It’s raining, it’s pouring, and, while the old man may be snoring, the kids are NOT. If you are blessed with a padded room they can bounce around in all day, then thank your lucky stars. If, like most of us, you are not so lucky, then our NOVA Indoor Fun Guide is just what you need. Check out our latest posts about whats fun and inside in the area, and then scroll down to the Indoor Destination Guide.
Here is a list of indoor destinations in Northern VA. Places with an admission fee are indicated with a ($). Remember to check the operating hours before you go- nature centers, for instance, are closed on Mondays. (Want to find out what others thought of some of these destinations? Be sure to check our Indoor Fun Posts for more information!
Indoor Family Destinations
AMF Lanes (Alexandria) ($)
bowling- including free bowling for kids in summer
AMF Lanes (Annandale) ($)
bowling- including free bowling for kids in summer
AMF Lanes (Woodbridge) ($)
Woodbridge, VA
bowling- including free bowling for kids in summer
Barnes and Noble
Some locations have train tables in their children's sections, most offer story times, and some have a cafe. Call your local store to find out what's available.
Bowl America
Manassas, Chantilly, Sterling, Falls Church, Fairfax, Alexandria, and Woodbridge Locations
City of Alexandria Public Library
most of the children's sections have toys, kid size tables, and an open/cozy area to read/play.
Fairfax County Public Library
most of the children's sections have toys, kid size tables, and an open/cozy area to read/play.
Fairfax County REC Centers
some REC Centers have swimming pools, open gym time, and one has ice skating.
Entry fee varies by whether you are a county resident and/or a member.
Fairfax Station Railroad Museum ($)
Fairfax Station, VA
Take a step back in time and discover the Fairfax Station Museum and the role it played during the Civil War.
Find out about the Orange and Alexandria Railroad and its importance to both the supply and medical evacuation effort.
Learn about the humanitarian efforts begun here by Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross.
Visit our caboose and hear about the vital role of the caboose in early railroad operations.
The Fairfax Station Museum is a great place to view model train displays. Come explore Civil War history, railroading, and the fascinating story of our local community.
Grounded Coffee Shop
Alexandria VA
This coffee shop has a train table and board games. Also, very good pastries!
Heritage Farm Museum
Sterling, VA
Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum is a non-profit organization which works in conjunction with the Loudoun County Parks and Recreation department to promote and preserve Loudoun County’s agricultural heritage through exhibits and activities at the Heritage Farm Museum.
Hidden Oaks Nature Center
Annandale, VA
Visit Hidden Oaks Nature Center's exhibit, Urban Woodlands: Habitats and Havens and discover the amazing diversity of an urban woodland forest. While exploring this exhibit, families can investigate the different levels of the forest and meet a variety of amphibians and reptiles. Through interactive stations, a children's corner, and hands on learning activities, parents and children alike will uncover the mysteries of life, from creatures that live underground to the treetop residents. Be sure to visit the indoor turtle pond!
Hidden Pond Nature Center
Springfield VA
Indoor exhibits, rentable party room, classes, and outdoor walking and exploring options
ImagiNATIONS
Washington, DC
Open every day during regular museum hours, the interactive, family-friendly imagiNATIONS Activity Center provides visitors of all ages a multitude of unique learning experiences.
Indoor Activities at Great Falls Park
McLean, VA $
Jammin' Java Kids Events ($)
Vienna, VA
Kids shows on weekday mornings and also some weekend shows. Check the calendar.
Jerome "Buddie" Ford Nature Center
Alexandria VA
Visit Alexandria’s very own Nature Center! At the Nature Center, you can see live animals up close and learn about the cultural and natural history of Dora Kelley Nature Park. The Naturalists on staff are here to help you and your family explore and enjoy Alexandria’s wild side! The Jerome “Buddie” Ford Nature Center provides year-round programs and exhibits on Alexandria’s human and natural history. For more information, or to make program reservations, please call the Nature Center at 703.746.5559.
Mt Vernon Estate Discovery Room ($)
Alexandria VA
hands on history activities for kids. Located in the visitor center.
Potomac Overlook Regional Park Nature Center
Arlington, VA
Visit the Potomac Overlook Nature Center and enjoy hands on exhibits, live habitats, and nature observation centers. Free.
Shadowland Adventures
5508 Franconia Road Alexandria, VA 22310
Laser tag, maze, and arcade.
Skate 'N Fun Zone
Manassas VA
Sportrock ($)
Sterling and Alexandria VA
gym with indoor climbing walls.
Udvar-Hazy Museum ($)
Dulles VA
Museum admission is free. Parking is not. The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Washington Dulles International Airport is the companion facility to the Museum on the National Mall. The building opened in December, 2003, and provides enough space for the Smithsonian to display the thousands of aviation and space artifacts that cannot be exhibited on the National Mall. The two sites together showcase the largest collection of aviation and space artifacts in the world.
