Our Top 3 Favorite Indoor Playgrounds

Rainy days, freezing temperatures, scorching summers — just a few examples of bad weather that make most people want to stay inside and avoid the great outdoors. Unfortunately, if you’re a seasoned parent, you probably know that having a lazy day around the house isn’t much of an option with feral toddlers running around. Here are three of our favorite indoor playgrounds to visit when the park isn’t an option.

1. The Moody Family Children's Museum

Located on the lower level of the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, the Moody Family Children’s Museum offers indoor and outdoor activities for kids of all ages. We love to visit the exhibits on the upper floors of the Perot and then make our way downstairs for some playtime! There’s a designated area for toddlers under the age of three, which includes age-appropriate tactile and sensory objects, as well as lots of low-to-the-ground climbing opportunities. There are also areas for building, coloring, and — one of our favorite parts — an Imaginarium, which is a full interactive nature-themed room that is entertaining for all ages. 

Our tip: Pack an extra pair of clothes for your little one. There’s a waterwall inside that children can change the flow of the falling water. This is a big hit in our household, but it can lead to wet clothes and isn’t the most comfortable for the drive home! 

2. Cheeky Monkey

There are several Cheeky Monkeys across the DFW metroplex for families with children ages ten months to eight years to enjoy. The location we frequent offers a toddler area geared toward children under the age of four, a 3,000 square foot play structure for children older than the age of four, and a life-size playhouse. Our toddler loves to bounce between all of the different areas and take advantage of the toy grill and play grocery store in the clubhouse, the ballpit and small merry-go-round-style ride in the toddler area, and the slides and trampoline in the larger structure. We especially love that all of the play areas offer tall enough ceilings for us to walk under without having to duck! There is also food and drinks available for purchase, and free wifi for parents who might need to work and play. A few things to note: this is a socks-only facility, so don’t forget to bring a pair for your kids as well as yourself! There is also a price-per-hour of play, so check out their website and plan accordingly. 

Our tip: If you’re someone who gets overstimulated easily, a rainy day or a weekend visit might be a little much for you. This is a popular destination that can get loud! 

3. Down to Play

Nestled a few doors down from a Target off of Northwest Highway, Down to Play is a wonderfully inclusive, open play indoor playground that we find a little more peaceful as parents than some other options. Joel and Kelsey Doolen, founders of Down to Play, were inspired by their daughter, Kendall, to create a safe place for children of all abilities to play, and you can truly feel the love and thoughtfulness that has gone into their design. There’s a designated toddler area with a ballpit and a separate area for all children that has slides, swinging toys, and lots of climbing opportunities. There’s also a sensory room for kids to enjoy. This is also a socks-only facility, so make sure everyone has their socks ready to go. 

Our tip: If you know you need some groceries — or you just love to walk around Target with a coffee — plan your visit around a shopping trip! We loved being able to play and check some things off our to-do list all in one outing. 

These are just three of many amazing options for indoor play around Dallas. Each of these locations also offers birthday party packages, which always seem to be a big hit with parents and kids alike. Keep these in your back pocket for your next rainy day! 

Sincerely, 

Your Dallas Mom Friend 

Have a favorite indoor play spot we should add to our list? Share it with us so we can keep discovering new places together!