Things to Do in Fort Dodge, Iowa for Kids
Fort Dodge, Iowa, is a small city that sits along the Des Moines River. Built in 1850, the city is rich in Frontier history, but also full of greenery and cultural activities for the whole family to enjoy. On rainy days, Fort Dodge offers plenty of indoor activities, including museums, theaters and even indoor sports at the local Sports Complex.
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Arts and Culture
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Every year in June, the ̶0;Frontier Days̶1; event allows families to get a glimpse of frontier life in the 1800's. Aside from a parade down Central Avenue, kids can enjoy the Buckskinners Camp, a reenactment of colonial life in an 18th century camp. Period-dressed reenactors will demonstrate knife and tomahawk skills, answer questions on blacksmithing and pottery making, share mountain-man stories, and describe the challenges and dangers of life in the Wild West.
Hawkeye Community Theatre has something for everyone, with special performances, such as ̶0;On Golden Pond̶1; and their annual Dinner Theatre in March, featuring ̶0;Fools,̶1; a comedy play by Paul Simon that the whole family will enjoy.
Active Fun
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Brushy Creek Recreational Area offers plenty of areas for picnicking, relaxing and exploring the outdoors. The park also offers equestrian and nonequestrian camping facilities, as well as a lake where kids can swim, fish or try boating. Over 45 miles of trails crisscross through the property, allowing families to try hiking, biking, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and even horseback riding.
Rosedale Rapids Aquatic Center/Schmoker Family Park is a refreshing way to beat the heat. The park offers more than 30 water features, including a number of pools -- from lap pools to kiddie pools -- and a few slides. There's also a lazy river and even a wave generator to keep the kids busy for hours.
Museums
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The Blanden Memorial Art Museum offers a variety of different art camps for children based on age group. Younger kids can enjoy the Art Discovery classes, aimed to get kids thinking about how to be creative with design, drawing, painting, and working with a variety of different materials. Older children, those in grades 3 to 5, will learn about specific pieces of art currently hanging in the gallery, such as the artist's approach, ideas, and materials.
Costumes guides and live history events at The Fort Museum and Trading Post will take kids on a journey into the history of the Northwest Iowa region and the development of the Des Moines River basin. The museum is home to several historical structures, including a general store, log chapel, woodworking shop and the 1880's Harcourt Jail.
More Outdoor Attractions
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Rogers Sports Complex hosts a variety of sporting events, from the Iowa Girls High School State Softball Championships to the Fort Dodge Soccer Association. This multiuse complex is a place to enjoy outdoor spectator sports, often with free entry, with the entire family.
The Webster County Conservation Board in Fort Dodge offers a number of free educational activities, including trips to explore the local fauna and flora, learn about the local parks and lakes and more. To find out about the programs available at the time of your visit, check the official website (see Resources).
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