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.
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Waukee Parks and Recreation provides many programs throughout the year to participants of all ages. We provide leagues, activities, tours, special events, and much more. Waukee Parks and Recreation strives to provide all residents and visitors with a fun recreational experience at an affordable cost. The Parks and Recreation Department improves the quality of life for Waukee citizens by maintaining eight city parks, 19.2 miles of trails, Sugar Creek Golf Course, the Community Center and the planning of all annual festivals. The Department maintains and schedules the use of parks, ball fields and shelters for special community activities.
The City of West Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department helps to improve the quality of life for the people of our community with a variety of recreational programs, parks and open spaces.The Parks Division provides maintenance for over 1200 acres of park land and open space. There are also more than 50 miles of biking/walking trails that run throughout the city. Recreational programs and activities are offered year round and provide leisure experiences for all ages.
Climb Iowa is Iowa's largest indoor climbing and training facility.
Climb Iowa offers several youth programs including Youth Adventure Climbing Teams (recreational and competitive) and holiday and summer camps. It’s also a great place to host a fun and unique birthday party.
The Parks and Recreation Department currently maintains 15 parks and the Clive Aquatic Center and Greenbelt Park and Trail. The trail is open for use year-round as snow is removed from portions of the trail during winter months. The Clive Aquatic Center is an outdoor facility open during the summer. Features of the Aquatic Center include a zero-depth entry leisure pool, a Lazy River, six-lane lap pool and three water slides along with a one-meter board. The Department also plans and manages a wide range of recreation programs for all age groups from preschoolers to active older adults.
The not-for-profit Des Moines Art Center engages diverse local and international audiences with the art of today through its museum and school, adding to the cultural record through collections and programs.
Des Moines' Soccer Team with youth programs to keep kids active.
Community Education is an opportunity for local citizens and community schools, agencies and institutions to become active partners in addressing education and community concerns.
Many of our classes are Youth Friendly, meaning that children under 18 are encouraged to attend. Check our class descriptions under Youth Friendly for minimum ages.
The Des Moines Symphony Orchestra is Central Iowa’s largest and most active year-round professional performing arts producing organization. The mission of the Des Moines Symphony Association is to enrich, educate and inspire our community by performing great orchestral music.
The Des Moines Symphony Academy is pleased to call The Temple for Performing Arts its home. The Symphony Academy celebrated its grand opening on September 8, 2003, beginning its mission to provide the very best music education experiences for musicians of all ages. The Symphony Academy’s facility includes eight private teaching studios and two performance halls, and it is the home of the Des Moines Symphony Youth Orchestras and the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra’s extensive music library.
Y Camp is located on 400 acres in the picturesque Des Moines River Valley along the Des Moines River. With its rich diversity of plant and animal life Y Camp is an ideal setting for people to interact with nature and the outdoors.
We cater to participants year-round in our three program departments of Summer Camp, Outdoor Environmental Education, and Retreats and Conferences. Participants and students enjoy nature and have life changing experiences at Y Camp!
Each day, campers will spend the morning at the barn and the afternoon swimming at camp. Campers will learn horse science, English riding, and barn maintenance. Each camper will be assigned a horse and will be instructed based on their riding experience. Beginners to advanced riders are welcome! Riding will depend on day to day weather conditions. Staff reserve the right to remove a rider from the horse if either is in danger. Camp Hantesa provides trained horses and staff for all riding programs. **In order to participate, ALL campers are required to wear long pants, boots, and helmets. Helmets are provided by Camp Hantesa. Boots are available on a limited basis**