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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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
Aquatic Center managed by Des Moines Parks & Recreation. Offers outdoor swim lessons, parties and events, and facility rental opportunities.
Mon – Sat 1:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Sun 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Open Wed, June 3 thru Tues, Aug 25
Nahas Aquatic Center will remain open through Tuesday, August 25, 2015, then close and reopen on weekends August 29 & 30, September 5 & 6 and Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2015.
Aquatic Center managed by Des Moines Parks & Recreation. Offers outdoor swim lessons, parties and events, and facility rental opportunities.
Mon – Sat 1:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Sun 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Open Memorial Weekend May 23, 24, 25; close and reopen Wed, June 3 thru Sun, Aug 23.
Aquatic Center managed by Ankeny Parks & Recreation. Offers outdoor swim lessons, parties and events, and facility rental opportunities.
Raccoon River Park, located in the southeast part of West Des Moines, is the "crown jewel" of the West Des Moines Parks system. The 631.61 acres of parkland provide active and passive recreational experiences, along with several hundred acres of natural areas for wildlife.
Learn to swim school for 6 months to adult. Brand new private facility with warm water and small student to teacher ratios. World class curriculum teaches Safety and Joy for the water!
Indoor public swimming pool managed by Johnston Community School District. Offers swim lessons, open lap swim, swim team and other aquatic activities.
Admission and Open Swim
Please check the monthly schedules for daily dates and times for open swim and lap swim. The pool may be shared with other activities during these times.
Daily admission, punch cards and season passes are good for open swim, lap swim and some special events. Season passes are good for one year from the date of purchase.
2 & under
Youth (3-18)
Adult
Family
Daily Admission
Free
$2
$3
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Punch Cards
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$30 for 20 punches
$50 for 20 punches
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Season Pass
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$150
$200
$250
Season Pass Descriptions
Youth=For ages 3-18.
Adult=For people out of high school.
Family=For children (ages 0-18) and parent(s) living in the same household.
At SwimLabs, we take an innovative approach to teaching, providing lessons in state of the art, warm water pools, equipped with a 360-degree video feedback technology. Whether your a beginner triathlete or a competitive swimmer, our champions library of 100+ olympian's videos, coupled with our proprietary software analysis, lets you know just what to do to reach that next level!
Aquatic Center managed by Des Moines Parks & Recreation. Offers outdoor swim lessons, parties and events, and facility rental opportunities.
Mon – Sat 1:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Sun 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Open Wed, June 3 thru Sun, Aug 23