Indoor Play Place
Basic Play
Arlington, VA
Indoor softplayroom for hourly fun and birthday parties - best for 4 and under
Chibi's Indoor Playground ($)
Loudon County
Chibis' mission is to provide an environment where parents can exercise with their children or socialize while their children enjoy our fun, safe playground. Chibis has an open area where families can run and play, and fully interactive playgrounds for both big kids and infants. We also offer a variety of snacks and drinks - and free Wi-Fi-COMING SOON
Chinquapin Soft Play Room ($)
Alexandria VA
Designed for preschool age children five and younger, the Soft Playroom offers a clean play environment to burn off energy. Parents, guardians and their kids can share play zones loaded with soft toys and activities, while meeting with existing playgroups and making new friends. It is recommended to call the Chinquapin Park Recreation Center at 703.746.5553 prior to drop in use. The Soft Playroom schedule may be adjusted for regular cleaning, birthday party and private rentals.
Chuck E Cheese
Alexandria VA
restaurant with an indoor playplace. Also offers birthday parties. (FYI, If you have a problem with flashing lights it's probably not for you.)
Flight Trampoline Park
Springfield, VA
You can bounce in our open jump field (over 50 connected trampolines), play intense trampoline dodgeball, do tricks into the foam pit, perfect your moves on our bounceboards, get a grueling crossfit style trampoline workout, dunk a basketball on a hoops of different levels. You get the idea….
Flight Zone Trampoline Park
Springfield VA
For $11 you can drop in on a workout class ON a trampoline (in itself a workout!) and childcare is FREE.
Gymboree ($)
Alexandria and Burke, VA Locations
kids play gym offers classes, birthday parties, and open playtime.
Ikea
Woodbridge, VA
Smaaland play area is free for potty trained kids. Kids eat free every Tuesday.
Indoor Play area at Landmark Mall
Alexandria VA
Cute and appropriate for toddlers on up. Heads up: the play area is NOT enclosed.
JW Tumbles ($)
Alexandria VA
Children's activity gym. Offers classes and open play.
Kid Junction
Chantilly,VA
Kid Junction is a new and exciting parent supervised play place and learning facility powered by creativity and imagination. We offer a safe, clean and educational play space for children, while providing a relaxing environment for parents. Kid Junction is the ONLY place for your child’s next birthday party celebration, play date, educational field trip or just walk in for fun. Kid Junction is also a perfect place for fundraising events, kids classes, corporate gatherings and much more. Kid Junction offers a variety of attractions, which will entertain, educate, and offer physical activity for a wide range of children from infants to kids 9 years old. From our Toddler Town and Interactive Village to our arcade and multi-level climber, all kids are guaranteed to have a memorable experience at KID JUNCTION!! Kid Junction is open to the public for walk-in open play every day of the week. No reservations required! Kid Junction of Chantilly is centrally located on Lafayette Center Drive. Kid Junction prides itself on being the cleanest and safest Family Fun Center in all of Virginia wrapped up in a relaxing and enjoyable environment for parents! Come enjoy our kids arcade on a rainy day, share a play date with friends, take an educational field trip or just walk in or hours of fun, and be sure to plan to stay for lunch or dinner at our 100% Peanut/Tree Nut FREE café!
Lee District Soft Play Room ($)
Alexandria, VA 22310
Indoor soft playground.
McDonald's Play Places
be sure to call the restaurant and confirm- some of the listings that say they have play areas are out of date, and some are outdoors.
My Gym ($)
Alexandria and Burke, VA Locations
Children's activity gym offers classes, birthday parties, and open play times.
Scramble! Indoor Play
Alexandria, Va
An awesome indoor play space, ages 6 mo- 12 years. A two-story playframe is the main attraction, with role-play for younger kids, and tummy time for the smallest guests. Older kiddos can play soccer in the back section, or there is a reading nook for anyone needing a break. A cafe is included for a snack break, and three party rooms make it a great space for birthdays, etc. Opening November 2017!
Springfield Town Center Play Area
Springfield, VA
The Animated Child ($)
Montclair VA
Our hands-on exploration area allows children to get creative with their learning! Based on Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Theory the exhibit area gives children ages 2-12 an opportunity to discover what intelligence or “Smarts” they are. Come find out your child’s natural interest. Animated Child believes talent and skills should never go unused!
The Little Gym ($)
Alexandria VA
classes, birthday parties, and open play time
Tyson's Corner indoor play area
Tysons Corner, VA
National Geographic sponsors this environment themed play area. A train offers rides through the mall near the play area. Play area is free, there is a fee for the train.
Do you know of one we missed? Please add it here:
