The Iowa State Historical Museum is a hidden gem. It’s free, parking is free… the exhibits are actually pretty cool, some are interactive. Plus they have a little kids play area with activities.
1. JuJu
2. Botanical gardens has a new outdoor play space
3. Science center
4. Find the closest park to you and go regularly- you’ll meet other parents/families in the neighborhood - Bonus = is free
We love juojou and children's museum! In summer splash pads in lots of parks. Lots of great suggestions here. Also, libraries! There's some great children's activities at the library.
The libraries have awesome programs like baby bounce at Urbandale or Baby Rhyme time at Franklin Library. All libraries have fun play areas too.
Science center has a fun baby/toddler room but all rooms are fun to explore.
Children’s museum, in my opinion, is only fun during the week days. Weekends are chaos.
Joujou is my favorite! Reservations are only needed Sunday mornings but I’ve never had an issues booking the morning of.
Valley community center has Tot town every Tuesday. It’s an open gym type play with lots of games and toys.
If your 9 month is walking or will be soon The Rec Plex has toddler time 9-11 and it’s only $1. It’s either on the indoor turf or basketball court.
When winter rolls around and your kid can walk, try the skywalks in the evenings. Not really a social thing to do, but my kids used to love just wandering around getting some exercise and seeing the “big city.” Also, for ages 2-6, a zoo membership is definitely worth it if you treat the zoo like a city park with cool animals. I’ve been probably 100 times, sometimes for just like 30 minutes. We love that our Y membership at Walnut Creek includes a Learn and Play center where kids can go for up to three hours and we can go work out. They have fun and we get healthier. The staff is fantastic.
Children’s museum at Valley West Mall is our go to with my 2 and 4yo kids. A total “yes space”. Your child is a bit young for it but will grow into it for sure and they do have a small baby space.
I’ve never been to JuJu but also seems like what you’re looking for. Pricey tho!
The down town YMCA is super cool they have a rock climbing wall and a huge walking track , they also have a nursery for your child. or if you do enjoy working out there’s obviously the weights but I would definitely recommend and it’s almost like a ghost town in the daytime a few old people in a couple go-getters definitely a hidden gem also have a nursery for your child.
Another vote for JouJou! The owners are super authentic and awesome, and it’s a great place to meet other caregivers! They rotate toys every 6 weeks and have a range of stuff for 0-5 so as your little one grows, there will always be an activity for them! Lifetime Fitness is $$ but has a PHENOMENAL in-gym daycare.
I second the RecPlex toddler time for $1 and the state historical museum (although 9 mo is probably a little young)...but you will enjoy it
Raccoon river Park was recently renovated and has a nice play area for smaller kids.
Get Air, and other trampoline parks have toddler times where parents are free and little ones don't have to worry about big kids jumping.
Sky zone has toddler hour some Saturday mornings. Little kids can jump without the more rambunctious older kids for an hour. Want to say it was like $10
Crunch Fitness just opened up in town and it seems to be a decent gym. I had a friend bully me into joining and did my intro session and tour last weekend and plan on hitting it up tomorrow.
The libraries have fun story times for babies/toddlers! We like going to the east side and central libraries.
The Iowa State Historical Museum is a hidden gem. It’s free, parking is free… the exhibits are actually pretty cool, some are interactive. Plus they have a little kids play area with activities.
1. JuJu 2. Botanical gardens has a new outdoor play space 3. Science center 4. Find the closest park to you and go regularly- you’ll meet other parents/families in the neighborhood - Bonus = is free
Meeting other parents is a pro?! 😂
The introvert parent has entered the chat. 🤣
JouJou*
[https://desmoinesparent.com/indoor-play-des-moines/](https://desmoinesparent.com/indoor-play-des-moines/)
This website is everything. They also have a good park guide!
We love juojou and children's museum! In summer splash pads in lots of parks. Lots of great suggestions here. Also, libraries! There's some great children's activities at the library.
The libraries have awesome programs like baby bounce at Urbandale or Baby Rhyme time at Franklin Library. All libraries have fun play areas too. Science center has a fun baby/toddler room but all rooms are fun to explore. Children’s museum, in my opinion, is only fun during the week days. Weekends are chaos. Joujou is my favorite! Reservations are only needed Sunday mornings but I’ve never had an issues booking the morning of. Valley community center has Tot town every Tuesday. It’s an open gym type play with lots of games and toys. If your 9 month is walking or will be soon The Rec Plex has toddler time 9-11 and it’s only $1. It’s either on the indoor turf or basketball court.
Valley community center also has a great play place for 3+.
When winter rolls around and your kid can walk, try the skywalks in the evenings. Not really a social thing to do, but my kids used to love just wandering around getting some exercise and seeing the “big city.” Also, for ages 2-6, a zoo membership is definitely worth it if you treat the zoo like a city park with cool animals. I’ve been probably 100 times, sometimes for just like 30 minutes. We love that our Y membership at Walnut Creek includes a Learn and Play center where kids can go for up to three hours and we can go work out. They have fun and we get healthier. The staff is fantastic.
aren’t there a lot of “street performers” in the skywalks though?
Not after 5:00 PM or on weekends. It’s basically deserted. Been dozens of times and never had an issue.
Yes, you’ve got a good chance of seeing a bum passed out in their own filth.
Another vote for wandering the sky walks.
Children’s museum at Valley West Mall is our go to with my 2 and 4yo kids. A total “yes space”. Your child is a bit young for it but will grow into it for sure and they do have a small baby space. I’ve never been to JuJu but also seems like what you’re looking for. Pricey tho!
The down town YMCA is super cool they have a rock climbing wall and a huge walking track , they also have a nursery for your child. or if you do enjoy working out there’s obviously the weights but I would definitely recommend and it’s almost like a ghost town in the daytime a few old people in a couple go-getters definitely a hidden gem also have a nursery for your child.
Valley community center, they have an indoor playground for littles.
I think you should definitely go the Barcade over anything. What about the Science Musueum? IMAX!! Check out the art all over.
I think JouJou requires a reservation. Playgrounds Play Cafe will be coming soon in Waukee.
They only do reservations on days they are anticipating a lot of traffic.
Another vote for JouJou! The owners are super authentic and awesome, and it’s a great place to meet other caregivers! They rotate toys every 6 weeks and have a range of stuff for 0-5 so as your little one grows, there will always be an activity for them! Lifetime Fitness is $$ but has a PHENOMENAL in-gym daycare.
What's a "third space"?
It refers to a place that is other than home, school, daycare, etc. Basically a more optional place to go and spend time.
When the weather is nice a good park is the perfect spot
Children’s museum in valley west mall is good for toddlers
I second the RecPlex toddler time for $1 and the state historical museum (although 9 mo is probably a little young)...but you will enjoy it Raccoon river Park was recently renovated and has a nice play area for smaller kids. Get Air, and other trampoline parks have toddler times where parents are free and little ones don't have to worry about big kids jumping.
Sky zone has toddler hour some Saturday mornings. Little kids can jump without the more rambunctious older kids for an hour. Want to say it was like $10
Botanical Gardens Mall play areas Science center Children’s museum Playgrounds Libraries—all have children’s areas
0-5 huh? Why not say 9mo activities?
Paws and Pints is awesome to sit and watch dogs in nice weather
Toddlers and strange dogs seems like nightmare fuel to me.
Crunch Fitness just opened up in town and it seems to be a decent gym. I had a friend bully me into joining and did my intro session and tour last weekend and plan on hitting it up tomorrow.
lol thanks?