This list of indoor play areas and play cafes in Columbus will keep you sane this winter!
I can’t remember anything like play cafes existing when I was a kid! And mostly I know, deep down inside, these places were invented for the adults more than the kids. 😉
Play cafes offer everything that’s good about an at-home play date minus everything that could go wrong. Nothing can get broken, there’s room to run, you don’t have to prepare a meal and you get to have a half-way decent conversation with your mom-friend while the kids are entertained!
Play Cafes and Indoor Play Areas in Columbus:
After reading this list, don’t forget to check out 6 Free or Cheap Indoor Places for Kids to Run Wild in Columbus or my list of Over 20 Free Indoor Play Areas in Columbus.
Disclaimer: several of the play cafes listed here hosted my family to aid in the completion of this list. *Please make sure to check individual website links as hours of operation, special features and pricing may change with the seasons!*
Firefly Play Cafe
Location: 4822 N. High St., Columbus OH, 43214
Phone: 614-230-2375
Features: Indoor play area, coffee and snacks, birthday parties and special guests like Mr. Eric’s Music
Price: Kids age 12-24 months: $5, Kids 24 months and up: $8, Adults and children under 12 months: free
How to Save: Monthly and Quarterly Memberships are available
Firefly Play Cafe
piccadilly play cafe
Location: 2501 E. Main St., Bexley, OH 43209
Phone: 614-725-0204
Features: Play area plus programs like toddler art classes, little sprouts yoga, culinary institute of piccadilly, and more. Also hosts parent’s play date where you can drop your kids off and have a night out. Cafe on site.
Price: Day Pass: $8 for first child, $5 for each additional sibling. Piccadilly Express Pass (35 min play): $4, Children up to 12 months are FREE, Kids ages 11 years and up are FREE.
How to Save: Happy Hours Special: $5 per child from 2:00-5:00 PM, purchase a membership for unlimited play and discounts on programming.
piccadilly play cafe
peapod play cafe
Location: 4874 Thompson Rd., Columbus, OH 43230
Phone: 614-855-2517
Features: Indoor play area for kids 7 and under, coffee bar, art classes and special events, birthday parties
Price: Walkers through age 7: $10.00 per child, $6.00 for each additional child, Three or more children: $4.00 each additional child, Adults and sibling age 8 and up: Free
How to Save: Happy Hour happens the last hour of each day and cost is just $5 per kid! You can also purchase a 10 visit punch card for $70.
More Details: See 3 Places I Love to Take My Kids in Columbus: Julie Borm
peapod play cafe
Location: 3708 Fishinger Blvd., Hilliard OH 43026
Phone: 614-363-4041
Features: Indoor play area, cafe with full menu, birthday parties, coffee, special events
Price: $6.99 per child
How to Save: On Mondays and Wednesdays $9.99 admission includes a kids meal. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, $10 admission includes an hour of jump time at Get Air (next door) from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM.
More Details: See 3 Places I Love to Take My Kids in Columbus: Helen Bosacki
Fun in the Jungle
Location: 345 McGill St., Sunbury, OH 43074
Phone: 740-913-0692
Features: large indoor play area, toddler soft play zone, mini bowling, virtual reality games, cafe with food and drinks, arcade games, parties, special needs sensory hours on the first Sunday of each month.
Price: Play place: $7/child for all day, Kids 2 and under are $2 during the week and $4 on the weekend, Additional costs for bowling, arcade and virtual reality.
How to Save: Toddler Hours for ages 4 and under happen on Saturday from 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM and are $2/child, Weekday special is $5 for play place and $5 for arcade Tuesday-Thursday.
Fun in the Jungle
Recreations Outlet
Location: 484 W. Olentangy/Powell Rd., Powell, Ohio 43065
Phone: 614-792-3700
Features: Large indoor play area features play equipment like slides, swings, climbing, etc., small soccer field, basketball hoops, play houses, trampolines and more.
Price: Monday-Friday: $6/child ages 1 and up for 2 hours of play, Weekends: $8/child ages 1 and up for 2 hours of play, School Holidays: $8/child ages 1 and up for 2 hours of play
How to Save: Charitable play happens on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM for a donation of $2/child. Donations are given to local non-profit organizations.
More Details: See $2 Tuesdays: Recreations Outlet, Columbus Zoo and Tacos!
