Fun Indoor Places for Little Kids - Kansas City Area
Finding places to take little ones in the Kansas City area where they can play, explore, and burn off some energy can be a challenge if you’re new to looking! As a parent of two kids (ages 6 and 4), I've spent plenty of time since my kids were little searching for spots around Kansas City that are fun, safe, and engaging for young children. After countless outings and trial runs, I've rounded up some of our favorite spots to play in the KC metro that both kids and parents will enjoy. Whether you're looking for a cozy play café, an interactive museum, or a spot to let your toddlers splash and climb, this guide has something for everyone!
Indoor Fun for Littles
Busy Bean Play Café
This cozy café in Liberty, MO offers the perfect combination of coffee and playtime. While your kids explore the Busy Bean Play Cafe play space filled with toys and imaginative activities, you can sip on your favorite drink and spend time with a friend. Afternoons are usually less crowded, making it ideal for a relaxed playdate.
💰 $8 per child, $5 per sibling. Reservations recommended!
📍 249 W. Mill Street, Suite 101, Liberty, MO
Check out my guide to play cafes in Kansas City!
Club Run & Jump
If your kids love bouncing, climbing, and sliding, they’ll be thrilled by this space-themed indoor play spot. Club Run & Jump has one of the best toddler-friendly play areas in town, making it great for energetic little ones. You’ll want to join in the fun!
💰 Free for under age 1, $12 for ages 1-3, $14 for ages 4+
📍 2099 E. Santa Fe, Olathe, KS
More on indoor play places here!
Family Tree Nursery
Family Tree Nursery is a peaceful outing for little ones who love simple joys like feeding koi fish, for just a quarter per handful! Adults will love grabbing a drink at Café Equinox and exploring the fabulous plants and flowers. It’s a low-key but fun experience for toddlers and parents alike.
📍 7036 Nieman Rd, Shawnee, KS
Foundry Church Open Gym
This Lenexa, KS church offers a fantastic open gym that’s free and open to the public for all ages. There’s also a room at Foundry Church specifically designed for children 5 and under with a cute playset. When the weather is nice, you can easily walk over to Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park.
🕥 Tuesday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (check online for booked events)
📍 8835 Lackman Rd., Lenexa, KS
More on fun coffee + play options here!
Green Hills Library - MCPL
The interactive play area at this Mid-Continent Public Library branch is amazing for little kids. Fruit-shaped cubbies, a play kitchen, early literacy computer games, and educational toys make it an excellent spot for learning through play. Don’t miss their toddler and preschool storytimes at Green Hills Library, which are free and fun! You’ll also enjoy visiting cafe Novella inside!
🕥 Mon-Thurs: 9 AM - 9 PM, Fri: 9 AM - 6 PM, Sat: 10 AM - 6 PM, Sun: 12 PM - 5 PM
📍 8581 N Green Hills Rd., Kansas City, MO
Humanette Kinder Cafe
An adorable play cafe in the heart of Brookside - Humanette - is one of the newest play cafes in the KC metro. It has a spacious play area with a tall play house with a slide, art station, baby and toddler activities, a nursing room, and working space. You can even take advantage of the Supervised Play option if you want one of the staff to watch your kids while you get some work done!
💰Starting at $7 - $15 per child
📍 118 W. 63rd Street Kansas City, MO 64113
Impact Gymnastics
This gymnastics center offers parent-tot open play sessions during the week and on Sundays, where kids can climb, jump, and explore in a safe environment. Impact Gymnastics has a huge play area, zip-line, giant swing, slides, and balance equipment. The parent-tot play time is open for little ones just starting to walk up to age 5.
💰 $8 for weekday sessions, $12 on Sundays
🕥 Monday-Friday 11 AM-12 PM, Sunday 11 AM-12:30 PM
📍 9063 Bond St., Overland Park, KS
More open gym options for little ones!
Inspired Play Cafe
With calming play spaces designed to spark creativity, Inspired Play Cafe now has two locations: Overland Park and Merriam. This is one of our favorite places to spend an afternoon! They have special classes, events, and activities so check the online calendar. Parents can either join in the fun or relax with a coffee or lunch from the café.
💰 $10-$19 per play session
🕥 Reserve playtime online
📍 6527 W 119th St., Overland Park, KS; 5640 Antioch Rd., Merriam, KS
Learn more on my play cafes in Kansas City guide!
KidScape at Johnson County Museum
If your kids love imaginative play, this career-themed play area inside the Johnson County Museum is a hit. Kids can explore a pretend diner, doctor’s office, market, covered wagon, and more for just $4. KidScape is an affordable option for indoor play!
💰 $4 per child over age 1, $6 per adult
📍 8788 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS
Kanga’s Indoor Playcenter
This expansive indoor playground in Independence, MO has everything from climbing structures to a dedicated toddler area. Perfect for rainy days or when you need an easy play option. Plus, Kanga’s Indoor Playcenter has a discounted playtime during weekday mornings. This is one of my kids’ favorite places to play, but it can get busy!
💰 Free under age 1, $11.99 for ages 1-2, $14.99 for ages 3-12
📍 19700 E Jackson Dr Suite G, Independence, MO
Check out the best indoor play places in Kansas City here.
