Mar 6, 2025
Noah Harrison
Not all indoor playgrounds are created equal – some are so epic, they’re worth planning a trip around! We’ve rounded up 10 of the best indoor play spaces in the United States, spanning different regions and offering something for every kind of family. These aren’t just your neighborhood jungle gyms; they’re standout destinations known for exceptional play value, creativity, and sheer fun factor. Whether you have tiny tots or tweens (or you’re just a kid-at-heart adult), these indoor playgrounds and play centers promise a day of adventure out of the weather and into an all-weather wonderland. Let’s take a tour from coast to coast of the top indoor playgrounds that should be on every family’s must-visit list.
1. City Museum — St. Louis, MO
If Willy Wonka built a playground, it would look like City Museum.
Housed in a 10-story former shoe factory, City Museum is a fantastical blend of playground, funhouse, and art installation. It’s multi-story, mostly indoors (with some outdoor elements on the roof and courtyard) and absolutely mind-blowing. Kids (and adults) can crawl through a labyrinth of tunnels, slides, and secret passageways crafted from reclaimed industrial materials. There’s a 10-story spiral slide that starts at the roof and takes you all the way down – talk about a thrill! You’ll find a giant ball pit, an indoor skate park (bring socks, no skates needed to slide around), and architectural marvels like a tunnel aquarium you can walk through. Creativity is everywhere: mosaic floors, sculptures to climb on, and hidden gems around every corner.
It’s one of America’s most unique play spaces, often topping “best of” lists for good reason. Parents, come ready to play too (and maybe bring knee pads – not kidding, it’s that interactive!).
2. Strong National Museum of Play — Rochester, NY
For a blend of educational and exhilarating, head to upstate New York to visit The Strong National Museum of Play. It’s basically Mecca for play enthusiasts, featuring a world-class collection of toys and interactive exhibits dedicated to play.
But beyond museum displays, it’s packed with indoor playground fun: a kid-sized supermarket where children can shop and run the checkout, a Berenstain Bears themed village, a Sesame Street play area (meet a life-size Big Bird nest!), and a magnificent indoor Butterfly Garden to walk through. Don’t miss the eGames and pinball arcade where you can introduce the kids to classic video games. The Strong is also home to the National Toy Hall of Fame, so there’s a nostalgic element for grown-ups spotting favorite childhood toys in the mix. This place is huge – you could spend an entire day (or two) and not run out of things to do.
It’s undeniably one of the best family attractions in the country, indoors or out.
3. Children’s Museum of Indianapolis — Indianapolis, IN
As the largest children’s museum in the world, the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is a slam dunk for this list. Five floors of exhibits provide a mix of traditional museum and active play.
The entire Playscape on the top floor is essentially an indoor playground for ages 5 and under, complete with water tables, sand play, climbing structures, and even a dedicated infant area – all scientifically designed to boost early development (but shh, the kids just think it’s fun). For older kids, there’s an indoor sports experience where they can try out basketball, pedal racecar simulators, and more. And who could forget the Dinosphere – life-size dinosaur exhibits with a dig site where kids can play paleontologist. There’s also a carousel inside the museum, for a charming touch of retro play.
This museum expertly combines learning with active fun, making it a standout indoor play destination for families visiting the Midwest.
4. Nickelodeon Universe — Bloomington, MN
Located inside the Mall of America, Nickelodeon Universe is the nation’s largest indoor theme park. Yes, theme park – this is way beyond a simple playground.
It boasts 27 rides and attractions, including roller coasters, a log flume (you might get splashed!), a giant Ferris wheel, and tons of Nickelodeon character-themed rides. It’s always a perfect 72 degrees here, making it a wonderful escape from Minnesota winters or summer heat. Little kids can meet favorites like SpongeBob and Chase from Paw Patrol, while older kids (and thrill-seeking parents) will love coasters like the SpongeBob SquarePants Rock Bottom Plunge. There are also carnival games, mini golf, and an adventure course. Essentially, it’s a full-day amusement park experience under a roof. If your idea of an indoor playground skews more towards adrenaline-packed rides, Nickelodeon Universe is the ultimate. And when you need a break, the Mall of America has countless food options and shops to explore – but fair warning, the kids will likely drag you back for another round on the bumper cars before you leave.
5. KidZania — Frisco, TX (and worldwide)
Imagine a mini city run by kids – that’s KidZania in a nutshell. At KidZania (located in the Dallas area for the U.S., with other locations globally), kids ages 4-14 can role-play over 100 different careers in an indoor city built just for them.
They can train to be a pilot in a full-size airplane cockpit, fight “fires” as firefighters (yes, there’s a mini fire truck and buildings to “save”), perform surgery in a mock hospital, or be a chef, a postal worker, a radio DJ – the list is extensive. For each “job” they do, they earn KidZania currency which they can then spend on activities or at the gift shop, teaching a bit about money and work. The level of detail is astounding: real-world brand partners lend authenticity (kids can make actual Kinder chocolate, or work at a replica of the local grocery store). It’s indoor play meets education meets pure imagination. Parents mostly watch from the sidelines as kids independently move through the city with maps and a schedule – it’s a safe environment for them to flex some autonomy.
If your child ever said “I want to be a ___ when I grow up,” KidZania lets them try that dream on for size in the most fun way possible.
6. LEGOLAND Discovery Center — Multiple US Cities
LEGO has a way of enchanting kids and adults alike, and LEGOLAND Discovery Centers (found in cities like Chicago, Atlanta, Boston, and beyond) capitalize on that magic in indoor form. These centers are like mini LEGO-themed indoor amusement parks.
