Best Indoor Playgrounds In Baltimore
Swings and slides are no fun when it's cold and muddy, and even an extremely hot, sunny day can take the fun out of a day at the park. Skip the stressors and head to Baltimore's best indoor playgrounds instead. These awesome area venues offer so much more than a community park, with little extras that keep the fun going all day long.
KidWorks
Port Discovery Children's Museum
35 Market Place
Baltimore, Md. 21202
(410) 727-8120
www.portdiscovery.org
Price: $13.95 ages 2 and up; $104 annual family membership
The centerpiece of Port Discovery is KidWorks, a three-story, indoor treehouse. Kids spend hours climbing, crawling, jumping and sliding in this one-of-a-kind vertical playground, recommended for children age 5 and older. For families who plan to visit several times a year, a family membership provides flexibility to explore the whole museum or just enjoy the playground whenever the kids want. Insider's tip: Kids of all ages playing in KidWorks must wear sneakers, so be sure to pack a pair if the kids are flip-flopping this summer.
Kiddie Crusoe
7 Fox Tail Rd.
Timonium, Md. 21093
(410) 853-7910
www.kiddiecrusoe.com
Price: $12 children ages 1 to 12/discount plans available.
Children experience a different adventure every time they visit Kiddie Crusoe, a 12,000-square-foot indoor playground. Not only does it have a huge play set with a castle/fort and pirate ship, rock walls, zip line and tube slides, but another section features inflatable bounce houses and slides. Younger kids may put their imaginations to work in kiddie-themed play buildings including a gas station, train depot, school, castle, pet shop, barn, house, library and market. For children who prefer to be less active, the hands-on Creativity Corral includes musical instruments, puzzles, blocks and art supplies. Older kids will appreciate its Nintendo Wii gaming lounges.
Red Zone Adventures
1928 Greenspring Dr.
Timonium, Md. 21093
(410) 372-4422
www.redzoneadventures.com
Prices: $10 to $20 depending on games
Leave the swings and the slides to the toddler set; Red Zone Adventures is designed for the kid in everyone. At this indoor playground, tag is a whole new game, using lasers to tag opponents in a multi-level, futuristic fog-filled industrial cityscape. Mini golf also takes on an urban feel, played on a glow-in-the-dark, nine-hole course featuring obstacles and props never see on a typical green. Red Zone also offers a laser maze challenge, 35 arcade games and a light-space play floor that takes dancing to a whole new dimension.
That Bounce Place
12400 Owings Mills Blvd.
Reisterstown Md. 21136
(410) 833-7529
www.thatbounceplace.com
Price: $7.95 weekdays, $8.95 Fri nights, weekends, holidays
When your kids are bouncing off the walls, bring them to this family owned indoor playground where they can do it safely. With 13,000 square feet of space, That Bounce Place is the largest facility of its kind in Maryland. It features nine inflatable units, a jungle gym and, of course, party rooms. Not just a place for parties, open bouncing is available each day of the week with special times for preschoolers, teens and families.
Ultimate PlayZone
10626 York Rd., Ste. J-L
Cockeysville, Md. 21030
(410) 628-7529
www.ultimateplayzone.com
Price: $7 per person (parents and children under 2 free with paying child)
The Ultimate PlayZone was designed for the younger set while considering parents' peace-of-mind. Open before and after naptime, this indoor playground has paid close attention to providing a healthy, safe and supervised setting for families. Children love bouncing around and climbing in the six inflatable play stations, and exercising their imaginations in the two wonder centers featuring a magical castle and a life-like pirate ship. Open play hours, party bookings and punch cards make this an easy-access option rain or shine.
Related: Best Parks for Kids in Baltimore
A Baltimore native, Meredith Bower served as Director of Communications at an area private school for 11 years. Her professional knowledge and personal experience, as a parent of four children who attend/attended private schools, offers a unique perspective on the schools and the students who attend them. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
