Note: While many of these indoor playgrounds have membership options, we've only included play spaces that also offer drop-in play.

Kids up to age 12 will have a blast at the National Children's Museum. 

Best Indoor Playgrounds for Kids in DC, Maryland, & Northern Virginia

1. National Children's Museum — Downtown DC

While there are plenty of hands-on exhibits at the National Children's Museum, it may be hard to pull your kids away from the Dream Machine, a three-story climbing structure and slide for ages 5 and up. As they crawl, climb, and scamper through the structure, children will discover unique elements such as a floating-cloud seesaw, a buoy maze, a cloud-simulation ring, and more. Little ones ages 0-3 can play in the cloud- and flight-themed Little Dreamers exhibit or in the Little Movers free-movement space full of soft-play structures.

2. Be with Me Playseum — Columbia, MD

At this fun spot in the Columbia Mall, kids can pretend and play at over 20 Cityshops—themed areas that mimic real-life places including a courthouse, a coffee shop, a farm, an auto-repair shop, and more. Parents can also buy their kids Playseum Dollars, which children can use at various Creation Stations to do fun activities like arts and crafts, soap- and slime-making, petting live animals, and more. The admission fee covers the whole day, so families can leave to grab lunch or shop and then return for more playtime.

3. Scramble — Alexandria & Falls Church, VA

Designed as a European-style play center, there's something for everyone at Scramble. Babies can practice tummy time; toddlers can run, jump, and role play; and older kids can hone their soccer skills. The facilities are divided by age so that crawlers through 2-year-olds are in one spot, toddlers are in another, and kids up to age 10 are in a different area. Grab a bite and a drink at the on-site cafe, and check out the bookstore full of Usborne books.

4. ClimbZone — Laurel, MD

This indoor rock climbing gym was created just for kids, with 75 colorful, hand-painted climbing walls with fun themes such as emojis, alphabet blocks, Mount Rushmore, and Ancient Egypt. When kids ages 2-10 need a break from climbing, they can enjoy the soft-play area full of slides, tunnels, rings, and other fun obstacles. There's also an arcade.

5. Magic Ground — Columbia Heights, DC

In addition to a castle-themed indoor playground, Magic Ground features a toddler cave, arts and crafts, a building area, educational computer games, and more. The on-site, full-service restaurant offers kid-friendly fare such as pizza and grilled cheese along with grown-up options like a grilled chicken panini. Families can purchase tickets for one hour or a full day of play, as well as various memberships. If you need to run errands or get work done, there are drop-off options.

Hyper Kidz! has three play zones for children of different ages. 

6. Hyper Kidz! — Various Locations in MD & VA

This massive indoor playground includes three play areas for kids of all ages. The Big Kid Zone—a four-story play structure for children four feet tall and over—features slides, ramps, obstacles, and interactive play features. The Kid Zone, for ages 2-7, includes a two-story balloon house, motorized rides, a giant light-up wall, and more. And the Mini Zone, for babies and toddlers up to age 2, has soft-play equipment.

7. Me Land — Frederick & Gaithersburg, MD; Chantilly, VA

Everyone from toddlers to pre-teens will have a blast at Me Land, which has a Tot Zone, a Ball Pit Zone, and a Big Kids Zone. Kids can enjoy climbing structures and walls, slides, tunnels, pretend-play areas, giant building blocks, and lots more.

8. Recess — Silver Spring, MD

Open in 2024, this 10,000-square-foot indoor playground offers endless fun for children of all ages. Kids can climb, crawl, swing, dance, and slide their way through the giant jungle-themed play structure. They can solve puzzles and build at the play walls. They can read or play board games in the kids cove. And little ones can safely explore in the soft play area. An on-site concession stand offers snacks and drinks, and lockers keep guests' belongings safe.

9. Jolly Yolly Kids — Fairfax, VA & Bethesda, MD

This ocean-themed indoor playground features a large, multilevel play structure for kids up to age 13, a smaller play area for ages 2-7, and a baby section for little ones ages 2 and under, making it a great place for families with children of multiple ages. Lots of windows flood the space with sunlight. Jolly Yolly Kids offers daily open-play hours, as well as holiday and summer camps.

Best Indoor Playgrounds for Toddlers in DC

10. Kids Play Gallery — Gaithersburg, MD

This unique indoor playground for toddlers and younger kids is filled with fun playhouses that promote pretend play, including a fire station and fire engine, a beauty boutique, a grocery store, a diner, an animal hospital, and more. Snacks, coffee, tea, and juice are available for purchase, but families are also allowed to consume outside food and drink in the party room. Parents can enjoy free WiFi while the kids play.