Each features a gigantic indoor LEGO play zone with thousands of bricks for free play and building competitions, as well as rides like Kingdom Quest (a track ride where you zap trolls and skeletons with laser blasters) and Merlin’s Apprentice (a pedal-powered flying ride). There are 4D cinemas showing fun short LEGO movies where you might get misted with water or feel wind in your hair for sensory effects. A favorite for many is Miniland – a room with a detailed LEGO replica of the local city’s skyline and landmarks, which often cycle from day to night with twinkling lights. It’s jaw-dropping craftsmanship and kids love feeling like giants above the tiny LEGO city. Some Discovery Centers have added LEGO Ninjago or Friends themed play areas for obstacle course fun and imaginative play.
For any brick-obsessed family, visiting a LEGOLAND Discovery Center is a must, and even the not-so-LEGO-obsessed will find plenty of interactive fun to make it worth the trip.
www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com
7. Billy Beez — Various Locations
Ever wished those climbing tubes at fast food restaurants were bigger and better so you could actually go in with your kids? Billy Beez answers that call. This chain of indoor playgrounds (with locations in NY, CA, AZ, PA, and more) offers massive multilevel play structures that are truly designed for all ages. We’re talking floor-to-ceiling mazes of tunnels, twisty slides that seem to go on forever, ball blaster arenas with foam ball “cannons”, trampolines, and sports courts – all under one roof.
Some locations exceed 20,000 square feet of play space. Billy Beez is particularly great for mixed-age families because toddlers have a gated area with soft play and small slides, while big kids (and yes, even grown-ups who feel adventurous) can climb and slide in the main play structure. Parents often appreciate that it’s one of the more comfortable places to actively play alongside their kids. It’s clean, well-padded, and safety-monitored.
For an indoor playground that combines the best elements of a jungle gym, a bounce house, and a Nerf arena, Billy Beez is top-tier and has quickly become a favorite in every city it opens in.
8. Sky Zone Trampoline Park — Nationwide
Sky Zone has practically become synonymous with indoor trampoline parks, being the first of its kind and now with locations all over the country. While trampolines might make you think “older kids only”, Sky Zone caters to all ages by segmenting areas and offering special programs.
A standard Sky Zone features a huge trampoline grid for free jumping, a foam pit where you can practice flips or just enjoy flinging yourself into squishy foam cubes, a dodgeball court on trampolines (so much fun, they have adult leagues too!), and often a basketball dunk area so you can feel like an NBA star with the extra bounce. Increasingly, they’ve been adding ninja-warrior style obstacle courses and climbing walls to their newer parks. For little ones, most Sky Zones have toddler jump times or separate courts, so they can bounce safely without getting bulldozed by big kids. Jumping around is not only a blast, but it’s great exercise (you’ll all be panting after 10 minutes – trust me).
If the weather’s too cold or hot for a playground, Sky Zone is a perfect indoor substitute to literally bounce off the walls. It ranks as one of the best indoor play options for energy-burning and has near-universal kid appeal.
9. We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym — Multiple Locations
This rapidly growing franchise is a bit different from typical indoor playgrounds – it’s a sensory-friendly indoor gym for kids of all abilities, including those on the autism spectrum or with sensory processing needs. But any child can enjoy the offerings at We Rock the Spectrum. Each gym is equipped with things like therapy-style swings, a zip line, crash mats and trampolines, an arts & crafts area, a calming room, and plenty of fine motor toys.
The environment is inclusive and welcoming; there’s no loud music or flashing arcade games, making it a safe space for kids who might get overwhelmed in a busy Chuck E. Cheese. They promote “inclusive play,” which means typically developing kids learn and play alongside those who might have developmental differences – a wonderful experience for everyone involved. Parents often cite the supportive staff and cleanliness as big pluses. It’s one of the best indoor play spaces if you’re looking for something that combines physical activity with sensory play in a controlled, understanding environment.
From Los Angeles to Baltimore, new locations are popping up, so it’s worth checking if there’s one near you. It’s a play gym with a heart, and definitely one of the best in its category.
www.werockthespectrumkidsgym.com
10. Crayola Experience — Easton, PA (and other cities)
For a burst of color and creativity, the Crayola Experience in Easton, Pennsylvania (home of Crayola crayons!) is a top pick. While more of an interactive attraction than a playground, it absolutely deserves inclusion for its unique indoor play offerings that blend art and play.
Spread over multiple floors, kids can name and wrap their own Crayola crayon, create melted wax spin art, and climb through a two-story Color Playground – a climbing structure painted in every color of the rainbow. There’s also a chalk walk and splash table where kids can draw with chalk and play with water that reacts to colors. One highlight is the big blue crayon caddy – a huge ball pit-esque area but with thousands of blue foam crayon-shaped pieces that kids can jump in and toss around (way cleaner than a ball pit!). A melting station lets you turn crayons into shapes like race cars or rings to take home. And everyone loves the virtual design studio where you color in a creature, scan it, and watch it come to life and move on a big screen.
With locations now also in Orlando, Minneapolis, and Plano, TX, Crayola Experience has brought this colorful indoor fun to more families. It’s a fantastic choice for a day trip that exercises creativity and gives kids a few new souvenirs they made themselves.
www.crayolaexperience.com/easton
No matter where you live or travel in the U.S., chances are there’s an amazing indoor playground or play space not too far away. These 10 are among the very best – celebrated for their innovation, scope of activities, and ability to delight children and adults alike. So next time you’re planning some family fun (or the weather puts a damper on your outdoor plans), consider one of these top indoor playgrounds. They prove that the great indoors can be just as exciting as any outdoor amusement park, and they’ll create happy memories (and probably happily exhausted kids) every time. Don’t forget your grip socks if you’re headed to a trampoline park, and prepare to have a blast – who says indoor play is just for kids, anyway?