When soccer and swim lessons just aren’t cutting it anymore, it’s time to take your little adrenaline junkies’ activities to the next level and you’re going to be amazed at what Des Moines offers for fearless kids. Things are about to get extreme… and fun….here’s five extreme sports kids can try in Des Moines.
Aerial Silks
Iowa Circus Arts • Des Moines Social Club • 900 Mulberry Street • Des Moines, IA 50309
While many have witnessed the graceful power on display as acrobats twist and spiral on draped fabric suspended high above the ground, few have likely experienced the excitement of aerial silks themselves. Iowa Circus Arts’ Kids Circus and Aerial Class is perfect for kids that love to climb and learn new things; full of games and amazing skills that will build up your child’s strength, flexibility, eye-hand coordination, and self-esteem. All skills are taught in a safe environment under the supervision of a professional aerialist.
BMX Racing
80/35 BMX • 1701 E McKinley Avenue • Des Moines, IA 50320 • (515) 777-6824
For bike riders looking to raise the stakes, BMX racing just might be the ticket. BMX racing is a bit more than your average race around the cul-de-sac. Eight riders at a time hustle at full speed around a dirt track lined with big jumps, deep turns and steep hills at serious speeds. BMX racing is an individual sport and while there aren’t official coaches at the 80/35 track, volunteers and track operators engage with young riders during practice times offered from 12:00 to 2:00 pm on Sundays.
CrossFit Kids
CrossFit Restart • 5120 Park Avenue, Building 5 • Des Moines, IA 50321 • (515) 244-5088
It seems like everyone is doing CrossFit these days and terms like WOD (workout of the day, in case you didn’t know) are floating around as if doing 100 burpees in a row is no big thing. CrossFit Restart offers their B.E.A.S.T. program, which stands for (Balanced Explosive Agility Stabilization Training) to kids. This program is specifically designed for youth athletes that are looking for off-season, and in-season training. Program is offered to two age groups: 5th-8th and 9th-12th grades.
Rock Climbing
Climb Iowa • 3605 SE Miehe Drive • Grimes, IA 50111 • (515) 986-2565
Climb Iowa in Grimes offers both rock climbing and several other fitness options, camps and classes. It’s a great place for events, like birthday parties, and family outings, or to spend some time alone and hone in on your skills in a private lesson. Climbers 12 and under must have an adult with them unless they are enrolled in a Climb Iowa program. The adult that brings them to the gym will go through an orientation to learn how to operate their Auto Belays.
Skateboarding
Subsect • 309 E Walnut Street • Des Moines, IA 50309 • (515) 276-4365
With the right equipment and sick places to practice, your little skateboarder will be doing tricks in no time. Skateboarding traditionally has never been about structured instruction. Development in the sport is contingent on forming connections with other skateboarders. Local skate shops, like Subsect, are great resources for connection to skateboarding events as well as lessons, equipment for older kids and more. Kids can also visit local skate parks to watch the older riders and give the sport a try themselves.
Tell us about your extreme-sports addicted kid in the comments section! We’d love to hear what you’ve found in Des Moines to curb their appetite for risk taking.