Let’s Play at Science City
Open to parents with kids ages 3 and under, this indoor play area inside Science City includes a small kitchen for prepping bottles, a nursing room, and plenty of play options. It's a fantastic space just for toddlers, but note that older kids aren’t allowed inside.
💰 $17 per person for Science City, free under 12 months
🕥 Tues-Sat 10 AM-5 PM, Sun 12 PM-5 PM (Closed Mondays)
📍 30 W Pershing Rd., Kansas City, MO
Little Explorers Playroom
This imaginative playroom is a dream for little ones. At Little Explorers Playroom in Kansas City, kids can explore a market room, clubhouse, kitchen, climbing wall, and baby play zone with a small bounce house. We went on a Friday morning and were the only ones visiting, so that may be a good day to explore!
💰 $12 per kid, $10 per sibling, $5 per adult
📍 7403 Troost Ave., Kansas City, MO
More on this play cafe here!
MY Play Café
This series of cozy play cafés in the Kansas City metro are thoughtfully designed for young children. Parents can enjoy coffee or boba drinks while kids explore the safe and imaginative play space. A two-hour play session at MY Play Cafe is just $12 per child, making it a budget-friendly outing.There are three locations across the metro and each one has plenty of space to play!
💰 $12 per child for 2 hours
📍 6529 N Cosby Ave., Kansas City, MO || 659 SW 2nd St., Lee’s Summit, MO || 810 Creekside Dr., Gardner, KS
Learn about all the play cafes in KC here.
Peace Pavilion
The Toddler Tracks Room at the Peace Pavilion in Independence, MO is a hidden gem stocked with toddler-friendly toys. There's also an adjoining nursing and feeding room for added convenience. The museum itself offers even more family-friendly fun, but this room is perfect for a calm afternoon out. Plus, it’s super affordable!
💰 $7 per person (kids under 2 are free)
🕥 Thurs-Sat 10 AM-4 PM
📍 607 W 23rd St., Independence, MO
Petite Performances at Kauffman Center
These Kansas City Symphony events are tailored specifically for children 6 and under. The Petite Performances are short, engaging concerts followed by a chance for kids to explore an “instrument petting zoo” to play with instruments on the symphony stage. Tickets go fast and are announced about a month in advance, so keep an eye out!
💰$6 per person
🕥 Select Saturdays
📍 1601 Broadway Blvd., Kansas City, MO
Scheels
More than just a store, Scheels features a free play area, $1 bowling, an arcade, a cafe, and even a Ferris wheel (36” height requirement). It’s a great mix of fun and entertainment for the whole family. We love spending a couple hours wandering around Scheels!
📍 6503 W 135th St., Overland Park, KS
Splash with Me at the Lenexa Rec
This kid-friendly indoor pool at the Lenexa Rec features small bucket dumps, fountains, and shallow play areas. It’s perfect for year-round water fun with kids 5 and under. The big pools are closed during this time. We’ve gone a few times and the kids always have a blast! Parents, plan to wear a swimsuit because you’ll probably get wet!
💰$3 per person
🕥 Sun - Fri, 10:00 - 11:30 AM
📍 17201 W 87th St. Pkwy., Lenexa, KS
Superkidz Club
This fun indoor play space offers a special Toddler Tuesday from 9 AM to 12 PM for children 4 and under. Superkidz Club is a great spot to burn off energy and socialize with other toddler parents. My kids love the large ball bit here and the toddler play area is great for little kids.
💰 $12.99 per child (Toddler Tuesday)
📍 12219 Shawnee Mission Pkwy., Shawnee, KS
Here’s the full list of indoor play places in KC!
Tiny Tots Indoor Play
This adorable play café in Overland Park, KS features two large rooms filled with toys and activities. They have a small cafe with snacks and beverages. Tiny Tots Indoor Play is geared toward children ages 6 and under and makes for adorable play dates. Afternoons are the least busy!
💰 $7 per person for 1.5 hours
📍 14718 S Harlan Rd., Olathe, KS
There are some great play cafes in KC! Check out this guide.
Wonderscope Children’s Museum of Kansas City
The Tot Spot section at Wonderscope Children’s Museum is a must-visit for little ones. With hands-on exhibits, creative play opportunities, and a nursing/diaper-changing station (not private), it's a wonderful outing for families. We have loved visiting Wonderscope since my kids were toddlers!
💰 $16 ages 2-15, $12 adults
🕥 Tues-Fri 9 AM-4 PM, Sat 9 AM-5 PM, Sun 12 PM-5 PM (Closed Mondays)
📍 433 E Red Bridge Rd., Kansas City, MO
Every spot on this list has been a hit with my kids, and I hope they bring your family just as much joy. There’s nothing better than finding a place where kids can have fun while parents enjoy a little breather — maybe even with a cup of coffee in hand. I encourage you to check out these places for your next outing, and if you discover a new gem, I’d love to hear about it! Happy exploring!
Pricing, hours, and availability are all subject to change. Please visit the business’s website before your visit for the most up to date information.
2/10/25 - Gabrielle Isom
