With the Bayou City’s unpredictable rainstorms and ever-rising summer temps, sometimes the playground just won’t cut it. But where do you go when you don’t want to shell out for movie tickets, bowling lanes, trampoline parks or tourist attractions? Here are 12 free (yes, free!) indoor play spaces for Houston kids that we think will do the trick.
1. Frolic’s Castle at Memorial City Mall
Where: 303 Memorial City Way, Houston, TX
This fairytale playscape is the gold standard of free, mall play spaces. It’s often billed as the largest shopping mall play area for little ones! When you arrive, you’ll find an attendant that monitors entry into the castle and ensures that both children and adults take their shoes, which helps keep things clean. Each aspect of the decorations aligns with its fairy tale theme, from the three-story castle you can climb in and a bubbling cauldron to a snoring giant. They’ve also added a soft Puffy’s Playground for the 32-inches and smaller set.
Where: 13223 Southwest Fwy, Sugar Land, TX
During the week, local moms and dads love to meet here to catch up and watch their kids play on the church’s two-story playscape complete with slides, tunnels and tubes. There’s plenty of climbing to be done, so it’s best for kiddos who are comfortable walking and running. Age limit is 5th grade and younger!
3. Main Street Indoor Park at First Methodist Downtown
Where: 1320 Main St, Houston, TX
A true hidden gem in Downtown Houston, Main Street Indoor Park is a public and free indoor play space just for kiddos under the age of five. Open Tuesdays to Thursdays from 9am to noon, the space is lined with classroom doors made to look like businesses you would find on a bustling main street, and includes a green space and a “town center.” There’s also a structure that resembles a train that children love climbing on and crawling under.
4. Children’s Play Area at The Woodlands Mall
Where: 1201 Lake Woodlands Dr, The Woodlands, TX
The enchanted forest themed play space is the perfect air-conditioned reprieve for Woodlands and Spring-area families. Little ones can climb and slide over dragonflies and ladybugs while you sit on the cushioned seating area sipping a coffee. There’s also a Build-a-Bear, Lego store and carousel to entertain in this mall if you run out freebie energy. Or you could hop on a free trolley ride!
5. Discovery Room at Houston Arboretum and Nature Center
Where: 4501 Woodway Drive, Houston, TX
It’s no secret we love the arboretum, but the indoor Discovery Room is full of interactive activities where littles can learn a bit more about Houston’s creatures and environment. Kids can look through microscopes, play in the Learning Tree, put together puzzles and lots more. It’s open every day but Monday from 10am to 4pm, though you might call to see if school groups are visiting before you go.
Where: 315 W 19th St, Houston, TX
Okay, so you’ll have to buy a coffee or snack, but you knew you were going to anyway! Maryam’s Cafe in the Heights has a perfect little play area in the back, making it ideal for your next mom meet up. You can catch up with friends while children play in a pretend kitchen and house. You’ll also find baby-appropriate toys for the crawling set. And kids love to take a photo in the throne-like chair before leaving!
The North Freeway location of Mattress Mack’s furniture empire has an indoor play area for kids, a giant mattress they can actually jump on, exotic birds and monkeys to say hello to. Plus, Bluebell ice cream, cookies and other treats will greet you when you enter.
8. IKEA
Where: 7810 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX
Ikea has an indoor, enclosed play area that you can drop your kid off in for free(!) for an hour. They also have a café right upstairs that is full of lovely Ikea couches. You can’t leave the store, but you can meet a friend for a quick lunch or go upstairs and read a book for an hour by yourself. You can, of course, also shop. Kids just have to be potty trained and between 37 and 54 inches tall. (Get extra freebies when you come on Tuesday and kids’ eat free in the cafe).
9. Indoor Playground at Christ the King Presbyterian Church
You’ll find free indoor and outdoor playgrounds at this church nestled right between Memorial and Spring Branch. They are open most Mondays and Fridays from 10am to 3pm, though you can always check the online calendar to confirm! It’s known to fill up fast, so either arrive first thing in the morning or come back in the afternoon when things have slowed down. Inside, you’ll find a playscape for older more adventurous kids and one tinier structure for tots.
10. Little Galleria Mall Play Area at The Galleria
Where: 5085 Westheimer RD. Ste. 4850, Houston, TX
Located inside Texas’ biggest mall, this toddler play area (only for kids 42 inches and smaller) is a miniature version of the Galleria and surrounding area. Head up to the second floor near the Saks to find this free, 2,000-square-foot play space including a miniature Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue and Williams Tower all made of soft foam perfect for not-so-careful kids. With slides, climbing structures, a changing station and stroller parking, it’s the perfect shopping break.
11. Play Area at Woodlands Church
This church’s gigantic new play space spans floor-to-ceiling of the 40-foot atrium! Kids can climb and slide, plus toddlers four years and younger have their own soft area for safer play. It claims to be the largest indoor play area in the state—and you know we love big things in Texas. There’s also an onsite cafe and free wi-fi. It’s open to the public Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm.
Where: 7112 Newcastle St, Bellaire, TX
Another of our favorite outdoorsy destinations also happens to offer some free indoor play. Explore the center’s Discovery Rooms for themed exhibits, activities and a rotating cast of live animal friends. You may also catch a free nature story time if you’re lucky! And if the weather’s nice the outdoor park and nature playground make for a great add-on.
