Dozer Day in Des Moines, Iowa
Calling construction fans of all ages! Welcome to Dozer Day, where you can watch a car get smashed like a pancake, operate heavy machinery, play games and step inside a tunnel boring machine.
Dozer Day was started in Vancouver, Washington, by the Nutter Family Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of children. Due to its popularity, it has expanded to other communities, and in 2025, it was held in Des Moines for the very first time. Now, a two-day educational event, kids get to learn about heavy construction equipment and machinery. Not only do they get to touch the trucks, but with the help of professional operators, they actually get to drive them!
Once you walk into the event, it’s time to get ready. For the kids serious about construction, there is the option to purchase yellow or pink hard hats, reflective vests, safety glasses, and other memorabilia. After being outfitted, you can get snacks at the food truck and then it’s time for demolition. We watched a car get tossed into the air and then crunched into pieces. Next, my boys explored the heights by suiting up in harnesses and viewing the grounds from high above in an aerial work platform.
There are vendors throughout the grounds offering various games to play and educational opportunities. First responders also attended with an ambulance that kids could explore. My boys loved crawling through a maze of large-diameter pipes using the provided flashlights to find their way. Next, they scooped piles of sand into toy dump trucks. They learned about hydrovac excavators and got to suck up plastic balls using a remote to move the machine. We wished we had one to suck up our leaves this fall!
All different kinds and sizes of excavators and other trucks are available for kids to drive with the help of professional operators. They were so patient and kind with everyone! Good news- adults can try it too! My husband operated an excavator with one of our kids, and I’m not sure who was more excited about five solid minutes of scooping dirt.
This is definitely an opportunity that you don’t want to miss!
Date and Admission Cost
Parking: Parking is free and inside the fairgrounds.
Dates: September, 19 & 20, 2026
Where: Elwell Family Park at Iowa State Fairgrounds
Cost: $15/ticket. Purchase your ticket here.
