Things to do in Ames, IA with kids

24 lanes of bowling, two-story Laser Tag arena, huge arcade and even birthday parties. Great adventure in Iowa for those active kids!

Fruit, farm, animals, mazes...yes please! A fun farm filled day out for kids in beautiful Iowa!

A visit to the Iowa Arboretum's 378-acre facility located in scenic Boone County is an experience you won't want to miss. This site offers 40 acres developed as a 'Library of Living Plants' showcasing hundreds of species of trees, shrubs and flowers.....

The Iowa Railroad Historical Society is a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization which is dedicated to the preservation of, and educating the public about, the history of Iowa's railroads. Enjoy learning about the history of railroading at the Io....

A beautiful and unique natural playscape in Jester Park for kids over 5 years where their creativity will be challenged!

A family friendly outdoor aquatic center in Iowa with heated water, kiddie slides, lap pools and water slides!

Great indoor play for kids in Iowa with inflatables, Treehouse fun, slides, ball rooms, parties - and so much more! Great for kids up to 12 years!

Their patented style of fun with trampoline covered floors and walls provided high level angular bounces kids can't get enough of. Session types include open jump, 3D Dodgeball and SkyRobics fitness classes.

Theme Park and Water Park fun in Iowa for the whole family! Thrills, spills, and entertainment for your family day out - what more could you want!

A bouncingly fun experience for kids who enjoy being active and of course bouncing!

The hand-carved turn-of-the-century replica Heritage Carousel is a great addition to any family day out in Des Moines Union Park!

Living History Farms tells the story of 300 years of agricultural history through three working farms - a 1700 Ioway Indian Farm, 1850 Pioneer Farm, 1900 Horse-Powered Farm and 1875 Town with eleven shops including a working blacksmith, general store....

he Des Moines Botanical Center is one of the most popular cultural attractions in Iowa, providing educational, recreational, and community resources to thousands. Its goal is to provide botanical displays and educational services for its visitors. It....

Imagine. Experiment. Play! At the Science Center of Iowa, the experience is yours! From the inner workings of the human body to the outer reaches of the solar system, science surrounds you with dynamic live programs and hands-on interactive exhibits ....

Stroll through sculptures from 22 amazing artists in this beautiful Des Moines park, with 4.4 acres to explore.

167 acres in the heart of Des Moines where families can enjoy walking, biking, and outdoor fun!

The Blank Park Zoo manages 49 acres of land. Of that, 22 acres have been developed into animal exhibits or facilities. One of the many fun family places to visit if you're looking for things to do in Des Moines for kids.

Spend the day driving through a 700 acre enclosed area and witness amazing bison and elk, as well as hiking, birding and mushrooming in this nature filled family day out adventure in Iowa!

The Guthrie County Historical Village, located on a beautiful 4-acre complex near the Middle Raccoon River and old Lenon Mill Park on the southwest side of Panora, Iowa, features ten buildings and numerous exhibits that explore the history of Guthrie....

Take a look at the fascinating history of ballooning at this Iowa museum, with over 200 years of history to explore!

Whatever your idea of a vacation is, you'll Experience it in Pella. Immerse yourself in the old-world charm of the Netherlands as you stroll along our brick streets visiting our Dutch storybook storefronts, the Molengracht canal, and our authentic 1....

A fascinating way to celebrate Iowa's aviation heritage, from 1910 through to modern day.

Founded in 1844, the Nelson homestead is one of the premier historic attractions in Mahaska County, historic buildings offering a glimpse of what life was like for Iowans in 19th century America.

Visit the Rensselaer Russell House Museum in the Grout Museum District, and experience Victorian life in this National Register of Historic Places property, with one of the first Grand Pianos in the region as a highlight!

Described as a 'playground for the imagination', the Bluedorn Science Imaginarium provides fun hands-on exhibits that demonstrate how science affects everyday life, great for curious kids in Iowa!

