This post was originally published in 2017. Please be sure to check the websites of these destinations for any changes in hours, pricing and program offerings.
Please note: This post may contain information about businesses that are or have been Out and About Mom sponsors. No additional compensation was received for this post. Out and About Mom is 100% funded by the generous support of our sponsors. All opinions expressed are our own.
It’s about this time of year when we all realize how much we take our local playgrounds for granted in the milder months. They’re a quick stop on the way to the store to burn off all that endless kid energy. A place to pass the hour before dinner. A playdate hub. A chance to meet new friends.
Then the weather turns wintry and all of a sudden we’re home. Alone. With kids who think playing “how far can I jump from the sofa” is an acceptable form of indoor entertainment. Ahhhhh!
Luckily, we’ve been scouting places for indoor play for many years now! We have been all over this state–from Stamford to Simsbury, from Newington to New Haven, from Milford to Manchester. We’ve found places for bouncing and jumping and climbing and sliding. Foam pits and twisty slides. Obstacle courses and rock walls. Tunnels and trampolines. We’ve seen it all! And here, we’ll do our best to maintain our most up-to-date listing of Out and About Mom approved indoor play. That’s 35+ ideas for indoor fun!
As always, we have only included places that we have actually been to and blogged about. That’s right! We don’t just send you to any old place here at Out and About Mom. We make sure it has our personal stamp of approval. Or, more importantly, our kids’ stamp of approval 🙂
So you can feel confident heading out with your loved ones knowing that you have all the inside info you need to make the outing a success. We have done all the research for you, so all you need to do is have fun!
We’ve even added special information just for babies & toddlers aimed at helping new moms (and dads!) get out there and socialize with other new parents. We know how rough those early months (or years) can be! Sometimes the difference between a good day and a bad day can be as simple as a friendly face and a sympathetic ear…and a cup of coffee never hurts either 🙂
We hope you enjoy our Ultimate Guide to Indoor Play in (and around) Connecticut and that it inspires you with dozens of reasons to get bundled up and brave the cold weather. Give your poor, tired, mangled couch the day off. We promise, it will be so worth it!
With two locations, Bounce Town lets the kiddos jump those jiggles out on the awesome inflatables in South Windsor, CT or Canton, CT. OAAM POST-South Windsor; OAAM POST-Canton; Website; Facebook Page
Plan a preschool playdate select weekday mornings during special bounce sessions designed for the little ones at Bounce U in Rocky Hill, CT. OAAM POST; Website; Facebook Page UPDATE 1/30/19: This location of Bounce U has closed, and there is a new bounce arena called Pump it Up there now. See their calendar for special toddler jump times.
Bounce on the inflatables, climb the rock walls, play in the arcade or try out the new UFO bumper cars at Bounce Town USA in Milford, CT. OAAM POST; Website; Facebook Page
Train on the ninja course, zipline across the foam pit or bounce around on the inflatables at Jump On In in Newington, CT. OAAM POST; Website; Facebook Page
Enjoy wide open spaces and plenty of jumping action to burn off all that endless kid energy at Jumpin Jonnies in Vernon, CT. OAAM POST; Website; Facebook Page
No need to worry about the schedule: it’s open play all day, every day at Monkey Joe’s in Hamden, CT. There’s even a special area designed just for ages 3 and under. OAAM POST; Website; Facebook Page
Take advantage of a variety of drop-in activities at the massive “sports-tainment” complex, Chelsea Piers in Stamford, CT OAAM POST; Website; Facebook Page
The Gymnastics Training Center in Simsbury, CT offers Drop-in Family Playtime where kids can experience the gym at their own pace. They also offer classes and tumbling programs for toddlers to teens. OAAM POST; Website; Facebook Page
My Gym offers an array of classes for little ones plus open gym times each week. We’ve checked out the locations in our towns, but there are many other CT locations as well. OAAM POST-Glastonbury/West Hartford; Website-Glastonbury/West Hartford; Facebook Page-West Hartford
Romp n’ Roll in Wethersfield, CT offers gym, art and music classes for kids ages 3 months to 5 years. They also have open play times each week where kids can roam free and explore the colorful gym equipment. OAAM POST; Website; Facebook Page
