Updated February 2022.
Beat the winter blues with a trip to these action-packed – but warm and cozy – indoor play places for kids to play in Washtenaw County and nearby.
Forget cabin fever. The icy temps around Ann Arbor this winter have many families stuck in a seasonal slump to be reckoned with. When trips to Target, tea parties, and couch-cushion forts get tiresome — and your kids have watched more hours of Ryan’s World than you’d care to reveal — it may be time for a trip to one of these local indoor play places. Here are some of our favorite indoor play places.
242 Church
Check out “The Field” at this modern Ann Arbor church. There’s a foam pit, trampolines, and tons of open “grassy” space to kick a ball around. Ages 12 and under. The Brighton location has an indoor field and gym; call ahead for details.
648 S. Wagner Rd., Ann Arbor. 734-707-4995. annarbor.242communitycenter.com/the-field.
Hours: 8am-9pm Monday-Saturday; 8am-4pm Sunday
Cost: Free, open to the public
Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
What better way is there to learn about science than to touch it? The Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum offers children and parents alike to come and enjoy the wonders of science tactilely. Come on in and touch all the science with all of the awesome indoor play places and experiments the Hands-On Museum has to offer. Be sure to call ahead during COVID to ensure availability.
220 E. Ann St., Ann Arbor. 734-995-5439. aahom.org.
Hours: Hours: 10am-5pm Monday; 9am-5pm Tuesday; 10am-5pm Wednesday; 10am-8pm Thursday; 10am-5pm Friday & Saturday; Noon-5pm Sunday
Cost: free/babies 0-23 months and $12.50 for adults and children, but $5 for adults and children on Thursdays
Briarwood Mall Play Area
Walk around the mall, shop, eat at the many dining options, and let your child play in the play area. Located by Von Maur.
100 Briarwood Cir, Ann Arbor. www.simon.com/mall/briarwood-mall Hours: Same as the mall hours Cost: Free
Champion Gymnastics
Champion Gymnastics offers classes, open gym time, birthday parties, ninja courses, and more. They offer Toddler Time: a drop-in open gym for toddlers ages 18 months – 5 years old. Those run Tuesday and Thursday from 1pm – 2pm and Wednesdays anytime from 10am – 1pm (stop in for an hour during that timeframe). Visit their website or call for their hours, schedule, and pricing.
7240 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor. 734-222-1810. www.champgymaa.com
Chelsea Treehouse
An indoor playground and cafe with 9,000 square feet of fun, including its signature giant treehouse. Separate areas are available for infants and toddlers. Although it is currently closed due to COVID, it’s set to open again in the near future.
1101 S. Main St., Chelsea. 734-475-1555. thechelseatreehouse.com.
Winter/spring hours through April 30: 10am-5pm Monday-Tuesday; 10am-7:30pm Wednesday-Saturday; 10am-5pm Sunday
Cost: Free/babies 0-12 months and 16-plus (with a child), $9/ages 1-15
Decode Ann Arbor and Decode Ypsilanti
Okay, so we don’t recommend this for very young kids, but children aged six and over will enjoy participating in these escape rooms! Work together as a family to solve different puzzles and escape rooms designed around the imagination. There are two locations in the Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor area, so you’ll have your choice of place. Call ahead so the Decode team can make your team a success!
3170 Packard Rd., Ann Arbor. 16 N. Washington St., Ypsilanti. 313-438-8054. decodedetroit.com.
Hours: 10am-11pm, daily
Cost: price will vary depending on the escape room, call ahead for details.
Goldfish Swim School
Offering classes for all swimming levels, birthday parties. They also offer family open swim times (you do not have to be a member or currently in classes to attend) on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday (call for hours and pricing).
2107 West Stadium Blvd Ann Arbor. 734-849-2038. www.goldfishswimschool.com/ann-arbor
Gym America
Gym American offers classes as well as preschool playtime every Friday: staff-supervised playtime, created just for them. Playtime is on Fridays, 8:45-9:45. Ages 18 months-5 years. $7 per visit. Call to pre-register before attending.
5555 Hines Dr, Ann Arbor. 734-971-1667. gymamericagymnastics.com
Jungle Java
A rainforest-themed indoor play center where all ages are welcome to explore the themed play structure or stop at the cafe for a snack. Toddler zone also available.
