130+ Fantastic Indoor Play Ideas for Kids in Maryland
When the weather is horrible outside, come play at these top Indoor Play Areas for Kids in Maryland and have a boatload of family fun!
Baby, it’s cold outside! Ok, even if it hasn’t been that cold this year, at some point the weather will likely become gross and you and your kids will not want to play outside.
Wouldn’t it be great to have a go-to list of play options that both you and your kids will love?
Well, lucky for you, there are so many great options for indoor fun when the weather is too cold, rainy, or even hot. My daughter and I have been to many of these places and we can recommend all of them. So, don’t let the weather get you down. Go forth and have a blast with these indoor play ideas for Fun Things to Do With Kids in Maryland.
This year I expanded the list even further and organized it by type of activity so you can find the activities your kids would love quickly!
Note: The hours vary between weekend and weekday play times. I tried to note if there was a significant difference for weekend play times.
Related: The 100 Best Things to Do With Kids in Maryland!
Indoor Attractions and Museums in Maryland
Port Discovery (Baltimore)
Talk about bringing out the big guns. It is hard to beat Port Discovery for best indoor play venues in the area. In 2019, Port Discovery underwent major renovations. And they are amazing! You can read my in-depth review here.
Maryland Science Center (Baltimore)
Not to be overshadowed by its neighbor down the road (Port Discovery), the Maryland Science Center is one of the two ‘crown jewels’ of the Inner Harbor in Baltimore. You can read my review here.
However, the bottom line is that I hesitated going to the Science Center because I thought it wasn’t age appropriate. Boy was I wrong. This museum can easily entertain a preschooler for an entire day. There is an area especially for young children, a planetarium that shows kid-friendly shows, and many other great, interactive exhibits.
Related: 50+ Fun Things to Do With Kids in Baltimore
National Aquarium (Baltimore)
This amazing aquarium is a bit pricey, but if you are looking for a nice way to treat your kids and educate them at the same time, they will be mesmerized here. There are hands-on touch pools, a HUGE tank which houses tons of marine wildlife, a dolphin habitat, and the super cool buy super spooky black tip reef (Sharks!). You can read my review of the Aquarium here.
B&O Railroad Museum (Baltimore)
Ok, I am just going to come out and say it. This is the PERFECT time to visit the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore. Forget about Thomas the Train. If you want to have a low stress, high fun experience with your kids, check out this great museum now. You can read more about the museum here.
Glen Echo Park (Montgomery County)
There are a few options for kid-friendly indoor fun at Glen Echo Park. You can see a show at their renowned Puppet Co. or at the awesome children’s Adventure Theatre. Upcoming shows at the Puppet Co. include , Rapunzel, Beauty and the Beast, Hansel and Gretel, and Peter and the Wolf. Upcoming shows at the Adventure Theatre include The Snowy Day, Lyle the Crocodile, and Madagascar The Musical Adenture . Don’t miss the Aquarium, which features touch tanks and other live animal exhibits.
Ripley’s Believe It Or Not (Ocean City)
With a Maryland location in Ocean City, this place is off the hook. It is really very funny and quirky and everything you would expect it to be.
Related: The Most Excellent Guide to Ocean City’s Boardwalk!
The Kid Museum (Montgomery County)
There are so many new indoor play options for Maryland this year. The Kid Museum is geared more for older kids, with tons of opportunities to design, invent, and build. And they have open create time on Sunday afternoons!
DelMarVa Discovery Museum (Pocomoke City)
The Delmarva Discovery Museum in Pocomoke City, MD is the best children’s museum in Maryland you probably haven’t heard of. There. I said it.
But really, this Museum is such a hidden gem… you absolutely should make time to visit. It’s about 45 minutes from Ocean City and only 30 minutes from Assateague! That makes it the perfect side trip .. and especially a great rainy day activity if you are at the beach!
Baltimore Museum of Industry (Baltimore)
This is a super unique museum in Baltimore that heralds the impact of workers on the area and the nation. Exhibits include displays on a cannery, steel mill, aircraft manufacturing, machine shop, broadcasting, print shop, and more.
College Park Aviation Museum (Prince George’s County)
The College Park Aviation Museum is a fun place to take your aviation loving kids for an hour or two!
They have 10 historic aircraft on display and a few kid friendly exhibits and have great family friendly events!
James E. Richmond Science Center (Charles County)
This great science center in Waldorf, MD is known for it’s awesome dome shows. But it also has a planet on the sphere exhibit, satellites exhibit, science gallery, and hands on discovery labs.
Fire Museum of Maryland (Baltimore County)
The Fire Museum of Maryland is located in Timonium, and is a fun and educational place for kids and adults. Throughout the museum there are a ton of antique fire trucks, replicas, information about the history of firefighting in Maryland, and so much more.
However, if you have young kids you’ll probably spend most of your visit in the play room. In the playroom you’ll find a ton of toys and books, firefighter dress up clothes, and a real antique fire engine that they kids can climb and play on. You can spend hours in the play room alone! The fire museum has free on site parking, clean indoor bathrooms, and various events and programs throughout the year. They also host birthday parties!
National Capital Trolley Museum (Montgomery County)
The National Capital Trolley Museum is a small museum where you can learn all about the streetcars and trollies that used to operate in the DC area. You can actually buy a ticket to ride the streetcar too!
Calvert Marine Museum (Calvert County)
The Calvert Marine Museum is such a fun martime-themed museum for kids and adults a like!
Kids will absolutely love seeing the otters play and hanging out with the skates and rays. There is also a small aquarium with aquatic animals indigenous to the Chesapeake area.
There is a Discovery Room that has oodles of fun kid’s activities too.
Due to the history of the Calvert Cliffs and the area, there is an impressive exhibit on dinosaurs, fossils, and fossil hunting. Older kids and adults will appreciate the Maritime History gallery as well.
Discovery Station (Washington County)
Discovery Station is such an excellent indoor play option for kids in Washington County! They have two floors packed with fun and hands on exhibits for kids! There are STEAM exhibits, LEGO fun, a play village where kids can pretend to work in a fire station, etc.. They can shop at the Little Grocery, make art projects, check out the aviation and Titanic exhibit, do robotics and coding activities, are more!
Related: All the Reasons You Should Plan a Family Trip to Jellystone This Year
Howard County Center of African American Culture (Howard County)
The African Art Museum of Maryland (AAMM), founded in 1980 as the first Museum in the planned community of Columbia, MD, is unique. It is one of only three museums of its kind in the USA devoted exclusively to the art of Africa.
African Art Museum of Maryland (AAMM), a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit institution, founded in 1980 as the first Museum in the planned community of Columbia, MD, is unique. It was on smaller side with different small rooms inside as well. It was a very inviting place and a nice little hidden gem in Howard County. We saw interesting African art from masks,pictures, jewelry, made from wood, stone, metal, skins, and more.
Discovery Center at Water’s Edge (Harford County)
There’s a new science center in Harford County and it’s filled with hands-on learning opportunities for kids of all ages.
The Discovery Center at Water’s Edge is currently in its preview phase and has big plans for expansion. With a goal of providing activities to engage and inspire science inquiry and exploration, this is such an incredible addition to our community.
Ellicott Mills Children’s Museum (Howard County)
The Ellicott Mills Children’s Museum (EMCM) is an interactive, hands-on educational center focusing on the history and culture of those who lived and worked in a 19th century mill town. EMCM is divided into four themed rooms and a garden: Quaker School; Great Room; Ellicott General Store; Mill Display; 1804 Garden.(April 2022 opened)
NASA Goddard Visitor Center (Prince George’s County)
You may not be able to see the day to day operations of NASA Goddard, but you can check out tons of fun exhibits at the NASA Goddard Visitor Center! Learn about Earth Science at GLOBE Hall and look at Earth from the perspective of space.
Learn about the James Webb Space Telescope and experience the sun in a unique way with the Solarium. Visitors can also tour a rocket garden and learn about the Hubble Space Telescope, which lets us peek into the universe.
Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park (Dorchester County)
This important museum and visitor center is an excellent tribute to a national hero and civil rights legend. Bring your kids and start a conversation about racism, slavery, and equality. The exhibits are really well done and educational for kids and adults.
Havre de Grace Maritime Museum (Harford County)
The space is very easy to navigate and it will take about an hour to complete. The first room you enter includes a variety of exhibits that include life on the bay, a ship’s navigation, life saving equipment, the ice harvest, and so many more.
The first room also includes the Kid’s Corner. This interactive space was great!
There are two additional rooms. The first is an incredibly impactful exhibit titled “The Underground Railroad: Other Voices of Freedom”. It highlights how waterways were used in the journey to freedom throughout Harford and Cecil counties.
Related: Plan the Perfect Day Trip to Havre de Grace!
Indoor Attractions and Museums in DC, VA, and PA
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (Dulles Air and Space Museum)
Talk about HUGE! Ok, seriously… your kids, even your young kids, will be absolutely enthralled by a visit to this museum. It is a bit of a hike from the Baltimore area (about an hour on a Saturday morning), but totally worth it. Your kids will get to see a space shuttle, as well as hundreds of other airplanes. These hangars are enormous. To read my review click here.
The Building Museum (Washington DC)
There is a lot for young children to do at this DC museum. ‘Play Work Build’ uses blue foam blocks to enable kids to build pretty much anything! Check on Brick City, which is on view until Spring 2025. You can read my review of the museum here.
Natural History Museum (Washington DC)
Out of all the Smithsonian museums on the National Mall, I think the Natural History Museum is the most fun for kids. It is worth a trip for the Hall of Mammals and Ocean Hall alone. AND with the grand re-opening of The National Fossil Hall, your family could literally spend all day here!
DC Air and Space Museum (Washington DC)
If you are planning a trip to DC, you have to consider a trip to this great kid-friendly museum on the National Mall as well! It is smaller than the Air and Space Museum by the Dulles Airport, but it is completely full iconic American aerospace treasures. Note: The Air and Space Museum on the National Mall is undergoing extensive renovations, but the first part of the museum opened in 2023 and it’s fantastic!
