Beyond the barns and backroads, Iowa is bursting with kid-friendly fun. I love how this Midwest gem offers up tractors, trails, and time-traveling towns—all wrapped in that signature Iowa friendliness that makes family trips feel easy and joyful.
To me, Iowa means watching butterflies flutter at Reiman Gardens in Ames, feeding giraffes at the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines, and learning pioneer life at Living History Farms. We love walking the High Trestle Trail bridge (even just a short stretch) for its sky-high views and glowing nighttime arches. The National Mississippi River Museum in Dubuque brings river history to life, while Pella and Amana Colonies add a European twist with bakeries, windmills, and festivals. I recommend visiting in summer for all the fairs and water play—or in fall, when pumpkin patches and apple orchards are at their best.
Picture this: The kids are petting baby goats, running through a corn maze, and shouting with glee as a steamboat whistles past—all in one surprisingly playful state called Iowa.
"Farms, fossils, and big fun in small towns? This is Iowa with kids!"
Unique Iowa Activities and Attractions for Kids:
Jump to a Spot...
- • Dig into Botany and Bugs at Reiman Gardens
- • Strike a Pose at the American Gothic House
- • Feel the Thrill of Nostalgia at Arnolds Park
- • Roar into Action at Blank Park Zoo
- • Power Up Young Minds at the Bluedorn Science Imaginarium
- • All Aboard the Past with Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad
- • Unlock Gilded Secrets at Brucemore Mansion
- • Get Creative at Charles H MacNider Art Museum
- • Descend into Wonder at Crystal Lake Cave
- • Chase Adrenaline and Cotton Candy at Adventureland Park