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!
Trails for hiking, biking & snowmobiling plus swimming, boating & fishing on the lake; no camping.
Birdland is one of the biggest multi-functional parks in Des Moines. This park is a great place to host any occasion or to take your boat out for a spin. The off street parking and accessible playground make this park easy to access and utilize
Park Amenities:
picnic tables
grills
playground
open air shelter
enclosed shelter
Marina Amenities:
boat ramp
fuel dock
restrooms
off street parking
recreation trail
The centerpiece of this beautiful park on the southside of Des Moines is its 172-acre lake. Five picnic shelters and three children's playgrounds overlook the lake. A boat ramp provides access for anglers trying to catch the walleye, bass, and catfish stocked by the Conservation Board into the lake every year. During the summer, a swimming beach provide another wonderful way to enjoy the lake.
Large, year-round area featuring a lake with boat ramp, playground, ice-skating rink, trails & more.
Jester Park has been one of central Iowa’s favorite outdoor playgrounds since 1958.
This 1,675-acre park on the western shore of Saylorville Lake offers camping, picnicking, and golfing in a quiet country setting just a half-hour from downtown Des Moines.
This Polk County Conservation Board park stretches from the Hwy. 17 bridge north of Granger to the Mile-Long Bridge that crosses Saylorville Lake to Polk City.
No other location in central Iowa offers such a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities. Jester Park is easily reached by taking exit 127 off I-80 and I-35 and traveling 6.5 miles west on Hwy. 141.
Rental Information about the Jester Park Lodge can be found athttp://jesterparklodge.com/Home.html
Lake Ahquabi offers a relaxing escape from the summer heat. Swimming, sunbathing, boating and fishing are all popular activities on the pristine manmade lake. With rental boats available, everyone can enjoy the water from a canoe, paddle boat or kayak. Wander along shady trails as you wind your way around the lake or explore the woods. Find your favorite spot in the park, and grill out with family and friends at one of the picnic areas. For a cold drink or snack, visit the boathouse for concessions.
A 115-acre man-made lake has a large sandy beach and offers unsupervised swimming. Boats, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboats are available for rent through the concessionaire. Bait is also available through the concessionaire.
A modern boat ramp is located at the northern end of the park. Another ramp is located in the campground. Lake Ahquabi is popular with anglers. A number of fishing jetties and a handicapped accessible fishing pier provide great places for a day of shoreline fishing.
"Ahquabi" is a Sauk and Fox word meaning "resting place," and it is a fitting name for this scenic 770-acre park. The park site was recommended by "Ding" Darling, nationally known Iowa political cartoonist and conservationist, and was dedicated in 1936. Many of its structures were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930's and remain available for the enjoyment of park visitors.
Within park
Bait, Beach, Bicycling, Bird Watching, Boat Launch Ramp, Boat Rental, Boating, Camping - Electric, Camping - Nonelectric, Camping - Youth Group, Canoeing, Concession, Cross Country Skiing, Day-use Lodge, Dock, Fishing, Dump Station, Firewood Sales, Fish Cleaning Station, Fishing, Hiking, Horseshoe Pits, Jogging/Running, Kayak Rental, Kayaking, Modern Campground, Mountain Biking, Paddle Boat Rental, Paddle Boating, Park Lake, Picnic Area, Picnic Shelter, Pier, Fishing, Playground, Restrooms, Retail, Firewood, Retail, Ice, Retail, Snacks, Showers, Snowmobiling, Swimming - Beach, Trails, Cross Country Skiing, Trails, Hiking, Trails, Mountain Bike, Trails, Snowmobile, Water Hydrants , Wildflower Viewing, Wildlife Viewing
Outdoor fun can be found at Rock Creek State Park all year long. In warmer months, visitors amble along trails on foot or horseback. Boaters, swimmers and anglers enjoy the lake. When the snows come, crosscountry skiers and snowmobilers take to the trails while anglers bundle up for ice fi shing.
Saylorville Lake is located on the Des Moines River in central Iowa, just north of the city of Des Moines. In addition to providing flood control, this 26,000 acre project fulfills a truly multipurpose role. The reservoir provides a minimum downstream river flow for water supply and water quality during drought periods. Park Rangers actively manage the natural resources, conserving river, woodland, wetland, and prairie habitats. Saylorville staff, volunteers and contractors take pride in offering quality outdoor recreation including camping, boating, fishing, hiking, biking, wildlife watching and more.
Saylorville Lake Marina is Iowa’s premier boating and recreation spot. We are a family-oriented, full-service marina dedicated to providing safe, fun, memorable experiences on our beautiful lake.