Our family is forever searching for things to do indoors to keep our active kids busy when the weather gets cold. While we’ve already got a bunch of indoor play places that we visit frequently, we’re always looking to add new ones to the list. Here are 7 popular indoor play places for you and your family to check out as the temperatures in Calgary start to drop!
Sky Castle
New Horizon Mall – 260300 Writing Creek Crescent
Sky Castle is one of Calgary’s newest indoor play spaces. Their original location opened at New Horizon Mall in 2021, and a second location is set to open near Chinook mall early in 2023. The New Horizon location includes a massive, 34 000 square foot indoor soft play space and obstacles like slides, stages, climbing walls, balance beams, ball pits and more. There’s also a “Mini Town” where kids can let their imagination take the lead as they pretend to live and work in the little community as firefighters, doctors, chefs, grocery store managers and more! The original location is open daily from 10:30 am until 8 pm. Admission for the Mini Town and Play Place are separate. Admission starts at $14.99 for kids 3 and under and $17.99 for kids 4 and up for the play place and $12.99 for all kids for the Mini Town on weekdays. Play space admission is an extra $2 on weekends and holidays. 2 parents per child receive free admission.
The Big Box
944 65th Avenue NE
Photo via urba.today
The Big Box opened in 2019 and has been a popular indoor play places for YYC families since. Even though many people flock there for days when going outside isn’t an option, it doesn’t feel overcrowded. This is because the space is absolutely HUGE. With multiple climbing structures, inflatables, ball pits, slides, life-sized building blocks, baby play area and more, there is no shortage of things to do in the 25 000-square foot “Leisure Lagoon”. For an extra cost, kids and adults can also try out the aerial ropes course, arcade, Bumper Cars and Virtual Reality games. A couple of tips: because of its huge size, I wouldn’t recommend taking more than one young child here without an extra set of hands – it’s easy to lose sight of busy kiddos who want to go in two different directions. They also require special “grip” socks, so either wear your own or be prepared to buy a pair when you get there. Kids of all ages are sure to love this place (and parents will, too!) Weekday admission starts at $7.99 for 1-3 year olds, $11.99 for 4-14 year olds and $15.99 for kids 15 and up during the week for the Leisure Lagoon. Prices increase $4 on weekends and holidays. They are currently offering a monthly flex pass for $65 where pass holders can play as much as they like, all month long! 2 parents per child receive free admission.
Big Fun
261024 Dwight McLellan Trail, Blazac, AB
If you’re looking for the perfect place to help your entire family burn off some major energy, this is it. Mazes, slides, obstacle courses and pirate ships are just some of the attractions you’ll find among the 25 (or more) inflatable play spaces available at any given time. Big Fun does require you to wear special “Frog” socks that are only available to purchase from their establishment, but once you’ve bought a pair for $3, you can bring them for any future visit. Reviewers have also said that they are pretty strict about their “no outside food” policy, so if you’re hungry, be prepared to purchase food from their concession. Admission starts at $7.99 for toddlers 2-4, $12.99 for kids 5-12, and $16.99 for general admission (13 and up) during the week. Prices increase $5 on the weekends for toddlers and kids and $3 for general admission on the weekends. 2 parents per child (or one parent and one baby per child) receive free admission.
First Alliance Church
12345 40 Street SE
First Alliance Church offers a free play space for kids between ages 3-9 to explore (3-year-olds must be potty trained). Located in the South Atrium, parents can take a break and watch their kiddos climb, play and slide while they relax at tables nearby. Outside food and drinks are permitted, but there is also a café where you can purchase yummy snacks, coffee and other beverages. They’re open Wednesdays from 9 am to 3 pm. Parents must register online in advance to secure a 2 hour slot.
KidzGo
688 Heritage Dr SE #100
KidzGo is located near Costco, Ikea, and the Blackfoot Farmer’s Market, so you can help your kiddo get some energy out before heading out to do some shoppingof your own afterwards! Kids will love the variety of fun activities including a kids race track, arcade zone, giant slides, climbing structures, ball pit, toddler area and gift shop/arcade redemption area. There is also a cafeteria with wide a variety of food and drinks. Admission starts at $9.45 for toddlers 1-3 and $12.35 for kids 4-13 Monday to Thursday and increases to $13.25 for kids 1-3 and $15.25 for kids 4-13 on the weekends and holidays. Parents and babies under one receive free admission. Check out their website for daily deals like $2 off admission on Tuesdays from 10 am to 5 pm, 50% off admission from 5 pm to close from Monday to Thursday and more.
Treehouse
3337 34 Avenue NE and 240 Midpark Way SE
Treehouse is another one of our family’s favourites. We started visiting the south location when our son was about 2-years-old, and while he needed a little bit of help with some of the climbing, he was able to navigate most of the other obstacles while my husband and I chased him around and tried to keep up. A definite highlight for all of us was the huge ball pit area that comes complete with cannons to shoot the balls out of. There’s also an arcade, animal riders and a separate baby/toddler play area at both locations, and the north location has an air inflatable, rock climbing and an X-box zone, so there’s something to do for everyone! Admission starts at $7.95 for toddlers 1-3 and $11.95 for kids 4-13 during the week and increases $3 on the weekends. 2 parents per child receive free admission. Admission is 50% off after 7 pm and they’re open 9 am until 9 pm.
Hide N Seek
#18, 49 Aero Drive NE
Bounce, climb, swing and slide your way through this super fun play structure in the north end of Calgary. There are plenty of fun and safe obstacles for kids of all ages to explore, whether they are playing on the Kids Structure or are hanging out in the Toddler Zone, Market Room, or Arcade zone. The lounge and cafeteria space offers a place for parents to relax while their kiddos burn off some of their pent-up energy, and it’s a great place to grab a snack after a busy day of playing! Admission starts at $7.95 for toddlers 1-3 and $13.95 for kids 4-14 during the week and increases $4 on the weekends. Parents and kids under 1 are free. Admission is reduced 30$ after 6 pm.
Flying Squirrel
5342 72 Avenue SE and #105, 572 Aero Drive NE
If you’re looking for the kind of fun that makes you jump up and down, search no further than one of Flying Squirrel’s two Calgary locations. Whether you’re just looking to bounce or you want to play dodgeball, basketball, or practice your flips, Flying Squirrel is sure to entertain you for hours. A 3D Climbing wall, Aerial Silks, Fidget Ladder, and Foam Pit will keep older kids and adults busy, while kid-sized versions are also available for any little ones who want to play. If that’s not enough, there’s also a Lazer Maze, Ninja Course, Rope Swings, Slack Line and Lyra Swing, among tons of other awesome attractions. Admission must be purchased in advance by selecting a time slot and duration for each member of your party. Admission starts at $14 for toddlers and $23 for general admission for a 60 minute slot. 90 and 120 minute slots can also be purchased.
What indoor play places are your favourites to visit in YYC? Did we miss any that should be added to our list? Let us know in the comments!
Tagged under: Indoor playgrounds,Calgary,best indoor playgrounds Calgary
Category: indoor-play