National Museum of American History
The National Museum of American History is one of the most popular and noteworthy Smithsonian museums on the National Mall in Washington D.C. Located between the Museum of Natural History and National Museum of African American History and Culture, the American History Museum is massive.
You could easily spend most of the day taking in all the of exhibits. But is this Smithsonian Museum kid friendly? YES! We think it is really kid friendly; especially for older kids (ages 9 and up). But even if you have really young kids, there are enough fun and hands on exhibits to keep them engaged for a few hours.
Related: 40+ FREE Things to Do in Washington DC With Kids
The Lancaster Science Factory (Lancaster, PA)
They have over 75 interactive displays. The Sky Bridge is a recently opened feature that allows children to climb throughout the suspended bridge and then slide out when they’re done. The Bubble section is another popular feature. Create a bubble window, stand inside the circle feature to create a human bubble.
Water tables with features to control water flow. Waterproof jackets provided for you. Paper airplane making station and launch pad. Even the adults love this one!
Legoland discovery Center (Northern Virginia)
12 Immersive Zones – 22,000 – Square Feet! Visitors will be surprised how much fun is packed into this space! Great for kids ages 2 -10. My kids did not want to leave! Stop by the cafe to take a break and enjoy desserts & slushies! Coffee is also available to give the adults an extra boost!
15-minute LEGO Movies play avoid every 30 minutes! The workshop hosts sessions about every 30 minutes! Plenty of seating area’s for adults! Buckle you for the Imagination Express! Day cheese for a photo during the ride!
Carefully crawl through the lasers in the Hero’s Zone! Can you spot DC’s Momuments in the LEGO Mini World? Meet your favorite LEGO characters during the many Meet & Greet’s! Kids 5 & under will love Duplo Park!
Planet Word (Washington DC)
Planet Word in DC is the newest of the Smithsonian Museums and it is all hands on and interactive! You can practice giving a speech, do some karaoke, try to make your friends laugh, have books read out loud to you, and more!
This is a very kid friendly museum that would be a great way to spend a day indoors!
National Children’s Museum (Washington DC)
When talking about kid friendly indoor museums in Washington DC, you HAVE to mention the National Children’s Museum! This super fun and hands on museum has a 3-story dream machine sky climber, immersive digital experiences, exhibits that feature physics, engineering and tinkering, and movement.
Beat The Bomb DC
Choose from 1-hour Bomb Mission Experiences, where teams of 4 to 6 suit up in hazmat gear, dodge lasers, and crack codes to disarm a giant Paint and Foam Bomb, or else…#GETBLASTED! Or rent an immersive Game Bay where you can enjoy drinks and snacks from The Bomb Bar while playing from a library of original Beat The Bomb games.
Choose from three experiences: Paint Bomb Mission, Foam Bomb Mission, and Game Bay
Libraries With Fun Play Areas
Storyville (Baltimore County)
The Baltimore County Public Library has two branches of this amazing children’s library, one in Woodlawn and the other is Rosedale. If your child is under 5 years old, you have to check out Storyville. Your kids could easily spend a few hours playing here. Check out my blog post about our experience here.
Harford County Public Library (Harford County)
Apparently many of the branches of this county library have awesome play areas, not unlike Storyville! Such a great space for kids to learn to use their imagination while surrounded by books! Many of the Harford County Library branches also have sensory rooms and great kid’s play areas.
Cecil County Libraries (Cecil County)
Again, many of the Cecil County Public Library branches have special activities nested within the children’s sections. North East Library is pictured above!
Frederick County Public Library (Frederick County)
Another county with fantastic library programs in the Frederick County Public Library System. We love this Dairy Farmer-themed Children’s area at the Walkersville Public Library.
Carroll County Public Library System (Carroll county)
The Mount Airy Library caught the eye of one of the Kid Friendly Maryland App Ambassadors!
The library is a wonderful place to visit with kids. There are many programs offered for kids starting at birth through adult programs. The library also has many resources including books, movies, CDs, tablets and toys to borrow. The kids programs vary from themes, letter focus, STEM, family story time, crafts and many more!
The Mount Airy library has an area for kids to both read and play. This is a great way for your child to socialize with kids their age. This library has a lot of fun features for kids. There are two large trees with a space to crawl through, a light table, magnetic items, a kitchen and many more fun items to use.
Related: 100 Absolutely FREE Things to Do With Kids in Maryland
Indoor Playgrounds and Playspaces
Be With Me Playseum (Howard County and Easton, MD)
2023 Update: Hold on tight because the Playseum has moved and expanded! In 2022 they opened up a fantastic location in Easton, MD and inside the Columbia Mall! Here is my review of this amazing play space! This children’s museum is billed as a place where ‘kids create and parents relate.’ There are numerous city shop rooms where kids can get involved with hands on activities (some with additional fees) like decorating a cupcake, paint on a plexi-glass wall, or get a kid manicure. Also, the Playseum boasts one of the best Storytelling hours in the area.
Google Map Directions for Columbia location.
Google Map Directions for Easton location.
Play ‘N Learn Playground Superstores (Howard County)
There are two locations for this indoor playground showroom. However, at the one in Columbia, MD, kids can play for up to 2 hours on weekdays only for $10. You can read about our experience here. This is a great option for burning energy on a rainy day.
