Kid-Friendly Des Moines Coffee Shops
During a road trip coming back from Illinois, both kids had been having epic meltdowns and we still had two hours to go. Luckily, we stumbled upon the Dodge Street Coffeehouse, in Iowa City. There is a full menu of drinks and treats and an amazing kids’ corner full of toys. I let my toddler play for a while as I regained some sanity. It made me think though, what a great combination, a cafe, and kids’ play corner. So I did some research to find a few around the Des Moines Area.
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Big Acai Bowl
Address: 117 5th Street, West Des Moines, IA 50265
Enjoy the tropical atmosphere of Big Acai Bowl. Pick a yummy acai bowl or a smoothie. For those with a picky toddler, there are juice boxes too. They do not have a kid’s corner here but plenty of space to play. Bring a few toys or books with you and pretend you are on an island. There are several locations but we went to the one in Valley Junction.
Eden Tea
Address: 5828 Douglas Ave Des Moines, IA 50322
When you walk into Eden Tea you will immediately feel a calm, relaxing atmosphere. They have serene music playing with several comfy sitting areas. There are board games, an arcade game, a fish tank, and my son’s favorite: a foosball table. Eden Tea has a variety of milk teas as well as other beverages. I went for a smoothie on our first visit but I will be back to try the coffee milk tea that looks Instagram-worthy.
Molly’s Cupcakes
Address: 215 East Third Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Molly’s Cupcakes is located in the East Village. My favorite thing about Des Moines is the small-town city feel of downtown. I love that I can bring my kids down there, find a parking spot, and enjoy the area without feeling the unease of a large city. This was our first visit to Molly’s Cupcakes and we will definitely be back! We picked a couple of cupcakes and a cappuccino for myself. We found a perfect corner spot with room for my one-year-old to crawl around the booth. They have a shelf full of board games to play. We devoured our cupcakes and played pretty much every game.
PLAYgrounds Cafe
Address: 293 SE Westown Parkway Waukee, Iowa 50263
There is now a unique coffee shop located in Waukee, Iowa where you can sip your coffee, work on your computer, and connect with others while your little ones play. PLAYgrounds Cafe is a special place in the Des Moines metro that meets the needs of many working parents and/or stay-at-home parents who need a place to get out and connect.
Valley Community Center
Address: 4444 Fuller Rd West Des Moines, IA 50265
We love the Valley Community Center! They always have something fun going on. The Maplenol Cafe, located in the center, has all sorts of yummy drinks. Sip your drink while your kids play in the indoor playground. Visit on a Tuesday or Thursday morning for Tot Town, which includes bouncy houses, basketball, books, and much more.
Vintage Brewhouse
Address: 1300 NW 36th St Suite 101, Ankeny, IA 50023
You will find Vintage Brewhouse in North Ankeny. This is a coffee shop and a taproom combined as one! There is an area filled with games to play. My son’s favorite was the Giant Connect Four. We each enjoyed a fresh chocolate chip cookie. On a nice day, they have a large garage door open for fresh air. I will be going back for a mom’s night out or date night to enjoy the local beers!
Let me know about other coffee shops that have a kids’ corner or board games. Next up, we will check out local breweries that have play areas for kids and delicious beverages for adults.
