11 Things to Do in Iowa With Kids

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Iowa is known as the Hawkeye State.

Located in the heartland, the state is the top producer of several crops, including corn, as well as livestock.

There’s much more to do in the state than the farm.

However, if you plan to vacation in Iowa or live in the state, you’ll want to see these top things to do in Iowa with kids.

11 Things to Do in Iowa with Kids

There are lots of fun activities to do in Iowa with your kids.

Our favorite activities include spending time at Mcbride State Park and visiting Iowa’s rich museums.

Blank Park Zoo Des Moines

The Blank Park Zoo is located in Des Moines, Iowa.

It’s the only accredited zoo in the state, so it’s a must for animal lovers.

Kids love seeing tigers, penguins, otters, rhinos, and much more.

You’ll also find daily activities at the zoo, including zookeeper chats with penguins, rhinos, tortoises, and Macaqu, so your family can learn more about these amazing animals.

You can also feed giraffes, parakeets, and alpacas.

While you are there, you can also take a ride on the train and carousel.

Science Center of Iowa, Des Moines

The Science Center of Iowa offers plenty of hands-on learning and experiences for kids and adults.

Young learners and toddlers will love Small Discoveries.

They can play in Toddler Town, shop at Fairway Market, cook, and blow giant bubbles.

The What on Earth exhibit allows kids to learn about native animals, plants, and habitats.

They can see reptiles, peek into a real beehive,

They can also learn about prairie, marsh, and cave habitats, make leaf rubbings from native trees, and bird watching.

The Maker’s Studio offers kids a chance to make electrical circuits and make their own stop animation movie.

Budding engineers and builders will also love brick by brick, where they can make their own Lego builds and see some impressive Lego structures.

The planetarium is a favorite for space-loving kiddos.

They can see the night sky in the planetarium, learn about black holes, how the telescope was invented, and see the seven wonders of the world.

Des Moines Botanical Garden

While you are in Des Moines, you should stop by the Botanical Garden.

The garden is open year-round and has many different gardens you can explore.

Be sure to check out the water garden, savannah garden, conservatory, and the corpse flower during your visit. 

Adventureland Resort, Altoona

Adventureland Resort is an amusement park, water park, and resort hotel in Altoona, Iowa.

If you book accommodations there, entry to the parks is free.

You can also spend the day enjoying the parks, without staying at the hotel.

The park has a total of more than 100 attractions.

Kids and adults can enjoy the Viking Coaster and Bernie’s Swing.

For a milder ride, consider the Flying Tigers ride or Clipper.

All rides require kids to be at least 36 inches tall.

Thrill seekers can take on the Dragon Slayer for an intense coaster that spins.

During the summer months, you can beat the heat at Adventure Bay.

You’ll find ht largest wave pool in Iowa and a lazy river that everyone can enjoy.

There are several kids’ play areas for the little ones and some thrilling watersides for those who want excitement.

The park also offers seasonal events, like the spectacularly spooky Phantom Fall Fest.

 Lake McBride State Park, Solon

Lake McBride State Park is the largest state park in Iowa.

In the center of the park is Lake McBride, which spans 900 acres.

The park covers a total of 2,180 acres.

If you want to spend more than a day at the park, you have a few options.

The park has two campgrounds, one of which has modern amenities.

You can also rent cabins and houses for a comfortable stay at the park.

While you are there, you should check out the hiking and biking trails.

The easiest trail winds around the lake and is suitable for all ages.

Hiking trails also go through a traditional Iowa prairie and forests.

During the summer months, fishing, swimming, and boating on the lake are popular.

During the winter, you can go snowmobiling or cross-country skiing.

Launch Pad Museum, Sioux City

Launch Pad Museum is a museum designed for kids.

It offers plenty of hands-on learning and fun.

The infant-toddler area is designed for the museum’s youngest visitors and their caregivers.

Kids can engage in pretend play at the Ice Cream Parlor, Market, and Little Launchtown.

They can learn about agriculture see what it’s like to be a farmer, and play in the Barn.

They can engage in hands-on learning at LaunchPad Lab and have sensory fun at Moving Dirt and the Water Table.

They can also burn off steam at The Climber and Backyard.

 Buxton Park, Indianola

Buxton Park features several botanical gardens.

You can visit the formal garden and butterfly garden.

The children’s garden features a play tunnel, a Natureland game, musical instruments, and more nature activities.

Children can also touch and feel the plants in the planter boxes.

You’ll also find an ornamental fountain, sculptures, and wind sculptures.

You can also enjoy the bike trail or hike around the park.

There’s also an arboretum, and you can take a self-guided tour of the local trees.

Iowa State University

Iowa State University offers more than just education.

You’ll find several museums on campus.

Art lovers can visit the Brunnier Art Museum and the Christian Peterson Art Museum.

There’s also a sculpture garden and a collection of art on the campus.

The Farmhouse Museum is actually the first building ever built on the campus.

It was built in 1860 and has housed deans, professors, and students.

It was restored in the 1970s when it became a museum.

The Farmhouse is also named a National Historic Landmark.

The University is also the home of Reiman Gardens.

You’ll see native plants as well as tropical flowers and palm trees.

You can also see a variety of native and exotic butterflies and prize-winning roses.

Take a Train Ride, Boone County

Hopping a train is a great way to spend a day in Boone County.

At Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad and James H. Andrew Railroad Museum, you can choose between different types of cars and rides.

Younger children will love Day Out with Thomas.

You can ride Thomas the Train.

These rides last about 25 minutes.

You can also visit the Imagination Station and enjoy arts and crafts.

Sir Topham hat will be there as well.

Each ticket also includes a trolley ride, museum admission, temporary tattoos, and storytelling.

The Fraser train offers a longer scenic ride.

The ride is 11 miles long and takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes.

You’ll travel from Boone to the old coal mining town of Fraser.

You’ll also cross the iconic Bass Point Creek High Bridge and the Des Moines River Bridge.

If you want an elegant experience, you should bring your family on the dinner train.

The ride is nearly 3 hours long.

The trains are from the 1950s and were once a part of the Union Pacific Railroad.

You’ll travel across the Bass Point Creek High Bridge, as well as the Des Moines River as you go through the river valley.

Tickets also include museum admission, so you can learn more about the history of the railroad.

Visit Lewis and Clark State Park

The Lewis and Clark State Park is on the Lewis and Clark Trail.

The duo made a harrowing trek across nearly 5,000 miles and 16 states in the early 1800s.

The park is a great place for boating, fishing, and hiking.

You can also learn about history at the visitor center.

If you are a Lewis and Clark enthusiast, consider visiting the Lewis and Clark Festival in June.

Visit Roadside Attractions

Iowa also has several interesting attractions.

Check out the largest cornstalk in Shelby.

The metal sculpture towers over the area at 76 feet tall.

You can see Alert the Bull in Audubon.

This statue is the world’s largest bull.

Gemstone lovers should see the world’s largest Amethyst in West Bend.

It’s part of the Grotto of Redemption.

The amethyst weighs more than 300 pounds.

Reiman Gardens has a few claims to fame as well.

The garden has the largest buck rose collection, and the largest garden gnome, named Elwood.

Iowa Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: Iowa Safety Review

Safety Index:

82

• OVERALL RISK: LOW
• TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
• PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
• NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
• MUGGING RISK: LOW
• TERRORISM RISK: LOW
• SCAMS RISK: LOW
• WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW