Looking for fun indoor activities to keep your little ones active and entertained this winter? Explore the best indoor play places designed to engage babies and toddlers. From cozy play cafés to libraries with kid-friendly spaces, this guide has everything you need to make the most of the cold season while keeping your children happy and busy!
Northland
My Play Café | 6529 N. Cosby Ave, Kansas City, Mo.
This cozy, family-friendly space is filled with engaging activities, including a wooden play set with slides, a play kitchen, a train table, ride-on toys and stations for imaginative play, such as a doctor’s office and dress-up area. There’s even a dedicated space with soft foam tiles and a baby gate for children aged 18 months and under. Plus, the café offers a full coffee and drink menu for parents.
Toddler Time at Above All Trampoline Park | 1927 Industrial Dr., Liberty
Almost every Wednesday and Friday from 10:00–noon, Above All offers a dedicated time for children ages 6 and under to jump and play safely. For just $7.99 per jumper (and a one-time fee of $2.99 for jump socks on their first visit), toddlers can enjoy a 60-minute jump session.
Busy Bean Play Café | 249 W. Mill St., Suite 101, Liberty
This warm, inviting space has a wooden structure that children can climb on and slide down, along with other climbing toys and a balance beam. Children can enjoy pretend play stations including a kitchen, a store, a doctor’s office and a baby care station. Parents can choose a drink from the full-service coffee menu while little ones select from a variety of kid-friendly snacks.
Downtown and Brookside
Kansas City Public Library: Central | 14 W. 10th St., Kansas City, Mo.
This downtown library offers a wonderful children’s area on the second floor. Children can enjoy imaginative play with an ice cream shop, puppet theater and building toys, or get creative at the coloring table. The library also hosts family story time Tuesdays at 9:30 and 10:30, baby story time Thursdays at 9:30 and toddler story time Thursdays at 10:30. Stop by The Nook downstairs for coffee, tea or a pastry.
Let’s Play at Science City | 30 W. Pershing Rd, Kansas City, Mo.
Located on the lower level of Science City, Let’s Play is a space dedicated to children ages 3 and under, featuring a playhouse, train table, climbing area and snack area. There are also science-based experiences like a vertical wind tunnel, an air table and a ball drop. Infants can observe a fish tank or climb on soft blocks in the Babyscape area. On warmer days, kids can enjoy the elaborate outdoor play structure.
Hümanette | 118 W. 63rd St., Kansas City, Mo.
Hümanette is Kansas City’s first kinder café designed specifically for children ages 0–6. This indoor play space features a climbing and sliding structure and soft mats to encourage active play. Children can explore toys and books while a soft area ensures safe play for those who aren’t yet walking. The café includes a lounge with games and art supplies for older children. Parents can join in, relax with a drink from the full-service café or work in the co-working space, which also offers a private chat booth.
Jackson County
Mid-Continent Public Library: Colbern Road | 1000 NE Colbern Rd., Lee’s Summit
Children can read and play with giant letter tiles or a variety of toys in this welcoming library space. A large table offers plenty of room for coloring and activities. The library hosts toddler story time on Mondays at 10:00 and 11:00, family story time on Tuesdays at 10:00 and 10:30 and Wednesdays at 10:00, along with baby story time on Wednesdays at 9:15. You can also stop by Post Coffee inside the library for coffee and pastries.
Open Gym at Xtreme Gymnastics | 725 NW Commerce Dr., Suite X, Lee’s Summit
Every Friday from 9:30–11:00, Xtreme Gymnastics offers an open gym where preschoolers can stay active and work on their gross motor skills. Kids can run, bounce on trampolines and climb on mats in a safe space. Multi-aged open gym times are also available for the whole family.
Kanga’s Indoor Playcenter | 19700 E. Jackson Dr., Suite G, Independence
Kanga’s offers a dedicated toddler area with a mini playscape, ball pit, large building blocks and wall puzzles, ensuring hours of fun for little ones. Young children can also enjoy the multi-level indoor playground and inflatable bouncy attraction. There’s a café on-site if you’d like a snack or lunch during your visit.
Johnson County
Jumperoo at Urban Air | 8554 Maurer Rd., Lenexa, KS & 14401 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park
Jumperoo is a dedicated time for children ages 5 and under to safely enjoy the trampoline park. The Lenexa location offers Jumperoo every Thursday from 9:00–noon and Saturday from 8:00–10:00, while the Overland Park location hosts it every Friday from 9:00–noon and Saturday from 8:00–10:00. Children ages 2 and under jump for free (with a small fee for socks), and parents can join in at no cost.
Olathe Public Library: Indian Creek | 16100 W. 135th St., Olathe
The Indian Creek branch’s children’s area features a playhouse, play castle and play kitchen, as well as a selection of board books and picture books for young readers. Parents can grab a drink at Sweet Tee’s coffee shop located inside the library. The library also offers circle time for children 2 and under on Mondays at 1:00 and Thursdays at 9:30, with story time for ages 3–5 on Mondays at 1:45 and Thursdays at 10:15. An outdoor playground is available for extra fun on warmer days.
Splash with Me at Lenexa Rec Center | 17201 W. 87th St. Pkwy., Lenexa
Splash with Me at the Lenexa Rec Center is a time for children ages 5 and under to safely play in the water. Available Monday through Friday from 10:00–11:30 and Saturday from 9:30–11:30, it costs $2 per person for non-members. The area includes shallow water, a small water slide and a water play structure specifically designed for young children. Parental supervision is required.