admission page ↗Age 1 and under free
Admission page ↗Under 2 free
Admission page ↗Under 2 free
Admission page ↗
Every restroom has a changing table. There are family restrooms in the rhino pavilion, and GoGo Plaza has a mother’s room.
Official site ↗There’s a universal changing table.
Official site ↗The Kemin Cultivation Center has a family restroom, a mother’s room and an adult changing table.
Official site ↗There’s a lactation room in the ground-floor women’s restroom by the west security entrance.
Official site ↗
Strollers are available in the admissions building. Doubles are $10, and you’ll need a driver’s license to check one out.
Official site ↗Small strollers are fine, and there are free loaners inside the front entry. Leave double-wides and big wagons in the car.
Official site ↗Santa visits and Christmas lights only run part of the year, so they have their own pages with this season’s dates and prices.
The guide is the evergreen list. Here’s what’s happening in Des Moines right now.
Yes. It’s small enough to cover in a morning, parking is free and kids under 2 get in free.
The Central Library, the State Capitol, Water Works Park and Jester Park are all free.
The Science Center, the Children’s Museum at Valley West Mall and the Botanical Garden dome.
Science Center of Iowa: Plenty of low, hands-on exhibits for toddlers. Des Moines Children’s Museum: Small and calm, and babies under 1 are free. Des Moines Public Library, Central Library is also easy with a baby or toddler. Free for the littlest: Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden (Age 1 and under free), Blank Park Zoo (Under 2 free) and Living History Farms (Under 2 free). See best for under 3s.
Des Moines Public Library: Weekly; days and times vary by branch. Urbandale Public Library: Weekly at the Urbandale Public Library; Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, plus an evening session. Library storytimes don’t need a ticket, but times change by branch, so check the calendar first. See library storytimes, and this week’s dated sessions are on the Des Moines weekly list.
Every one of the 16 places is somewhere we’d take a baby, toddler or preschooler, with a note on who it suits and when to skip it. Prices, hours and menus come from each place’s own site, and 8 of them have checked admission or menu prices. The guide was last checked Oct 18, 2026. How we choose and check.
Under 2 free; kids from 2–12: $15; adults from 13–64: $20. We checked this on its official site on Oct 17, 2026. Prices change, so confirm before you go.
Under 1 free; kids 1–9: $6; adults 10 and up: $4. We checked this on its official site on Oct 17, 2026. Prices change, so confirm before you go.
One short email every Friday morning: the five things worth leaving the house for in Des Moines, plus what to skip.
