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Sandy Harbor Family Fun Center

Sandy Harbor Family Fun Center

Reviews Summary

The consensus is overwhelmingly positive, with most reviewers giving 5-star ratings. Visitors praise the family-friendly atmosphere, fun activities like water slides, lazy rivers, and arcade games, and the convenience of the card payment system. Many highlight the clean facilities, friendly staff, and enjoyable experiences for kids. A few mention minor issues like inconsistent pool rules or occasional game malfunctions, but these are rare. The arcade's variety, mini-golf, and pools are frequently mentioned as highlights. While a small number of reviews note restrictions for campground residents or occasional service delays, the overall sentiment is highly enthusiastic, with many calling it a must-visit for families.

About This Listing

Wheelchair Accessible

Who Can Play?

Most arcades welcome all ages (some may have age restrictions for certain games)
Minors may need parent/guardian supervision (policies vary by location)
No gaming experience required - games range from beginner to expert level
Comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes recommended for safety
Valid ID may be required for certain attractions or age verification
Groups and parties welcome (advance booking may be required)

*Note: Age restrictions and policies may vary by arcade. Check with your local facility for specifics.*

First-Time Visitors

First-time visitors may need to sign a waiver or register for a game card. Staff are typically available to help explain games and provide tutorials. Some arcades offer newcomer specials or free play sessions to help you get started.

Common Restrictions:

Age-Based Some games may have height or age requirements for safety reasons
Capacity Popular games may have wait times during peak hours

*Note: Policies vary by arcade. Confirm with your local facility.*

What to Bring

Cash or card for tokens/credits (some arcades are cashless)
Valid ID for age verification or membership signup
Phone to capture high scores and memories (check photo policies)

*Note: Payment methods and requirements may differ by arcade.*

Preparing for Your Visit

Check arcade hours and peak times online before visiting
Eat beforehand or check if the arcade has food options
Bring friends for multiplayer games and competitions
Wear comfortable clothes you can move freely in
Avoid bringing valuable items that could be lost or damaged
Check for special events, tournaments, or discount days
Set a budget for games and stick to it
Stay hydrated, especially during long gaming sessions

*Note: Tips may vary by arcade type and location.*

How to Get Started

Most arcades accept walk-ins, but call ahead during busy periods or for large groups. Check for membership deals!

Other Helpful Info

Most visits last 1-3 hours depending on games and group size
Popular games may have longer wait times during weekends and evenings
Many arcades offer unlimited play packages or time-based pricing
Some locations host tournaments and special events regularly
Prize redemption available at many arcades - save your tickets!

*Note: Policies, pricing, and features differ by arcade. Contact your local facility for details.*

Features

Wheelchair Accessible

Contact Information

Hours

Monday 10AM-10PM
Tuesday 10AM-10PM
Wednesday 10AM-10PM
Thursday 10AM-10PM
Friday 10AM-10PM
Saturday 10AM-10PM
Sunday 10AM-10PM

Customer Reviews

Ah, Sandy Harbor Family Fun Center, or as I like to call it, the Disneyland of Des Moines! If you're looking for a place to unleash your inner child while simultaneously embarrassing your actual children, look no further. This place is a gold mine for dad jokes and wholesome family fun. Buckle up, folks; we're diving into the best dad-approved day out ever! First off, let's talk about the mini-golf course. With 18 holes of pure, unadulterated fun, this course is a hole-in-one! Literally. I actually managed

Thanksgiving day Turkey dinner from the Cafe was great!! even though they got a little behind in timing it was worth the wait! Thanks.

Kids had an absolute blast here. It's certainly a little pricier compared to most popular arcades but it is a nice break from the beach when you need it. Highly recommended.

5/5 we blew wayyy to much money here?? so much fun!! The way they do their credits and tickets is literally so convenient too. Oh and highly recommend the fishing game, that one was my favorite ??

Arcade has a decent selection of solo and multiplayer games. Claw games are more difficult than what I was used to sadly-Very challenging to win on large claw, but able to get toys on small claws.

A great place to cool down and have fun in the water. They have slides, lazy river, toddler pools, indoor and outdoor pools and water play area for younger kids to enjoy

Wide variety of games. Kids and adults LOVE it!!!

Lots of fun. Good AC on a very hot summer day, which was very much appreciated. Some games not working, but still a good exper

Small but filled with family fun for all ages! Favorite game was the hungry hippo kid sized!

Good spot all the same games expect the prizes are awful , don't play for tickets play for fun , and remember there is only 2 thanos in the whole deck on the coin pusher marvel card game . Good luck don't spend $300 on a yo yo

Better games than most arcades I've ever been too! Also really inexpensive so a little money gets you farther. At the arcades near my house in GA it's nothing for 2 kids to spend about $200+ playing games but here I spent $30 on 2 kids and they got amazing prizes!!!

Do not come to the pool with anything The lifeguards cannot make up their mind. One day me and my son came and played with a frisbee in the pool for 2 hours the next day. That's not okay to do the same amount of people in the pool so not allowed to have water toys at all. Read every one of the rules at the pool they said there was a rule online about not using outside floats or anything and the lifeguards were here over an hour after the pool closed. Sitting there with no people in the pool. I do not unders

For being an arcade that is in one of the better resorts in the area this place is not up to par. Basketballs are all damaged, units that have smaller balls also have them damaged. Some units are severely warn and beat up staff is not very bright. The price they charge per game could be adjusted to be lower if they continue to run this equipment in this condition.

2 pools, 1 indoor heated and 1 outside plus the water park with water slides,lazy river, and more. Arcade and putt putt golf. Each day has different activities at the rec center as well

Pretty good. Not all the hottest games. But they do have a good selection and the kids had fun.

