FREE Fun for Kids at the Iowa State Fair

DES MOINES, IA (08/05/2025) (readMedia)-- In between corn dogs and giant slide rides, there are lots of ways kids can learn about agriculture at the Iowa State Fair.

1. Little Hands on the Farm - Located near the Animal Learning Center, the interactive Andringa Family Foundation Little Hands on the Farm ag adventure lets kids "work" their way through a swine barn, garden, grain bin, apple orchard, chicken coop, tractor shed, cattle barn, sheep barn and dary barn. Their reward? A visit to the Little Hands' grocery store to pick out a fruit, granola bar or ice cream treat!

2. Baby Animals - Just south of Little Hands on the Farm, the Paul R. Knapp Animal Learning Center is bursting with baby animals and unforgettable moments. See chicks hatch, baby goats bounce, ducklings splash or even catch a live birth. Meet real Iowa farmers in the Farmers Bull Pen, where you can ask questions and hear what life is like on the farm.

3. Cowboy Experience – Giddy up to Cowboy Boot Camp just north of Little Hands on the Farm and discover what it takes to be a real cowboy. Kids can try gold panning, steer roping, horse grooming and more at this hands-on educational zone. It's a rootin'-tootin' good time full of Wild West fun!

4. Kids in the Kitchen – Grab your apron and head to the Kids Can Cook kitchen in the east room of the Maytag Family Theaters. Open to ages 5 to 17, these fun cooking demos teach kids how to prepare simple, tasty, farm-fresh recipes while learning kitchen safety, food prep and cleanliness-all with a side of fun!

5. Free Entertainment for Kids – Bring the whole crew to the Fun Forest Stage, sponsored by Community Choice Credit Union, for a lineup of free entertainment! Catch live shows by Brad Weston and magician The Chipper Experience – Where COMEDY & MAGIC Collide! Plus, keep an eye out for strolling acts like Bandaloni the one-man band, Hillbilly Bob and The Ice Cream Show near the triangle and the Pepsi Clock on Grand Ave.

6. Hands On Barn Experiences -Explore Cattle Corner, Horse Haven, Pig Place and Sheep Stop-interactive exhibits where kids learn about Iowa's livestock up close. Then, stroll through the Avenue of Breeds (next to the Bruce L. Rastetter 4-H Exhibits Building), where more than 70 unique animals show off Iowa's incredible agricultural diversity. Sponsored by Iowa Bankers Association and WHO The Big Show.

7. Pick A Vegetable - The Garden, sponsored by Corteva Agriscience and located north of Little Hands on the Farm, is blooming with hands-on learning. Kids can explore garden beds, learn how veggies grow in Iowa soil and even pick produce that helps feed local families through the Iowa Food Bank. Don't miss the composting exhibit to learn about sustainability in action.

8. Fun for the Whole Family - Watch thrilling events at Elwell Family Park, where high-energy entertainment like truck and tractor pulls, charros performances, figure 8 races and the demolition derby take center stage. NEW IN 2025: check out the FREE Iowa Utilities Lineman Rodeo on Friday, August 15, at 8 a.m. Some events are free, and tickets for others are available at iowastatefair.org.

Kids can also join the Blue Ribbon Kids' Club, with weekday activities at 10 a.m. on the Fun Forest Stage and special Saturday meet-and-greets at the same location. It's the perfect way to add a little extra fun to your Fair day! Check out the list of events at iowastatefair.org.

From barnyard fun to cooking classes, baby animals to gardens, the Iowa State Fair has something for every young explorer. Join us August 7-17 in Des Moines, Iowa, for kid-friendly events, family contests and memory-making moments you won't forget. Visit iowastatefair.org for the full lineup.

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Frequently ranked as one of the top events in the country, the Iowa State Fair is the single largest event in the state of Iowa and one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the country. Annually attracting more than a million people from all over the world, the Iowa State Fair located at East 30th and East University, just 10 minutes from downtown Des Moines, is Iowa's greatest celebration with a salute to the best in agriculture, industry, entertainment and achievement. Fair Sweet Fair, August 7-17, 2025. For more information, visit www.iowastatefair.org.