West Des Moines Family-Friendly Fall Activities 2026

15 family-friendly fall activities in West Des Moines and nearby

Pumpkin Walk

Sun, Oct 25

West Des Moines Free

The event takes place at the Valley Junction Main Street District.

Illustration of a pumpkin patch full of orange pumpkins on curling vines, with small figures, a wheelbarrow and a farm stand (Howell Halloween Around the Farm)

Howell Halloween Around the Farm

Sat, Oct 31

Cumming 9 mi

Scavenge for treats and smash pumpkins across the farm.

Illustration of a pumpkin patch with orange pumpkins, a red wheelbarrow, a wooden farm stand and two scarecrow figures (Wills Family Organic Apple Orchard & Pumpkin Farm)

Wills Family Organic Apple Orchard & Pumpkin Farm

Sep 12 – Oct 25

Adel 17 mi $

Fall festival featuring u-pick apples, pumpkins, corn maze, and farm activities.

Illustration of striped market booths and pumpkin displays on a street with small clay figures under orange autumn trees (Applefest at Living History Farms)

Applefest at Living History Farms

Sat, Sep 26

Urbandale

Celebrate apple harvest season with historic treats and Print Shop recipes.

Spooky Science

Sat, Oct 31

Des Moines 7 mi $$

Hair-raising experiments and creepy-crawly critters for family Halloween fun.

Illustration of a toy tractor pulling a wagon of costumed figures past pumpkins, autumn trees and a red barn (Ankeny Family Halloween at Living History Farms)

Ankeny Family Halloween at Living History Farms

Oct 23 – Oct 25

Urbandale $

Trick-or-treat through the historic 1876 town of Walnut Hill.

Night Eyes

Oct 15 – Oct 25

Des Moines 8 mi $

Enchanted lighted displays, live entertainment, and a merry-not-scary treat safari.

Halloween on the Hill

Fri, Oct 30

Des Moines 6 mi Free

Des Moines historic neighborhood transforms into a glowing, spooky wonderland for charity.

Illustration of two costumed trick or treaters with candy buckets on a dusk street of glowing houses and carved pumpkins (Trick or Treat Around the Lake)

Trick or Treat Around the Lake

Thu, Oct 22

Pleasant Hill 12 mi

Collect treats from local businesses around Copper Creek Lake Park.

Spirits in the Gardens

Oct 9 – Oct 11

Ames 31 mi $$

Over 1,000 hand-carved jack-o'-lanterns, illuminated displays, and a Trick-or-Treat Trail.

Deal's Orchard Apple Acres

Jefferson 46 mi $

Family-owned Iowa orchard featuring apple picking, a corn maze, and outdoor play.

Halloween In Uptown

Ankeny 14 mi $

Four blocks of trunk-or-treating with a costume contest.

Illustration of a ghost and a small witch carrying a pumpkin bucket on a sidewalk past glowing porches on an autumn street (Altoona Business Trick or Treat)

Altoona Business Trick or Treat

Altoona 16 mi $$

Trick-or-treating directly from local businesses.

Trick or Trees

Des Moines 8 mi $

Spooky plant-themed Halloween celebration

Illustration of a child in a witch costume holding a pumpkin bucket on a leafy sidewalk lined with glowing houses at dusk (Downtown Ames Trick or Treat)

Downtown Ames Trick or Treat

Ames 32 mi $

Community-wide trick-or-treating with over 30 participating businesses.

Family-Friendly Fall Activities this weekend Oct 16–18

Fri16Oct Night EyesDes Moines

thru25Oct Wills Family Organic Apple Orchard & Pumpkin FarmAdel

Other Halloween categories in West Des Moines

Illustration of clay figures in costumes and a floating ghost at a Halloween party with a punch bowl and glowing pumpkins

West Des MoinesHalloween Food, Drink, and Parties6 parties & tastings

Illustration of a small cottage with glowing windows, ghosts, jack o'lanterns and a black cat among bare trees at twilight

West Des MoinesHaunted Experiences4 haunted attractions

Illustration of a Halloween town at dusk with glowing houses, pumpkins, floating ghosts and a witch flying past a full moon

West Des MoinesUnique Halloween Events2 unique events

About Family-Friendly Fall Activities in West Des Moines

For West Des Moines families, Halloween offers diverse experiences. Consider the expansive historical immersion at Living History Farms, a major draw, or the free community gathering of Trick or Treat Night in Altoona for a different kind of fall fun.

Find Family-Friendly Halloween Fun on Our Map!

See all trunk-or-treats, pumpkin patches, and kid-friendly events nearby.

Open the map →

West Des Moines Halloween events map - Click to view interactive map

← See ALL West Des Moines Halloween Events

Halloween Events Near Me

15 family-friendly fall activities in West Des Moines and nearby

Family-Friendly Fall Activities this weekend Oct 16–18

Other Halloween categories in West Des Moines

About Family-Friendly Fall Activities in West Des Moines

Find Family-Friendly Halloween Fun on Our Map!