From obstacle courses to water parks to indoor playgrounds, find out where to burn off that excess energy when temps plummet
We’re pretty sure there is a scientific correlation between freezing temps and a kid’s energy level; when one goes down, the other goes sky high. But don’t worry, we have you covered with this ultimate guide to indoor activities in DC so your kids can burn off some energy (maybe get a little sweaty) and get a good night’s rest.
We’ve got something for everyone on this burn-all-the-energy list. From tot-friendly play gyms that offer safe, foam-covered tumble spaces to physically challenging rope courses and climbing walls for kids 8 & up, this indoor activity guide has fun, fast-paced ACTIVE, indoor kid activities for every age and skill level. You’ll find indoor playgrounds, trampoline parks and bounce houses, obstacle course, roller skating, indoor ice skating, bowling, water parks and more in this ultimate guide to indoor activities in the DMV. Get ready for a good night’s sleep!
Indoor Playgrounds & Play Gyms near Washington DC
The Lane Social Club
There are plenty of ways to burn off energy at this family-friendly event and play space. Take advantage of the giant slide, the climbing wall, a ball pit, and more. There is an on-site cafe for parents who want a coffee (or a beer) while their child lets off some steam. Check the event calendar for upcoming events, including a magic show and go-kart and bumper car event.
Cost: $20/2 hrs.
1408 Okie St. NE
Ivy Center
Online: thelanesocialclub.com
Scramble
Scramble’s focus is on unstructured play, both physical and cognitive. Kids can explore themed rooms, like a vet office or a coffee shop, get lost in a maze, climb structures, and zip down oversized slides. Be sure to pack socks; they are required to play!
Cost: $2/adults, $10-18/5-11 mo., $12-18/12 mo.-2 yr., $14-24/3-10
5412 Eisenhower Ave.
Alexandria, VA
Online: goscramble.com
Jolly Yolly Kids
With over 8500 sq. feet of indoor play space and equipment, kids 13 & under can burn off some energy at this multilevel indoor playground. You’ll find special, designated areas for toddlers and a safe space for kids 2 & under. This ocean themed space is the perfect indoor gym for your littles to get out their wiggles.
Cost: $11-17
1101 Lee Hwy., Suite D
Fairfax, VA
Online: jollyyollykids.com
The Wiggle Room
When your littles just need to get the wiggles out head to the play place with a not-so-subtle moniker. A day pass lets you stay for an all-you-can-play experience. Exhaust your favorite little monkey in a safe space where they can let their imaginations soar. The Wiggle Room also offers weekly classes in music, art, and baby sign language.
Cost: Starting at $15/child
2225 Defense Hwy.
Crofton, MD
Online: thewiggleroom.com
Check out our guide to indoor playgrounds and indoor play spaces here.
Trampoline Parks & Bounce House Facilities near Washington, DC
Altitude Trampoline Park
This new trampoline park in Leesburg, VA is offering a worth the drive membership price of $10/month. Membership has its perks and this one is jam-packed with deals: your child can bounce for up to 2 hrs. EVERY day, bring a free jump partner on Mondays and score $2 entry fees for parents (year long memberships cost $99). The park includes trampolines, a soft foam diving pit, a dodgeball court and basketball hoops.
Cost: $10/month (for a limited time)
1604 Village Market Blvd. SE
Leesburg, VA
Online: altitudetrampolinepark.com
Get Air Trampoline Park
Get ready to bounce off the walls in this trampoline-filled play space. And you don’t have to worry about your little ones getting run over because there’s an area just for them. So, strike up a family-friendly game of trampoline dodgeball or run and jump headfirst into a giant foam pit. If you’re all fans of ninja courses, you’ll love the course at this place. The exciting obstacles build kids’ agility, strength and balance. And, they can race against time and see how fast they can complete the course.
Cost: $11-19/hr.
340 S Pickett St.
Alexandria, VA
Online: getairsports.com
Pump It Up
Their huge inflatable indoor playgrounds make every day feel like a party day. With various locations around the DMV, get ready to bounce in to fun with bounce houses, obstacle courses and more.
Cost: $10
Multiple locations throughout Maryland and Virginia
Online: pumpitupparty.com
Monkey Joe’s
Bring your monkeys to Monkey Joe’s for a full day of bouncing, sliding, jumping, and other fun in their wall-to-wall play area. Let your kids enjoy themselves amongst their inflatable jumps, slides, and obstacle courses. If your kid need a break from the sweat action, there are a number of arcades, grabber machines and an air hockey table for cool down periods.
Cost: Price varies by location
Multiple locations in Virginia and Maryland
Online: monkeyjoes.com
Check out our guide to DC area bounce house play places here.
