Note that some indoor playgrounds are open only for birthday parties on the weekends, not for drop-in play. Reservations may be required to play. Be sure to call your location of choice before heading out. 

Indoor Playgrounds on the Westside

1. Pamper & Play — West LA

Westside parents can choose between playing with their toddling little ones in the play area or taking advantage of supervised play as they sit upstairs and get some work done with the free Wi-Fi. Either way, it's a win-win. The space also offers a parents' time out, summer camps, preschool transition classes, and birthday parties.

2. Under the Sea — Culver City

This spot offers plenty of room for kids to run and romp. It also has plenty of tables where grown-ups can use the free Wi-Fi. Pay by the visit, buy a discounted multi-visit pass or get a monthly membership for unlimited visits. Private and semi-private birthday party packages are available. Princesses often pop by to say "hi" here, as well. 

3. Big and Tiny Playworking Space — Santa Monica

If you need to clear out your inbox and your little ones are banging on your keyboard and watching too much Bluey, check out this "play-working" space. There's an area for kids to play and an area for adults to work. Honestly? I may head there tomorrow. These articles don't write themselves, you know. 

Little ones love free plays at Wild Child Gym. Photo courtesy of Gina Ragland

4. Wild Child Gym — Culver City

Wild Child Gym describes its space as "California cool with a distinct Hawaiian vibe." Kids can enjoy classes or free play (called wild play) at the gym. Classes range in age from "Droolers" (three to seven-month-olds) to Advanced Skill + Development classes for ages five to seven years. Summer camps and birthday parties are also available. Bonus: they have an adorable storefront, too. 

5. Noah's Ark at the Skirball — West LA

The Skirball Cultural Center has a spectacular interactive Noah's Ark exhibit for kids. There are climbing structures, pretend play and even an area for the littlest kids with stuffed animals and books. Admission is timed, and advance tickets are recommended, especially for Thursdays (which are free days!). 

6. Cayton Children's Museum — Santa Monica

Find the Cayton Children's Museum on the third level of Santa Monica Place Mall. There's a lot to keep kids busy indoors, from the youngest tots up to ages nine or ten. Babies can even strip down to their diapers and "paint" in an art studio built for sensory art engagement. I also love their "Launch Your" space, a soft, interactive area specifically designed for the littlest ones under two years old. 

7. Onyx & Sage — West Hollywood 

If you're looking for a space that is "not going to mess with your aesthetic," the crisp, neutral color palette at Onyx & Sage will do the job. This small but entertaining modern play space typically caters to the influencer moms of Los Angeles. Admission is for all-day play, meaning if your littles tucker out, you're welcome to take them home for a nap and return for more fun. 

Indoor Playgrounds on the Eastside

8. Peekaboo Playland — Eagle Rock

An Art Deco building in the heart of Eagle Rock houses Peekaboo Playland's inflatables, ball pit, climbing structures, slides, train table, and playhouses. This one is about as "Instagrammable" as you can get, with neutral, relaxing colors, wooden toys, and a great "baby lounge' for mamas and infants that need a moment of zen. 

9. PlayLab — Eagle Rock

​This play space caters to infants and younger children. The 2,200 square feet of space is clean and streamlined, with cozy lounge areas, reading nooks, and complimentary coffee and tea. It's a true respite for tired parents with active tots. PlayLab offers open play Monday through Friday and weekends when the space is not reserved for birthday parties and events. 

Indoor Playgrounds in the Valleys

10. My Lil' Town — Multiple Locations

This valley play hub offers an imaginative play area in the form of a small town—one with plenty of climbing structures and impromptu dance parties. My Lil' Town is reminiscent of Pretend City in Irvine, with a hospital, jail cell, grocery store, and more pint-sized places for kids to explore and pretend. 

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This indoor playground welcomes kids of all abilities. Photo courtesy of We Rock The Spectrum

11. We Rock the Spectrum Kids Gym — Multiple Locations

With several locations in Southern California, this unique gym caters to kids across the spectrum— including those with special needs. The playground helps kids build strength, enhance mobility, encourage sensory processing, develop communication skills, and more.