Cabin Fever Play Centre (Dorchester County)
Cabin Fever has only been open for a few years- so it’s still new to many people! They are always adding new things to offer as well. They have a designated toddler area, which has small soft climbing toys, a plush carousel ride on, and small slides! It is separated slightly from the bigger kid areas but smaller kiddos are not limited to any one area- they can go to the big play section too.
They have a level that is just a ball blaster area, where you can shoot foam balls at one another from machines from one and two stories! There is a HUGE blue slide you’ll see in these photos. Hold on, because it is fast- and it also hurts your butt for us older folks haha. A large indoor play/climb area, with tubes, netting and multi levels. They have nice roomy bathrooms with changing stations. They also have a place to nurse.
Totsville Indoor Playground (Anne Arundel County)
This totally awesome indoor playspace is located in Glen Burnie, MD. There are a lot of great features for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and grade school aged children. The best feature? The HUGE indoor sandbox!
We Rock The Spectrum (Harford County, Baltimore County, Montgomery County)
A place to play where you never have to say you are sorry. That’s the tagline for this awesome indoor playspace that specializes in play for kids with sensory needs.
According to their website, ‘We Rock the Spectrum Forest Hill is committed to providing a safe, nurturing, and fun environment to foster learning, exploration and safe sensory experiences. Through our nonprofit My Brother Rocks The Spectrum Foundation, we provide social skills groups and activities for children across the spectrum.’
They offer Open Play six days a week, which is when children are welcome to enjoy full use of the sensory-safe gym with parent supervision. The gym features therapy equipment, an arts & crafts area, a calming room, and more.
They are an inclusive facility. This means that the programs and services offered are designed to include children of all abilities. The equipment has been specifically chosen so that children with autism or special needs can benefit from using it. Neurotypical children will also find the gym to be a safe and fun place to play!
There are also locations in Gaithersburg and Baltimore!
Google Map Directions for location in Harford County
Google Map Directions for Gaithersburg location.
Google Map Directions for Baltimore location.
Me Land Gaithersburg (Montgomery county)
Me Land in Gaithersburg is a children’s indoor playground, we welcome children as young as 6 months to 12 years old. Their park includes a jungle themed soft play area, toddler fun room, a parent lounge area and an exclusive building block zone!
Hyper Kidz (Baltimore, Howard, and Anne Arundel Counties)
This indoor play space recently expanded its footprint; doubling the size of the playspace. It is still utterly amazing (and crazy… but the name fits). If your kids have energy to burn this is THE place to burn it. We love this place and here is our review.
Google Map Directions for Columbia location.
They now have a second location opened in Owings Mills too! Google Map Directions here.
And there is a brand new Space-themed location in Crofton (opened late 2023)! Google Map Directions here.
Zava Zone (Montgomery County)
Another amazing indoor play space, more for older than younger kids.. although younger kids would have plenty to keep them busy too. There are high and low ropes courses, zipline, ninja warrior course, drop slide, pole walking, rock climbing walls and more.
The Wiggle Room (Anne Arundel County)
The Wiggle Room opened in 2018 and it is perfect for younger kids. It is an all day, indoor play center located in Crofton, MD that is designed by parents for parents.
Urban Air Trampoline Park (Prince George’s, Frederick, Baltimore County)
Located in Middle River/White Marsh, this is way more than just a trampoline park. Urban Air has trampolines for sure, but they also have go karts, Sky Rider, Indoor Skydiving, Bowling, and Laser Tag. There are also now locations in both Laurel and Frederick!
Google Map Directions for Laurel
Google Map Directions for White Marsh
Google Map Directions for Frederick
Climbzone (Prince George’s County)
This place rocks! For real, this rock climbing gym is made for kids! Not only that, but there is plenty to do for kids of all ages and even relatively young kids (age 2 and up) can climb safely here. This is a popular destination and I would highly recommend making a reservation if you plan to play here.
Bubala Indoor Playground (Baltimore and Carroll County)
Maryland locations in Pikesville, and Eldersburg. Bubala is an indoor, fun-filled playground designed for all children up to 7 years of age. Bubala was created to not only be fun but also safe and is full of appropriate activities which aspire children to learn independence and social skills while having the time of their lives!
Google Map Directions for Pikesville location
Google Map Directions for Eldersburg location.
Related: The Best Maryland Activities for Toddlers and Younger Kids
Kidz Jungle World in Randallstown, MD (Baltimore County)
Like many of the other indoor playgrounds, Kidz Jungle World has a kiddie zone, young kid, and big kid area to explore! There are slides, interactive play elements, and more!
The Playroom in Bel Air (Harford County)
Such a cool place in Harford County. There is StoryPlay– a one of a kind, action packed 50-minute class is filled with hands-on activities geared for toddlers and preschoolers along with an accompanying adult. Toddlers use thematic pictures to guide them through play and movement activities. Preschoolers follow a weekly theme where storybooks come to life as the storyteller acts them out.
There are also regular cupcake decorating classes for kids, dance classes, and a drop in play room.
