Des Moines Children's Museum Opens Urbandale Site
The museum relocated to a temporary space after the Valley West Mall closure ended its previous lease.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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The Des Moines Children's Museum opened at a temporary location at 4093 NW Urbandale Drive after being given about 30 days' notice to vacate its space at Valley West Mall. Volunteers helped complete the move in three and a half days.
Why it matters
The relocation shows how a mall closure can force a community institution to move quickly, affecting families who rely on the museum. The temporary space is similar in size to the old one, but the museum's longer-term plans involve a larger facility.
The museum had about 30 days' notice to vacate its former space and completed the move in three and a half days. The temporary Urbandale space is similar in size to the old location, while the planned West Des Moines building is described as much larger.
The players
Des Moines Children's Museum
A children's museum serving the Des Moines area, now operating from a temporary location while it prepares a larger facility.
Elwell family
The family who made the temporary Urbandale space available to the museum during its relocation.
The details
Volunteers helped the museum move, and the Elwell family made the Urbandale space available. The museum plans to move to a new building at 1200 12th St. in West Des Moines next year, which will include new exhibits and a water table absent from the temporary site.
Timeline
Several years before the move: the museum began preparing for a possible relocation as the mall was expected to close.
Last month (October 2026): the timeline accelerated and the museum was given about 30 days to vacate.
Last week (early November 2026): the museum opened at its temporary Urbandale location.
Next year (2027): the museum plans to move into its new West Des Moines building.
Market Landscape
The Valley West Mall closure forced the Des Moines Children's Museum out of its space and into a temporary Urbandale location. The move reflects how the closure of a single anchor site can displace nonprofit tenants that rely on mall space.
Families who visit the Des Moines Children's Museum should check its current location in Urbandale before planning trips. The temporary site is similar in size to the old space, so exhibit access may differ from what visitors expect.
The takeaway
Mall closures can quickly displace nonprofit anchors like children's museums, so families should confirm venue locations before visiting. The planned West Des Moines building signals a longer-term expansion.
What happens next
The museum plans to move into its new building at 1200 12th St. in West Des Moines next year.
Further reading
For more local business openings and closings, see Openings & Closings in Des Moines.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Who13.
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