It’s January. It’s cold and it’s wet and this can be one of the most challenging times of year for parents looking for fun things to do with their kids. So, I’m really excited to be participating in this beyond awesome multistate round-up of indoor play places to entertain kiddos of all ages during these long winter days when it’s just too cold or too wet and gross to take them outside to blow off steam and get active. (Just don’t forget to pack the sanitizer before you go!)
There are many wonderful places to take the kiddos in Philadelphia this winter. I’ve teamed up with fellow blogger, Katie from Mommy on Call, to cover indoor play places in Philadelphia. She’s taking on Center City and South Philadelphia (post coming soon!) and I’ve got pretty much everywhere else in the city limits. In addition to Katie’s great listings in Center City and South Philadelphia region, here is my list of fun indoor play spots in the rest of the city too. What are your favorite indoor play places? Please tell us what we missed in the comments below. We’d love to hear your faves, too!
The Little Treehouse
10 W. Gravers Lane
Chestnut Hill, PA
One of the best indoor playplaces in the city, I’m so glad to learn that The Little Treehouse is still open for business. This indoor fun spot was where my younger daughter’s 2nd birthday party was and I spent many a fun day with both my girls at this hands-on playplace for families in Chestnut Hill. Recently, hours of operation have been decreased but it’s still open on Tuesdays from 9-12 and Wednesday 9-2 and Saturdays and Sundays 9-6. Please call 215-247-3637 before you go to make sure it’s open. $8.50 for one child. Siblings half price.
Franklin Mills Mall
1455 Franklin Mills Cir.
Roosevelt Blvd
Philadelphia PA
Franklin Mills Mall not only has great shopping and dining but it also has kid-friendly indoor spots like Dave and Busters and the BlackDiamond Skate Park to keep kids entertained. Note: BlackDiamond is for the older kids and they must pay a one time $5 registration fee and have a waiver on file for kids under 18 years of age.
Kixs & Giggles
9356 Old Bustleton Ave
Philadelphia, PA
Kixs and Giggles offers kids a chance for independent indoor play in a safe parent supervised setting. $10 for children ages 11 and younger. Adults free.
The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education
8480 Hagy’s Mill Road
Philadelphia, PA
The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education may be a nature center dedicated to teaching kids and the community about outdoor education but there is indoor fun and learning to be had here as well. Free.
Big Blue Marble Bookstore
551 Carpenter Lane
Philadelphia, PA
Ok so it’s a bookstore and not technically an indoor play place BUT we all know that kid-friendly book stores are often a great way to pass a rainy afternoon with children. And unfortunately there are so few REAL bookstores left anymore that finding one that is kid-friendly is even more rare. This independent bookstore is a great one with a small but engaging children’s section and will be a fun new find for your family guaranteed.
Free Library of Philadelphia
1901 Vine Street
Philadelphia, PA
The main branch and the 57 local branches of the Free Library of Philadelphia offer you and your kids of all ages an inviting place to get lost in literature for hours indoors. Plus, check your branch listings for special story times and kid friendly events, too.
Chuck E. Cheese’s – 2 locations
9175 Roosevelt Blvd., Philadelphia, PA
9 Snyder Ave, Philadelphia, PA
There’s no denying that Chuck E. Cheese’s is a perennial kid-favorite for indoor fun with arcade games, play and climbing structures and much more. Free admission. Tokens available for purchase to play arcade games. Pizza, snacks, beverages also available for purchase.
McDonalds with Indoor Playland – Several locations
501 Franklin Mills Cir, Philadelphia, PA
9970 Bustleton Ave, Philadelphia, PA
7901 Oxford Ave, Philadelphia, PA
710 Adams Ave, Philadelphia, PA
There are several McDonalds locations in the region with indoor playlands you could check out, let the kids burn off some energy, and grab some lunch (or a coffee!) too.
Chick-Fil-A Restaurant with Indoor Play Area – Several locations
2204 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, PA
2301 E. Butler Street, Philadelphia, PA
Chick-Fil-A offers several restaurants in the Philadelphia area that offer indoor play areas. What I love about Chick-Fil-A is the liberal availability of hand sanitizer. What I don’t so much love? Closed on Sundays.
And, be sure to check out these other great listings of indoor play options in the Greater Philadelphia area including Pennsylvania – Philadelphia Center City, Delaware County, Bucks County, Berks County, Montgomery County East, Montgomery County West, Chester County North and East, Chester County South and West, Lancaster County, Lehigh County. New Jersey – Atlantic County, Burlington County, Camden County, Cumberland County, Gloucester County, Essex County, Passaic County, Union County, Salem County, Sussex County and Delaware.
As you can probably tell, we take finding indoor fun for stir-crazy kids VERY seriously as parents and are happy to share the fruits of our labor with you all – enjoy!