The Directory
Kid friendly businesses, organizations and services in the Des Moines area.
Whether you live in Ankeny, Altoona, Clive, Des Moines, Grimes, Indianola, Johnston, Urbandale, Waukee, Windsor Heights, West Des Moines or beyond, find the local resources your family needs in in the dsm4kids Directory!
While all submissions are considered, inclusion in the Directory is based on relevance. Businesses or organizations outside of Central Iowa or primarily geared toward adults may not be listed.
If you are a business or organization and would like to submit a directory listing, please click on Submit Business Listing.
dsm4kids wants to help you find the best activities for your family. Sign up for our Weekend Fun Guide to be sure you don’t miss a thing!
We are an innovative visual arts organization providing gallery space for local artists and art classes for all ages. All exhibits and receptions are free and open to the public. We are dedicated to supporting local artists, providing educational development and a diverse art experience for people of all ages.
Pediatric Dentist
The Ankeny Community School District is located in Polk County, Iowa, in the heart of the State of Iowa. Six miles from the capitol city of Des Moines, the district:
Had a 2013 state-certified enrollment of 9,901.86 students
Is the 8th largest district in the state (total students served)
Has been one of the fastest-growing school districts in Iowa for a decade
Encompasses 16 school buildings in 51.93 square miles
Has a K-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-12 grade level structure
Has more than 360,540 miles driven by buses per year
Welcome to Ankeny Community Schools' Community Education Department. Here you will find information about courses that are available to all community members, community outreach programs, and rental of district facilities. Serving all ages with lifelong learning.
Little league baseball in Ankeny.
Programs offered:
Dance Lessons beginning January 2015
Private and Group Piano Lessons
Violin and Viola Lessons
Voice Lessons
Musical Theater Class
Prepiano Series
Preschool Music
Guitar and Bass Lessons
Drum Lessons
Rock Band Classes
Trumpet, Trombone, Saxophone, Flute, and Clarinet
Aqua-Tots Swim School is now teaching swim lessons in West Des Moines, IA. We’re located in the Jordan Creek Town Center directly North of the Costco on Mills Civic Parkway. Our Swim School serves the entire Des Moines, IA area.
The Aqua-Tots Des Moines Swim Center offers a year round, monthly tuition based swim program. Once registered, your child will be enrolled in swim lessons unless we receive notice indicating otherwise.
Archery clash has equipment for a game called Combat Archery. It is like dodgeball, but with bows and arrows. It is great for birthday parties, church events and team building. Archery Battle is the best party or event experience for any event. At Archery Clash, we believe in creating unique moments that leave a lasting impression. Our innovative mix of solutions ensures that every detail is covered. Get in touch to learn how we can make your dream event a reality.
Archery Field & Sports (AFS) has a 40-yard Indoor paper target and 3D Range, along with a 20-target outdoor 3-D range for you to enjoy...including an Olympic Range!
Our FULL-SERVICE RETAIL PRO-SHOP has the latest in bows and other archery equipment and accessories. Whether you are looking for hunting equipment, archery supplies, clothing, or black powder supplies, Archery Field & Sports has all you need for the greatest outdoor experiences!
AFS has also expanded their Paintball department, including an SUP Air 100-yard enclosed outdoor field!!
One of the world’s largest collections of flowering crabapple trees can be found at Water Works Park. The collection is properly named after its developer, horticulturist and author, Arie Den Boer; he was the collector and originator of the arboretum in 1930. He established a collection of 300 varieties of trees in his time, which Des Moines Water Works staff now maintains through pruning and propagation.
Arie Den Boer was perhaps the first successful nurseryman to popularize the crabapple tree with his bookOrnamental Crabapples, published in 1959. His book gave a nurseryman a different take on the crabapple, warts and all, and explaining the tremendous diversity of this plant in the landscape.
Today, the arboretum includes approximately 1,200 trees in the collection, with the youngest trees being planted through a donor tree program. At this time, we are no longer accepting donations for new trees in the arboretum; however, a donation can be made to the maintenance and care for the existing trees in the arboretum by contacting Des Moines Water Works at 515.283.8702.
The annual crabapple blossom usually blooms the last week of April and the first week of May, attracting thousands of visitors to Water Works Park.