If there’s one thing Boston families can count on in winter, it’s super chilly days that call for indoor play. So when your kids are bouncing off the walls, count on Boston’s indoor playspaces to come to the rescue. They’ve got everything kids need to stay entertained (and warm) on cold winter days. Read on to find your new favorite indoor playground!
Babies & Toddlers
The Children’s Piazza
Designed for the youngest players, ages 5 and under, this peaceful indoor playground is hard to beat on a cold day. Kids can folic on the wooden climber, make tracks on the train table and even swing on the swing set. Imaginative play takes center stage here with a stage for puppet shows, dress up clothes and a craft room. But the best part has to be the café where parents can grab a cup of hot coffee and something to eat while the kids play.
Hours: Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat., 8:30 a.m.-noon
83 Pine St., Unit F
Peabody, MA
978-817-2809
Online: thechildrenspiazza.com
Play Union
Let your kiddo’s imagination come alive at this playroom that caters to Littles. Watch your creative cutie jump from one station to the next, building with Magnatiles, running a pretend restaurant, shopping at the “market” or playing with trucks and trains. There’s even a craft station for budding artists. They’ll be ready for naptime after a few hours here!
Insider tip: The Friday sing-alongs with Jeff Jam are where the end of the week action is.
Hours: Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
378 Somerville Ave.
Somerville, MA
617-764-3570
Online: playunionsomerville.com
VinKari Safari
We all know toddlers need room to roam, and that’s one of the best things about the VinKari Safari indoor playground. Kids can move from one colorfully decorated room to the next as they climb through tunnels, make their way down slides, bounce in the inflatables and take off on a ride-along.
Hours: October through April: Tue.-Sun., 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; May through September: Tue.-Sun., 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Closed on Mondays year-round.
10 Micro Dr.
Woburn, MA
Online: vinkarisafari.com
Off the Wall Kidz
The multi-level climbing structure that’s a maze of bridges and tunnels, and has an interactive slide, are just part of the draw for toddlers here. They can also play in pretend city, a little town where they’ll find everything they need to dress up and imagine. The separate toddler play area is tops. Its soft toys, merry-go-round and animal swings make it a great place for just-walkers to play. And the ball pit is always a hit, no matter what age.
Hours: Mon.-Fri., 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; Fri., 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
160 N. Main St. D
Carver, MA
888-808-5633
Online: offthewallkidz.com
Preschoolers & Kindergartners
Boston Playground
This Chelsea play spot is a favorite for a reason. It’s got everything kids need to stay active when the weather isn’t cooperating, including a sporty bouncy house, climbing wall and ninja course where kids can practice their stealth skills. If they’ve still got energy left to burn a game of soccer pool, followed by fort building should do the trick. Bring on naptime!
Hours: Mon.-Fri., 3-7 p.m.; Sat., noon-8 p.m.; Sun., noon- 6 p.m.
121 Webster Ave. #3,
Chelsea, MA
Online: bostonplayground.com
Jam Time
Jam Time is an award-winning indoor playground that feels like your living room—only bigger. And it’s got the space you wish you had to house gorgeous wooden play structures and a bouncy house, alongside every day playthings like train tables, kitchen sets and climbing tubes. Remember to bring your socks to play here, and a snack (as long as it’s nut-free) to keep the kids fueled for playtime.
Insider tip: Purchasing a winter pass is a great way to save money at Jam Time. They range in price from $180-$255, and give families unlimited playtime on open play days during Boston’s coldest months.
Hours: Mon & Fri., 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Tue. & Wed., 9 a.m.- 1 p.m.; Thur., 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat. & Sun., 9-11:45 a.m.
Natick Mall Hours: Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat. & Sun., 10 a.m.-1:45 p.m.
Locations in Maynard, Natick & Norwood.
Online: jamtime.com
KidSports
If you like a side of gaming with your indoor playspace, look no further than KidSports. It’s got the requisite climbing walls, bouncy houses and oversized slides. But kids will love adding on a game a laser tag, bowling or plaster painting to switch up winter playtime. Just be warned, they’ve got flashy arcade games here that kids find hard to resist.
11 Evans Dr.
Stoughton, MA
781-344-2332
Online: kidsportsfun.com
Grade School Kids
Sky Zone Trampoline Park
The sky’s the limit on a cold winter day when you bring the kids to this trampoline park. Big kids will love the new ninja warrior course, sky joust and freestyle jump zones, plus the dodge ball and basketball courts where they can game. Our favorite part is the special jump times they offer each week, like Little Leapers, Frozen Leapers and a Friday night Glow session for kids ages 5 and up, from 7-9 p.m. You’ll find fun for the whole fam here.
Insider tip: The Junior Jump Zone is made just for toddlers and their caregivers and we’re loving it.
Hours: Mon.-Thu., 3-8 p.m.; Fri., 3-11 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
69 Norman St.
Everett, MA
617-387-1000
Online: skyzone.com/Everett
BeanStalk Adventure Ropes Course
Adventure awaits at this two-story ropes course inside Jordan Furniture. As they make your way along the course (harnessed and tied off, of course), kids will encounter 30 different elements like zig-zag beams, rope ladders, spaghetti hand lines and the exciting Sky Rail zip line. Whether you all climb together or you cheer your kids on from below, this is a can’t-miss adventure you’ve got to try.
Insider tip: While the BeanStalk course is reserved for kids over 48 inches tall, the BeanSprout ropes course is open to those who are under. You won’t find any grown-ups here, and the fact it’s just 3-feet off the ground means you can escort your adventurous tot around the course with ease.
Hours: Mon.-Thur., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Fri. & Sat.., 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
50 Walkers Brook Dr.
Jordan’s Furniture
Reading, MA
781-942-9816
Online: beanstalkatjordans.com
Launch Trampoline Park
If your kids are bouncing off the walls, why not lean in? Big kids will love the chance to burn energy as they bounce from one trampoline to the next, play dodge ball and basketball, attempt the ninja course and maybe even play a round of laser tag or two. The on-site eats and arcade let families hole up here for as little or as long as they want on a blustery winter day.
Insider tip: Trampoline parks are often overwhelming for tots, so bring them to Toddler Time on the weekends to play safely without all the big kids around.
Hours: Mon., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Wed. & Thu., 3:30-7 p.m.; Fri., 3:30-8 p.m.; Sat., 10 a,m,-8 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; closed Tuesdays.
570 Providence Highway
Norwood, MA
781-255-5867
Online: launchtrampolinepark.com/norwood
COVID considerations:
1. Some of these play places require a reservation to play. Remember to make yours online (and sign any waivers while you’re at it) before you head out.
2. Many indoor playgrounds require masks for kids as young as 2; don’t leave home without them.
3. Worried about cleanliness? Call ahead or check online to get the low down on each facility’s cleaning protocols so you can feel safe when you play.
4. Please remember to follow local and state health and safety guidelines when you visit these play spaces, including mask wearing, social distancing and vaccine requirements.
—Allison Sutcliffe
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