Kids Empire Merle Hay - Des Moines, Iowa

Gladys S.

Mi hijo se la pasa súper muy bonito lugar lo recomiendo

Liz C.

This location is AMAZING. Had a birthday party here and the manager went above and beyond helping the parents get signed in, the kids gathered and an overall great time! She was very attentive to guests and her staff. You can tell this location takes pride in being so friendly! It’s so clean, and so spacious, too!! Double the tables we are used to. We will definitely be driving across town to this location!!! Thank you MH Kids Empire Team!! You have 13 VERY HAPPY (and tired) kids 🥰🥰

Jack F.

it waa the first time i have been their i took the day off work and took my 8 year old son their he had a blast im 53 it wore me out butt i loved it it made u feel like a kid again we played for 4.5 hours straight we loved it my son has been talking about going back eversince we left

Travis G.

Kids Empire is a must-visit for families!

This place is a paradise for kids—huge play structures, exciting slides, and endless fun that keeps them entertained for hours. It’s clean, safe, and well-designed, with plenty of seating for parents to relax while the kids burn off energy.

The staff is friendly, and the admission price is a great value for the non-stop fun. If you’re looking for the perfect indoor play spot, Kids Empire is the place to be!

Chad F.

Absolutely great play area for the kids with a ton to do. Good pricing on snacks and drinks and all day admission made our family very happy!

Lisa L. R.

Daughter C. and I took the kids there this afternoon (with Uncle S. stopping by later). We were struck by a few things we weren’t expecting: The place is huge, it’s immaculately clean, and admission is more than reasonable.

The kids are 6 1/2 and just 4, and they were thrilled. If anyone remembers Discovery Zone from back in the day, it’s much like that, only larger, with fun things DZ didn’t offer, such as a mini soccer area. L.’s size and skill level (climbing, basically) allowed him the run of the place; M. is too little to have made it through the maze unassisted, but with help, she loved it. The play structures are well padded and seem well maintained.

There’s also a play area for kids 3 and under. M. just turned 4, and I cheated and took her over there for a bit. It was a nice confidence-booster for her, as she is on the small side and was able to master all the climbing structures and slides on her own.

We liked the fact that most adults can comfortably access anything in the maze, and as long as you’re willing and able to climb, it’s really fun! C., S., and I all slid down the slides many times, and we have the videos to prove it! So no need to worry your little one will become stuck in an area that’s difficult to reach. Also: Adults are encouraged to participate with their kids in play. In addition to the climbing and soccer areas, there’s a room filled with giant Legos, and Leo and I occupied ourselves there when my knees needed a break.

The staff couldn’t have been nicer, and I can’t mention often enough how clean the place is. Shoes are not allowed inside the play area, so nothing gets tracked in, but more importantly, someone is always cleaning. Hand-sanitizer stations also are located throughout.

Snacks, water, juice, and soft drinks are available for sale, and those are reasonably priced as well.

There’s another Kids’ Empire at Jordan Creek, but you live east of WDM, please do these folks a solid and patronize the Merle Hay branch. This is a bright spot in a mall that could sure use a little love.

(ETA: I didn't discuss accessibility with the manager, but I did some research. Kids' Empire is a chain, and the website mentions a commitment to inclusivity. Kids using assistive devices likely will not be able to climb through the maze, but provided parents sign a waiver - as all parents are asked to do - children of all abilities are welcome. I can think of a few parts of the play area that would be easily accessible, but some would not. If this is a concern for your family, I would contact the location and expect them to offer options for your child.)

Eham M.

We always have a great experience with Michelle
She's the reason why my kids love coming here
She always greets us with as a beautiful smile as her personality.❤️❤️❤️❤️

Marcia H.

Brought my 4 yo grandson and he had a blast! Lots of ways to burn off energy, super clean facility, ( women’s rr was spotless!) manager/staff were helpful, welcoming and in general wonderful. Lockers available without charge if you need to stow some belongings. Highly recommend, 10/10 we will be back!