Cartoon family car on a winding road, pumpkin-patch road trip scene

Next 6 weekends · Oct 23–25 to Nov 27–29

Weekend getaways from Des Moines with kids

The best trip within about five hours of Des Moines for each of the next 6 weekends, chosen for kids under 6. Every event links to the official page we checked it on.

6 weekends

2 cities

Closest: 3h 15m

Last checked Oct 18, 2026 against official pages. How we choose

Departures

From Des Moines

Oct 23–25Kansas CityBoo at the Zoo · 3h 15mGloWild · Monster BashOvernight Oct 30–Nov 1Kansas CityGloWild · 3h 15mPenguin MarchOvernight Nov 6–8Kansas CityGloWild · 3h 15mCrown Center Ice Terrace opening dayOvernight Nov 13–15Kansas CityGloWild · 3h 15mThe Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza!OvernightNov 20–22Kansas CityGloWild · 3h 15mThe Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza!OvernightNov 27–29Stay in Des MoinesDisney On IceStaycation is your best optionStay home

How far is fun?

Everything within 5 hours

Each ring is one hour of driving from Des Moines. Under two hours is an easy day trip; past three, pack the pajamas.

Omaha2h 15m

Kansas City3h 15m

Minneapolis–St. Paul4h

Madison4h 45m

Orange dots are picks on this page. Drive times are normal driving times without traffic.

WEEKEND 1

Oct 23–25

3h 15m

Destination · 3 picksWeekend of Oct 23–25: Kansas City

about 3 hr 15 min from Des Moines

Boo at the Zoo both days from 9:30 to 5, included with admission, then GloWild's giant lanterns after dark if anyone's still awake.

Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.

Boo at the Zoo

Not-so-scary trick-or-treating. Treat bags are handed out at the entrance for kids 12 and under.

Sat Oct 24, Sun Oct 25 · 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.

Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium

Included with zoo admission

Official page

GloWild

Giant lanterns along a one-way path. Plan on about an hour.

Fri Oct 23, Sat Oct 24, Sun Oct 25 · 6–10 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday

Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium

See the zoo's ticket page

Official page

Monster Bash

An after-hours costume party for kids 10 and under, with a Naturescape maze, a costume contest, a finale parade and trick-or-treating on the way out.

Sat Oct 24 · 6–8 p.m.

Wonderscope Children's Museum

$50 family pass (up to 6 guests, ages 2+) or $15 per person; not included with admission or membership

Official page

Kansas City city guide Visiting with little kids This week in Kansas City

Also within reach

Minneapolis–St. Paul~4h

The Minnesota Zoo's Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, every night.

WEEKEND 2

Oct 30–Nov 1

3h 15m

Destination · 2 picksWeekend of Oct 30–Nov 1: Kansas City

about 3 hr 15 min from Des Moines

Penguin March at the zoo on Saturday and Sunday, plus GloWild's lanterns in the evening.

Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.

GloWild

Giant lanterns along a one-way path. Plan on about an hour.

Fri Oct 30, Sat Oct 31, Sun Nov 1 · 6–10 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday

Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium

See the zoo's ticket page

Official page

Penguin March

Sat Oct 31, Sun Nov 1 · See the zoo's schedule

Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium

Included with zoo admission

Official page

Kansas City city guide Visiting with little kids This week in Kansas City

Also within reach

Minneapolis–St. Paul~4h

Last weekend for the Minnesota Zoo's Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, 5,000 carved pumpkins on a wooded trail. Go Friday or Sunday, since Halloween night is adults only, and catch Howl-O-Ween there Saturday morning.

WEEKEND 3

Nov 6–8

3h 15m

Destination · 2 picksWeekend of Nov 6–8: Kansas City

about 3 hr 15 min from Des Moines

The Crown Center Ice Terrace opens Friday with a free skate, and GloWild's lanterns are lit Friday to Sunday evenings.

Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.

GloWild

Giant lanterns along a one-way path. Plan on about an hour.

Fri Nov 6, Sat Nov 7, Sun Nov 8 · 6–10 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday

Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium

See the zoo's ticket page

Official page

Crown Center Ice Terrace opening day

The rink's season runs through March 14.