Great selection of games. Prizes are good compared to most places.

Fun place, lots of games to choose from.

Have always loved the arcade! They have changed from using tokens and tickets to the electronic cards. Some like this. We don't. Takes a lot of the fun out and I can't give my child a card to go waste $10 on his own. With tokens I could give him 2 or 3 at a time. It is harder to keep up with how much each game costs and you don't get to see your physical tickets. What a bummer. The arcade has also had about the same prizes for years. Please change up the prizes.

Load money into a card and then use that card to play games. Games range from ?0.25-$3.00 so you can make your money go pretty far or quickly depending on what you want to play. They have pool tables there as well. Pretty fun time. We had a machine freeze on us - staff reset it and refunded our lost game. Nearby parking for vehicles, golf carts, or even walkable. Nearby pool and putt putt

Nice and warm in the heated enclosed pool!

Google says nothing about this being for campground members only. Why this not mentioned as private access anywhere for the public to see. Also, security guard was not friendly or helpful! Not impressed!

Staff were not friendly. No trash cans available ..we picked up chip candy wrappers that others left everywhere. Need to lower prices of tickets needed for prizes.

Went here to drop off some games. Great staff friendly and helpful. Will return with more games!

Most of the games took our money. When going to cash out for prizes the girl was nowhere to be found.

Excellent, family friendly. Love the new card system instead of coins. All games were working this visit. Staff was very friendly. Clean facilities.

Great games at a reasonable price. My kids got 3 days of more then 30 minutes of play from 50 dollar ga.e card.

Was fun and clean. Prices were well worth the fun

Lots of games nit real costly. Bought a $20 game card and it lasted my granddaughter 2 days.

Great fun. Game prices not to bad. Liked the card system for the games. Much better than tokens.

Extremely expensive for tickets to win cheaply made toys for your kids. Better to go across the street to Walmart and spend your money or just throw it away.

Cute little arcade for kiddos! Across the street from the pier, and attached to an ice cream shop!

Absolutely fun. Brother and I killed it like a boss and bonded so well. ?? this place, the prizes are worth it.

Great place to spend an afternoon. Lots of fun arcade machines

Shared the day with grandsons enjoying the water and games. Good memories made!!!

Great as always Kids love all activities

This place is waaaaaay better than Great Wolf lodge

This is inside Ocean Lakes campground. Games for youngsters and oldsters, too. Had an awesome time.

Would like coin play again instead of card

Enjoyed the arcade. Also a good place to escape the heat for a min.

Great, but we really miss the tokens and tickets! The cards just aren't the same.

Spend 1 hour here today and it was really fun, there are lots of games

Great games, clean and decent prices!

Good selection of games but some took money.

Games seem to be turned off at random some nights. Could do with more prize selection.

The whole family had a great time playing mini golf and the arcade!

A very noisy place for children to enjoy playing arcade games

Great entertainment for the whole family.

Games games and more games, earn tickets to redeem for mech, loadable cards instead of having to worry about carrying cash or coins.

We enjoyed getting around on the golf carts.

RSVP for turkey dinner for 1:00 still waiting on order 2:25????

Don't miss out, this is all about family fun

Couldn't get the kids out of here. They loved every minute.

Great place for the family while camping at Ocean Lakes Campground

Great amenities and plenty to do for everyone!

Lots of games to entertain. I love skee ball

Great games, almost all working.

Fun! Lots to do for all ages.

Nice little water park and arcade.

Alot of fun for the family and kids to play games

So much family fun! Thanks

Great place to entertain the kiddos

Great,customer service .

Lots of fun, not a lot of money

OL is the best in my own opinion!!!

So much fun and kid friendly.

A lot of fun things to do here!

I miss sandy habor already

Always an amazing time!

MUST be a campground resident for access :(

Amusement center for all ages

What a Good time for all ages.

It's okay games are old

I loved the beach and everything in it

Awesome!! Fun for the kids.

Fun place to cool off. Fun games.

The kids had a blast!!

Very clean and friendly.

Always have fun here

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s it like visiting an arcade today?

It’s a mix of nostalgia and high-energy fun! Many arcades blend retro classics like Pac-Man and pinball with modern VR games, racing simulators, and rhythm challenges — often with music, lights, and a social vibe.

Is it better to go alone or with friends?

Both can be great! Solo visits let you focus on your favorite games, while going with friends adds competition, teamwork, and laughs. Many people plan arcade meetups as a casual hangout or even date spot.

What should I bring to an arcade?

Usually just yourself and a way to pay (some arcades still use coins, others use cards or apps). If you're competitive, bring your A-game. If you're social, bring friends or meet new ones over multiplayer games.

What’s the best time to visit an arcade?

Weekdays or early afternoons are usually less crowded — perfect for focused play. Evenings and weekends bring the buzz, especially at barcades or venues with DJs, tournaments, or themed nights.

Can I meet new people at arcades?

Absolutely! Arcades attract a mix of casual players and serious gamers. Whether you're jumping into a four-player co-op or chatting between rounds, it's a fun, low-pressure way to connect over shared interests.

Are arcades still just for kids?

Not at all. While many arcades are family-friendly, there are also adult-oriented ones with full bars, 18+ nights, or vintage nostalgia themes. Arcades today cater to everyone — from first-timers to lifelong gamers.

Are there events or tournaments I can join?

Yes! Many arcades host regular competitions, retro nights, cosplay parties, and more. Whether you're into high scores or just want to watch and vibe, events add an extra layer to the experience.

What if I’m not great at arcade games?

No worries — arcades are about having fun, not being perfect. Try a variety of games, ask others for tips, and remember: the vibe is more “let’s play” than “let’s win.”