15 fun indoor play spaces in Pittsburgh and the surrounding region

Photo above courtesy of Sky Zone.

The cold weather and snow have arrived in the Pittsburgh region. But kids (and grownups, too) still have plenty of energy to burn up, even if they can’t go outside and play. There are plenty of indoor play spaces in Pittsburgh and beyond that offer all kinds of opportunities for exercise and fun.

Check out more than a dozen of the region’s most popular spots: 

Zone 28, 2525 Freeport Road, Harmarville

Although the Zone 28 location has long been home to a bowling alley,  this entertainment destination was renovated and expanded a few years ago to include much more. Along with 33 lanes of bowling (complete with gutter bumpers for the youngest bowlers), Zone 28’s 50,000-square-foot complex includes a massive arcade, laser tag, an escape room (book in advance) and virtual reality gaming. Party rooms cater to birthday groups of all ages. And you’ll find plenty of dining and refreshments at the Rail House Restaurant and End Zone Sports Bar. Open Wednesdays through Sundays.

Snapology, 1350 Old Pond Road, Bridgeville

Kids who love imagining and building with toys like K’Nex, LEGOs and other technology will have a great time getting creative at Snapology. Creative play hours offer self-driven STEAM fun Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. Little learners ages 5 and older can be dropped off for up to three hours of free play. Launched in Pittsburgh, the global chain Snapology now has more than 140 locations worldwide.

Neville Roller Drome, 5109 Neville Road, Neville Island

Wednesdays through Sundays, this Neville Island landmark welcomes kids and adults for skating and rollerblading. They offer family, artistic, teen and adult skate sessions as well as select homeschooler skate times. Check out their website for some rules, including these: Minors can’t be dropped off for Friday and Saturday evening sessions. And anyone between the ages of 10 and 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian (21 years or older) unless using their own personal skates. 

Fun Slides Carpet Skatepark, Pines Plaza Shopping Center, McCandless

What exactly is carpet skating? Kids 3 and older can find out at Fun Slides as they attach special footwear to their (closed-toe) shoes and begin sliding down ramps throughout this colorful play space. Kids will find an obstacle course and a bounce house, plus dodgeball and carpet hockey. All first-time skaters are assigned a skate instructor who works with them until they’re comfortable “skating” on their own. Open 7 days a week for public skate, “toddler time” and more. See calendar here.

The Landing, 330 Hookstown Grade Road, Moon

With no membership needed, the enormous (50,000 square feet) Landing facility is open to families, sports teams and any other groups who are looking for indoor exercise. In addition to the soccer field, there’s a gymnasium, state-of-the-art auditorium, meeting rooms, a café and a soft play space only for little ones 42” and under. Explore Landingtown, kids can visit Auto Alley, Bouncy Boulevard, Friendship Field, Scooter Way and more. Register for weekday free play or rent the space for a party.

Fun Fore All, 8 Progress Ave., Cranberry

Year-round, Fun Fore All is ready for families: Along with tons of outdoor activities, this entertainment complex offers more than 70 indoor arcade games and a 3D dark ride. It’s perfect for rainy day play and birthday parties, and even a round of cold-weather mini-golf under their holiday lights.

Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, 10 Children’s Way, North Side

This incredible family resource on the North Side was designed to inspire curiosity and learning with an enormous dose of fun. The museum is open daily, with 80,000 square feet of exhibits and learning spaces, including the groundbreaking MakeShop. Bigger kids age 10 and older may prefer to head across the street to the MuseumLab, where they can indulge in art, tech and making, and also explore the Gymlacium. Get tickets here (note: the Children’s Museum participates in Museums for All, offering steep discounts for families who receive public assistance).

SeaBase Family Fun Center, 770 E. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg

Admission at SeaBase — just $6 per person for everyone, ages 1 and up — gives families access to two giant play gyms, a huge toddler area, an interactive game floor, a musical play space and more. There is no time limit. You can stay all day. But there is no readmission once a visitor leaves. Extra fun at this complex open since 1995 includes laser tag ($3), laser maze ($3) and train ride ($2). Open 7 days a week, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Switch & Signal Skatepark, 7518 Dickson St., Swissvale

Swissvale’s 12,000-square-foot indoor skate park is great for experienced skaters and very welcoming to newbies. Staffers are available to teach basic skills, and kids who aren’t sure if skating is for them can borrow a skateboard at no cost. Families can also rent protective pads and helmets. Check their site for open skate sessions and class schedules. 

The Seesaw Center, 935 Pine Ave., Castle Shannon

At this nonprofit indoor play center, children of all abilities and ages (from infants to kindergarteners) can enjoy fun and relaxing indoor play with parents and caregivers. Open six days a week from September through May, Seesaw Center is all about imaginative play, gross motor skill development, sensory exploration and reading. Along with daily passes, families can buy an annual admission pass ($85/year for the whole family).

Pittsburgh Toy Lending Library, 5401 Centre Ave., Shadyside

This volunteer-run space offers members-only Play Sessions (masks are currently required) and public Play Sessions ($5/child or $10/family) for kids from birth through kindergarten. The library lends out more than 400 toys and promotes early childhood development through creative play, with parenting books and resources available for caregivers. 

The Wheel Mill, 6815 Hamilton Ave., Point Breeze

You can cycle even when the roads are snow-covered. Just visit the 80,000-square-foot indoor Wheel Mill, where kids can spend hours making their way up and down ramps and across trails constructed mainly from reclaimed materials. Day passes and memberships are both available, as are bike rentals. Take classes or just bring your young riders (all skill levels welcome) for a fun day of cycling. 

Lilliput Towne Center, 4125 Washington Road, McMurray

This tiny town is full of big fun for kids who want to play grown-up. There are a ton of options, from two-hour play sessions to all-day (9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on weekdays) play passes and even private sessions where kids can explore the entire town. Weekend hours vary, depending on whether a private party has been booked (check their Facebook page or call 724-942-3022 to confirm).

Sky Zone Trampoline Park, Monroeville and Canonsburg

When kids are in the mood to jump, Sky Zone has them covered with locations in Monroeville and Canonsburg with everything from SkySlam basketball and Ultimate Dodgeball to SkyRobics fitness classes and more. You’ll need to sign a waiver in advance of playing. Parents can buy 90-minute or two-hour passes, or all-day passes for kids who really want to let off some steam. “Little leapers” up to age 5 are welcome for their own safe play, and kids 10 and over are welcome for glow fun under black lights on Friday and Saturday nights. Sky Zone socks ($3/pair) are required.

Carnegie Science Center’s Highmark SportsWorks, One Allegheny Ave., North Shore

There is a ton of STEM learning to be had at the Carnegie Science Center. But right next door kids can have even more fun at SportsWorks, where more than two dozen interactive exhibits let kids do incredible things. They can discover the Physics of Sports by becoming a “human yo-yo,” learn CPR to the beat of the disco hit “Stayin’ Alive,” use lasers to clock their MLB swing speed (and find out if they could hit a home run out of PNC Park) and much more. Open every day except Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Want more indoor play spaces in Pittsburgh and beyond? Check out our guide to awesome spots for big kid birthday parties. And don’t miss this lineup of local bookstores you’ll love, plus our guide to the upcoming Children’s Theater and Bridge Theater festivals.