So, there you go! I hope you have a great time exploring all the fantastic indoor play areas in the Baltimore and DC area!
And who knows, maybe there will be a snow day at some point as well.
Kids Play Gallery (Montgomery County)
Kids Play Gallery is a super fun imaginative play space that younger kids will absolutely love. The space is set up with a town where kids can explore a grocery store, diner, animal hospital, fire station, beauty salon, and more!
The Little Towns Playseum (Montgomery County)
The Little Towns Playseum is a brand new Children’s Museum. It is an imaginative role-play museum designed as a child size neighborhood where kids can boost their imagination and be active through pretend play.
Kids Ground (Montgomery County)
Kids Ground is exactly what you think it is.. an indoor playground for kids. This fun space designed for younger kids has a fun indoor playground, toys, and they offer programing for young kids too!
Kidzville Indoor Playground (Baltimore County)
This fantastic indoor playspace opened in early 2022 and it’s totally awesome for kids of all ages! There are ball pits, bumper cars, slides, obstacle courses, pretend play towns, and more!
Me Land Indoor Playground- (Frederick County)
This super fun indoor playspace has a tot lot area, ball pit zone, and a big kids area that features tons of slides, obstacles and other interactive play features!
PlayEC (Prince George’s County)
This great indoor playground has one Maryland location in Capitol Heights. The play space is designed for kids 8 and under and has climbing play features, slides, soft play features, and more!
Chesapeake Children’s Museum (Anne Arundel County)
The mission of Chesapeake Children’s Museum is to create an environment of discovery about oneself, the peoples, the technologies, and the ecology of the Chesapeake Bay area for all their children and for the children in us all. Hands on exhibits invite exploration and imagination.
The Imaginarium in Solomons, MD (Calvert County)
A fantastic new indoor play space in Southern MD. The Imaginarium boasts an Imagination playground, an indoor playhouse, and Creation Station craft area.
Busy Bodies Play Cafe (Lancaster County, PA)
The space is filled with wooden play structures. There are two large playgrounds with climbing features and slides.
There is a great section for imaginative play that includes a house, kitchen, Market, and a bunch of dress-up options. An enclosed baby section has a smaller wooden playground and a bunch of age appropriate toys.
Ball-O-City (Anne Arundel County)
Ballocity is an indoor play area featuring climbing tubes, slide, blasters,and foam ball things. There used to be loud noises when they popped, that part didn’t work but may be a good thing anyways for the younger crowds.
Wear socks to wear inside the Ballocity™ play space. Parents/caregivers need to stay with their child(ren) while playing.
Kinetic Ninja (Harford County)
Kinetic Ninja warrior was such a cool experience! They offer family open gym with weekly availability. All ages welcome and this includes both gym areas. They have both daytime and afternoon options. Coaches are in both areas to help coach the kids through each of the obstacles. Parents are welcome to join.
Airbound Sports & Entertainment (Harford County)
This is another Harford hidden gem that is amazing! With a ninja style obstacle course and bounce houses, it’s such a fun and local spot for kids. The main area is a ninja obstacle course set inside a foam pit. There were monkey bars, a stand on swing, ropes to climb, and other obstacles.
There are four bounce houses. Her favorite was the largest one that includes an obstacle course to get to the tall slide. The others were also fun and had smaller slides and a ball pit. Basketball and pickleball courts also available. There is an additional charge to use them. You can also just purchase a ticket for those and not the bounce area.
Area Malls with Play Areas
A number of the area malls have play areas that would be super fun for kids!
Here is a look at the Columbia Mall play area:
The Annapolis Mall Play Area:
And the Arundel Mill Mall Play Area:
Tiny Town (Lancaster County, PA)
With 11 luxury playhouses, interactive features, and a bubble party, this one is so worth the trip.
The village includes a hospital, post office, mechanic shop, salon, market, fire station, library, cafe, castle, a regular house, and a theatre. Each play house is filled with interactive features and are so realistic. Her favorites were the cafe and doctors office.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to the Best Coffee Shops in Maryland
Indoor Amusements and Arcades
Stratosphere Social (Carroll County)
A great place for indoor family fun inSykesville! They have loads of arcade games, bowling, axe throwing, virtual reality, and more! You can also eat lunch, dinner, or a snack here!
Note: Stratosphere no longer has trampolines.
Adventure Park USA (Frederick County)
Don’t let the roller coaster fool you. Adventure Park USA has loads of indoor play options too. Indoor attractions include virtual reality, laser tag, ropes course, an arcade with over 100 games, a rock wall, and bumper cars. How could you go wrong with that?
Google Map Directions
Dave and Busters (various locations)
Another super fun indoor option in this area is Dave and Busters. Dave and Busters is a mega arcade fun center that offers bowling, virtual reality, and loads of fun arcade games! There are multiple Maryland locations in Capitol Heights, Baltimore, Gaithersburg, Hanover, and Silver Spring)
Fun City Arcade (Ocean City)
Fun City Arcade has tons of fun games.. new and older (like Skee-Ball). Visitors play to win tickets and if you win enough tickets you can cash them in for a small prize at the prize counter. If you need to escape the heat or if you just want to have a fun hour or two with your kids, this is a great place to go!
