When the weather outside is frightful, nothing beats cabin fever quite like an indoor play place. St. Louis is full of landmarks, arcades, libraries, and more that are worth the trip, but for the littlest movers and groovers in your life that require a tinier type of play, check out these destinations made for minis.
Discover fun things to do with the family
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This indoor soft play recreation and party event center was designed to help children grow, develop, and socialize through imaginative play. The O’Fallon, Missouri, space is home to multiple active play centers that will allow children to develop critical skills at a young age. Check website for updates to open play hours. 1155 Bryan, O’Fallon, Missouri.
De Soto-based nonprofit Back to Play was founded with a mission to “help children thrive through their natural desire to play.” The location offers an indoor play room, to which reservations are available but walk-ins are welcome, music therapy, homeschooling support, and family counseling and community groups. Open play hours: 9 a.m.—3 p.m. Monday—Friday, 9 a.m.—2 p.m. Saturday. 200 S. Main, De Soto.
One of the area’s newest play spaces, Your Village is a health and wellness center in Chesterfield that features a play village for kids, as well as lactation and nutrition counseling, pediatric occupational therapy, and pediatric sleep therapy, and more. The play village is built to reflect a miniature town, and tables and chairs in the middle of the space allow parents to see their children no matter where they are. Drop-in play is available, and the play village can host birthday parties and classes. Open play hours: 9 a.m.—1 p.m. Tuesday—Friday. 78-82 Clarkson Wilson, Chesterfield.
This South County favorite has a cafe for the parents to sip a cup of Joe with free WiFi, open visibility to the play area, and a rotating selection of playthings for little ones. Not to mention, its owner has become TikTok famous for her behind-the-scenes, community-building approach to her business’ social media. Open play hours: Check website for weekly schedule updates. 9981 Lin Ferry, Green Park.
Recommended for children 2 and up, the brand-new indoor playground at Five Oaks on Warson boasts climbing structures, a slide, a craft station, books, an area for block-building, and a place where kids can play imaginary camping. Parents can pick up a complimentary coffee to watch the kids play or schedule a drop-off to the play area and stay on-site to enjoy the facility—which includes a fitness center, pickleball court, indoor walking trail, and more—while children are being supervised. The parents room features a rocking chair, charging station, oil diffuser, changing table and a corner with toys for kids. Open play hours: 5:30 a.m.—9 p.m. Monday—Friday, 7 a.m.—5 p.m. Saturday—Sunday. 1200 N. Warson, Olivette.
Have a nature bug on your hands? Powder Valley features exhibits dedicated to backyard and urban nature, a tank full of river fish, and massive windows to sit and watch the wildlife. Families can explore the great outdoors while staying cozy indoors—all for free. Open play hours: 8 a.m.—5 p.m., Tuesday—Saturday. 11715 Cragwold, Kirkwood.
This beloved locally owned gymnastics and fitness facility for kids in Creve Coeur offers gymnastics, dance, and sport classes, as well as time for open gym and Parent’s Night Out. Reservations are not offered, and children enrolled in classes enjoy the open gym for free. Check the website for updated open gym hours. 12802 Olive.
Built to develop the parent-toddler connection, reservations are recommended at this popular spot. The adorable location offers several family events throughout the year, as well as a venue for private parties. It’s easy to see why it’s a parent favorite—the cafe serves locally crafted Goshen coffee, Big Heart teas, and Suga’ Pie’s baked goods, as well as plant-based Lotus energy drinks and Italian sodas to enjoy while your children play. Don’t forget your socks! Check the website for open play and class schedule updates. 2 Eagle Center, O’Fallon, Illinois.
The mission of Simple Positive Play is to “facilitate playful experiences while promoting an engaged and informed community.” The organization provides kid-friendly activities at multiple community events while also hosting open play sessions for children ages from birth to third grade and their families. Open play hours: 10 a.m.—12 p.m. and 1—3 p.m. Sunday, 9:30—11:30 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday, and “5 and Under Friday” the first Friday of the month from 4—6 p.m. 501 N. Florissant, Ferguson.
The activities and toys at this St. Charles spot were curated to promote development and social interaction. Its goal has always been to create a stimulating and safe environment for kids to explore and learn, and while kids get creative and social, parents can relax or play along. The space was constructed to cater to kids up to 6. Check the website for open play and class schedule updates. 3010 N. Highway 94, St. Charles, Missouri.
We Play, We Thrive began as a platform for creative play ideas, reflections on parenting, class experiences using the Tinkergarten curriculum, and more. The founder has now expanded and brought it to life via “meaningful play” classes and experiences that pop up at the Kirkham Fieldhouse in Webster Groves. TOTS playtimes are made for infants and toddlers and include songs, movement, gross motor activity, creative play invitations, and more. Check the website for the event schedule. 36 Kirkham Industrial Court, Webster Groves.
OK, so this is technically a store. But for your choo choo enthusiasts, it’s a wonderland. Kids can spend endless time playing at the 16-foot, multi-level train table, kitchen play area, or demo tables. Looking for a birthday venue? Their party conductors will put you on the right track. Store hours: 10 a.m.—5 p.m. Tuesday—Saturday, 12—5 p.m. Sunday. 24 Front, Valley Park.
Children’s Museums Near You
This indoor recreation area highlights interactive and engaging play, while striving to provide caregivers a relaxed experience. Aimed towards children 8 years old and younger, the Play Street Museum allows kids to explore independently. Reservations, which can be made online, are required. Visit the website to book your time. 1650 Beale, St. Charles, Missouri.
Of course, The Magic House is a classic in the metro area for all ages, but the play space dedicated to toddlers ages 2 and younger is a special opportunity to introduce the children’s museum’s wonders. Consider the membership for a great deal if you plan to visit multiple times per year. Hours: 10:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday – Friday, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday, 10:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday. 516 S. Kirkwood, Kirkwood.
Edwardsville Children’s Museum
The Edwardsville Children’s Museum works to “stimulate curiosity and cultivate learning at the age of wonder.” The beloved neighborhood spot offers programming for newborns through 12 years of age, including baby sign language, preschool playgroups, story time, and more. Hours: 9:30 a.m.–2 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Friday, 9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Saturday. 722 Holyoake, Edwardsville, Illinois.
Missouri History Museum Clubhouse
This ongoing exhibition is free, award-winning, and might be the type of place you want to visit again and again. Kids can explore “downtown St. Louis,” or recreations of iconic buildings, play on a trolley that goes back in time to serve food at a café during the 1904 World’s Fair, pilot a steamboat on the Mississippi River, and play house in the ancient city of Cahokia. Favorite elements of the clubhouse include period costumes, puppet shows, and play fishing. Private group reservations are available for groups of up to 60. Hours: 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 1–4 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 5700 Lindell.
