At this time of year, Mother Nature can be extremely cooperative one day and fickle the next. This means parents and caregivers can’t always rely on taking a walk to the neighborhood playground to let kids run, slide, swing and play. Luckily there are similar indoor attractions to the rescue, with colorful tunnels, ball pits, pretend play zones and lots more to appeal to infants, toddlers and the school-aged set. Some even offer the option to book private play sessions for your pandemic pod.
Before heading out, check the website or call so you can figure out rules for attire (don’t forget your socks!), COVID-19 protocols and waivers and whether or not advance reservations are required. Wheeeee!
Jolly Yolly Kids
Open play times vary, check website for latest info
The ocean-themed playground in Fairfax has 1,200-square-feet of windows to make the space sunny and inviting. In addition to open play times, you can book 1.5 hour private play sessions for $80 Monday-Thursday and $100 Friday-Sunday, which includes admission for up to five adults and five kids, with added fees for additional kids or adults. Regular weekday admission for open play is $9.95/ages 0-2, $11.95/ages 3-13 and $8.95/sibling discounted rate; weekend and holiday admission is $12.95/ages 0-2, $15.95/ ages 3-13 and $11.95/sibling discounted rate; infants ages 12 months and younger are always free with a paid sibling, and one adult is admitted free per family, with additional adults $3 on weekdays and $5 on weekends. // 11001 Lee Highway, Suite D, 2nd Floor, Fairfax
Scramble
Sunday, Monday and Friday 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Saturday 9:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
The European-style indoor playground in Alexandria offers two-hour reserved play slots to enjoy its giant slides, pretend stores, hidden passageways, climb-on rocket ship with rotating planets and toddler area with a mini soft town; it also has a World of Play climbing area with global features like the Eiffel Tower, Egyptian mummy and the London Underground. Reserve two-hour play sessions online. Weekday pricing $10/ages 5-11 months, $12/ages 1-2 years, $14/ages 3-10 years, $2/adult; weekend and holiday pricing $12/ages 5-11 months, $14/ages 1-2 years, $20/ages 3-10 years, $2/adult. // 5412 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria
Billy Beez Manassas Mall
Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday noon-6pm
Features at this 25,000-square-foot indoor play park in Manassas include slides, sports courtes, tunnels, towers, ball blasters, bouncy trampoline and Honeycomb Village, a tot-sized town; their Mini Beez area is perfect for younger kids. $16.95/kids ages 1-17 (additional $4.95 for access to Honeycomb Village), infant free with paying child, first adult free (second adult $6.95). // 8300 Sudley Road, Suite 107, Manassas,
Beehive Indoor Playground
Daily 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
This play center in Woodbridge includes a moon bounce area, toddler area, cannon ball, three-level playground, bumper cars, imagination playground with blue blocks and video game room. Hour-and-a-half sessions must be booked in advance online, and there is a maximum of 20 kids allowed per session. $14.99 + tax/kids 10 months-12 years (includes one person ages 13 and up for free; $3.99 + tax extra for bumper cars, $.99 + tax extra for video games. // 13412 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite J-1, Woodbridge
WonderKids Indoor Playground
Monday-Saturday and holidays 10 a,m.-6 p.m., Sundays noon-6 p.m.
The Manassas park includes a kids’ jungle gym area, toddler area, ball pool, trampoline, block table and kitchen play. There is also the option to book a private two-hour play session that includes five adults and five kids for $80 Monday through Thursday and $100 Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with added fees for additional kids or adults. Regular weekday admission (Monday through Thursday is $9.95/6 months to under 1 year, $10.95/1-3 years and $11.95/4-10 years; Friday to Sunday admission is $11.95/6 months to under 1 year, $12.95/1-3 years and $13.95/4-10 years; infants aged 0-5 months and up to two parents or caregivers are always free. // 9104 Mathis Ave., Manassas
Kidz Plaza Playground
Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Friday-Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Ashburn indoor playground has a large open area with a big three-level play structure with slides, tunnels, obstacles, ball pools and interactive features, two large inflatables (Climb and Slide and an Obstacle Course) and interactive floor games. $11.50/child, $9.50/sibling, $6.50/crawlers. // 21670 Red Rum Drive, Suite #102, Ashburn
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