11. Mulberry Lane Cafe — Alexandria, VA & Southeast DC

This adorable play cafe, which opened in the Del Ray neighborhood in late 2024 and in DC in late 2025, offers supervised play for little ones ages 1-6. Kids can do arts and crafts, engage in pretend play, listen to stories, and more while parents sip coffee at the on-site cafe, work in the on-site co-working space, or have a quiet lunch nearby. First-timers can purchase a one-hour play pass, then buy 10-hour passes or various memberships.

12. Wonder — Leesburg, VA

Wonder offers pretend play at its finest to toddlers through kids around age 6. It has themed, interactive play stations, toys, and more that are educational and STEAM-focused. There's even an outdoor area for warmer weather.

13. The Little Towns Children's Museum — North Bethesda, MD

This hands-on museum encourages kids' imaginative play through exhibits that resemble an urban neighborhood. A grocery store, a fire station, a veterinary hospital, a post office, and a restaurant are just some of the places kids ages 6 months to 8 years old can play in. Parents can enjoy free WiFi while their little ones play.

14. Cozy Village Play Cafe — Sterling, VA

This awesome new play cafe opened in December 2025 to give tired parents a place to rest while their little ones play. Soft play sets, STEM toys, books, and more are geared to kids ages 6 and under, but older siblings up to age 8 are also welcome. Parents can buy a coffee and/or snack and watch from the cafe area.

15. Bluemont Local — Alexandria, VA

Admission to Bluemont Local gives a child and their caregiver (siblings can also join at a dicount) access to soft playsets and a 15-minute reading session with an instructor. Music classes, gym classes, and even sleep workshops are also offered. Adults can enjoy FREE coffee and tea, all without a membership—but memerships are available for purchase, too.

16. Play Street Museum — Various Locations in MD & VA

Play Street Museum allows kids ages 8 and under to pretend-play in grocery stores, doctor's offices, vet clinics, and more. Each location has a reading area and a train table, as well as add-ons like slime-making! Check out our review of Play Street Museum Gaithersburg for more fun details.

There's a reason it's called Super, Awesome, & Amazing...

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17. Super, Awesome, & Amazing — Springfield, VA

While many of the spots on our list are geared toward younger children, this one is just right for big kids. Located within the St. James sports complex, Super, Awesome, & Amazing is an interactive water park, eSports and VR gaming facility, rock-climbing gym, trampoline park, and obstacle course all in one. There's even a Nerf Battle Zone! With over 30,000 square feet to explore, expect to spend several hours here.

18. UP! Adventure Park — Ashburn, VA

Ropes courses, climbing walls, zip lines, slides, and a giant cargo net make UP! the perfect place for kids of all ages to burn energy. Even adults can get in on the fun! When you need a rest, play some games in the on-site arcade.

19. Scramble Parkour — Arlington, VA

Scramble Parkour is different from the other two Scramble locations in that it's geared toward kids and teens up to 18 years old! The Shirlington gym features ninja warrior and obstacle courses for every age group. The on-site Union Station Cafe features pizza, sandwiches, tacos, and more, all made with locally sourced ingredients.

20. Billy Beez — Manassas, VA

This massive (nearly 25,000 square feet!) indoor playground in the Manassas Mall features climbing structures, slides, tunnels, a ball pit/ballistics arena, sports courts, an arcade, and more. Younger kids can enjoy the Mini Beez area just for them as well as the Honeycomb Village, a tot-sized town featuring a hospital, a pizza shop, a school, and more. Even the grown-ups will have a blast here!

21. Always in Motion Ninja & Parkour— Sterling, VA

Come to an open gym at Always in Motion to swing, tumble, climb and ninja your way through the the parkour course. Family Ninja Night is every Friday and Family Open Gym is on Saturdays and Sundays. The whole family will have a blast!

Why buy new toys when you can play with them—or borrow them from—the Toy Nest?

What Are Some Hidden Gem Indoor Play Spaces in DC?

22. The Toy Nest — Falls Church, VA

The Toy Nest is a toy library that works just like a regular library—kids can borrow toys to take home and play with, then return them and get new ones. But families can also reserve a 55-minute time slot to go in and play with the Toy Nest's ever-changing inventory of playthings for babies through 10-year-olds. The venue also offers classes for both kids and caregivers. Various membership levels are available.

23. We Rock the Spectrum — Various Locations in MD & VA

This awesome indoor play gym offers safe sensory experiences, exploration, and learning to children across the spectrum and of all ability levels. We Rock the Spectrum features 12 pieces of sensory equipment including a zip line, a trampoline, swings, a climbing structure, and more. There's also an arts and crafts area and a calming room for kids who need a break.

