Des Moines Family Favorite Awards

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Welcome to the 2024 Official Des Moines Family Favorite Awards!

We have all seen the fun voting that happens around our city to highlight all the amazing businesses and organizations in the Des Moines area. Now is your chance to share your family’s favorite places to shop, play, eat, and service providers in the Des Moines area. 

Hundreds of you showed up and shared your favorites for 2024. Take a look at the winners and runner-ups below!

The next voting will take place October 2025.

2024 Winners + Runner-Up’s

CategoryPlace
Best Place for Indoor Play
JouJou Des MoinesWinner
Des Moines Children’s MuseumRunner-Up
Best Park
Raccoon River ParkWinner
Triumph ParkRunner-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
Clive AquaticsWinner
Valley ViewRunner-Up
Best Apple Orchard
Center Grove OrchardWinner
Deal’s Orchard Runner-Up
Best Pumpkin Patch
Center Grove OrchardWinner
Howell’s Greenhouse and Pumpkin PatchRunner-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
Raccoon River ParkRunner-Up
Best Family-Friendly Movie Theater
The Palms Movie Theater Winner
B&B Theatres Ankeny 12 & B-Roll BowlingRunner-Up
Best Indoor Play Space for Younger Kids (5 years and younger)
JouJou Des MoinesWinner
Playgrounds CafeRunner-Up
Best Mini Golf Course
Jester ParkWinner
Putts & PinsRunner-Up
Best Place to Play Arcade
Game Day Winner
SparetimeRunner-Up
Best Playground
Raccoon River ParkWinner
Triumph Park Runner-Up
Best Local Library
West Des Moines Public LibraryWinner
Grimes Public Library Runner-Up
Best Place to Roller Skate
SkatelandWinner
Skate SouthRunner-Up
Best Children’s Party Venue
JouJou Des MoinesWinner
Playgrounds for Kids Runner-Up
Best Christmas Tree Farm
Howell’sWinner
Strautman Tree FarmRunner-Up
Best Family-Friendly Egg Hunt
Living History FarmsWinner
Howell’s Runner-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
Okoboji Runner-Up
Best Holiday Experience
Christkindlmarket Des MoinesWinner
Reiman Gardens – Winter Wonderscape Runner-Up
Best Summer Camp
Des Moines Y CampWinner
Wesley Woods Runner-Up
Best Children’s Theatre
Des Moines PlayhouseWinner
Des Moines Performing Arts Runner-Up
Best Family-Friendly Spot to See a Live Performance
Des Moines Performing ArtsWinner
Des Moines PlayhouseRunner-Up
Best Toy Store
The Learning Post ToysWinner
Janes Des MoinesRunner-Up
Best Arts & Crafts Store
Hobby LobbyWinner
MichaelsRunner-Up
Best Kids Boutique
Janes Des MoinesWinner
Robin and RileyRunner-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
Reading in Public Runner-Up
Best Kids Consignment Store or Event
Once Upon A ChildWinner
Duck Worth WearingRunner-Up
Best Place to Purchase Children’s Furniture
HomemakersWinner
Suite DreamsRunner-Up
Best Donut Shop
Hurt’s DonutsWinner
Donut HutRunner-Up
Best Pizza Place
Dough Co. Winner
Northern LightsRunner-Up
Best Family Friendly Coffee Shop
Playgrounds CafeWinner
Smokey RowRunner-Up
Best Kid’s Eat Free Restaurant
Pizza RanchWinner
Texas RoadhouseRunner-Up
Best Family Friendly Restaurant
Either/OrWinner
Chick-fil-aRunner-Up
Best Family Friendly Brewery
Big Grove Brewery Winner
Singlespeed Brewery Runner-Up
Best Bakery
La MieWinner
ChaCha’s Hiland BakeryRunner-Up
Best Ice Cream Shop
Home Sweet ConeWinner
Black Cat Ice CreamRunner-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
Grace BalletWinner
Dance VisionRunner-Up
Best Gymnastics Studio
Emerge AcademyWinner
ChowsRunner-Up
Best Place to Take Karate Classes
Dojo’sWinner
Triumph Martial Arts Runner-Up
Best Parks & Recreation Department
West Des Moines Parks & RecreationWinner
Waukee Parks & RecreationRunner-Up
Best Pediatrician
Be Well PediatricsWinner
Dr. Jessica Greenley Runner-Up
Best Children’s/Family Eye Doctor
Wolfe Eye Clinic Winner
Elite Eye CareRunner-Up
Best Family-Friendly Photographer
Michelle Lovell PhotographyWinner
Belma PhotographyRunner-Up
Best Daycare/Child Care Center
New Horizon AcademyWinner
Primrose School of Urbandale Runner-Up
Best Family Bank
Community Choice Credit Union Winner
Veridian Credit Union Runner-Up
Best Church
Lutheran Church of HopeWinner
Valley ChurchRunner-Up
Best Place for a Child’s Haircut
Trixie’s Salon & SpaWinner
Great ClipsRunner-Up
Best Labor/Delivery/Postpartum Staff
BroadlawnsWinner
Methodist WestRunner-Up
Best Birth and/or Postpartum Doula
Blessed Births & Beyond – Shannon LeeWinner
DSM Doula – Kelli BrusRunner-Up
Special Needs Service Providers
Des Moines TherapyWinner
Connect 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 ehuiatt@desmoinesparent.com