For little ones who need constant exploration opportunities, indoor play spaces or playgrounds can offer sensory opportunities that parents aren’t always up for creating at home. Let your kids run, bounce, climb, and play big.
This post is sponsored by LEGOLAND Discovery Center Bay Area.
Here is a round-up of indoor play spaces in the East Bay that are currently operating with drop-in hours and private space rentals.
Ready for Open Play: Kids Indoor Play Spaces in the East Bay
These indoor play areas are now open for drop-in play. Don’t forget your socks!
LEGOLAND Discovery Center, Milpitas
Enjoy the ultimate indoor LEGO® playground and build the BEST DAY EVER! Surround yourself with millions of LEGO Bricks, hop aboard the Imagination Express train ride, see your favorite characters on LEGO 4D Theater, and build epic LEGO creations alongside master builders.
Ages: 3 to 10 recommended
Location: LEGOLAND Discovery Center Bay Area, 870 Great Mall Drive, Milpitas at the Great Mall
Hours: Mon-Thu 11 am to 5 pm; Fri & Sun 11 am to 6 pm; Sat 10 am to 7 pm.
Fees: Admission is $23.99-$31.99 for a full day, kids 2 years & under are free. Adults must be accompanied by a child and vice versa. Hours change seasonally. Birthday parties and facility rental available.
Website >
Nature Playspace at OMCA, Oakland
Inside the Oakland Museum of California is a nature-themed playspace designed for toddlers. It features imaginative play and observation of science and natural phenomena. There are no large climbing structures or bouncing toys. The major bonus is that you can enjoy the full museum with cafe, and the outdoor grounds are fantastic for exploring with toddlers. Read more about our experience of Nature Playspace >
Ages: 0 to 5 but all ages will enjoy the greater museum
Location: 1000 Oak Street, Oakland, CA
Hours: Limited to Museum hours, it’s open to visitors Wednesdays through Sundays from 11 am to 5 pm.
Fees: There is no distinction between admission to the OMCA and the playspace. Adults are $19, youth are 12, and children 12 & under are free, with no time limit. Individual membership for one year is $99, with unlimited visits for the member, an adult guest, and children from your own household.
Website >
Bumblebee Playspace, Newark
Bumblebee Playspace is a large, 3,000+ square foot indoor playground for children ages 0 to 5 featuring gross motor, imaginative play, a train table, and an infant crawler room. Everyone must wear socks.
Ages: 0 to 5
Location: 35500 Dumbarton Court, Newark, CA 94560
Hours: Drop in to play Monday 10 am-2 pm; Tuesday closed; Wed – Friday 10 am-5Â pm; Saturday 10 am-5 pm Sunday 10 am-2 pm. They often close on weekends for birthday parties, so be sure to check their calendar before visiting.
Fees: Open play admission is per child and valid for the day. Adults and siblings under 1 or over 10 years old are free. Children ages 1-10 are $17; siblings ages 1-10 are $12; babies 6-11 months are $12. Private play, memberships, and parties are also available.
Website >
The Busy Bee Activity Center, Alameda
In addition to drop-in play, Busy Bee Activity Center is home to a variety of session-based classes for young children, ranging from art to Zumba-inspired movement. Drop-off supervised play is also available in the late afternoons.
Ages: 0 to 6 for open play and most classes (please check website for specifics). Fitness classes 6 to 12.
Location: Southshore Center, Alameda (Next to Daiso)
Hours:
Fees: Adults are free. $15 for drop-in play for 2 hours and $25 for drop-off play. Sibling discount available. Classes vary, priced for a session.
Website >
Jolly Roger Land, Union City
Take a look at our profile of Jolly Roger Land to see all that they offer in this massive 7,000-square-foot play space with giant play structures. Here’s the online waiver to fill out before going to smooth out the check-in process.
Ages: 0 to 12
Location: 31300 Courthouse Dr, Union City
Hours: Jolly Roger Land is open, Monday – Wednesday 10 am-7:30 pm Thursday-Sunday 10 am-8 pm.Â
Fees: The first adult is free with a paying child. Mon. – Fri. $16/kid unlimited play. Weekends $15/kid – 1 hour; $17/kid- 2 hours; $20/kid unlimited play. $7 per extra adult. Membership cards are also available.
Website >
Kids Play Zone Oakland
This family-operated indoor playground is a newer option in Oakland. Visit for climbers, slides, pretend play, and a ball pit. Drop-in play is available. Call 510-817-4384 to reserve a spot. Check out our visit to Kids Play Zone.
Ages: 0 to 10
Location: 900 Market Street, Suite M, Oakland
Hours: Most weekdays, 9 am to 4 pm (last entry at 3 pm). Weekend hours are subject to private party bookings; check their Insta feed or the calendar before going.Â
Fees:Â Adults are free. $15 for open play for the first child (6 months to 10 years), $12 for the second, and inquire directly for group reservations Memberships and private parties are also available.
