THE ULTIMATE LIST OF INDOOR PLAY PLACES AND INDOOR THINGS TO DO AROUND CLEVELAND
Adventuring doesn’t have to stop when the cold and rainy weather hits Northeast Ohio. Especially because keeping kids cooped up all day can drive them (and you!) up a wall. 🤪
The Cleveland area is bursting with fun indoor things to do all around town, and we've compiled a list of our favorites to share with you. We have broken it down into the following categories to make your search quick and easy so you can spend your time making memories and having fun with your family.
LIBRARIES
We’re starting this list off with libraries because they’re free and also great for all ages. Be sure to check your local/favorite library for events and programs because they have a lot more to offer than just indoor play spaces.
BROOKLYN BRANCH
CUYAHOGA COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
7619 MEMPHIS AVE, BROOKLYN, OH 44144
An indoor FREE playground? Count us in! This is a brand new library as of fall 2024 and the new children’s space is the first of its kind in the 27-branch CCPL system. It’s not a very large playground, but my daughter had a lot of fun on it. They also have some toys available upon request.
The whole library is beautiful and inviting. There’s even a fireplace! This is definitely going to be a go-to spot for us this winter.
They also have an Innovation Center maker space that provides free access to computers, software, and production equipment. We got to watch a 3D printer in action while we were there which is always a treat.
CLEVELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY- ROCKPORT BRANCH
14000 Puritas Ave, Cleveland, OH 44135
The new Cleveland Public Library—Rockport Branch—is absolutely stunning and a must-visit!
The whole library feels relaxing and inviting from the fresh, real-life plant wall when you first walk in to the beautiful nature-themed kids' area with little cutouts to climb through in the wall and a cute kitchen and play market.
They also have an amazing teen room called the Best Buy Teen Tech Center. It’s completely free and open Monday- Friday from 1:00-5:45. The Best Buy Teen Center is a space for teens to explore their interests in programming, filmmaking, music production, and design. I really appreciate that this library has indoor activities for teens because they’re often overlooked when planning spaces like this.
They have 3D printers, a recording studio, a laser cutter, an engraver, and so much more (like ways to learn to sew and make t-shirts).
I was so impressed with this teen space. We often have people asking us what there is to do with teens in the Cleveland area, and I think this should be on anyone's list who has a teen looking to learn some new skills (for FREE) and have fun doing it.
Cleveland Public Library - Martin L. King Branch Library
10601 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106
The children’s area is very open and inviting. It has a fun kids' play bakery shop in the middle of the play space. The vast windows by the children’s section make the space feel bright and calming, even on a chilly day. This location is only a few blocks from the art museum, the cultural gardens, and the Rockefeller greenhouse (all free!), so it’s an excellent area for exploring!
*One thing to note is that library parking can be confusing. There is a parking garage directly behind the library. It is free for up to two hours. Just bring your ticket with you to the library and ask a librarian to validate it.
FAIRVIEW PARK BRANCH
CUYAHOGA COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
21255 LORAIN RD, FAIRVIEW PARK, OH 44126
The Fairview Park Branch’s children's library area is set up like an "airport." ✈️ There's a small food court, an air control tower, three planes, an airplane hangar (with a large map), and a ticket and luggage pick-up window. My kids were really into imaginary play when they were younger, and they always had a blast pretending to fly all over the country. 🛫📍
If your kids aren't into imaginative play, they also have toys, a train table, and a few puzzles.
DISCOVERY WORKS AT THE AVON LAKE LIBRARY
32649 ELECTRIC BLVD, AVON LAKE, OH 44012
Discovery Works has been one of our favorite kids' library areas for years. It was completely renovated and reopened at the beginning of 2025. The new renovations are AMAZING. Discovery Works is FREE and open to the public and it’s basically like a mini hands-on science center
Monday-Thursday 10am-9pm
Friday & Saturday 10am-5pm
Sundays 1pm-5pm (closed Sundays Memorial Day-Labor Day)
Interested in finding even more great libraries with fun kids’ spaces? Then check out this list of our favorite libraries in the greater Cleveland area.
PLAY CAFES
There’s been an influx of new cafes with play spaces popping up in the greater Cleveland area, and we’ve been so excited to see them up and have the chance to visit. There’s something so special about having a relaxing space where you can meet up with a friend, grab a cup of coffee or a sandwich, and let the kiddos play while you don’t have to worry about being too loud or interrupting someone.
Ity Bity’s Playhouse
35415 Chester Rd suite #200, Avon, OH 44011
Itty Bitty’s Cafe is a beautiful coffee shop with an indoor playground and cute playhouses. Time slots are reserved in 2-hour increments, and after each 2-hour time slot, the play space is closed and cleaned. Find out more and grab your time slot here.
