The Best Indoor Playgrounds & Play Places in DC

Play Work Build at The National Building Museum

This hands-on exhibit represents the correlation between play (and experimentation) with creative ideas and design. Children (and adults) can create massive structures using oversized blue blocks to plan, design and execute builds that are structurally sound. If half the fun is tearing down what you’ve built, be sure to check out the virtual build section where you can fill a wall with digital blocks and then knock them down. Kaboom! 

Editor’s Note: Play Work Build is currently operating with a limited number of guests: total occupancy is allowed is 20. Timed entry passes are included with admission to the museum. Guests 2 & up are required to wear a mask indoors, regardless of their vaccination status.

Cost: $10/adults, $7 children 3-17
Where: 401 F Street NW, Gallery Place/Chinatown
Online: nbm.org/play-work-build/

The Lane Social Club

Open play is back at The Lane and so is the cafe (stocked with coffee and booze for those that need a boost or a wine-d down). Take advantage of the giant slide, the climbing wall and more. Or stop by during drop & play hours and reclaim a little part of your day again. 

Insider tip: Every Fri. from 4-6 p.m. is happy hour with $2 discounts on drinks. Cheers to the start of the weekend! 

Cost: $20/2 hrs. 
Where: 1408 Okie St. NE, Ivy Center
Online: thelanesocialclub.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. Masks are required for all guests 5 & up.

Insider tip: For potty trained kids 3 & up, Jolly Yolly offers drop off play Mon.-Fri. for $10/hr. 

Cost: $10.95+
Where: 1101 Lee Hwy., Suite D, Fairfax, VA
Online: jollyyollykids.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! 

Editor’s Note: Reservations are strongly suggested. 

Cost: $2/adults, $10/5-11 mo., $12/12 mo.-2 yr., $14/3-10
Where: 5412 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria, VA 
Online: goscramble.com

Once Upon a Dream

With two locations serving Northern Virginia, Once Upon a Dream bills itself as “an indoor children’s entertainment center with a focus on imagination, creativity, and development.” Peek inside either venue and you will find pretend grocery store, an ice cream cart, a castle, a “treasure chest” (bursting with costume jewelry), a giant pirate ship, and a horse-drawn carriage. Costumes, arts and crafts, giant foam building blocks and LEGOs, and a climbing wall round out the fun. There are now work stations available for care takers who wish to clock in while their kiddos play. 

Editor’s Note: You must reserve play 24 hours in advance. Bonus: You can also reserve private play dates! 

Cost: $20/first child, $15/add’l. children
Where: 46321 McClellan Way, Sterling, VA & 527 Maple Ave. E, Suite 200, Vienna, VA 
Online: onceuponadreams.com

Kids Play Gallery

Kids fill up their car at the Service Station, drive to the Grocery Market, grab a bite at the Diner and, if there is time, get a new coif at the Beauty Boutique. Realistic looking miniature structures set the backdrop for imaginative play at this Gaithersburg-based indoor play place.

Cost: $15/weekday, $17/weekend 
Where: 217 Muddy Branch Rd., Gaithersburg, MD
Online: kidsplaygallery.com

Be With Me – The Playseum

Designed as a scaled-down replica of a real-life town, the Playseum features 24 themed rooms like a grocery store, bakery, pizza parlor, art supply store, and pet store. Children up to age 11 can let their imaginations run free by pretending to be cooks, grocers, doctors, and shopkeepers. Each room also contains a few books relevant to the theme. 

Cost: $12/person
Where: 2002 Annapolis Mall, Annapolis, MD
Online: playseum.com

Elemeno – Skill Zone

With a Montessori mindset, this play space was designed to spark kids’ creativity and play-inspired learning without the over-excitement and stimulation that’s often found at other indoor playgrounds. The creators, who are also parents, achieve their goal with super curated stations; think: an indoor wooden play structure, an indoor water table, and toys that require interaction and imagination. All activities are designed to boost development and social skills. 

Editor’s Note: Elemeno is temporarily closed.  

Cost: TBD
Where; 709 8th St. SE, Capitol Hill
Online: facebook.com/elemenoskillzone/

Adventure Park USA

Saddle up, pardner, for this Western-themed park near Frederick, MD—about 40 miles outside of DC. Open year-round, rain or shine, you don’t have to pay admission to enter the park itself. Instead, you purchase a Fun Pass with credits that works like a debit card (you can even add credits to your account online for return visits). Indoors you will find virtual reality games, a ropes course, laser tag, an arcade, bumper cars, a rock wall, bowling and more. Outside you’ll find a miniature golf course, carnival games and rides. 

Cost: Pay-per-play
Where: 11113 West Baldwin Rd., Monrovia, MD
Online: adventureparkusa.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 $13/child
Where: 2225 Defense Hwy., Crofton, MD
Online: thewiggleroom.co