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!
Camp Hertko Hollow is dedicated to improving the lives of children and youth who have diabetes.The goals at camp are: Recreation, Education, Regulation and FUN! Campers enjoy the traditional camp activities while learning about living with diabetes. Meeting other youth and counselors who have diabetes is also a great benefit of the experience.
At Camp Invention, our top priority is to provide quality programming in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. So our unrivaled program presents essential STEM concepts through the most creative hands-on activities. By combining learning and fun, we satisfy parents, educators and children, earning an approval rating of more than 90%.
Our summer enrichment day experience is designed for children entering grades one through six. Free to schools and organizations that host our program nationwide, Camp Invention features collaborative learning opportunities led by local teachers in a safe environment. Year after year, we offer innovative curricula that align with state and national education standards and meet our own rigorous testing requirements. We strive to enhance each child’s ability to learn through teamwork and subject immersion while providing exciting challenges and cultivating a new appreciation for discovery.
Children and adults with and without disabilities enjoy all Easter Seals Iowa Camp Sunnyside has to offer including canoeing, an animal farm, horseback riding, archery, nature trails, the Variety Club Rec Center, an accessible indoor pool and the Meredith Tree House. At night campers sleep in new, air conditioned lodges. Sessions are held at Camp Sunnyside for campers age five and older. Week-long and day camps are offered during the summer. Camp Sunnyside is located at 401 NE 66th Ave. in Des Moines, IA 50313.
Aquatic Center managed by Ankeny Parks & Recreation. Offers outdoor swim lessons, parties and events, and facility rental opportunities.
Central Iowa Figure Skating Club serves the Des Moines Metro area and Ames and is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting figure skating for individuals of all ages and all skating levels.
The goals of CIML are twofold:
To give a student enough musical skills to creatively interact with other musicians.
To incorporate computer and Internet technology into each student’s lessons to help accelerate the learning process.
Private Music Lessons: Music lessons at Central Iowa Music Lab (CIML) are in session year round. Lessons are available to all ages and levels, and no prior experience or auditions are required. Instruction is available for Guitar, Bass Guitar, Drums/Percussion, Piano, Violin, Voice, Rock Band, Songwriting, and Music Theory.
The Central Library is located in the heart of downtown Des Moines at 1000 Grand Avenue in the Western Gateway Park near the Pappajohn Sculpture Garden. Offering unique architecture and a green roof, the Central Library has something for everyone. Our collection includes a wide variety of books, media, magazines, newspapers, microfilm, historic periodicals, city directories, sheet music and an extensive Iowa Collection. Free parking underground. The Central Library is a great place to get a book, use a computer or spend some time researching.
Children & Families of Iowa is one of the top family services organizations in Iowa. Through our programs and services, we help everyone from children who need a safe home to adults learning to cope with trauma. Children & Families of Iowa doesn’t just offer solutions for families and children in crisis. We offer hope when it seems like there is none left. We offer a chance to build better futures. We offer an opportunity to change lives.
Home of 2008 OLYMPIC CHAMPION & 2007 WORLD CHAMPION Shawn Johnson and 2012 OLYMPIC CHAMPION in All-Around & 2011 WORLD CHAMPION Gabrielle Douglas
World Class Gymnastics Instruction
World Class Training Facility
It is a place where kids come first!
Great Gymnastics Lessons For Girls & Boys
Fabulous Birthday Parties
Open Gym & Private lessons & Clinics & More
Welcome to the City of Ankeny Parks and Recreation Department. Our goal is to offer fun activities and programs for citizens of all ages. From skate parks and fishing holes to shady picnic spots and adult basketball, let us guide your recreation adventures throughout Ankeny. As our community grows, it's even more important for our department to offer special events and programs that allow citizens to connect with one another, and to offer green spaces and parks for your special events.