Whippersnappers Play Gym in Cheshire, CT offers music, movement, fitness and arts & crafts programs for kids ages 1 to 10. They also offer open play in their spacious gym filled with fun fitness equipment plus outdoor playscapes indoors! OAAM POST; Website; Facebook Page
Bounce! Trampoline Sports in Springfield, MA is a 16,000 square foot indoor trampoline park featuring foam pits, dodgeball courts, lots of big trampolines, arcade games, a Bounce! Extreme Area and even – get this – a parents’ lounge! Plus, there are regular Toddler Times for children ages 5 and under, so even your littlest jumpers can play. OAAM POST; Website; Facebook Page
Flight in New Britain, CT has special “kid flight” sessions every morning where little ones ages 6 and under have access to the whole park, plus there’s a toddlers/preschoolers-only “Kiddie Court” that’s open to them all the time. OAAM POST; Website; Facebook Page
Flight Fit Fun (formerly Jump Off) in Manchester, CT is so much more than just a trampoline park (though that part is pretty awesome too). In addition to a vast trampoline court, you’ll also find a three-story indoor playscape, a video game arcade, and a ninja obstacle course. From toddlers to teenagers, kids of all ages will be entertained in this massive complex! OAAM POST; Website; Facebook Page
Launch in Hartford, CT boasts 15,000 square feet of trampolines (even on the walls!) and offers “toddler time” each Friday morning. Although kids under 42 inches tall are welcome to jump anywhere in the park, there is also a special “Kid’s Court” just for them. OAAM POST; Website; Facebook Page
Sky Zone in Wallingford, CT offers “toddler time” on Friday and Sunday mornings. Jump on their main court, launch into the foam pit or play some bouncy basketball. There’s also a snack bar and seating area. OAAM POST; Website; Facebook Page
At Urban Air Adventure Park in Orange, CT trampolines are only the beginning! You’ll also find a warrior obstacle course, wall climbing, a multi-level playscape with a high-flying zip line and ropes course, an indoor go kart track, bumper cars, laser tag, virtual reality, bowling, arcade games and more! There’s even a cafe where you can refuel between play sessions. Got toddlers? Check out their Jumperoo toddler play times on select weekday mornings! OAAM POST; Website; Facebook Page
Billy Beez in Holyoke, MA is a massive indoor play park where kids can run, jump, bounce, climb and slide on an array of jungle-themed playscapes. There is also a separate play area for kids under 42″ tall. OAAM POST; Website; Facebook Page
Chick-Fil-A has given CT parents another option for a restaurant/play area combo. And family-friendly features like staff bringing your food to the table for you makes it super convenient when you’ve got your hands full with little ones! We checked out the Enfield, CT store, but other CT locations include Danbury, Brookfield, North Haven and Wallingford. OAAM POST; Website
Chuck E. Cheese’s (we visited the Manchester, CT location but this international chain has locations across the country and around the world) is the original indoor playland for kids. Arcade games, a separate toddler-friendly area with kiddie rides, musical shows, prizes and some pretty delicious pizza make this a fun family hangout. OAAM POST; Website
IKEA in New Haven, CT has a drop-off area for potty-trained kiddos (between the height of 37″ and 54″) where they can make new friends and play in a supervised environment for up to an hour while you get some shopping done or just enjoy a cup of coffee or a snack in the cafe. OAAM POST; Website
IT Adventure Ropes Course in New Haven, CT has a surprising location: inside the Jordan’s Furniture store! You’ll find two 60′ high ropes courses, four 200′ zip lines, a climbing wall area, and a special pint-sized ropes course designed for the little ones. Plus pizza and ice cream! OAAM POST; Website; Facebook Page
LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Westchester, NY has hands-on activities, rides, a Ninjago-themed playscape and, of course, tons of LEGO-building! OAAM POST; Website; Facebook Page
The Little Green Tambourine in Canton, CT offers creative open play experiences (painting, dramatic play, doll house, train table, bubbles, dancing and more!) as well as a variety of unique classes and workshops. OAAM POST; Website; Facebook Page
McDonalds Play Areas are a go-to resource when we just have to get the kiddos out of the house. Like now. We’ve checked out the ones in our towns, but of course, you can find them all over the state. OAAM POST-Glastonbury/West Hartford