Marty’s Playland (Ocean City)
Marty’s Playland is another super fun arcade right in the middle of the boardwalk action. They offer loads of super fun games for kids and adults of all ages. You play games and win prizes. This is a super fun place! This arcade is open every day from 10am-6pm during the summer season.
Related: The Best Things to Do With Kids on Maryland’s Eastern Shore
Go Bowling With Your Kids!
I didn’t even consider this possibility until my daughter was invited to a birthday party at a bowling alley. Bowling alley’s can cater to younger kids, but you will have to check with the specific bowling alley near you. Some area bowling alley’s include:
- Greenway Bowl in Odenton,
- Brunswick Zone in Columbia and Ellicott City,
- Stoneleigh Lanes in Baltimore (Duck Pin Bowling), and
- AMF and Bowlero Bowling (18 locations in MD)
Rollerskating
If your child is more preschool than toddler, rollerskating could also be a fun option. I have not been brave enough to try this with my daughter yet, but when I do I will likely go to Skate Zone in Crofton. Skate Zone has a special Tot Rock ‘n Roll public skating session every Monday from 10AM-12PM. It is designed for kids age 6 and under.
Here are some other super fun rollerskating options Maryland!
- Laurel Roller Skating Center
- Lanham Skate Center
- Sportman’s Hall Roller Skating in Upperco
- Skateland Putty Hill
- Temple Hills Skate Palace in Hillcrest Heights
- Starland Roller Rink in Hagerstown
- Shake and Bake Family Fun Center
- Skate Palace Hagerstown
Laser Tag
There are quite a few places to play laser tag in the Maryland area. Here are a few:
Monster Mini Golf (Howard County and Montgomery County)
Monster Mini Golf is a unique indoor mini golf experience that is super fun for kids. Seriously, if you have never done black light mini golf you are missing out! Even younger kids will have fun. Some locations also has mini bowling and a laser maze. In Maryland there is a location in Jessup and Gaithersburg!
Google Map Directions for Howard County location
Google Map Directions for Montgomery County location
Spinners Pinball Arcade (Frederick County)
Spinners Pinball Arcade is always a great idea! It is also a Certified Autism Center. How cool is that?
Related: Fully Accessible Play Options for Kids in Maryland
Deep Creek Fun Zone (Garrett County)
Deep Creek Fun Zone is one of the largest arcades and family fun attractions in the Deep Creek area.
There is a decent sized arcade where you play games and get tickets or points for prizes. This is good to know if it’s raining or you want to just do something inside. We definitely had fun doing the arcade thing and my daughter walked away with a nice bag of fidgets and other cheap plastic treasures.
Deep Creek Funland (Garrett County)
Deep Creek Funland has a decent sized arcade where you play games and get tickets for prizes. We definitely had fun doing the arcade thing and my daughter walked away with a nice bag of fidgets and other cheap plastic treasures.
Main Event (Howard County)
Main Event in the Columbia Mall is a fantastic entertainment venue that took over the 2nd floor of the old Sears store.
This is an arcade, bowling alley, laser tag, and restaurant all rolled into one. You pay for a game card and can use it for any of the arcade games, including two super fun virtual reality experiences.
The laser tag and bowling are priced separately. But really, you could easily spend an entire afternoon having fun with your kids here!
Jurassic Golf and Arcade (Harford County)
This is a super fun dinosaur themed black light mini golf experience in Bel Air! They also have a great arcade!
Southern MD Axe (Charles County)
Southern MD Axe is a kid-friendly (and very safe) Ax throwing experience in Waldorf, MD! There are 8 lanes of interactive games like zombies, duck hunters, and tic-tac-toe.
Trampoline Parks and Bounce Houses
Trampoline Parks
Trampoline parks are great fun for kids of all ages. There are toddler specific jump times during the week, but even on the weekends, the staff segregates jumpers based on height and weight. Here are a few area trampoline parks to check out:
- Skyzone (Maryland locations in Columbia, Timonium, Bowie, East Baltimore, and Gaithersburg)
- Launch (PG County)
Bounce Houses
A no-brainer for indoor fun. Get on the email list for these very popular bounce houses to be informed about when they have weekend open bounce availability.
- Pump It Up (Maryland locations in Lanham-Bowie)
- Z Bounce at the Annapolis Mall
- Bouncetastic at the Columbia Mall
- Harford Bounce Party Place at the Harford Mall
Indoor Waterparks
North Arundel Aquatic Center
If your kids are itching for the summer fun of pool play, why not take them to this indoor Water Park? Here is the catch– the North Arundel Aquatic Center does not allow swim diapers at all. Your kids have to be fully potty trained. So, this option is better for kids about age 3 and up.
Other options for indoor waterpark play include the Splashdown Indoor Waterpark in Columbia, and the Germantown Indoor Swim Center .
Great Wolf Lodge Perryville (Cecil County)
How could we possibly talk about indoor fun in Maryland without mentioning the most massive indoor waterpark that just opened in 2023?!