6481 Canton Center Road, Canton. 734-927-6680. junglejavaplay.com/locations/canton.html.
Hours: 8:30am-8pm Monday-Friday; 9am-8pm Saturday; 10am-8pm Sunday
Cost: $10/2-plus, $4/12-23 months, free/under 12 months
Kidopolis
An indoor play space that emphasizes imagination and role-play; includes themed rooms and a “green zone” that utilizes recycled and repurposed materials.
509 State Circle, Ann Arbor. 734-769-0263. kidopolis.net.
Hours: 10:30am-3pm Thursday-Friday; 10:30am-4pm Saturday-Sunday
Cost: $8/child, free/non-walkers with older siblings
Launch Trampoline Park
Launch recently opened in the Cranbrook Village shopping center on Eisenhower Parkway in Ann Arbor. This trampoline park offers parties, an arcade, as well as the fun jumping activities sure to get your child’s energy out! Read more HERE.
800 W Eisenhower Pkwy. Ann Arbor 734-423-8718 launchtrampolinepark.com/annarbor Hours: Monday – Wednesday Closed, Open Thursday – Sunday, check for updated hours. Cost: Starts at $23
Libraries
Local libraries offer indoor programs, including story times, and craft projects. It’s also a great place to let your children wander to find new books or play in the various kid-friendly spaces. And, libraries are always free! Call ahead for hours for each location.
Ann Arbor District Libraries (AADL)
Five Ann Arbor library locations (each has different offerings and programming). aadl.org
Dexter District Library
3255 Alpine, Dexter. (734) 426-4477. dexter.lib.mi.us
Milan Public Library
151 Wabash Street, Milan. (734) 439-1240. milanlibrary.org
Saline District Library
555 N. Maple Road, Saline. 734-429-5450. www.salinelibrary.org
Ypsilanti District Library
Three Ypsilanti locations and a Bookmobile. 734-482-4110. ypsilibrary.org
McDonald’s
The Saline location of this fast-food chain has an indoor play place, along with several other locations in southeast Michigan. Call ahead to confirm (and don’t forget your socks!).
7847 E. Michigan Ave., Saline. 734-429-1049. mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/restaurant-locator.html.
Store hours vary; check ahead
Cost: Free
Pinball Pete’s
Classic arcade located on S. University in Ann Arbor. Keep in mind, this is a class arcade, so it’s cash only and is not for the younger kids.
1214 S University Ave, Ann Arbor. (734) 213-2502. pinballpetes.org Hours: Sunday – Thursday 12pm – 12am Friday – Saturday 12pm – 2am Cost: cash only / varies by game
Revel & Roll (Bowlero)
Bowling alley and arcade: offering event space, full restaurant and bar, arcade, birthday party packages, and more. They also allow online lane reservations.
1950 S Industrial Hwy., Ann Arbor. 734-665-4474 www.bowlero.com/location/revel-and-roll Hours and cost vary: call ahead.
Sky Zone Canton
This indoor trampoline park has open jumping, a foam pit, gaming tournaments, character toddler times, special events, and more.
42550 Executive Dr., Canton. 734-981-0007. skyzone.com/canton.
Hours: Open 10am-8pm daily; call ahead to confirm seasonal hours
Cost: $14.99/60 minutes; call ahead for special promotions and jump passes
Whirly Ball of Ann Arbor
For older kids (8-plus and 48 inches), consider this unique team sport involving bumper cars. Reservations are required, so plan your trip in advance. Video and arcade games are also available.
750 Phoenix Dr., Ann Arbor. 734-975-6909. whirlyballannarbor.com.
Hours: Open daily; reservations required
Cost: Call ahead for pricing details
Yoyo’s Fun Center
What does Yoyo’s Fun Center NOT have? Bring the family for a great time playing on jungle gyms, trampolines, and ball pits. Or create are with their special pottery painting room. Parents and children alike are encouraged to come and have a good time!
8044 N. Middlebelt Rd., Westland. 734-956-5500.
Hours: 11am-9pm, Monday-Sunday
Cost: General admission is $10; Pottery Painting will range from $15-$50.
Zap Zone
Zap Zone is one of the best places for a game of indoor laser tag. There are also arcade games and prizes to be won for everyone! You can also participate in some of the attractions, such as bumper cars and VR games, making it the ideal location for birthday parties.
4177 Carpenter Rd., Ypsilanti. 734-930-6670. zap-zone.com.
Hours: 5-10 pm, Monday-Thursday; 4-10pm Friday; 2-10pm Saturday, and 1-9pm Sunday.
Cost: Each round of any attractions is $9; call ahead for party pricing.
