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Oct 20, 2024

Indoor Play Areas For Kids In St. Louis | St. Louis Magazine

Have fun, despite the weather, at these St. Louis spots. by Denise Bertacchi, Gaby Mendoza, Emily Adams, Maisie Zipfel, Family Fun Guides October 17, 2024 4:30 PM photography courtesy of The Magic

Have fun, despite the weather, at these St. Louis spots.

by Denise Bertacchi, Gaby Mendoza, Emily Adams, Maisie Zipfel, Family Fun Guides

October 17, 2024

4:30 PM

photography courtesy of The Magic House

The beanstalk-themed climber at The Magic House in St. Louis

Creation Station at the Museum of Transportation

Designed for kids of all ages, the National Museum of Transportation showcases almost 200 exhibits and is the perfect outing for St. Louis families. The Creation Station, a hands-on learning experience for children ages 5 and under, can be reserved for birthday parties and similar events, but it's first-come, first-serve for all other purposes. $8 for kids, $16 for adults with trolley costs included. Additional $3 for the Creation Station. 314-965-6212, 2933 Barrett Station.

Miss Kelly’s Gym

With locations in Creve Coeur and most recently in Cottleville, Miss Kelly’s Gym is a family-owned gymnastics facility for children ages 10 months to 12 years old. The gym hosts open motor skill and Mommy & Me classes, as well as private birthday parties and open gym hours. For each session, one class is $20, in addition to a $40 family membership enrollment fee; open gym is $10 per hour for kids not currently enrolled at the gym and children under 1 year old are admitted for free. 314-439-1100;12802 Olive, Creve Coeur; 6131 Mid Rivers Mall, Cottleville.

YuCanDu

YuCanDu Art Studio in Webster Groves offers an accessible, creative outlet for ages 5 and up. Open studio projects include painting, collage work, mosaic art, and more. Assisted studio time is also available for an additional fee. For a more hands-on, directed artistic experience kids in kindergarten through age 9 have the opportunity to enroll in summer art camps and after-hours art club meetings. Open Studio prices range from $20–$150 per project, and studio fees are $5 per hour or $12 per day. 314-963-4400, 20 Allen.

The Magic House

The beloved Kirkwood institution is full of hands-on exhibits and educational programs for children of all ages. Check out the Story Time Magic exhibit, the STEAM Center, a three-story beanstalk-inpired climbing structure, an art studio, and a play space dedicated to toddlers ages 2 and younger. As a nonprofit, The Magic House aims to spark children’s creativity and imagination while integrating elements of problem-solving skills and education. Check the website for pricing options. 314-822-8900, 516 S. Kirkwood.

Go Play!

Designed on the cornerstones of cleanliness, service, and fun, Go Play! is a one-stop shop for all things indoor playground- and party-related. The Chesterfield playroom features a three-story play structure, full concessions offerings, and can be reserved for private party rooms. $18 for children up to 15, $10 for children 6 months–1 year, parents get in for free. 636-893-8134,140 Long.

Powder Valley Nature Center

Nestled in a quiet corner of Kirkwood, Powder Valley Nature Center is an “educational nature oasis” spanning more than 100 acres. Open Tuesday through Saturday, it features three paved trails, as well as indoor amenities such as a nature center and a 3,000-gallon aquarium. 314-301-1500, 11715 Cragwold.

Courtesy of Play Street Museum

Play Street Museum

Located at the Streets of St. Charles, Play Street offers children ages 8 and younger the opportunity to explore city living with a “tiny town” play exhibit. The museum features interactive, engaging play, as well as special events for paint and play, clay, and pottery. Admission is $13 per child; reservations can be made online and are required on evenings and weekends. 314-471-0065, 1650 Beale.

Upper Limits

With two area locations, in Maryland Heights and Chesterfield, the climbing facility offers engaging activities for all ages, including Wacky Walls, a climbing gym, and a fitness area. A one-hour pass for the Wacky Walls without gear rental is $13; a two-hour pass is $21. 314-991-2516, 314-241-7625.

Saint Louis Science Center

Inspire a love of science at the free Forest Park attraction, where families can explore an ever-changing array of exhibitions, as well as special events and ticketed attractions. From building a bot to digging up a dino to traveling to space, there are no limits to exploration. 314-289-4400, 5050 Oakland.

Myseum

Spark your kids' creativity at this popular Town & Country attraction, where families can discover strange patterns from alien-like ferrofluid, help (stuffed) animals heal, and create obstacles on a magnetic ball wall. A combination children’s museum/science center/indoor playground, Myseum features more than 30 exhibits an array of interests. $10.95 plus tax for ages 2–17. 636-220-7930, 283 Lamp and Lantern Village.

Climb So iLL

With two area locations (in Lafayette Square and St. Charles), Climb So iLL offers indoor climbing, yoga, and fitness fro climbers of all skill levels. Admission starts at $20; rental gear is $10.1419 Carroll; 650 N. Main, St. Charles.

Urban Air Adventure Park

This indoor trampoline and amusement park in Sunset Hills features slides, a foam pit, an obstacle course, climbing walls, and virtual reality games, among other options. Filled with loads of fun for children and adults, the adventure park offers walk-in appointments, summer camps, and private birthday parties. Admission starts at $22.99; $11.99 for ages 5 and under. 10990 Sunset Hills Plaza.

City Museum

St. Louis’ most iconic indoor playground, City Museum offers climbing structures, ball pits, circus shows, and more. (Read more here.) Single-day tickets start at $20; children under age 3 get in free. 750 N. 16th, 314-231-2489.

Edwardsville Children’s Museum

The goal of this Illinois gem is to stimulate curiosity and cultivate learning in young children. The neighborhood location offers programming for newborn babies through 12 year old children, including baby sign language, preschool playgroups, story time, and more. Admission can be purchased as a day pass or annual membership, and the party rooms can be reserved for children’s birthday parties online. Admission is $10 per guest ages 1–12 and $8 for those 13 and older. 722 Holyoake, Edwardsville, Illinois. 618-692-2094.

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

With area locations in Fenton, Shrewsbury, and Ballwin, Sky Zone offers indoor options to burn off energy with freestyle jump arenas, ultimate dodgeball, and mock-ninja warrior courses. Single-day passes start at $22.99. 631 Gravois, Fenton; 7375 Watson, Shrewsbury; 14820 Manchester, Ballwin.

Museum of Illusions

Located in City Foundry STL, the museum offers captivating illusion rooms and “mind-bending” installations, both of which push the boundaries of reality (and provide some fun photo ops). Regular admission tickets start at $20. 3730 Foundry Way.

Grandma’s Playroom

The South County indoor playroom (which went viral on TikTok) offers daily open play, specialized holiday events, and private play dates and birthday parties. $12 for one child, $10 per additional sibling. 314-270-3291, 9981 Lin Ferry.

Coming Soon:

Read More: Looking for playrooms catering to toddlers? Check out our guide here.

Denise Bertacchi is a mom on a mission to find all things fun for kids to do in St. Louis. Read more at stlmotherhood.com, or follow her at @stlmotherhood on Twitter and Instagram.

Emily is St. Louis Magazine's deputy editor and is the editor of the Family and Wellness newsletters.

October 17, 2024

4:30 PM