Creation Station at the Museum of Transportation
Designed for kids of all ages, the National Museum of Transportation showcases almost 200 exhibits and is the perfect outing for St. Louis families. The Creation Station, a hands-on learning experience for children ages 5 and under, can be reserved for birthday parties and similar events, but it’s first-come, first-serve for all other purposes. $8 for kids, $16 for adults with trolley costs included. Additional $3 for the Creation Station. 314-965-6212, 2933 Barrett Station.
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Miss Kelly’s Gym
With locations in Creve Coeur and Cottleville, Miss Kelly’s Gym is a family-owned gymnastics facility for children ages 10 months to 12 years old. The gym hosts open motor skill and Mommy & Me classes, as well as private birthday parties and open gym hours. Open gym is $15 per hour for kids not currently enrolled at the gym and children under 1 year old are admitted for free. 314-439-1100; 12802 Olive, Creve Coeur; 6131 Mid Rivers Mall, Cottleville.
YuCanDu
YuCanDu Art Studio in Webster Groves offers an accessible, creative outlet for ages 5 and up. Open studio projects include painting, collage work, mosaic art, and more. Assisted studio time is also available for an additional fee. For a more hands-on, directed artistic experience kids in kindergarten through age 9 have the opportunity to enroll in summer art camps and after-hours art club meetings. Open Studio prices range from $20–$150 per project, and studio fees are $5 per hour or $12 per day. 314-963-4400, 20 Allen.
The Magic House
The beloved Kirkwood institution is full of hands-on exhibits and educational programs for children of all ages. Check out the Story Time Magic exhibit, the STEAM Center, a three-story beanstalk-inpired climbing structure, an art studio, and a play space dedicated to toddlers ages 2 and younger. As a nonprofit, The Magic House aims to spark children’s creativity and imagination while integrating elements of problem-solving skills and education. Check the website for pricing options. 314-822-8900, 516 S. Kirkwood.
Go Play!
Designed on the cornerstones of cleanliness, service, and fun, Go Play! is a one-stop shop for all things indoor playground- and party-related. The Chesterfield playroom–which soon will open a sister location in Lake St. Louis–features a three-story play structure, full concessions offerings, and can be reserved for private party rooms. $21 for children up to 15, $10 for children 6 months–1 year, parents get in for free. 636-893-8134,140 Long.
Powder Valley Nature Center
Nestled in a quiet corner of Kirkwood, Powder Valley Nature Center is a free “educational nature oasis” spanning more than 100 acres. Open Tuesday through Saturday, it features three paved trails, as well as indoor amenities such as a nature center and a 3,000-gallon aquarium. 314-301-1500, 11715 Cragwold.
Upper Limits
With two area locations, in Maryland Heights and Chesterfield, the climbing facility offers engaging activities for all ages, including Wacky Walls, a climbing gym, and a fitness area. A day pass is $21; $19 for children. 314-991-2516, 314-241-7625.
Saint Louis Science Center
Inspire a love of science at the free Forest Park attraction, where families can explore an ever-changing array of exhibitions, as well as special events and ticketed attractions. From building a bot to digging up a dino to traveling to space, there are no limits to exploration. 314-289-4400, 5050 Oakland.
Myseum
Spark your kids’ creativity at this popular Town & Country attraction, where families can discover strange patterns from alien-like ferrofluid, help (stuffed) animals heal, and create obstacles on a magnetic ball wall. A combination children’s museum/science center/indoor playground, Myseum features more than 30 exhibits an array of interests. $10.95 plus tax for ages 2–17. 636-220-7930, 283 Lamp and Lantern Village.
Climb So iLL
With two area locations (in Lafayette Square and St. Charles), Climb So iLL offers indoor climbing, yoga, and fitness fro climbers of all skill levels. Admission starts at $23; rental gear is $12. 1419 Carroll; 650 N. Main, St. Charles.
Urban Air Adventure Park
This indoor trampoline and amusement park in Sunset Hills features slides, a foam pit, an obstacle course, climbing walls, and virtual reality games, among other options. Filled with loads of fun for children and adults, the adventure park offers walk-in appointments, summer camps, and private birthday parties. Admission starts at $23.99; $11.99 for ages 5 and under. 10990 Sunset Hills Plaza.
City Museum
St. Louis’ most iconic indoor playground, City Museum offers climbing structures, ball pits, circus shows, and more. (Read more here.) Single-day tickets start at $20; children under age 2 and under get in free. 750 N. 16th, 314-231-2489.
Edwardsville Children’s Museum
The goal of this Illinois gem is to stimulate curiosity and cultivate learning in young children. The neighborhood location offers programming for newborn babies through 12 year old children, including baby sign language, preschool playgroups, story time, and more. Admission can be purchased as a day pass or annual membership, and the party rooms can be reserved for children’s birthday parties online. Admission is $10 per guest ages 1–12 and $8 for those 13 and older. 722 Holyoake, Edwardsville, Illinois. 618-692-2094.
Sky Zone Trampoline Park
With area locations in Fenton, Shrewsbury, and Ballwin, Sky Zone offers indoor options to burn off energy with freestyle jump arenas, ultimate dodgeball, and mock-ninja warrior courses. Single-day passes start at $22.99. 631 Gravois, Fenton; 7375 Watson, Shrewsbury; 14820 Manchester, Ballwin.