Unearth the treasures of the past and gaze into the future at the Grout Museum of History and Science. You'll be surrounded by history and astounded by what is yet to come as you explore the world through interactive displays and hands-on exhibits.

The Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum honors the service and sacrifice of all Iowa veterans from the Civil War to present with 35 interactive exhibits, interactive activities and more

Water fun in Waterloo at The Lost Island! With slides, a lazy river, and even go karting and 18 hole mini golf! Great family fun in Iowa.

Using imaginative programs, visual adventures and interactive experiences to cover such subjects as Creativity Across Cultures, Farm, Construction Zone, Artists' Studio, Fun Stage, Time Machine and the Caribbean Kinder Island.

Outdoor family fun for kids of all ages in Iowa, with zooming Go Karts, mini golf and even a driving range.

A family fun center in Iowa with bowling and a lazer maze, with a focus on offering a safe environment for kids and parents to strengthen their relationship

The Grotto is a composite of nine separate Grottos, each portraying a scene in the life of Christ. The Grotto includes the largest collection of precious stones and gems found anywhere in one location. The artistry has to be seen to be appreciated, p....

Come and enjoy over 150 acres of beautiful river bottom land, view the nature center and enjoy picnic areas and an observation tower.

The Danish Windmill Museum is for all people interested in Denmark, Danish Customs, Scandinavian traditions and, of course, windmills, and Elk Horn's Danish Windmill is America's only authentic working Danish Windmill dating back to 1848!

The Charles H. MacNider Museum is a non-profit, municipally owned institution with exhibits either educational or aesthetic in nature centering around working with objects of art. Also features Kids' Club with activity-based exploration!

Indoor and outdoor fun for all ages at this Iowa waterpark next to Storm Lake. All year round swimming fun!

So much more than a farm for this family day out, as the kids will love the petting zoo, haunted houses and an adventure play park!

Get soaked and stoked on our frontier-themed custom rides and attractions! Make The Wasserbahn your personal family playground!

The Shelby County Historical Museum opened in 1975 as a Bicentennial project, and since has grown to four buildings including the Leland and McIntosh Log Cabins. A great exploration of Iowa's history!

13 acres of indoor / outdoor waterpark with exciting waterpark attractions, and great family water fun with slides, waves, and play!

Family owned and operated campground in Iowa with a playground, mini golf and heated pool! Family fun all round!

Create your own art pottery studio suitable for all ages and abilities.

You can't experience Brucemore by looking at a screen. Grab the family, take a tour of the mansion, stroll the gardens, pack a picnic, and attend outdoor theatre. Brucemore, a National Trust Historic Site in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is a museum and so muc....

3 level indoor playland in Iowa, to entertain and exhaust kids under 12 with all the classic features like crawl tubes, climbing nets, slides, balls, tunnels and more!

Swimming, fishing & boating on a lake plus nature trails, campgrounds & concessions on 1,000 acres in Iowa!

Vast 210 acre site with hiking and biking trails, educational centre with numerous natural history exhibits, fishing, and more.

Explore the life of artist Grant Wood, and THE house that inspired the painting American Gothic! Creative and historical family day out in Iowa!

A family fun attraction with kid friendly, hands-on fun with over twelve interactive exhibits and 28,000 square feet of space that inspires all children up to 12 years old to imagine, create, discover and explore through the power of play!

Located in Cherokee, Iowa, the Sanford Museum and Planetarium has exhibits and activities for the whole family, on a variety of subjects including: Archaeology, Art, Astronomy, Geology, History, Natural History, and Paleontology!

A national historic landmark located in the center of Iowa City, Old Capitol served as the first state capitol from 1846-1857 and became a museum in 1976, restored to the 1840s-1850s time period and dedicated to enlivening Iowa history for all.

Get to understand the planet and it’s wonderful nature in the UI Museum of Natural History with its five major exhibit areas: Iowa Hall, Hageboeck Hall of Birds and Mammal Hall, Biosphere Discovery Hub and the Diversity of Life exhibits.