Recreations Outlet
Magic Mountain Polaris
Location: Polaris: 8350 Lyra Drive, Columbus, OH 43240, East: 5890 Scarborough Blvd., Columbus, OH 43232
Phone: Polaris: 614-840-9600 East: 614-892-3335
Features: Playland for kids 58 inches and under, includes a climbing gym with interactive elements
Price: Ages 3 and up: $5 on weekdays and $6.50 on weekends Kids under age 3: $3
How to Save: Labor Day through Memorial Day you can purchase a season pass for $35/person ($15 for additional siblings). Pass offers admission 7 days a week plus special discounts on additional add ons such as $1 off a kids combo meal.
Blue Monkey
Location: 6772 Kilowatt Circle, Blacklick, OH 43004
Phone: 614-828-8236
Features: Mostly available for parties, the center offers 5 inflatable areas, green screen and carnival games for birthday parties and events, however open play hours are available throughout the week. Visit their calendar for details.
Price: $10/child during open play hours
How to Save: Toddler hours for ages 1-4 are Thursdays from 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM and are $7 for the first child, $5 for each additional child.
More Details: See: 3 Things to Do With Your Kids in Pickerington (Blue Monkey has since moved to Blacklick, Ohio)
Blue Monkey Parties and Events
little kidspace at COSI
Location: 333 West Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614-228-2674
Features: Within COSI, kids 1st grade and under can play in the little kidspace on the second floor. This huge space includes water play, an art studio, imaginative play area including farm stand, house, barn and truck. Other play area features a medical theme with a doctor’s office, ambulance, helicopter and more!
Price: $25 for those age 13 and up, $20 for kids age 2-12, kids under 2 are free. Price includes admission to the entire museum.
How to Save: A membership is a must here to save money. While there are several membership levels, the Basic Family membership is $149/year. If you live in or relatively near Columbus, you could conceivably come here once a week, making your cost per visit less than $3 for the whole family!
little kidspace at COSI
Galaxy Golf and Games
Location: 3700 Interchange Rd., Columbus, OH 43204
Phone: 614-351-8400
Features: The whole facility includes mini-golf, an arcade, party rooms and a FunGym. The FunGym includes ball pits, climbing, slides, tunnels and more. There is also a toddler area with a play house, ball pit and ride-on toys.
Price: Ages 1-2: $2.99, Ages 3-10: $4.99
How to Save: Combos are available to include golf (seasonal) and the arcade. A Pizza Fun Deal features a large cheese pizza, pitcher, 15 tokens and a choice of two admissions to FunGym or Golf.
Galaxy Golf and Games
Fun Town Play and Learn Cafe
Location: 2000 Hard Road, Columbus Ohio 43235
Phone: 614-285-7503
Features: A town-themed play area including a pet store, gas station, grocery store and more! The space also hosts parents night out activities, parties and Spanish classes. A cafe with drinks and snacks is also available! The space is also available for birthday parties!
On the first Tuesday of each month kids can partake in a free Spanish class when you pay admission. Another fun thing to do: mail a letter at the post office and Fun Town will mail it to your child at home!
Price: General admission for 1 child: $7.00, 2 children: $12.00, 3 children: $15.00, beyond that $5/child. Infant through 12 months and adults are free.
How to Save: Fun Town Card Deals are available for multiple visits and equal out to one free visit. Annual memberships are available and annual members get a 10% discount on private classes.
Fun Town Play and Learn Cafe
Momi Land Play Cafe
Location: 704 Radio Dr, Lewis Center, OH 43035
Phone: 1-740-201-8764
Features: A ball pit with slides and an obstacle course play area, trampolines, foam pit, a play kitchen and market area, a mini carousel and a play area for babies!
This is a super modern play area with a commitment to cleanliness! This is the only play cafe (besides IKEA) with a ball cleaner and those balls get cleaned at least once a week! There is a party room for up to 25 kids available for rent and a break room for eating snacks or lunch. This is a peanut free facility.
Momi Land Play Cafe
Recommended for kids up through age 8, adults and kids alike must wear socks inside the play area. Trampoline socks are available for purchase for children if you need them and adults can wear regular socks.
Price: $15 for the first child, $10 for each additional child. Children under 2 are $10 and children under 12 months with a paid sibling are free. You may stay as long as you like.
How to Save: Buy a 10 pack of visits for $129 or purchase a membership for $49/month for the first child, $29/month for the second child and $10/month for each additional child. Membership includes unlimited play 7 days a week and 20% off party packages.
Momi Land Play Cafe
*Please make sure to check individual website links as hours of operation, special features and pricing may change with the seasons!
Need even more ideas? Try 100 Fun Things to do in Columbus, Ohio
ICYMI: 3 Places I Love to Take My Kids in Columbus: Malini Swank
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