24. Play N' Learn — Chantilly, VA & Columbia, MD

If you're in the market for a new backyard play set, this playground superstore is the place to go. But even if you're not, Play N' Learn is more than just that: It's an indoor play space complete with a trampoline park, basketball goals, swing sets, and more. Kids ages 1-15 can try out any of the equipment, but it's best for ages 2-8. Parents can purchase tickets for two hours of playtime.

Top Indoor Play Spaces in DC Restaurants

25. Ned's Nest and Play Date Social — Fairfax

Ned's knew what parents want: to eat a hot meal and enjoy adult conversation while their kids are entertained. Enter Play Date Social, soft toy/play area designed for kids ages 8 and under. You'll have to purchase a play pass for an hour and a half for $7, but time it with your lunch or dinner reservation and it's a win!

26. Ridgetop Coffee & Tea — Sterling, VA

This spacious coffee shop has a wonderful enclosed play area visible from the back of the shop. Clear windows allow parents to sit and work or enjoy a cup of coffee while they supervise their kids. The area is split from a nook for babies and toddlers with soft toys and books, and a space for slightly older kids with a small playset and slide. There's also a play kitchen and a train table, plus other toys kids love. The best part? The play area is FREE to enter and use!

Note: Ridgetop Coffee is connected to a church, so if your child is in the play area during Bible Study, the business asks that they stay in there for the duration so it isn't disrupted.

The imagiNATIONS Activity Center is full of hands-on fun for kids. 

Are There Indoor Play Spaces That Are Free?

Our list of free places to play indoors in DC includes free play areas in museums, malls, and even IKEA. Here are a few of our favorites.

27. imagiNATIONS Activity Center at the National Museum of the American Indian — National Mall, DC

This huge, interactive exhibit is one of my favorite free things to do indoors in DC! It features all sorts of hands-on activities like basket-weaving, building a giant igloo, crafts, "walking" in snowshoes, exploring a replica of an Amazonian stilt house, and so much more. It's recommended for ages 10 and under, but let's be honest—even grown-ups have fun here. Go early if you can—admission to the activity center is first-come, first-served, and on busy days (like weekends), additional entry procedures may apply and you may not get in—it's happened to some families I know.

28. Wegmans Wonderplace at the National Museum of American History — National Mall, DC

This 1,700-square-foot exhibit for kids ages 0-6 features plenty of interactive elements, including a construction area, a climbing structure, a soft-play area for crawlers, a pretend farm and kitchen with play food and accessories, a mini portrait gallery, and more. There's also a nursing bench and a cozy reading area. On busy days like weekends and holidays, Wonderplace uses a timed ticketing system that allows only 30 minutes of play, so try to go on weekdays.

29. Experiential Learning Center at the National Museum of the United States Army — Fort Belvoir, VA

Trust me—your family will be wowed when you discover this immersive learning space that's amazing for kids of all ages. At Fort Discover, kids 8 and under can use imaginative play to climb an Army tower, radio friends, drop cargo supplies, launch a space rocket, drive a Jeep, and more. In the Training Center, older kids (and kids-at-heart!) can participate in interactive training simulations. Your kids won't want to leave this fun area, but the rest of the museum is worth seeing!

30. Storyville — Baltimore, MD

Inside the Rosedale branch of the Baltimore County Public Library you'll find Storyville, a child-sized village filled with books, toys, and activities for kids ages 0-5. The village includes a pretend grocery store and mailroom, a puppet stage and theater, a home living area, a construction zone, a library, a baby garden, and a toddler area. It's like having a free mini children's museum right inside the public library! Note: The Woodlawn library branch also has a Storyville, but as of January 2026 it was closed for renovation.

Indoor Play Spaces in DC FAQ

Q: Where can I take toddlers to play indoors in DC?
A: Supervised kids' play spaces like Mulberry Lane Cafe, soft play centers like Bluemont Village, and indoor playgrounds with pretend towns like Play Street Museum are ideal for toddlers.

Q: Are there indoor play spaces suitable for birthday parties?
A: Most of the indoor playgrounds on this list offer party packages, private rooms, or rentable areas, making them perfect kids' birthday party venues.

Q: Are there hidden or unusual indoor play spaces in DC?
A: Yes! The Toy Nest is essentially a toy library you can play in, while Play N' Learn is a playground superstore where you're allowed to climb and play on the merchandise. There are even some hidden play spaces in restaurants!

Q: How can parents make indoor play visits easier?
A: Bring snacks, plan around naps, and avoid weekends. Also check that the indoor play space has amenities you need, like changing stations and stroller accessibility.

All photos courtesy of the indoor playgrounds unless otherwise indicated

This post was originally published in 2019 and is updated annually.