Play Date: Tot Lot in Waukee

Updated December 2019

During the winter months, Des Moines’ weather rarely cooperates with what you may have planned for the day. Lucky for Des Moines parents, this area is bursting with a variety of indoor spots where kids can play and parents can retain their sanity and their clean homes.

Wednesday morning I was invited to tag along with a friend and her son to check out Tot Lot in Waukee. This indoor play time is held on Tuesday evenings and Wednesday mornings October through March and is located at the Waukee Public Works Building on the outskirts of town. Tot Lot is held in a large room on the second level of the building, you do not need to check in or register and the best part is that it’s FREE!

There’s no need to worry about your littlest ones getting trampled by the big kids at this toddler only non-structured play time hosted by Waukee Parks and Recreation. Tots can romp, stomp and play with provided toys ranging from blocks, to mats, to a ball pool. They even had a little bounce house for the kiddos on the day we were there.

Parents are responsible for supervising their child during the open gym time. There are no other supervisors in the room. There are several chairs provided for parents to take a load off and it’s okay to bring in snacks, as long as you clean up after yourself. The play time lasts two hours and promptly at 10 to 10:00 am, parents started picking up and putting away all of the toys.

It was a great way for my little friend to burn off some of his energy and his mamma to get a little time to socialize with other parents on a cold, snowy morning. This flexible open-gym play time is definitely worth adding to the weekly rotation!

Where:
Waukee Public Works Building
805 University Avenue
Waukee, IA 50263

When:
Tuesdays, 5:00 to 7:00 pm
Wednesdays, 8:30 to 10:30 am

Age: Toddlers

Fee: FREE