Family days can be hard to come by. It feels like we’re all stretched so thin between work, sports, and school. So, when you do get that rare day together, you want to make it count! As a Des Moines family photographer, I adore working with families to create memories they can cherish for years to come. Here are the Des Moines family activities I always recommend!
401 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, Des Moines, Iowa 50309
If your Des Moines child loves learning all about the world around them, I think you are going to adore the family activities at the Science Center of Iowa! Whether your child wants to learn about the dinosaurs of eras past or the technology of today, they have the perfect spot for you. With a fantastic combination of traveling and permanent exhibits, each trip is going to feel brand new! They also feature sensory-friendly hours specifically for children on the autism spectrum or children with sensory processing disorders. Trust me, this is a center everyone in the family will love!
7401 SW 9th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50315
If your child is wild about animals, Blank Park Zoo is their spot! The zoo is home to a number of animals, including sea lions, river hogs, tigers, lions, and penguins. They also offer a number of different family activities that let you get up close and personal with the critters in Des Moines. You can hop aboard the zoo train or give some grub to the animals around Kid’s Kingdom. They even let you feed the giraffes!
3200 Adventureland Dr, Altoona, Iowa 50009
While Adventureland Resort might be a favorite Des Moines location for people from across the country, you don’t need to stay at the hotel to enjoy all the family activities of this center. This amusement park is full of rides that will deliver the best thrills for the entire family! From gravity-defying rollercoasters to tot-friendly bumper cars, they offer something for people of all ages. There’s also an attached water park where you can go during those blazing hot summer days! For those who do want to turn it into a family weekend, you can reserve a room at the hotel or reserve a spot at the neighboring campground.
11121 Hickman Road, Urbandale, Iowa 50322
Even if your child insists they don’t like history, I think they’ll love Living History Farms. This interactive museum is located on 500 acres of farmland and gives your child a fun way to learn about the past residents of the area. Your family will get a hands-on look at the agricultural practices that made Iowa the place it is today. In addition to their daily demonstrations, you can sign up for a historic dinner or take a historic skills class!
If you are looking for the best way to make some memories with your crew, I think you are going to adore these Des Moines family activities! Now, you just need to find a way to make all those moments last. That’s where I come in! I am a Des Moines family photographer, and I adore working with families to plan sessions with frame-worthy memories. If you would like to learn more about scheduling your pictures, let’s chat! Send me a message today if you’d like to get the conversation started!