Play Haven Cafe
14783 Pearl Rd C, Strongsville, OH 44136
A beautiful, make-believe town where imaginary play inspires young minds to explore and have fun! It's also a place designed for parents and caregivers to come and relax or interact with others. They have a cafe that serves gourmet coffee, beverages, and snacks. The space is thoughtfully designed, and our girls had a great time. We especially loved all the little buildings and accessories. It's recommended to book your playtime slot in advance because space is limited. 🎉 Play Have Cafe offers day passes (discounts for siblings), punch passes, memberships, and birthday parties are also available. 👏🏻 Find out more and book your play time here.
The play town has:
🚒 Fire station
👷♀️ Construction zone
☕️ Cafe
✏️ School
🐶 Vet Clinic
🥐 Market
Main Street Play & Café
1 Eagle Valley Ct, Broadview Heights, OH 44147
This is not a space we have personally visited but it looks adorable and I have several friends who have gone and raved about it. The space is designed for kids 7 and under and reservations are strongly recommended . 12 months-7 years require tickets. All tickets are $11. Under 12 months & adults are free. Learn more about Main Street Cafe here.
Playville
1091 Pearl Rd, Brunswick, OH 44212
This is a BRAND NEW indoor play and cafe. We haven’t visited Playville just yet, but it looks super cute with an indoor playground and ball pit along with a play village of houses. Learn more about Playville here.
THE grind Coffee bar
124 N Court St, Medina, OH 44256
The Grind Coffee Bar is different from the four play cafes mentioned above, but it’s a great spot and I think it deserves an honorary mention here. This is a coffee shop that has an adorable kids setup, but it is small, and you don’t pay to play. We love that this local coffee shop was thinking of all ages when they designed their space, and it's a great spot to grab coffee and meet up with a friend. Please keep in mind that the play area is small and can get crowded.
fast food REStaurants with free indoor play spaces
Mcdonald’s
The McDonald’s PlayPlace may seem like a thing of yesteryear, and while a lot of McDonald’s did get rid of their PlayPlaces, there are still a few around Northeast Ohio. Below is a list of McDonald’s PlayPlaces in the Cleveland area.
Brunswick location pictured above
McDonald’s, 1733 Pearl Rd, Brunswick, OH
McDonald’s 14615 Pearl Rd, Strongsville OH
McDonald’s 1787 State Rd, Cuyahoga Falls, OH
McDonald’s 25700 Detroit Rd, Westlake, OH (this location is a very small play area. Great for toddlers)
McDonald’s 32528 Lorain Rd, North Ridgeville, OH
McDonald’s 32799 Walker Rd, Avon Lake, OH
McDonald’s 500 N Leavitt Rd, Amherst, OH
McDonald’s 5304 Royalton Rd, North Royalton
McDonald’s 3875 Medina Rd, Akron, Ohio
McDonald’s 9439 OH-14, Streetsboro, OH 44241
Burger king
Below is a list of play places that can be found at Burger King’s in the Greater Cleveland area.
Burger King 36240 Detroit Rd, Avon, Oh 44011
Burger King 2532 E Aurora Rd, Twinsburg, Ohio (from what I was told, they don’t heat the room in the winter so its cold on cold day)
Chick-fil-a
Who doesn’t love Chick-Fil-A? It’s one of the rare fast-food restaurants that our whole family likes to eat at, and I really appreciate that they have play places. Here’s a list of the Chick-Fil-A’s around Cleveland with play areas.
Chick-Fil-A 20801 CENTER RIDGE Rd, Rocky River, OH
Chick-Fil-A 4779 Great Northern Blvd, North Olmsted OH
Chick-Fil-A 420 Howe Rd, Cuyahoga Falls (call)
Chick-Fil-A 6150 SOM center rd, Solon, OH
Chick-Fil-A 6390 Mayfield Heights, OH
Museums
The Children’s Museum of Cleveland
The Children's Museum of Cleveland
3813 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44115
The Children’s Museum of Cleveland has long been one of my kids’ favorite places around town for years now. I seriously feel like there are endless hours of fun to be had at the Children’s Museum. They have a water room, craft room, indoor playground, sensory-friendly room, theater room, bubble room, and more!
Great Lakes Science Center
601 Erieside Ave, Cleveland, OH 44114
We love all the fun and hands-on ways you can explore at the science center and it’s great for all ages. The Science center has been busy updating spaces and recently added a brand new space called Handle With Care which is designed for kids 8 and under. For admission and more info check out their website.
The Cleveland Museum of Art
11150 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44106
The Cleveland Museum of Art has been a family favorite for years now and I'm still blown away by the fact that it is FREE! Cleveland is truly blessed to have this amazing free gem in our community. It’s a great way for kids to experience art at a young age. We spend most of our time in the interactive art room that is on the immediate left when you walk in the main entrance.
This room provides kids the chance to explore and experience art through interactive screens. We “made” pottery, drew shapes that turned into art right in front of our eyes, created self-portraits, and learned about poses. The room isn’t huge, but there is a lot to explore. We usually spend about an hour in this room.