12. Pump It Up — Van Nuys

This funhouse is chock full of unique inflatables. Open play hours are limited but should allow plenty of time for the kids to get worn out. There are also locations in Chino Hills and Lake Forest. 

13. Kids Empire — Multiple Locations

​Kids Empire is an indoor playground on steroids in the best possible way. It's super-sized fun, with a giant, multi-level play structure, a babies-only area, a disco room, and tons of seating for parents. It's a place that can entertain toddlers and tweens alike, making it a fantastic option for families with mixed-aged siblings. Luckily, there are several locations, so this level of fun is never very far away. Speaking of luck- two adults get in free with each paid child admission. 

14. Kids World — Oak Park

​​This Simi Valley play space is a world of fun with a gated toddler area, ball city, a modern LED and touch-zone arcade, basketball, and more. Check their website for when open play hours occur. 

15. Dream Big Children's Center — Multiple Locations

Despite being located in a relatively small space, Dream Big Children's Center offers a wide range of activities. The company started in Monrovia to provide kids of all abilities a place to grow and thrive. Dream Big in Monrovia has several different themed rooms, each offering unique stimuli and play. 

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There's a lot to love here, but the cleanliness level is a standout. Photo courtesy of My Little Paris

16. My Little Paris Café & Play — San Gabriel

My Little Paris is an adorable French cafe and indoor playground in San Gabriel. The space is impeccably clean and has an array of brand-new toys, most from high-quality European manufacturers—it's going for a vibe, after all. On one side of the space is the playground, and on the other is a cafe with authentic French-inspired cuisine, an espresso bar, and even beer & wine! You can dine and sip a cappuccino or Malbec while your kids frolic in an air-conditioned paradise. It's a great spot for parents to eat while kids play. 

17. Southern California Children's Museum — Pasadena

This central Pasadena staple is in an airy, expansive storefront on Colorado Boulevard. It includes a variety of activities and programming throughout the day, plus plenty of room to explore. It also has its own (free!) parking lot in the back, rare for a downtown Pasadena space. Drop in for an open play, or come for one of the almost daily events or activities. 

18. Munchkins Indoor Playground — North Hollywood

Munchkins encompass two play structures with slides, ball pits, and climbing equipment. There's also a pretend town where toddlers can visit the grocery store, veterinarian, or fire station. A virtual target practice game on the wall will entertain older kids. This play space is perfect for toddlers as all the structures are easy to navigate, so parents won't have to contort and climb up the structures behind over-adventurous tiny people. 

19. Adam's Garden — Sherman Oaks 

Adam's Garden gets major bonus points because of its high standard of cleanliness. In addition to regularly cleaning all equipment, they sanitize each ball in the ball pit every day. They also have a soft baby space for little ones 18 months and under, so your infants won't get trampled by over-excited "big kids." It's available for open play and parties. 

20. BallnBounce — Encino, Beverly Hills, and West LA 

High-energy littles can get hours of action sliding, climbing, swinging, and scaling rock walls at BallnBounce. This vibrant space entertains with fun activities, and admission is good all day long. There are no restrictions on outside food and drinks, so pick up a latte on your way and enjoy chatting with your mom (or dad) tribe while the kids run free. 

21. Posh & Petite Playhouse — Woodland Hills

An LA mom of twins created this darling, aesthetic play place with a healthy cafe and plenty of space for parents to relax while kids pretend to their heart's content. Posh & Petite features a small town with a mini-sized ice cream shop, hospital, fire station, and more. This business also does parties, and the cafe has creative snacks and meals to delight your little ones. You won't be begging them to "take just one more bite" here. 

22. Candy World — Sherman Oaks & Glendale

The beloved kids' board game comes to life at this whimsical play place with a lollipop carousel, slides spilling into a colorful ball pit, and a tiny town for the littlest of civilians. Parking is tricky with this one; there is street parking outside the location or paid parking in a lot nearby. Outside food and drink are welcome in the rest area, and socks are required. Candy World capitalizes on birthday parties, so make sure to call for open play times before heading out if you are planning to stop by. 