Website >
PlayGround CV, Castro Valley
PlayGround in Castro Valley is a newer indoor play space that offers lots of entertaining climbing structures suitable for kids 12 and under (older kids will enjoy the Ninja School obstacle course). Check out our recent visit to get a feeling for what to expect. Print out the waiver beforehand if you’d like.
Ages: 0 to 8 for most of the facility; 8-12 for the obstacle course
Location: 3169 Castro Valley Blvd, Castro Valley
Hours: Closed Monday, Weekdays 2 to 8 pm, Weekends 10 am to 8 pm.
Fees: Adult companions are free, fees apply to ages 1 to 12. $16.50 for unlimited drop-in play on non-busy days. $25 for the first hour of drop-off play, additional hours are $12.50 (limit 4 hours). Siblings save 10%. They also have special events and drop-off movie nights for kids for $60.
Website >
PlayStar Kids, San Ramon
PlayStar Kids is a contemporary, open play space suitable for children 6 and under. Located in the posh San Ramon City Center Bishop Ranch shopping center, children can engage in a variety of active and quiet activities. Take a look at our updated profile of Play Star Kids to see the amenities. Drop-in is available during current opening hours: Tuesday – Saturday 9:30 am – 5 pm; Friday 9:30 am – 6 pm; Sunday 10 am – 5 pm Parachute time, story time, and other programming are offered each day. Party bookings are available for Sat and Sun afternoons.
Ages: 0 to 6
Location: 6000 Bollinger Canyon Road, San Ramon
Hours: Tue-Sat 9:30 am to 5 pm, Sun 10 am to 5 pm
Fees: Adult companions are free. $20 per child for a day pass plus in-and-out privileges. Sibling $5. A monthly membership is available.
Website >
Spirited Play Labs, San Ramon
Spirited Play Labs was created to be the neurodiverse inclusive play space for children aged 0-6 where you relax while your child plays their way. Explore 3,000 sf of play space without stuffy rules or overwhelming crowds. Plus, their staff are pros in childhood development & inclusion.
Ages: 0 to 6
Location: 2220 Camino Ramon – San Ramon
Hours: Mon-Fri: 9:30 am – 6:30 pm • Sat: 8 am – 5 pm
Fees: Pricing varies based on membership
Website >
Swings and Wings, Alameda
Swings and Wings on Blanding Avenue is a sensory-based play space designed and owned by an Occupational Therapist with two young children. The 4800 square foot gym is simple and sweet with lots of thoughtful touches for babies up to eight-year-olds in mind. Drop-in play is available, as are their popular monthly date nights. Socks are required for play. Read our profile of Swings and Wings to get an idea of the features.
Ages: 0 to 8 but best for toddlers and preschoolers
Location: 2307 Blanding Avenue Suite E, Alameda
Hours: Check the calendar for hours. Usually opens 9 or 10 am.
Fees: Companion adults (up to 2 with each kid) are free. Daily play passes are $17.50 for one child and $14.75 for each additional sibling. Pre-walkers pay $13.75.
Website >
KidTopia, Fremont
The KidTopia playground for kids ages 0 -12 in mind, with soft play equipment, pretend play toys, and a huge ball pit. KidTopia has a dedicated baby and toddler playground to allow younger kids to play separately. Read about our experience at KidTopia Fremont. You can sign the online waiver in advance.
Ages: 0 to 12
Location: 4620 Auto Mall Pkwy., Fremont
Hours: Mon-Fri 10 am to 7:30 pm; Weekends and holidays, register for 2 hours of play between 9:30 and 9:30.Â
Fees: Mon-Fri: $5 per adult. $16 per child for all-day play. Weekends and holidays: $5 per adult. $18 per 2 hours of play. Socks are $3 a pair.
Website >
Red Panda Play Space, Castro Valley
Indoor play space for imaginative play with costumes, pretend adulting, and other role play. Described as “small but in a good way”. See our visit to Red Panda Play Space.
Ages: 18 months to 8 years
Location: 3553 Castro Valley Blvd Second floor Ste L&M, Castro Valley
Hours: Vary, please check the calendar. Closed Tuesday.
Fees: $16 per child over age one for 2 hours of play; $14 for siblings; $12 per baby 6 months to one year; up to 2 companion adults are included. Bulk buy punch cards and memberships are available.
Website >
Gymboree, multiple locations
The OG of indoor play spaces, this longtime favorite has multiple locations in the East Bay (El Cerrito, Lafayette, Oakland, San Mateo, Pleasanton, Fremont). You’ll want to check their websites for specific pricing, recommended ages, hours, and offerings. See the website >
Thanks to LEGOLAND Discovery Center Bay Area for sponsoring this post. Check out their website and social media pages for special events.
1 thought on “Indoor Play Spaces in the East Bay”
Be Exceptional Programs has a multisensory room in Antioch that can be booked for individual or small groups (up to 8) they are vendors for Regional Center of the East Bay .