Indoor Obstacle and Rope Courses near Washington DC
Adventure Park USA
Make it a full day of adventure by heading to Adventure Park USA’s Hang ‘Em High Ropes Course. Hang out 13 feet above the ground to navigate this fun and challenging mid-air adventure perfect for anyone at least 40-inches tall. After you’ve had your fill of aerial adventures, take off your safety harness and enjoy some of their other on-site active activities, like the rock climbing wall, laser tag course, bowling alley, tiny tot climbing structure and more. For more indoor thrills, this amusement park has indoor rides (like bumper cars) and arcades galore.
Cost: $8/ropes course
11113 W. Baldwin Rd.
Monrovia, MD
Online: adventureparkusa.com
Summit Ropes
The largest indoor ropes course in the United States boasts 16,550 square feet of courses split into a Kids Course for ages 4-9 and the Main Course for ages 7 & up. Guests wear a full-body harness and use a smart belay system so climbers can go it alone or with a partner. The course uses via ferrata, a steel cable that runs along the route and is attached to the rock every 3.3-32.8 feet.
Cost: $19/4-7; $29/8-12; $39/13 & up
44810 Old Ox Rd.
Sterling, VA
Online: summitropes.com
SkyZone
Children and adults can test their skills on a variety of equipment, such as the Ninja Warrior Course (open to ages 6 & up), which tests balance, strength and speed; rock walls, warp walls of varying height and difficulty; trampolines (open to anyone who can walk); and dodgeball. A main attraction is the Ropes Course (for anyone 48 inches and taller), which is suspended above the facility’s floor and requires a harness to use. Check the website for special events like Glow and Toddler Time.
Cost: Prices vary by location
21070 Southbank St.
Sterling, VA
5325 Port Royal Rd.
Springfield, VA
7807 Sudley Rd.
Manassas, VA
15813 Gaither Dr.
Gaithersburg, MD
Online: skyzone.com
ZavaZone
With three adventure zones to choose from, there’s something for every goal, whether it’s scaling a warp wall, reaching new heights on a giant trampoline, winning a balance battle or swinging through the challenges of the high ropes course set about 20 feet off the floor. And if you’re tired from all that obstacle-crushing, take the 40-foot zip line from one high platform to another. The height requirement for the high ropes course and zip line is 52 inches, and the overall age recommendation is 5 & up.
Cost: Prices vary by location.
40 Southlawn Ct.
Rockville, MD
2700 Potomac Mills Cir.
Woodbridge, VA
45685 Oakbrook Ct.
Sterling, VA
Online: zavazone.com
NOVA Ninja
Situated at CrossFit Loudoun, which is owned by a former “American Ninja Warrior” contestant, this gym has classes and drop-ins to suit every schedule. The Ninja 101 class takes kids through seven obstacles, including rope swings, balance tanks and a ring row. For family fun, check out Family Ninja Night on Saturdays when you can challenge your crew to the ultimate race.
Cost: $65/month for Open Gym membership
20099 Ashbrook Pl.
Ashburn, VA
21531 Blackwood Ct.
Sterling, VA
Online: novaninja.com
Check out our guide to DC area rope and obstacle courses here.
Roller Skating for Kids near Washington DC
Cavalier Family Skating
This family-friendly roller rink is known for deals, deals, deals. Come on a Monday and score a slice of pizza and a soda with your skate fee ($7) or skate on a Wednesday for just $3. Kids 14 and under can burn more energy in the Playzone, a fully-suspended play structure that lets kids crawl and climb their way through tunnels.
Cost: $3-15
1924 Jefferson Davis Hwy
Stafford Va,
Online: cavalierfamilyskating.com
Skate-N-Fun Zone
Check Skate-N-Fun’s event-filled calendar to max out your family fun before heading to this Manassas rink. Most days have themed events including Tot Skate, After School Skate, Family Skate and Homeschool Skate. If you want to brush up on your abilities, The Zone offers a Super Skater Class for $20.
Cost: $3-12
7878 Sudley Rd.
Manassas, VA
Online: skatenfunzone.com
Lanham Skate Center
This straightforward roller rink offers simple family fun 7 nights a week. You’ll find skate sessions are based on ability, so newbies won’t feel overwhelmed on the floor (hint: kids 12 & under should steer clear of Friday nights).
Cost: $5-12
9901 Lanham Severn Rd.
Lanham, MD
Online: lanhamskatecenter.com
Skate Zone
It’s worth the drive to this roller rink in Crofton, MD on Friday nights to take advantage of skating under the black lights. It’s a unique experience that kids will love and will take you back to your high school days ($10/person). Mondays are for Tots at a Rock’n’Roll event designed for kids 6 & under ($5/person).
Cost: $5-10
10852 Route 3 South
Crofton, MD
Online: sk8zone.com
Check out our guide to places you can skate, scoot, and ride indoors in the DMV here.