Fri Nov 6 · See Crown Center

Crown Center Square

Free skate on opening day

Official page

Kansas City city guide Visiting with little kids This week in Kansas City

Also within reach

Minneapolis–St. Paul~4h

The Grinch opens at the Children's Theatre Company.

WEEKEND 4

Nov 13–15

3h 15m

Destination · 2 picksWeekend of Nov 13–15: Kansas City

about 3 hr 15 min from Des Moines

GloWild lanterns, Wednesday to Sunday evenings.

Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.

GloWild

Giant lanterns along a one-way path. Plan on about an hour.

Fri Nov 13, Sat Nov 14, Sun Nov 15 · 6–10 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday

Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium

See the zoo's ticket page

Official page

The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza!

A holiday show built on Mo Willems' Pigeon books.

Fri Nov 13, Sat Nov 14, Sun Nov 15 · See Crown Center

Crown Center

See Crown Center for tickets

Official page

Kansas City city guide Visiting with little kids This week in Kansas City

Also within reach

Minneapolis–St. Paul~4h

The Grinch and Twelve Kinds of Ice at CTC.

WEEKEND 5

Nov 20–22

3h 15m

Destination · 2 picksWeekend of Nov 20–22: Kansas City

about 3 hr 15 min from Des Moines

GloWild at the zoo, the Pigeon's holiday show at Crown Center and the Ice Terrace next door. Do one before nap and one after.

Past three hours, make it an overnight: drive Friday, go Saturday.

GloWild

Giant lanterns along a one-way path. Plan on about an hour.

Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22 · 6–10 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday

Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium

See the zoo's ticket page

Official page

The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza!

A holiday show built on Mo Willems' Pigeon books.

Fri Nov 20, Sat Nov 21, Sun Nov 22 · See Crown Center

Crown Center

See Crown Center for tickets

Official page

Kansas City city guide Visiting with little kids This week in Kansas City

Also within reach

Minneapolis–St. Paul~4h

Disney On Ice is at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul Thursday through Sunday, and the Children's Theatre Company's Grinch is playing in Minneapolis.

WEEKEND 6

Nov 27–29

0 min

Stay home: staycation is your best option

Staycation is your best optionWeekend of Nov 27–29: Des Moines

Des Moines is our pick for the whole region this weekend. Disney On Ice is at Casey's Center over the holiday weekend.

Disney On Ice

In Des Moines Nov. 26–29.

Fri Nov 27, Sat Nov 28, Sun Nov 29 · See the tour page for show times

Casey's Center

See the tour page

Official page

Des Moines city guide Visiting with little kids This week in Des Moines

If you'd rather hit the road

Kansas City~3h 15m

The Crown Center tree lighting and Santa's arrival on Friday, plus GloWild.

Omaha~2h 15m

The downtown Holiday Lights come on Saturday.

Little-traveler checklist

Pack it before you go

Car snacksMore than you think. Then a few more.

StrollerZoo paths and light trails are long for little legs.

Time the napLeave right before nap so the drive does double duty.

Overnight bagPast three hours, pajamas beat a 9pm drive home.

Parking cashFree admission days often still charge for parking.

Rain planPick one indoor backup, like a museum, before you leave.

More trips

Every region, every weekend

Plains weekends

All regions

This week in Des Moines

Good questions

Weekend trips from Des Moines: the FAQ

Where can we go for a weekend from Des Moines with little kids?

Over the next 6 weekends our picks from Des Moines are Kansas City. Each one is chosen for what's on that weekend, with the dates, times and prices checked on the official pages.

Which cities are within an easy drive of Des Moines?

Omaha (about 2 hr 15 min), Kansas City (about 3 hr 15 min), Minneapolis–St. Paul (about 4 hr), Madison (about 4 hr 45 min). Times are normal driving times without traffic.

Why is the same city picked more than once?

Sometimes one city really does have the most going on two weekends in a row, like a holiday lights opening followed by a show. We don't rotate cities just for variety.

Are the times and prices current?

They're what each official page showed on Oct 18, 2026. Tap through to the official page before you go.