Des Moines Family Favorite Awards

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The votes are in, and it’s time to celebrate your 2025 Des Moines Parent Family Favorites! We’ve all seen the fun voting that happens around our city to highlight the amazing businesses and organizations that make the Des Moines area such a special place to live and raise a family, and this year, you helped us do just that! From the best spots to shop, play, and eat to the most trusted service providers, your votes helped shine a light on the local gems that make family life in Des Moines so wonderful.

Take a look at this year’s winners and discover some new favorites to add to your family’s list!

The next vote will happen in October 2026.

2025 Winners + Runner-Up’s

CategoryPlace
Best Place for Indoor Play
Playgrounds CafeWinner
Des Moines Children’s MuseumRunner-Up
Best Park
Raccoon River ParkWinner
Colby Park Runner-Up
Best Trampoline Park
Get AirWinner
Sky Zone Runner- Up
Best Nature Center
Jester Park Nature CenterWinner
Brenton Arboretum Runner-Up
Best Splash Pad/Wading Pool
Grimes Waterworks ParkWinner
Legion Park in West Des MoinesRunner-Up
Best Outdoor Aquatics Facility/ Water Park
Valley ViewWinner
Clive Aquatic CenterRunner-Up
Best Apple Orchard
Center Grove OrchardWinner
Wilson’s Orchard & FarmRunner-Up
Best Pumpkin Patch
Howell’sWinner
Center Grove OrchardRunner-Up
Best Museum for Families
Science Center of IowaWinner
Des Moines Children’s Museum Runner-Up
Best Place to Bowl
Spare Time Des MoinesWinner
Warrior LanesRunner-Up
Best Children’s Outdoor Entertainment
Blank Park Zoo Winner
AdventurelandRunner-Up
Best Family-Friendly Movie Theater
The Palms Movie Theater Winner
Flix BrewhouseRunner-Up
Best Indoor Play Space for Younger Kids (5 years and younger)
Playgrounds CafeWinner
JouJou Des MoinesRunner-Up
Best Mini Golf Course
West GrandWinner
Fat PutterRunner-Up
Best Place to Play Arcade
SparetimeWinner
Dave & Busters Runner-Up
Best Playground
Raccoon River ParkWinner
Colby ParkRunner-Up
Best Local Library
West Des Moines Public LibraryWinner
Grimes Public Library Runner-Up
Best Place to Roller Skate
Skate SouthWinner
SkatelandRunner-Up
Best Children’s Party Venue
Playgrounds for KidsWinner
Emerge AcademyRunner-Up
Best Christmas Tree Farm
Howell’sWinner
Strautman Tree FarmRunner-Up
Best Family-Friendly Egg Hunt
Howell’sWinner
Living History FarmsRunner-Up
Best Family Festival or Fair
Iowa State FairWinner
IllumifestRunner-Up
Best Pet-Friendly Spot
Paws & PintsWinner
Raccoon River Park Runner-Up
Best Iowa Vacation – City
Clear LakeWinner
DecorahRunner-Up
Best Holiday Experience
Festival of Trees & LightsWinner
Christkindlmarket Des MoinesRunner-Up
Best Summer Camp
Des Moines Y CampWinner
Blank Park Zoo Runner-Up
Best Children’s Theatre
Des Moines PlayhouseWinner
Des Moines Young Artists’ TheatreRunner-Up
Best Family-Friendly Spot to See a Live Performance
Des Moines PlayhouseWinner
Jamie Hurd AmphitheaterRunner-Up
Best Toy Store
The Learning Post ToysWinner
Once Upon a ChildRunner-Up
Best Arts & Crafts Store
Hobby LobbyWinner
MichaelsRunner-Up
Best Kids Boutique
Janes Des MoinesWinner
Little Children’s BoutiqueRunner-Up
Best Bike Shop
Bike WorldWinner
Kyle’s BikesRunner-Up
Best Shopping Mall or Center
Jordan Creek Town CenterWinner
Merle Hay MallRunner-Up
Best Bookstore
The Little BookWinner
Wandering Raccoon BooksRunner-Up
Best Kids Consignment Store or Event
Once Upon A ChildWinner
Just Between FriendsRunner-Up
Best Place to Purchase Children’s Furniture
HomemakersWinner
Suite DreamsRunner-Up
Best Donut Shop
Donut HutWinner
DonutlandRunner-Up
Best Pizza Place
Fongs Winner
Pepps PizzeriaRunner-Up
Best Family Friendly Coffee Shop
Playgrounds CafeWinner
Smokey RowRunner-Up
Best Kid’s Eat Free Restaurant
PerkinsWinner
IHOPRunner-Up
Best Family Friendly Restaurant
Either/OrWinner
Big Grove BreweryRunner-Up
Best Family Friendly Brewery
Big Grove Brewery Winner
Barn Town Brewing Runner-Up
Best Bakery
La MieWinner
ChaCha’s Hiland BakeryRunner-Up
Best Ice Cream Shop
Home Sweet ConeWinner
Snookies Malt Shop Runner-Up
Best Family Chiropractor
Vero Health CenterWinner
Thrive Chiropractic Runner-Up
Best Pediatric Dentistry
The Nest Winner
Pediatric Dentistry of Des Moines – Dr. MollyRunner-Up
Best Place for Swim Lessons
Goldfish Swim SchoolWinner
YMCARunner-Up
Best Dance Studio
Devine DancersWinner
Inspiring DanceRunner-Up
Best Gymnastics Studio
The Little GymWinner
Emerge AcademyRunner-Up
Best Place to Take Karate Classes
Dojo’sWinner
Master Jeong’s Tae Kwon DoRunner-Up
Best Parks & Recreation Department
West Des Moines Parks & RecreationWinner
Clive Parks & Recreation Runner-Up
Best Pediatrician
Be Well PediatricsWinner
Iowa Clinic – Dr. Nicole StoeckenRunner-Up
Best Children’s/Family Eye Doctor
Elite Eye CareWinner
Wolfe Eye ClinicRunner-Up
Best Family-Friendly Photographer
Belma PhotographyWinner
Breanna Maxwell PhotographyRunner-Up
Best Daycare/Child Care Center
New Horizon AcademyWinner
Cadence Academy PreschoolRunner-Up
Best Family Bank
Veridian Credit UnionWinner
IHMVCU Credit Union Runner-Up
Best Church
Lutheran Church of HopeWinner
NorthpointRunner-Up
Best Place for a Child’s Haircut
Shear Madness for KidsWinner
Trixie’s Salon & Spa Runner-Up
Best Labor/Delivery/Postpartum Staff
Methodist WestWinner
BroadlawnsRunner-Up
Best Birth and/or Postpartum Doula
Crystel CorbinWinner
Iowa Baby Lady Runner-Up
Special Needs Service Providers
Connect TherapyWinner
143 Speech TherapyRunner-Up



All winners and runner-ups will receive an email and their ribbon sticker in the mail. If you have any questions, please email [email protected]