Museum of Illusions
Located in City Foundry STL, the museum offers captivating illusion rooms and “mind-bending” installations, both of which push the boundaries of reality (and provide some fun photo ops). Our favorite part? The super-cool gift shop. Regular admission tickets start at $29.60. 3730 Foundry Way.
Grandma’s Playroom
The South County indoor playroom (which went viral on TikTok) offers daily open play, specialized holiday events, and private play dates and birthday parties. $12 for one child, $10 per additional sibling. 314-270-3291, 9981 Lin Ferry.
TotSpot Social – Clayton/DeMun
Kristen and Kevin Smith, parents of two young children, opened TotSpot Social in December 2024 to help families navigate the challenges of leaving the house with kids. Located in the Clayton/DeMun neighborhood, the space combines an indoor play area, a café with kid-friendly snacks, and birthday-party planning. Offering amenities like a baby care room, workshops, and evening hours, TotSpot aims to provide a stress-free and enjoyable experience for families and adults alike. 6451 Clayton.
Urban Fort Play – City Foundry STL
After the closure of beloved family hubs Urban Fort Play and Honeycomb, Erin Prewitt is reviving their spirit with a new Urban Fort Play in Midtown’s City Foundry, set to open in early 2026. The 4,600-square-foot space will combine an indoor playspace, a café, a toy boutique, and multifunctional areas for classes and events. Prewitt, a mother and veteran, says she has a goal to create a community-focused hub offering joy, resources, and partnerships to make the space accessible and enriching for all. 3730 Foundry Way.
Little’s Loft – Kirkwood
Hannah and Alex Campbell, the former owners of Spencer’s Grill, are launching Little’s Loft Play Café in Kirkwood this winter, combining a kids’ play area with a café designed for adults to relax. The space offers a “yes space” where children can play freely while parents enjoy premium coffee, croissants, and a full menu of soups, sandwiches, and snacks. With play sessions priced at $15 per child and an emphasis on community events, elevated parties, and family-friendly design, the Campbells have a mission to create a welcoming haven for both kids and their caregivers. 117 Argonne.
Lava Island
Lava Island, the “largest indoor themed playground,” is bringing its family-friendly fun to Rock Hill in late 2025 with a 30,000-square-foot tropical-themed space. The playground will feature trampolines, foam pits, a volcano slide, toddler play zones, and immersive party rooms designed for kids and adults to enjoy together. Focused on creating an inclusive, screen-free environment, Lava Island offers a vibrant destination where families can play, eat, and celebrate under one roof. 9610 Manchester.
Little Diggers
This popular indoor sandbox experience is set to bring its construction-themed play paradise to St. Louis by early 2026. Featuring over 50 tons of sand and more than 100 toys—including ride-on excavators—kids can dig, build, and explore while developing creativity and motor skills. With spotless facilities, imaginative birthday party options, and plenty of fun for “little excavators,” Little Diggers promises a clean, sensory-rich escape for families to play and learn together.
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Sensory-friendly indoor play areas
Circus Flora
Each summer’s run of shows features a special sensory-friendly night for guests on the autism spectrum and those with other sensitivities. Call to learn which show is designated as sensory-friendly. 314-827-3830. 3401 Washington.
The Magic House’s Calming Corner
Kids love The Magic House, but it can also be loud and crowded. Take a break at the Calming Corner for a little breather. It’s a soothing space with soft lighting, neutral colors, quiet games, and a mesmerizing six-foot bubble tube. The Calming Corner is also a cozy spot for nursing moms who want a little extra privacy. The Calming Corner is located on the lower level near the Star-Spangled Center. 314-822-8900. 516 S. Kirkwood.
Missouri History Museum
Located on the museum’s lower level, the Nursing & Sensory-Friendly Room offers a calming space to visitors who may need a break from the sights and sounds. The Museum also provides free sensory kits for checkout. The kits come with noise-canceling headphones, anti-glare glasses, fidget toys, security blankets, among other items geared toward making each visit comfortable for everyone. 314-746-4599. 5700 Lindell.
We Rock the Spectrum
Get your wiggles out at a gym that’s safe, nurturing, and totally fun. The gyms in both Fenton, Missouri, and Edwardsville, Illinois, are open to all kids, but the equipment is designed to aid kids with sensory processing disorders and different levels of skills. There are slides, tunnels, a crash pit, zip line, and so much more. Stop by for Open Play, book a birthday party, or sign up for a summer camp. 636-529-8282. 2075 Bentley Plaza, Fenton. 618-307-5834. 1015 Century, Edwardsville.
Enterprise Center
New in 2023, the Enterprise Center’s Lauren Daigle Sensory Room is outfitted with bean bags, visual light and activity panels, bubble walls, and custom tactile artwork created by an autistic artist. At the main concourse level and near the guest services kiosk at portal 19, the designated room serves as a way to connect families to the events they’re attending, even when they need a moment to step away. To access the room, families merely need to check in at the guest services desk. 1401 Clark.
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