Trucks, Trains and Cars: A Des Moines Bucket List for Kids That Love Things That Go
For some kids, there’s nothing more exciting than touching and even operating heavy machinery. The Des Moines metro offers many opportunities to do just that, whether it’s operating a bulldozer on Dozer Day, touring a fire station, riding a train, attending an air show or cheering on monster trucks. This guide showcases the perfect opportunities for vehicle-loving kids.
Big Trucks, Tractors and Emergency Vehicles
Fire Station Tours
Many fire stations in the Des Moines Metro offer free tours where kids can visit the station, sit in the vehicles, and talk to the firefighters.
Check out our guide, Fire Station Tours for Kids in Des Moines, to learn how and where your kids can tour a fire station.
Dozer Day Des Moines
Address: Iowa State Fairgrounds
Date: Annual event happening this year on September 19th and 20th, 2026
Dozer Day is a family-friendly event that focuses on teaching about heavy construction equipment and machinery. Play fun games like sucking up objects with a hydrovac excavator, crawl through large diameter pipes and even drive real construction vehicles. Kids (and adults!) can operate an excavator with help from a trained professional, watch a car get smashed into pieces, view the ground from above on an aerial work platform, and more. If your family loves construction vehicles, this is an event that you don’t want to miss!
Farm Progress Show
Address: 1827 217th Road Boone
Dates: September 1st through 3rd, 2026 from 9 AM- 4 PM
Visit the Farm Progress Show, the nation’s largest annual outdoor farm event, displaying new farm equipment, tractors, combines and farm supplies and services. Kids will enjoy the ride-and-drive events, equipment displays and the Canine Stars, featuring rescue dogs performing various stunts as featured on America’s Got Talent
National Night Out
National Night Out is typically held on the first Tuesday in August each year to promote community building and police-community relations. Communities throughout the Des Moines Metro often host block parties on this day, where families can meet police officers, firefighters, and other first responders while enjoying food, games, music, and the chance to explore emergency vehicles and more. Check your city’s website or local police department page in late July for locations and times.
City of Windsor Heights and Des Moines Children’s Museum Touch a Truck
Address: Colby Park in Windsor Heights
Date: Annually in May
Each year, the City of Windsor Heights and the Des Moines Children’s Museum provide a Touch a Truck event for families to get up close to construction trucks, emergency vehicles, semi-trucks and a variety of other large vehicles. Climb inside, honk the horn and learn more about each vehicle. This is a free, family event.
Urbandale Police Department Touch a Truck
Address: Urbandale Police Department
Date: July 16th, 2026 from 5:30-7:30 PM
Join the Urbandale Police Department and bring the kiddos out for an evening of hands-on fun! They’ll have the opportunity to get up close to—and even climb inside—some amazing vehicles, including police vehicles, fire trucks, ambulances, big trucks and other special vehicles from around our community!
The first 100 attendees will receive a FREE scoop of ice cream from Swoops ‘N Scoops!
Help them make an even bigger impact by bringing a non-perishable food donation to support the Urbandale Food Pantry!
Central Library Lawn Touch a Truck
Address: Central Library 1000 Grande Avenue, Des Moines
Date: September 26th, 2026 from 2:00-4:00 PM
Join the Central Library to check out the fire truck, garbage truck, dump truck, street sweeper, police vehicle, and more! Then visit the fire safety house, fire safety obstacle course, bicycle rodeo, and play some lawn games with Park-n-Play!
Thanks to our friends at Public Works, DMFD, DMPD, Unity Point, Parks & Rec, and the Street Collective for making this so special!
The parking lot at the northwest corner of 10th and Grand will be available for free parking during the event.
Iowa State Fair
Address: 3000 East Grand Ave, Des Moines
Have fun at the Iowa State Fair! Explore the Machinery Grounds featuring tractors, combines, skid loaders, and construction equipment; visit the John Deere Agriculture Building; and stop by the Hall of Law to see Iowa State Patrol vehicles. Don’t miss the Outlaw Truck & Tractor Pull and the Demolition Derby.
Trains
Blank Park Zoo
Address: 7401 SW 9th St, Des Moines
Enjoy a train ride around part of the Blank Park Zoo while viewing a variety of animals. The train runs seasonally and costs $ 2 for members and $ 3 for non-members.
Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad & James H. Andrew Railroad Museum
Address: 225 10th St, Boone
The Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad offers train rides across the Des Moines River Valley and across trestle bridges. Stop by the James H. Andrew Railroad Museum to learn about the history of railroading in Iowa and view historic artifacts. The museum, depot and gift shop are open Memorial Day through October 31st.
Boone Division Rail Explorers
Address: Rail Explorers Depot at the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad
Rail Explorers is available seasonally, and provides a two-hour excursion through the Des Moines Scenic Valley on rail bikes.
Center Grove Orchard
Address: 32835 610th Avenue, Cambridge
Ride the CGO Express for a short loop around the farmland at Center Grove Orchard. Unlimited train rides are included with Farmyard admission. Enjoy seeing goats and other animals along the ride. Center Grove Orchard is open seasonally in the fall and spring. Check their website for pricing and dates.
Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad & James H. Andrew Railroad Museum
Address: 225 10th St, Boone
The Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad offers a variety of events throughout the year, including:
- A Day Out with Thomas in September
- Easter Bunny Express
- Mothers Day Brunch Train
- Pumpkin Express
- Santa Express
- Valentine Dinner Train
Airplanes
Iowa Aviation Heritage Museum
Address: 3704 SE Convenience Blvd, Ankeny
The Iowa Aviation Heritage Museum features artifacts, and exhibits about the history of aviation in Iowa and the United States. Explore aircrafts and other informational displays. Check their schedule as visiting hours are limited.
2026 Fly Iowa Festival
Address: Winterset Municipal Airport, North 8th Avenue, Winterset
Date: September 19th, 2026 from 2:00-9:00 PM
Attend the Fly Iowa Festival for live entertainment, kids’ activities, a fireworks show, food/drink trucks, aircraft fly-ins including military aircraft and more.
The Iowa Airshow: Fields of Thunder
Address: Iowa Air National Guard Base – Des Moines, Iowa
Save the Date: May 2027
The 132d Wing of the Iowa Air National Guard is proud to announce the first airshow at the Des Moines Airbase in 30 years, featuring the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, and including a full weekend of aerial performances, aircraft displays, and family-friendly activities.
Cars
Monster Jam
Address: Casey’s Center, Des Moines
Monster Jam comes to Des Moines annually, and is a high-energy live show featuring giant monster trucks racing, jumping, and performing stunts. Some events include a Pit Party where kids can see the trucks up close and meet drivers. They typically come to Des Moines each spring.
Goodguys Heartland Nationals
Address: Iowa State Fairgrounds
Date: July 3rd-5th, 2026
Goodguys features over 5,000 of country’s coolest 1999 and older hot rods, muscle cars, customs, trick trucks and more. Enjoy Saturday night fireworks, music and a family fun zone featuring the Auto World model car make n take.
Iowa State Fair
Address: 3000 East Grand Ave, Des Moines
Enjoy events at the Iowa State Fair like Demolition Derby and Figure 8 races.