Lifestyle

Beat the Heat with Indoor Fun for Kids (and Teens too!)

By Tiffany Marascio | August 12, 2018

[UPDATED NOVEMBER 9, 2021 – Stonebridge Church’s “Playdates are at capacity] School is almost back in session, but the Texas heat will be around for quite a while longer! There are many choices in The Woodlands area to get kids out of the house, regardless of the weather. From babies to teens, here is a list of local options:

FREE OPTIONS

[AT CAPACITY AS OF NOVEMBER 9, 2021] Stonebridge Church – Stonebridge Church hosts “Playdates” for kids and their parents to get to know each other at their large indoor playground.
Stonebridge Church – Stonebridge Church hosts “Playdates” for kids and their parents to get to know each other at the large indoor playground.
The Woodlands United Methodist Church – The play area at The Woodlands United Methodist Church is known as “Safari Stop” and is designed for children aged 3-9.
The Woodlands Mall – Geared toward preschool and elementary aged kids, The Woodlands Mall has a play area open during mall hours for children under 42 inches tall.
The Montgomery County Library System – From babies to teens, the each library in the Montgomery County Library System hosts classes and activities.
The Woodlands Church – The play structure at The Woodlands Church accommodates toddlers to 12 year-olds and spans from the floor to the ceiling of the 40-foot atrium.

The Woodlands Church, located at 1 Fellowship Drive, has 22-foot corkscrew slides in its 2-story structure. The play area accommodates toddlers to 12 year-olds.

COST-ASSOCIATED OPTIONS

Kanga’s Playcenter – This play center is in a large warehouse-sized venue and welcomes babies to 11 year-olds. Parents can watch their kids play from the adjoining café.
Palava Family Entertainment Center – This locally owned and operated spot has laser tag, 3D black light mini golf, a 4-level play structure, toddler play area, café, and arcade to entertain a wide range of ages.
Conroe’s Incredible Pizza – Conroe’s Incredible Pizza has many attractions all in one place. It boasts a designated toddler play area, mini bowling, blacklight mini golf, bumper cars, laser tag, go karts, video games, and more. When all the playing works up an appetite, Conroe’s Incredible Pizza has a large buffet, and of course, pizza.

We Rock the Spectrum – A safe place for kids of all abilities, We Rock the Spectrum encourages young children to play without limits.
Little Beakers – In addition to classes, Little Beakers has open lab hours for younger children to explore science.
The Little Gym – The Little Gym offers classes for young children, but also has an open gym playtime for members.
The Woodlands Children’s Museum – The Woodlands Children’s Museum is designed for kids up to age 7. There is a dedicated supervised craft area, story book center, and the museum hosts fun themed-days such as Superhero Day.

The Woodlands Children’s Museum is ideal for children 7 years of age and under. Visitors can explore the interactive exhibits discovering creative and imaginative play experiences.

My Gym – Similar to The Little Gym, My Gym offers young children the chance to try out new skills in classes or in an open gym setting.
Adventure Kids Playcare – While most of the choices in this list require parent supervision for younger children, this option is a drop-off play space. In addition to an indoor playscape, Adventure Kids Playcare has structured classes such as craft time throughout the day.
Emergent VR Encounter – Emergent VR Encounter allows everyone to be immersed in the experience with a wide selection of video games and the option for multiplayer games. Parents and friends can watch others play from large screens. Emergent VR Encounter’s age requirement is 8 and older, making this a great option for older kids and teens.

Urban Air – While this is another option for older kids, there is also a playscape for designed for kids aged 7 and under. Urban Air has a ropes course, a zipline, a warrior obstacle course, dodgeball, a tumble track, and a large array of trampolines.
Pump It Up – Pump it Up offers different rooms of many different kinds of inflatables along with a few arcade games such as air hockey.
Sky Zone – Sky Zone is an indoor trampoline park that also has a tumbling area with foam blocks, dedicated dodgeball and trampoline areas, and trampolines for free jumping.
Main Event – Main Event is another choice on the list geared more toward older kids. It offers bowling, billiards, video games, multi-level laser tag, karaoke, and more.
The Game Preserve – Purchase a day or monthly membership pass to obtain access to every game, including classic arcade games, pinball, and ski-ball. Younger kids are allowed, but anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Sk8Town – Sk8Town is the roller skating rink for the area, complete with arcade games. It also offers skate trainers to help new and younger skaters.
Swing Zone Golf– With 3D life-like graphics, instant feedback, driving range setting and various play modes, Sky Zone’s simulators are for both skilled and novice golfers.
iFly – In addition to an indoor air tunnel, iFly offers virtual reality to simulate the experience of skydiving and a STEM program. iFly also offers All Abilities Night, for those with physical and cognitive challenges to create an environment inclusion.
Potteryland – Potteryland is a walk-in pottery studio where participants can paint on pottery as well as canvas.

There are two local options for rock climbing:
- Climb Woodlands – In addition to rock climbing walls, Climb Woodlands offers an indoor adventure ropes course.
- Inspire Rock Climbing – Inspire Rock Climbing has a designated rock climbing area for younger kids, while teens and adults can climb the higher walls in the main area.
Obstacle Warrior Kids – Inspired by the hit television show American Ninja Warrior, Obstacle Warrior Kids offers a variety of obstacles, dodgeball, and a designated play area for smaller kids.
Bouncin’ Bears – Bouncin’ Bears is an open jump facility with a variety of inflatables and a separate toddler section. Bouncin’ Bears also has a monthly Special Needs Family Night.
Altitude – Trampoline parks aren’t just for big kids! Altitude has a special “Toddler Time” devoted just to the little ones.
Bowlero – In addition to bowling, Bolero offers billiards and arcade games. Bowling ramp trainers are available for younger and novice bowlers.
Shankz – Shankz is a large blacklight mini golf course that also has arcade games. The minimum recommended age to play is 4 years old.
Chuck-E-Cheese – Chuck-E-Cheese does not charge admission; instead kids purchase a play pass to play games. Chuck-E-Cheese has a playscape in addition to a variety of games for younger kids.