23. Funland on Sunland — Sun Valley

This happy little play space is great for toddlers. At only $20 per kid, this is one of the more affordable spots in the valley. The tropical vibe will have you dreaming of Hawaii,  and if you bring a book and find a comfortable seat, you may even feel like you're on vacation for a few hours.  

24. Kids Planet — Canoga Park

With zip lines, bubble parties, dance parties, organized games, organic food, and a fresh bakery, Kids Planet should be called "Mom's Planet." The Mediterranean-inspired cafe menu is good enough to keep us coming back, plus the kids have an absolute blast climbing and jumping to their heart's content. 

25. La La Land Indoor Playground — Burbank 

No, this spot isn't based on the Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone flick, but your kids will be dancing just like the stars did when they spend an afternoon in this whimsical space with something for every kid. In addition to climbing structures, slides, and ball pits, La La Land has plenty of arcade-style games and a rock climbing wall. 

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Slide into the ball pit at FunZy. Photo courtesy of Kylie Williams

26. FunZy Indoor Playground — Santa Clarita 

This new spot in Santa Clarita has an engaging play space with ball pits, light-up slides, LED tunnels, and plenty of stimulating activities. I checked this one out for myself, and my kids found it challenging to say goodbye at the end of our play session. 

South Bay and Orange County Indoor Playgrounds

27. Jump 'n Jammin — Moreno Valley, West Covina, Arcadia, and Oxnard

Entertainment includes multi-level play structures, giant slides, obstacle courses, an exploding foam ball volcano, and rock climbing. There's enough to keep everyone from toddlers to tweens busy, and admission prices are more than reasonable. We've been to several birthday parties here that are a blast for kids of all ages. 

28. AdventurePlex — Manhattan Beach

Expect super-size fun at this Manhattan Beach play emporium, with giant climbing structures, a fitness area, a reading nook, and a cafe —plus plenty of outdoor activities. Call before visiting because if camps are in session, the facility may be closed for drop-in play. 

29. Seascape Kids Fun — Anaheim

This three-story play arena in Anaheim offers enormous slides, an obstacle course, and foam shooting ranges, all with a bubbly ocean theme. At only $12 per child, it is one of the more affordable indoor play spaces on this list. 

30. Pretend City — Irvine

Pretend City is just what the name implies: an entire miniature city set up for imaginative play. There's even a kids' version of Trader Joe's. I mean, could anything be cuter? Check out their online calendar as well; there are events at Pretend City almost daily.  

31. Scooter's Jungle — El Segundo, Valencia, and Placentia

Scooter's Jungle has multiple locations where kids can romp on huge inflatable (custom-made and one-of-a-kind) jumpers and slides. This place is loads of fun for an afternoon of play, but where they shine is setting up birthday parties where parents can relax and enjoy themselves without doing any planning, set-up, clean-up, or work! 

32. Billy Beez​ — Anaheim and Valencia

Wild slides, tunnels, and swings—kids will burn off any extra energy at this candy-colored indoor playground that buzzes with (pretend) bees. Get ready for a good night's sleep after a day of climbing and sliding- and even a good nap in between play sessions because Billy Beez allows re-entry. Bonus: They have free Wi-Fi- so bring your laptop and some AirPods to get some work (or binge-watching) done. 

33. Dig It Play — Torrance 

Construction vehicles and indoor play places are two things that little kids love. Dig It Play combines the construction craze with STEM-enhanced free play and plenty of structures for climbing and sliding. This space focuses on providing kids with opportunities to learn through exploring. Make sure to bring your grip-bottom socks.  

34. Looma Space — Lomita 

Looma Space boomed into the play space scene as a set-apart spot curated for aesthetic family fun. It receives rave reviews from visitors, as kids and adults alike are obsessed. This pastel-tinted spot includes a full gourmet menu, classes, birthday party options, and creative events (like Bluey Day). 

Originally published August 14, 2022

Additional reporting by Kylie Williams