I've been to the one in Ankeny. It doesn't have video games like Chuck E Cheese does. Instead it has stuff like a little train, inflatables and small bumper cars, etc.....My kids are 5 and 6 and they attend birthday parties there and seem to have fun. It seems to me though like the rides/games are more for the 0 - 5 year old segment rather than 5+ but I could be wrong.
Another place to consider is the Playground out by Tone Spices, Outback, Chips off the interstate in Ankeny. They have all inflatables inside and serve Godfathers pizza. Playground and Recess are about equal in my kid's eyes.....
Another place to consider if you want to drive down to Grand Ave, close to Valley Lanes and Val Air is Tokens Family Fun, see link below. Just like chuck e cheese but also has laser tag and indoor miniture golf. My opinion is they could clean up the place a bit, make it look nicer, but my kids still had a lot of fun.
Tokens, West Des Moines, Iowa, Family Fun Center, Pizza,Laser Tag, Mini-golf, Games
