Museums & Cultural Centers

Des Moines Art Center - New Saturday morning hours 10 a.m. to noon. Family backpacks for ages 3 to 12 available, as are interactive family activities (second Saturday of every month).

Des Moines Botanical Center - For kids: Children can pick up a Scavenger Hunt pamphlet at the front desk. It guides children to look for specific plants and their characteristics as they tour the dome and contains other plant activities. More in-depth activities, for kids 4 to 12, are available through the Discovery Backpacks.

State Historical Building Toddler Tuesdays - Storytime and hands-on activities for kids ages 3 to 5 years old every Tuesday from 10:30 to 11 a.m.

“History Hunter” Museum Vault Tours - Museum curators lead behind-the-scenes tours through the museum’s “vault." Or take a tour of the Museum’s Battle Flag Preservation Lab. Third Saturday of each month, 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m.

Reiman Gardens, Ames - One of the largest public gardens in Iowa is open daily at varying hours (depending on season). From Memorial Day to Labor day, admission is waived on Tuesdays for Ames residents.

Science Center of Iowa & Blank IMAX Dome Theater - From the inner workings of the human body to the outer reaches of the solar system, science surrounds you with dynamic live programs and hands-on exhibits.