Teen Activities in Des Moines
Do you have a tween or a teenager? One of the most common things I hear from parents is a list of activities and/or programs specifically geared towards teens. I have created this guide for teen activities in Des Moines. Have something to add? Please let me know. Our extensive event calendar is also a great way to keep track of fun programs, events and activities happening for teens in Des Moines.
Altoona
Altoona Public Library
700 8th Street SW, Altoona
Every Friday is Teen Hangout from 3:30 PM-4:30 PM. This is a time for teens to meet in the library meeting room and hang out. Feel free to bring board games, crafts and snacks. For other monthly teen activities and events check their event calendar.
Boone
Camp Fire Heart of Iowa
1450 Oriole Road, Boone
Camp Fire Heart of Iowa offers tons of options for teens. Whether it be a daily activity or an overnight camp, there is something for all ages. Take a look at all their programs and prices.
Des Moines
Des Moines Art Center
4700 Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50312
The Des Moines Art Center has a variety of classes and workshops for teens such as Photography, Ceramics, Digital Painting. Sessions happen throughout the school year and summer.
Des Moines Playhouse
831 42nd Street, Des Moines
Des Moines Community Playhouse hosts a variety of workshops for teens of all skill levels such as creative drama, tap, creative characters and more. They also have special teen only workshops that have sessions throughout the year.
Des Moines Public Library
Various Locations all over Des Moines
The Des Moines Public Libraries offers fun events, activities, and programs just for teens. Some of these include Game On, Chess Club, VolunTeens, Sit n’ Stitch, Drop-in STEM, Art and much more. Take a look at their extensive event calendar to learn more.
Note: You can filter by age on their event calendar to find the exact age group you would like to see.
Escape Chambers
338 SW 6th St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Escape Chambers would be a great night out for teens. Choose from 9 different rooms with varying difficulty levels and work together to make your escape in 60 minutes.
Four Mile Community Recreation Center
3711 Easton Blvd, Des Moines, IA 50317
Pioneer Columbus Community Recreation Center
2100 SE 5th St, Des Moines, IA 50315
The Four Mile Community Recreation Center and the Pioneer Columbus Community Recreation Center have a variety of things for teens to do. Pickleball, open gym, teq ball, yoga, dance, weight room are a few of the amenities.
Lauridsen Skatepark
901 2nd Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
Lauridsen Skatepark is the largest open skate park in the nation. This giant skate park has something for every level and can be used with skateboards, rollerblades, and BMX bikes. Skate DSM hosts skating clinics and camps at the skatepark and throughout the metro.
Oak Studio Teen Tech Center
Mainframe Studios,900 Keosauqua Way, LL01, Des Moines, Iowa
Oak Studio is a Best Buy Tech Center. It is open to all metro-area teens ages 13-21. They help youth explore music and vocal production, audio engineering, digital media, robotics, drones, augmented and virtual reality, 3D printing, graphic design, sewing, engraving and more! Within the space, teens are able to participate in collaborative and individual projects, training and workshops. For more information reach out to [email protected].
Polk County Conservation Youth Corps
Polk County Conservation Youth Corps offers paid service-learning opportunities for teens 14+ throughout the year. They engage and inspire diverse youth through hands-on environmental stewardship projects, outdoor recreation, and conservation education.
Rezblue Arena
2323 Grand Ave #400, Des Moines, IA 50312
Rezblue Arena is a virtual reality facility. They have laser tag, arcade games and escape rooms. All played while using virtual reality. This would make a fun birthday party for a teen in your life.
Grimes
Grimes Public Library
200 NE Beaverbrooke Blvd, Grimes, IA 50111
The Grimes Public Library offers programs, activities, and events just for teens including Teen Tuesdays, Painting, Hooks and Needles, Chess Club and more. Take a look at their event calendar to see more.
K1 Speed
1350 SE Gateway Dr # 108, Grimes, IA 50111
K1 Speed is an indoor go-kart race track. Junior racers have to be 48 inches and adult racers have to be 58 inches. After racing, have a bite to eat at the Paddock Lounge.
Johnston
Johnston Public Library
6700 Merle Hay Road, Johnston
The Johnston Public Library offers several fun programs, events and activities for teens including Teen Advisory Board, Homework Club, Anime Club, Teen Book Club and much more. Take a look at their entire Teen Event Calendar.
Urbandale
Club Air
Friday and Saturday – 7 PM to 10 PM
Price – $15 for 2 Hours, $20 for 3 Hours
Spend the night jumping and dancing to music at Club Air at Get Air. This is best suited for kids 9+. Children under 18 need a parent/guardian to fill out a waiver before they jump.
Urbandale Public Library
3520 86th Street, Urbandale
The Urbandale Public Library offers several fun programs, events and activities geared just for teens including Movie Night, Tween & Teen Painting, Book Club and more. Take a look at their event calendar. They also have opportunities for teens to volunteer.
Waukee
Warrior Lanes
190 SE Laurel Street, Waukee
Enjoy glow in the dark bowling at Warrior Lanes. Extreme Glow Bowling happens every Friday and Saturday night starting at 7 p.m. Perfect for a group of teens to get together and have some fun. Take a look at pricing on their website.
Waukee Public Library
950 Warrior Lane, Waukee
The Waukee Public Library offers events, activities, and programs just for teens including Teen Advisory Board, Teen Early Out Movie, Teen Read and Feed and more. Take a look at the event calendar to learn more.
Note: You can filter events by clicking “Teens” under the “Event Category” option on the calendar.
West Des Moines
Dave & Busters
190 Jordan Creek Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Dave & Busters has a large, modern arcade, a full restaurant and bar. It would be a great spot to spend an afternoon playing games, eating and watching a game.
Smash Park
6625 Coachlight Dr, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Teens would have a blast playing pickleball, cornhole, ping-pong and eating at Smash Park.
Spare Time
340 Jordan Creek Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50266
Bowling, arcade, laser tag, and an escape room are just a few of the fun things teens can do at Spare Time.
The Operating Room
5515 Mills Civic Pkwy #130, West Des Moines, IA 50266
1631 SW Main St Suite 105, Ankeny, IA 50023
The Operating Room has locations in West Des Moines and Ankeny. They have a large arcade and bar with frozen slushies. It is 21+ after 8 pm.
West Des Moines Library
4000 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines
The West Des Moines Library offers fun events, activities, and programs just for teens. Take a look at their event calendar. All teen events are highlighted in orange.
Please keep lists like this updated, or maybe remove them? I found a few things I looked into here aren’t applicable anymore. Some of them are nearly a year old.
Thank you for letting us know. We will add it to our list to update. As with all guides, blog posts we encourage everyone to double check before visiting. Thanks!