Save Money and Have Fun at the Iowa State Fair

Bringing your kids to the Iowa State Fair August 11-21 is a great way to start fun family traditions. Use these tips to save money, find kid-friendly entertainment and make your family’s trip to the Fair even easier than ever.

The Fair doesn’t have to be a big burden on your wallet. Children ages 5 and under are admitted free every day to the Fair. If your kids are a little older (ages 5 to 11), take advantage of the free child admission coupon that runs in the August 14 Des Moines Register. You can also buy advance admission tickets until Aug. 10 and save on money child ($3) and adult ($7) tickets. Or attend after 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and pay half price gate admission. There’s a lot of information at iowastatefair.org about other great offers like discounted midway tickets and Fair Play Packs (bundled activity tickets). Just remember to buy on or before August 10.

You can also feed your family at the Fair for less. Save money by splitting the Fair’s famously filling meals. Or check out the Fair’s website to see a list of value foods that costs $2 or less, including hot dogs, macaroni and cheese and much more. Many concessionaires offer kids’ meals or kid-friendly foods.

The Fair is full of kid-friendly entertainment that won’t cost you a dime. Use the Fair’s new plan your itinerary feature to schedule your day before arriving at the Fair. Be sure to visit the Fun Forest to enjoy the playground or a kids’ show and the new Kids’ Zone located north of the Animal Learning Center. Kids’ Zone will feature the Blue Ribbon Kids Club tent, Extreme Canines Stunt Dog Show, the Butterfly House, Little Hands on the Farm, and family-friendly games, rides and foods.

Family-friendly services will make your trip to the Fair hassle-free. The Kids’ Zone will also offer rentals of strollers and SecuraPAL GPS tracking devices to help keep your kids together at the Fair. Diaper changing and nursing stations are available nearby at the Animal Learning Center or at the Walnut Center.

See you at the Fair!