Great Wolf Lodge in Perryville is also the largest Great Wolf Lodge and the newest one! Did you know you can visit on on day pass?
Drop In Art and Art Museums
Walter’s Art Museum (Baltimore)
Are you intimidated by the idea of bringing your child to an art museum? Well, the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore makes it an easy choice. Not only is the museum free (so, no big investment), but on the weekends, they host Drop-in Art Activities for Children, where kids can create art.
Additionally, most weekends the museum hold ArtKids Preschool programs that feature an interactive art, storytime, and hands-on session.
American Visionary Art Museum (Baltimore)
Speaking of kid-friendly art museums, AVAM is quirky and fun for kids of all ages (there is actually an exhibit where kids can push a fart button.. no lie). However, on select weekends this season, they will host Weekend Walk-In, a hands-on art exhibit where you get to make (and keep) art. Check back on their website for details.
Related: Ultimate Guide to Drop-In Art Places in Maryland
Baltimore Museum of Art (Baltimore)
This art museum in the heart of Baltimore really tries to cater to families. There is a family audio tour and family activity guides you can pick up. Also, the BMA holds Free Family Sunday events pretty much every Sunday afternoon. Upcoming events will give kids the chance to make paper crowns, sculpt animals, create a collage, and much more!
Artsy Partsy (Anne Arundel County)
Located in Pasadena, MD, Artsy Partsy is possibly the most fun art-related venue in Maryland. Artsy Partsy has Family Paint Night every Friday evening, drop in art activities most weekend afternoons, sewing classes, loads of art classes, special paint events, and more.
Paint Your Own Pottery Studios in Maryland:
Trust me. It’s a thing. And it isn’t just a thing for adults either. Kid-friendly walk-in pottery painting places are all over Maryland. Here are the ones that are highly recommended:
- Pic ‘N Paint Pottery: Pasadena, MD
- The Pottery Stop: Ellicott City, MD
- Pottery Cove: Catonsville, MD
- Amazing Glaze in Bel Air and Mt. Washington
- Kiln Born Creations in Easton, MD
Paint Splatter Maryland (Anne Arundel County)
You have to sign up for a paint session, but this newcomer to the drop-in art scene looks super amazing!!!! It is exactly what you think it is: ‘a fun & unique experience for kids and adults to paint on a canvas and everywhere else. We offer regular paint or spice it up with our neon choices for the black light room.’ Sign me up!
Paint Splatter EC (Howard County)
Another fun option for paint splatter art, is Paint Splatter EC, located in Old Ellicott City. This experience opened in 2023 and the splatter paint room is now available to book! Fun for all ages and we offer a variety of paint packages depending on the group, and add-on/upgrade options!
Dream Free Art Splatter Room (Frederick County)
Another splatter room experience that opened in 2023 is the Dream Free Art Splatter Room in Frederick, Md. You and your guests will suit up and throw paint to create a one-of-a-kind artwork! You get to let go, listen to music, get messy and have fun!
Social Studio Art Classes (Baltimore)
This fantastic Baltimore art studio hold classes and every weekend a weekend workshop for kids. Each week there will be a different “Make & Take” art activity. Each month there will be a different theme.
Washington County Fine Arts Museum (Washington County)
This is a small but great art museum that is co–located with Hagerstown City Park. They have a lovely collection of over 6,500 pieces of art ranging from prints, painting, drawings, sculptures, and decorative arts.
For kids they have an art scavenger hunt that would appeal to them/keep your kids engaged while you enjoy taking in the art.
Doodle Hatch Interactive Art Installation (Howard County)
This fun place is an interactive art installation with pretend play areas with themes such as fairy tales, other worlds, and more! A great hands on experience that’s perfect for children and toddlers.
Restaurants with Indoor Play Areas and Activities
Crabtowne USA (Anne Arundel County)
Crabs and a huge retro video game arcade? Sign me up!
The arcade is connected to the dining area, so your kids can play games before and after the meal. And you will want to play too because there is a huge selection of retro pinball machines, plus tons of favorites from the 80’s like Centipede, Dig Dig, Galaga, and more!
Papermoon Diner (Baltimore)
Papermoon Diner is the PERFECT place to play I-Spy while you eat! The entire diner is filled with quirky art and decor. You will have to remind yourself to dig in to their amazing food!
Board and Brew (Prince George’s County)
Don’t be confused by the brew part. This cafe in College Park is a full restaurant that just so happens to have 100’s of games you can play while you eat. They even have an entire section of kids games!
Medieval Times Dinner Theater (Anne Arundel County)
Part performance, part sheer awesomeness. Tickets to Medieval Times will definitely wow your kids, especially if they like horses, huge turkey legs, and lots of noise (I would not recommend for kids with sensory issues).
Alley Oops! (Ocean City)
Alley Oops (there are two locations in Ocean City) is fantastic for kids (and parents). There is a shark tank right when you come in.. with multiple types of sharks, eels, and crabs. The menu is really good… Loved my chicken Chesapeake.
