Ultimate Guide to LA’s Best Indoor Playgrounds, Gyms & Indoor Play Spaces
by Shahrzad Warkentin
When it’s too hot to visit LA’s best parks and playgrounds and you’ve had your fill of splash pads and LA’s kid-friendly museums, head to one of these indoor playgrounds for toddlers and big kids. The toys and equipment are spick-and-span, the indoor playspaces are open and airy and the decor has an earthy, organic vibe you’ll love. Of course, if you are in need of place to work while the kids are home, some of these playspaces will work as your go-to working spot thanks to free WIFI, cafes that serve strong coffee and food to boot.
Best Indoor Playground in Culver City: Wild Child Gym
Wild Child Gym, mixes chill Hawaiian vibes with California cool that results in a fun, interactive, eco-friendly kids play place complete with a "grassy" hill that feels more like a natural play space than a busy metropolitan city storefront.
Daily classes are available for "Droolers" (newborn-5 months) all the way up to "Advanced Skill and Development" (5-7 year-olds), along with free play options, birthday parties, camps for kids, and workshops for kids and for the whole family. But what we really love are their extended hours—perfect for working parents or those tricky school holidays.
Good to Know: Looking for something outdoors? Host your own class in your own backyard with their mobile classes called In the Wild (Child) or meet up at their PLAYform location—Culver City's Platform. Spaces are limited—please book at least two hours in advance.
Best Indoor Playground in Silverlake: Imaginology Kids
Whether you are looking for an after school drop-off option, a weekend class or even a camp during school breaks, Imaginology Kids is the place to go for STEAM-based activities that will keep little ones engaged, creative and curious about life, science and how things work. Expect a lot of collaboration, exploring, multi-sensory play in the 3600 square foot space that will have everyone in the family, from TK to 5th grade—wanting to come back for more.
Best Indoor Playground in La Crescenta-Montrose: Outside the Box
When you are looking for a little more than an indoor jungle gym, check out Outside the Box where they combine the love of play with learning—picture arts and crafts that help develop fine motors skills, and music and movement to help develop communication. For kids who like to get messy, check out their heavy sensory classes that could include body painting, jello jams, and more.
2550 Foothill Blvd. La Crescenta-Montrose Online: otblc.com
The unique twist with Pamper & Play is that they understand that kids need to play, but parents need some pampering too. So you get a break while the kids (ages 18 months and up) can enjoy some supervised play (parents or caregivers have to stay on the premises).
Good to Know: Appointments can be booked online. Same day appointments need to be made at least 2 hours in advance.
This colorful kids play area showcases an enchanting mural and life-size tree that transports tots to a magical landscape usually found in fairy tales. Artwork is filled with positive images families will appreciate, and music exclusively scored for Snooknuk sets the perfect tone for a happy day of fun. Many parents bring kiddos in just for a simple afternoon of play or play dates, while others come for classes but still love the convenience of having a play area to entertain siblings while they wait. This space also offers loads of classes and plenty of snacks. While most of the activities are ideal for the 6 and under crew there are some classes available for older kids, up to 12 years old.
Good to Know: You’re on Larchmont Blvd., which means you have approximately six coffee options, a retail shop for kids, a resale shop for tots, a vegan and raw food spot, a vegan and GF bakery plus bookstore and two toy stores all in walking distance. Welcome to parenting paradise.
506 N. Larchmont Blvd. Los Angeles Online: snooknuk.com
Best Indoor Playground in Mar Vista: Under the Sea
Under the Sea Indoor Playground
This large, indoor play space has something for everyone—from a special corner for babies to slides, bouncers, and a climbing structure for bigger kids. Great for families with kids of varying ages—the one-room advantage allows mom or dad the ability to chill out on the side while keeping their eye on their brood at the same time.
Tube crawls, web crawls, barrel rolls, and giant slides are just a few features of Jump ‘n Jammin’s multilevel play structure. This is a spot that is as much fun for the 3-year-old as for the 13-year-old (and Mom and Dad, too). And the best part? They don’t automatically close all weekend for parties and have other locations in Mission Viejo and West Covina.
Best Indoor Playground in La Cañada Flintridge: Kidz Planet Indoor Playground
Kidz Planet Indoor Playground is a popular spot for kids' parties, this bright and modern venue wins points for its clean environment and friendly staff. Plus, the school bus bounce house will instantly win over kids. The climbing structures here are smaller but should be just the right size for kids under 3.
Insider Tip: A private two-hour party here starts at $850, less than many other LA spots.
Peekaboo Playland: Who says your kids can’t play and learn? Peekaboo Playland offers progressive, artistic indoor play spaces for your kids’ creative energy to flourish and grow. There's the requisite slides, bouncy house and even a small ball pit, along with plenty of set-ups for imaginary play. One of our favorite things is the separate baby space upstairs, where crawlers can explore without worrying about rowdy big kids.
PlayLab Family Playspace: This spot provides a well-organized and cheerful indoor playground for kids earns high marks from parents thanks to super-clean toys and equipment and a friendly staff. The climbing structure is small, so making it ideal for tots just learning to walk. There are also cozy sofas and reading nooks throughout the space, giving you a chance to chill and bond with your little one.
Best Indoor Playground in Simi Valley: Kids World Family Fun Center
Even big kids who think they’re too cool for indoor play spaces will beg to spend the day at Kids World. This entertainment spot located near Thousand Oaks offers virtual games, climbing tubes, slides, foam ball launchers, zip lines, basketball court, an American Gladiator-style arena, a video game floor with motion-activated games, and an old-school arcade. But it’s not just for big kids, there’s also a Toddler Corner designed for children newborn–3 years old for the little ones to learn and play in their own gated space.
Insider Tip: Ahem, with beer (did we not mention that the café serves beer?) and video games, it satisfies everyone and is why we say it’s worth the drive for a rainy day excursion.
Best Indoor Playground in LA with Multiple Locations: We Rock the Spectrum Kid's Gym
We love this unique gym, We Rock the Spectrum, which caters to children with autism and special needs creating a safe and warm environment where they can play and strengthen their muscles and skills. While kids can just have fun, you’ll know that everything here actually serves a positive purpose: swings promote balance, the zip line is for stress release and joint and body relaxation, the trampoline builds core strength and play structures, sensory-based toys and arts & crafts areas all work on motor, social and eye-hand skills. It’s for kids at every spot of the spectrum, and kids of all ages and abilities will have a ball. Rates and hours vary by location. Some spots also offer drop-off care.
Insider Tip: The whole place is cleaned top to bottom daily with only green products, so the planet will stay as healthy as our kids.
Locations: Agoura Hills, Tarzana, Redondo Beach, Studio City, Santa Monica and Long Beach Online: werockthespectrumkidsgym.com
