Fun, free indoor places to play in NYC are always a welcome diversion in our book, particularly when we're staring down another long northeastern winter. Entertaining the kids during this extended, chilly season isn't easy or cheap. We went hunting for free indoor places to play, fueled by our desire to escape our cramped New York City apartments. If your kids—like ours!—are bouncing off the walls and your wallet is screaming for a break after a holiday spending spree, we've got you covered. Check out our list of tried-and-tested free indoor places to play in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx for culture, fun, games, or just a much-needed change of scenery.

For more great, free indoor places to play, check out our NYC Kids' Guide to Free Fun, which is loaded with more ideas, outings, and parent-tested tips to save a buck.

We can't think of a better price point than FREE! Costs add up when you're doing fun things with the family-- especially if you have multiple kids. So we've rounded up all of the best free things to do with kids in the Philadelphia area. From spray parks and pools, to playgrounds, museums, and more, we've got you and your budget covered.

For even more fun free things, don't miss our Free Activity Guide and keep an eye on our Event Calendar where we're always adding new events.

We're lucky to have an array of free things to do in Orlando with kids that won't dent your wallet. Though the city is most known for its pricey attractions and theme parks, we've compiled a comprehensive list of 100 free things to do with kids in Central Florida.

Included in this list of free things in Orlando are playgrounds, museums, outdoor adventures, theme park bargains, and more. Whatever your interest, know that we at Mommy Poppins will keep you up to date on the best family happenings in Central Florida.

Have a great time with the kids while not denting your wallet. Our list of free things to do in Miami for 2026 features days of family-friendly frivolity.

I live in LA, so for tropical vacations, we tend to head to nearby Hawaii. But we took the long flight to the Caribbean this fall, and I have to say, I’m sorry we waited so long. For a fantastic mix of awesome adventures, gorgeous beaches, relaxing cabanas, stunning nature, great food, loads of animals, and a plethora of activities for kids and the whole family, you can’t beat the island of St. Lucia. Yes, the island famous for honeymooners and romance is actually a wonderful family vacation.

We stayed at the all-inclusive Coconut Bay Beach Resort and had maybe the most perfectly balanced tropical family vacation I’ve ever experienced. Think chocolate tasting/making, drive-in volcano, snorkeling with endangered turtles, and the best Kids Club I’ve seen.

Below, I’m sharing the real insider stuff. Not just the list of top things to do, but the details: what you need to pack (and what to not pack!), which days you should plan on adventures and which you should lie by the pool, and even what to eat.

Check out our complete Guide to Caribbean Family Vacations. Now, here are my tips on making a trip to St. Lucia with kids a rousing success:

Explore these fun, free indoor places to play around Boston. 

Explore our favorite free indoor places to play in Connecticut!

What is this water falling from the sky? Or, what is this raging Santa Ana wind that is tearing through the neighborhood? Angelinos don't get much bad weather, but when we do, it seems to affect just about everything. And if you're a mom with kids at home, bad weather can be quite the ordeal. When the kids are jumping on the couch, spilling crayons all over the dining room, and begging to watch K-Pop Demon Hunters for the second time that day, you may need to get out of the house. I got you.

There are many indoor free things to do in Los Angeles for those rare times when it's raining in Southern California. As a mom of four living in Los Angeles, I've tried lots of indoor spots; we've found everything from mellow corners with books and cozy chairs to raucous, colorful play spaces with pop music and overstimulation. I know which spots are too boring or too adult and which spots should be at the top of your list, so read on to discover our favorite free indoor spaces in Los Angeles that will keep the whole family happy. 

For more free things to do in LA, peruse our list of 100 fun free things to do in Los Angeles with Kids. Once you've checked off all the free things to do indoors in Los Angeles and want to explore more things to do with a roof over your head, check out the best indoor playgrounds in Los Angeles, and discover more indoor amusement in our Indoor Fun and Play Spaces Guide for Los Angeles Kids.