But the real draw is the arcade and bowling alley. After you eat.. or while you wait for your food… you can bowl or play the arcade games. It works like any other arcade.. you get a card with points on it and can get tickets by winning games.. that you cash in for prizes. We didn’t do the prize part, but the games were fun! Our favorite was the Joker Air Hockey where you play with like 30 pucks at once.. it’s insane!
Highly recommend you add this to your family fun list in Ocean City!
Marina Deck (Ocean City)
This great restaurant is on the water ( Bayside) next to family pirate fun( The Duckaneer Pirate Ship), and very kids friendly. They even have a doggie menu and a rooftop bar and seating for beautiful views.
Related: 40+ Maryland Restaurants With Play Areas and More!
Chuck E Cheeses
Don’t knock the mouse (not that mouse.. this mouse). Chuck E. Cheeses is great for early elementary aged kids because you can buy time and they get unlimited play on a wide variety of carnival type games, earning tickets the whole time. After you have played and had a few slices of pizza, your kids will love redeeming the coupons for treasures (cheap toys). Pretty fun place!
And don’t forget Fast Food Play Areas
Pretty much every Chick-Fil A has a play area inside their restaurant. A select number of McDonald’s restaurants do too!
We have zeroed in on these McDonald’s with play areas:
- Ellicott City (Long Gate Shopping Center)
- Gambrills
- Clarksville
- Eldersburg
Nature Centers
Robinson Nature Center (Howard County)
Howard County’s amazing nature center is a great place to visit when the weather is ‘not nice’ outside. We have enjoyed visiting numerous times throughout the year. Click here for my review of the nature center.
There are tons of hands-on activities for young children including many hands-on nature exhibits, an interactive Forest Canopy walk through, and a Children’s Discovery Room that is complete with aquariums, books and puzzles, pretend play opportunities, and other opportunities to get interactive with nature.
Additionally, there are a number of upcoming family friendly events you will not want to miss. Check the website for more information on special events.
Watkins Park and Nature Center (Prince George’s County)
This fantastic nature center in Prince Georges County has a lot of fantastic activities that would appeal to young children. There is an indoor pond, many live animal exhibits, puppets, and other interactive exhibits. The center also has a number of great events including:
- Seasonal puppet shows
- Live animal shows
- Nature craft
Patuxent River Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center (Prince George’s County)
The Visitor Center is geared towards kids. The exhibits are meant to be educational and interesting for kids. Don’t miss dancing with the whopping cranes! There are a number of taxidermy animal displays your kids will love (especially the polar bear and wolves) and the staff routinely offers special programming for kids.
Other area nature centers that are totally wonderful include:
- Irvine Nature Center
- Oregon Ridge Nature Center
- Willow Grove Nature Center
- Eden Mill Nature Center
- Croydon Creek Nature Center
- Brookside Nature Center
- Meadowside Nature Center
- Clearwater Nature Center
Related: The Best Nature Centers in Maryland
Escape Rooms
Escape Rooms are great for older kids and big groups (up to about 8 people). Here are some of the best options for Escape Rooms in Maryland:
- Red Door Escape Room Gaithersburg
- Break Out Escape Room in Columbia
- Break Out Escape Room in Timonium
- Mission Escape Rooms Arundel Mills and Gambrills
- Escape Time Escape Rooms in Annapolis, Severna Park, and Easton
- Big Escape Rooms in Silver Spring
- Charm City Clue Room in Baltimore
- Escape Proving Ground in Pasadena
- All in Adventures Escape Rooms in Bowie and White Marsh
- Escapology Escape Rooms in the National Harbor
- Clue IQ in Frederick
- Bonds Escape Room in Arlington and Fairfax, VA
The Fire Museum of Maryland in Lutherville is a great place for indoor fun. The Museum is open every Saturday, year round. There are expanded hours in June, July, and August. Kids’ love the interactive Discovery Room. http://www.firemuseummd.org, 410-321-7500, x103.
Oooh, I have heard great things about your museum. We really need to visit!
Great ! Thank you for the tips.
You should add the Playdate Junction in Elkridge, MD!
Great tip. Thanks! Do you know if they ever have open play on weekends or evenings? Or is it strictly a membership, during the week thing?
And Monkey joes in Germantown- clean and fun and no time limit!
Oh, I didn’t know there was a Monkey Joe’s there. Thanks!
The Play Room in Forest Hill is a must add to this list!!
Oooh, thanks for the tip. I must check that one out!
Kiddie Crusoe in Timonium and Belcamp MD should definitely be on this list!
Oh, fantastic! Thank you for the tip! Those places look like they are so much fun. They should definitely be on this list! Thanks!
Thank you for this awesome list. Can’t wait to take my kids here.:)
You forgot to mention The Swellness Center in Columbia. A terrific indoor play place for 5yrs and under!
Thank you for that tip! I actually heard about the Swellness Center right after I published this list and it does sound great! I wish it was open on the weekend so we could check it out!
Hi there! The picture at the top of the post, with the little girl sliding down into a ball pit, where is that?
Hi! Thanks for your question. I don’t know where that is.. It was a stock photo. However, I think many bounce houses have similar set ups… Or someplace like My Gym. I am trying to remember if Pump it Up does… I know they have a ton of slides. Sorry I couldn’t be more helpful!