Indoor Ice Skating for Kids near Washington, DC
Columbia Ice Rink
You can enjoy public sessions and lessons at this DC area ice skating rink where the emphasis is on building new skills. Drop in classes include Stick & Puck where kids practice puck handling and shooting or sign up for instructional hockey for week-to-week lessons. Check the calendar for times and dates of public skate sessions, along with special event skates such as Teen Night and Skate Party.
Cost: $9-10
5876 Thunder Hill Rd.
Columbia, MD
Online: columbiaassociation.org
Fairfax Ice Arena
If your kids want a mini show on ice, check out the Freestyle Skate Sessions Mon.-Fri. when advanced skaters spin and jump for practice. When you get your littles on the ice, be sure to take advantage of the free helmets to protect their noggins (but note, this rink does not have ice aides or penguins for them to hold on to when they skate).
Cost: $9-10
3779 Pickett Rd.
Fairfax, VA
Online: fairfaxicearena.com
Bowling with Kids near Washington, DC
Rinaldi’s
This quaint family owned and operated facility has been holding court in the DC area since 1960. With tons of updates, the center has all of the modern amenities of newer alleys, but with that family run feel you’ll fall in love with.
Cost: $4-6/game
6322 Kenilworth Ave.
Riverdale Park, MD
Online: rinaldilanes.com
Shake & Bake Family Fun Center
Bowling and roller skating under one roof? Done. Affectionately known locally as The Bake, this family entertainment center has been run by Baltimore City’s Park & Rec since 1982. Drop in on a Wednesday night and score $1 games.
Cost: $1-5
1601 Pennsylvania Ave.
Baltimore, MD
Online: baltimorecity.gov/shake-bake-family-fun-center
Bowlero
Boasting more than 22,000 square feet of fun (and 18 lanes), Bowlero Leesburg is not your run of the mill alley; there’s blacklight lanes, interactive games, and inventive menus. There’s also an arcade and laser tag area to take your visit to a whole new level.
Cost: Contact for packages.
1602 Village Market Blvd. #100
Leesburg, VA
Online: bowlero.com
Check out our guide to bowling alleys here.
Indoor Water Parks and Swim Centers for Kids near Washington DC
Barry Farm Aquatic Center
This indoor swim center boasts the only indoor waterslide – did we mention it’s twisty? – in DC’s Ward 8. The 8,800-square-foot facility includes a six-lane lap pool and a leisure pool with beach entry.
Cost: Free/DC residents
1230 Sumner Rd. SE
Online: dpr.dc.gov
Germantown Indoor Swim Center
This 60,000-square-foot place has a lot going on: a competition pool, recreation pool, hydroptherapy pools, diving platforms and waterslides…plural. Plus, the décor, with its (fake) palm trees and mini volcano, will transport you directly to the islands. Little ones can splash under a mushroom-shaped fountain or play in a separate fun zone.
Cost: $5/county resident or $8/nonresident 1-17 years old; $7/adult resident or $10/nonresident; $6/senior resident 55 and up or $10/nonresident
18000 Central Park Cir.
Boyds, MD
Online: montgomerycountymd.gov
Super Awesome & Amazing
The name says it all, and that’s what you can expect inside 30,000 square feet of fun. First, pack all the water gear because the indoor water park offers year-round summer vacation vibes. Then, get ready to climb to new heights in the climbing and obstacles area. Your kids’ confidence will grow, and their strategic thinking skills will skyrocket as they solve each climbing challenge. Step into another world with the Virtual Reality gaming bays. Slip into one of the Head-Mounted Displays to enter an intergalactic, ancient, or futuristic realm. There’s a lot to see and do beyond the water park.
Cost: $20/2 hrs.
6805 Industrial Rd
Springfield, VA
Online: superawesomeandamazing.com
Cub Run RECenter
The almost-5,000-square-foot leisure pool has two waterslides, including a 30-foot-high one that goes outside the building in an enclosed tube. There’s also a zero-depth water playground with climbing equipment, a small waterslide and lots of fountains.
Cost: $10/adult, $6.50/youth ages 5-18, free/child 4 and younger, $6.50/senior Mon.-Fri., $20/family up to five
4630 Stonecroft Blvd.
Chantilly, VA
Online: fairfaxcounty.gov
Claude Moore Recreation Center
The leisure pool here has what the website calls a “giant” waterslide, a children’s play area with playground-like equipment, a hot tub, a vortex and a lazy river. But if that’s not enough, there’s still space to free swim without having to go to the 25-yard-by-50-meter competition pool. Bonus: It’s next to the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum, which highlights Loudoun County’s agricultural history through exhibits such as the Claude Moore Children’s Farm, an interactive exhibit where kiddos can be a “farmer for a day.”
Cost: $6/adult, $4/youth ages 3-17, $4/senior over 55, free/child 2 and younger, $16/family up to five
46105 Loudoun Park Ln.
Sterling, VA
Online: loudoun.gov/claudemoorerec
Check out our guide to indoor water parks here and indoor pools here.