Nomad’s Adventure Quest in South Windsor has something for everyone! Arcade games, bounce equipment, indoor mini golf, a climbing wall, laser tag, bowling and even a full-service restaurant. OAAM POST; Website; Facebook Page
PlayStrong Indoor Playground in Simsbury, CT is a perfect active outing for crawlers up to 4 years old. Check out the schedule to see when the playground is open to the public. PlayStrong also offers classes. OAAM POST; Website; Facebook Page
The Kids’ Play area at The Shoppes at Buckland Hills in Manchester, CT is adorable, fully-enclosed, toddler-friendly and now located in the food court right next to the carousel and other kiddie attractions. FREE. OAAM POST; Website
Spare Time in Vernon is more than your average bowling alley. In addition to family-friendly bowling (hello toddler ramps!), there is a large arcade, laser tag and a full-service restaurant (with the complete menu available in the bowling lanes as well). OAAM POST; Website; Facebook Page
TimberGyms in Newington, CT is an outdoor playscape showroom that doubles as an indoor playspace. For just a few dollars, kids can play on a half dozen or so jungle gyms (including one shaped like a pirate ship!), jump their jiggles out in the bounce house or explore the playhouses, train table and other toys that might be hanging around. OAAM POST; Website; Facebook Page
Tot Town in Brookfield, CT puts the focus on imagination with playtime that lets your kiddos flex their creative muscles with elements like a play kitchen, grocery store, vet center and beauty salon. There’s also an area for climbing, sliding and other active play, as well as a gated space designated for crawlers. OAAM POST; Website; Facebook Page
Little ones got energy to burn? Drop in for Gym Kids at the Elmwood Community Center in West Hartford, CT where 1-5 year olds (and their caregivers) have plenty of space to run around and play with toddler-friendly toys. OAAM POST; Website
Even infants can get out and about at the Museum & Me: Playdates with Art program at the New Britain Museum of American Art in New Britain, CT. A private tour of the galleries with your baby accompanied by helpful museum docents, plus sensory playtime in the spacious Stanley Works Center. Also includes a “coffee break” for the parents. Designed for ages 0-24 months and their caregiver. OAAM POST; Website; Facebook Page
Hang out with old friends or meet new ones at the weekly Talk & Toys Library Playgroup at the Windsor Library in Windsor, CT. Designed for children ages 0-4 and their caregiver. FREE. OAAM POST; Website; Facebook Page
Drop in with your tot on Friday mornings for playtime at the Tiny Tots Sensory Table at Cragin Memorial Library in Colchester, CT. Then stay to play in the spacious children’s library filled with engaging activity areas. Check the monthly newsletter (available on their website) for details on this and other programs. FREE. OAAM POST; Website; Facebook Page
Need more ideas? Many of the libraries we’ve visited have amazing indoor play areas. And, of course, it’s always FREE to play!
You can also check out these children’s classes for more climate-controlled fun.
And don’t forget about children’s museums!
Still searching? Find the complete catalog of all our 400+ outing ideas sorted by activity type here.
Do you have a suggestion for an indoor play destination that needs to be on our list? Let us know by leaving a comment on this post or emailing us at outandaboutmom@gmail.com. We love to hear from our readers!
It takes a village: We do our best to keep the links in this post up-to-date, but there are a lot! If you notice a broken link, please let us know! Send an email to outandaboutmom@gmail.com
Interested in advertising opportunities with Out and About Mom? Get more info here.
Want to keep up with things to do with kids in Connecticut?
Check back every week as we dish up more Momsense for getting out and about with your little ones. Don’t have time to check back in? Let us send you an automatic notification of new posts straight to your email inbox by signing up here. Also, you can like us on Facebook and Twitter and follow us on Instagram to keep up with the latest posts and get some extra tidbits we share only through those sites.
Check out Questers Way in Mansfield.
Hi Melissa!
Thank you so much for the recommendation! Believe it or not, I have been trying to get to Questers’ Way for a couple weeks now…but my kids keep getting sick!!! We’re supposed to go this weekend (fingers crossed!), so hopefully there will be a post on the site soon and we can add it to this list. So many friends and readers have recommended this place. I cannot wait to see it for myself!
Thanks again!
Shawna