10 Best Things to Do with Kids in Ames, Iowa

For a fun day out, there are plenty of activities in Ames, Iowa, especially for the kids.

These are our favourites:

Visit the Reiman Gardens

The Reiman Gardens are a set of public gardens located in Ames.

They feature a variety of plant life, as well as a butterfly house and a children’s garden. The gardens are open year-round, and kids can enjoy exploring the different areas.

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Go to the Ames Children’s Museum

The Ames Children’s Museum is a great place to take your family near Ames.

There are many interactive exhibits that will keep your children entertained for hours. They can learn about science, history, and culture while having fun at the same time.

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See a show at the Octagon Center for the Arts

The Octagon Center for the Arts is a great place to take kids near Ames.

They offer a variety of shows and events that are perfect for kids of all ages. From art classes to performances, there is something for everyone at the Octagon Center for the Arts.

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Play at Campanile Esplanade and Colvin Recreation Center

The Play at Campanile Esplanade and Colvin Recreation Center is a great place for kids to play in Ames.

The Campanile Esplanade is a large open space with a playground, picnic tables, and a basketball court. The Colvin Recreation Center has a pool, gymnasium, and weight room.

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Check out the animals at the Ames Animal Shelter and Story County Conservation Board

The Ames Animal Shelter and Story County Conservation Board are great places to visit with family in Ames!

It has many adoptable animals, and the Story County Conservation Board has many animals that you can view.

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Visit the Iowa State University campus and take a tour of the facilities

The Iowa State University campus is located in Ames, and is home to over 30,000 students.

The campus is spread out over 1,100 acres and features a variety of buildings and facilities. The university offers a variety of tours that are open to the public, and these tours can be customized to fit the needs of your family.

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Attend a sporting event at Jack Trice Stadium or Hilton Coliseum

Jack Trice Stadium is a football stadium located on the campus of Iowa State University in Ames.

It is the home stadium of the Iowa State Cyclones football team. The stadium opened on September 20, 1975 with a win over Air Force. The stadium is named for Jack Trice, an Iowa State football player who died from injuries sustained during a game in 1923.

The stadium has a capacity of 61,500 people. Hilton Coliseum is a basketball arena located on the campus of Iowa State University in Ames. It is the home court of the Iowa State Cyclones men’s basketball team.

The arena opened on December 2, 1971 with a win over Drake University. The arena is named for Fredrick Hilton, who donated $1 million to the university for its construction. The arena has a capacity of 14,384 people.

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Shop at North Grand Mall or Downtown Ames

There are many options for shopping in Ames, whether it be at North Grand Mall or Downtown Ames.

Family-friendly shopping options include the many retailers and businesses found in both locations. North Grand Mall specifically has a variety of stores that would be appealing to families, such as JCPenney, Macy’s, Target, and Dick’s Sporting Goods. Additionally, there are several restaurants located within the mall that would be perfect for a family meal.

Downtown Ames also has a number of retail shops and restaurants that would be ideal for a family outing. Some notable businesses include Chocolaterie Stam, The Bookend Cafe, and Welch Avenue Station.

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Take a walk or bike ride on the trails at Ada Hayden Heritage Park or Ledges State Park

Ada Hayden Heritage Park and Ledges State Park are both great places to take a walk or bike ride with your family.

Both parks have beautiful trails that wind through the woods and offer stunning views of the surrounding area. Ada Hayden Heritage Park also has a lake where you can go fishing or swimming. Ledges State Park is home to Iowa’s tallest waterfall, so it’s definitely worth a visit!

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Have a picnic lunch at one of the many parks in Ames!

There are many parks in Ames, so it would be easy to have a picnic lunch at one of them.

All you would need is a blanket and some food, and you could enjoy a lovely meal in nature.

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