Another of our favorite exhibits is the Hall of Knights located upstairs. This room really brings the medieval to life! 🏰There’s also a beautiful lagoon to walk around when the weather is warm. You can pay to park in their parking garage, or there is street parking with meters. If you go on a weekend, meter parking is free.
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
1 Wade Oval Dr, Cleveland, OH 44106
Our kids love to visit the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. They have lots of hands-on learning experiences and some really cool historical artifacts. The Museum also recently went through a $150 million transformation. Some of our favorite things are the kid’s play area in the basement, the amazing wildlife center, and wood gardens.
AKRON CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
51 W. State Street Mailing Address:, 216 S Main St, Akron, OH 44308
f you’re looking for a fun day trip, check out the Akron Children's Museum. If you’ve never been, here’s what to expect. I was happy to find that they had a parking garage attached to the building, which is FREE on weekends. If you go during the week you can have your parking ticket validated and then it’ll only cost $2. Admission is only $7 per person to the museum (which is a crazy good deal). The museum has a small indoor playground, farm area where you can make play chickens lay eggs, Farmer’s Market (my daughter’s favorite), Vet hospital and regular hospital, Jumbo Lego build area (my son’s favorite), Water play area, and so much more.
This museum definitely feels like it’s geared more toward little kids but we’ve attended birthday parties here with kids up to 10 and they all still enjoyed it.
Cleveland Botanical Garden
11030 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44106
The Botanical Gardens are great all year round with their indoor and outdoor gardens, but I especially love it in the winter because it gives me a sense of escaping the cold while getting to explore their beautiful Glasshouse. There is also a small kids area located upstairs that my kids always enjoy playing on.
indoor adventure parks and play spaces
KIDS EMPIRE (3 Northeast Ohio Locations)
-4954 Great Northern Blvd, North Olmsted, OH 44070
-6025 Kruse Dr #153, Solon, OH 44139
-1500 Southpark Center, Strongsville, OH 44136
26800 Renaissance Pkwy, Cleveland, OH 44128
7204 Pearl Rd, Middleburg Heights, OH 44130
4. MAIN EVENT - VIDEO GAMES, VR, LASER TAG, AND MORE!
35605 Chester Rd, Avon, OH 44011
5. LITTLE DIGGERS (HUGE Indoor Sandbox)
3020 Westgate Mall Dr, Fairview Park, OH 44126
6. WE ROCK THE SPECTRUM (2 Locations)
7. D&R PLAYLAND (2 Locations)
6700 Biddulph Rd, Brooklyn, OH 44144
5296 Detroit Rd, Sheffield, OH 44035 (for kids 2-10)
8. SKYZONE Indoor Trampoline Park (3 Locations)
31500 Viking Pkwy, Westlake, OH 44145
750 Alpha Dr, Highland Heights, Ohio
6217 Chittenden Rd, Hudson OH 44236
17149 Southpark Center, Strongsville, OH 44136
Unique interactive gaming experience. Activate is for 6 year olds and up. Check out our visit for a closer look.
NATURE centers
We love a good nature center! They’re FREE, educational, and fun! We also love that most of the nature centers in the Cleveland area also have great trails around them to explore so we can get some fresh air but still have somewhere to escape indoors if its a bit too chilly to be outside for too long.
ROCKY RIVER NATURE CENTER
24000 VALLEY PKWY, NORTH OLMSTED, OH 44070
The Rocky River Nature Center is pretty large compared to some of the others. It's definitely a great spot to hit up in the winter when you're feeling stir-crazy. It features a fun indoor treehouse for littles to climb, explore, and burn off energy. It also has fun reptiles to see. The trails around the center are great, and they recently refurbished the amazing Fort Hill steps (155 steps 😯). My kids love climbing the steps, and it works great for wearing them out. 🤣
WATERSHED STEWARDSHIP CENTER
2277 W RIDGEWOOD DR, PARMA, OH 44134
The Watershed Stewardship Center is dedicated to scientific research and promoting sustainable action. You can enjoy stream exhibits and learn about stormwater management and how to restore impacted areas. They have a fun interactive screen that helps kids learn about the importance of recycling, a large tank with fish, a big open room with some kids' toys, puzzles, and some great trails to explore.
CARLISLE RESERVATION VISITOR CENTER
12882 DIAGONAL RD, LAGRANGE, OH 44050
The Carlisle Reservation Visitor Center has a fabulous indoor dinosaur-themed playground. There are tunnels and ramps, a slide, and even a little treehouse. Every time we visit, I'm always so impressed with how cool this playground is for being indoors and FREE. Next to the playground is a reptile room with a few toys and a kids’ tent. There is also a great children's nature trail outside with little cabins to play in, a story walk, and a free train ride on certain days in the summer. PLUS they have a raptor center. 🦉
This one is a bit of a drive for us, but we usually spend hours here, so it's definitely worth it.
For a list of our favorite nature centers, click here.