A beautiful family farm with fun activities and cute animals for those budding farmers from pre-K to 3rd grade to enjoy!

Whether you have half an hour or half a day, there are many things to see and do at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site. The future president was born in a small, two-room cottage in 1874. Today the Birthplace Cottage, along with other historic b....

Classic amusement park FUN in Iowa for the whole family! Built in 1889, this historic theme park has classic rides and attractions, as well as dining, shopping, and live concerts - all on the shores of Lake Okoboji!

Arrrr those swashbucklers will love putting their way through the 18th century, with waterfalls, and pirate ship ruins in this fun 18-hole mini golf course!

Explore railroad history at this former 1899 Rock lsland Depot - now the RailsWest Railroad Museum, for history and locomotives in Iowa!

Located along the scenic Upper Iowa River in extreme Northeast Iowa, Chimney Rock Campground are perfect for all family adventures out in nature! They also specialise in Canoe Rental as they are located on the Iowa River!

Historic, and teeming with wildlife and adventure, this Iowa State Park gives you hiking and skiing trails, picnic areas, river activities and camping - all ready and waiting to join in your outdoor family day out adventure!

The National Farm Toy Museum welcomes kids of all ages to explore the thousands of tractors, implements, farm dioramas, toy-manufacturing displays, and pedal tractors on exhibit around the museum! Family toy fun in Iowa!

Is this Heaven? No...it's Iowa. Those infamous words from the movie "Field Of Dreams" can be re-lived at this movie site location!

Explore an ancient flooded cave where you can take a safe but slightly spooky boat trip through! Not a whole day out but a terrific stop the kids will really remember.

Guttenberg RV Park is a relaxing campground for the whole family nestled in historic Guttenberg. A great place to take some time away together and enjoy what nature and the mighty Mississippi River have to offer!

There are numerous opportunities for you to enjoy a self-guided tour or join a ranger for a hike, walk, talk or historic demonstration. Most trails are moderately strenuous, however, there are some trails accessible to mobility impaired visitors.

The Sioux City Public Museum preserves and shares the heritage of Sioux City through a variety of exhibitions, programs and historic structures, telling stories of the community through exhibitions, educational programs and events.

A creative interactive art gallery for kids (and adults!) to experience the colorful and fascinating world of art! A fun (and maybe messy!) family day out in Sioux Falls.

Welcome The Woodbury County Conservation Board invites you to explore nearly 5,000 acres of unique conservation lands. You will find a tremendous variety of outdoor recreational opportunities ranging from lake fishing to river canoeing, from swimmi....

A visit to Stone Park would not be complete without a visit to the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center. The center features a variety of interpretive displays, including a "walk-under" prairie, a 400-gallon aquarium of native fish, and natural history diora....

A 70,000 square foot water park, full-service restaurants, award-winning bowling center, large indoor speedway, golf course, laser tag arena - all in a resort with day admission!

25,000 square feet of indoor waterpark in Iowa, with daily admission, and tons of water fun to be had!

Fun and learning flow together along the Mississippi River! Hands-on features and interactive exhibits ready for kids to explore in both indoor and outdoor spaces!

A living natural cave. You are invited to visit and witness the ongoing miracle that created this natural masterpiece of underground panorama. One of the many fun family places to visit if you're looking for things to do with kids in Iowa

Founded in 1867, the Putnam is home to over 150,000 artifacts and specimens, the Putnam Museum of History and Natural Science offers permanent and changing exhibits,and houses Iowa's only 3D IMAX Theatre.

18 hole championship mini-golf with fun obstacles geared towards kids, but still perfect for the whole family!

A great child friendly place to visit if you're searching for fun places for kids in Iowa is the Family Museum, whose aim is to inspire life-long learning in children through interactive arts and science activities and exhibits