Sunday, February 24, 2013

NOVA Indoor Attractions for Toddlers

Live in northern VA? Here are some of the places that my boys and I have visited over the past 2 years...

*Note that schedules often change during the summer months*

National Children's Museum  (National Harbor, MD)
http://www.ncm.museum/
In addition to the main museum, they have a play area for ages 3 and under with a small infant play area. Have lots of fun imaginative play areas such as a general store, a fire truck, a kitchen, an airport, etc. If you plan to go on a weekend you need to purchase tickets online for a specific time slot.

Milla's Playland (Gainesville)

Bounce Mania (Gainesville)

Skate N Fun Zone (Manassas)
http://www.skatenfunzone.com/
They have toddler skates on Tuesday mornings, $5 per skater. They also have an indoor play structure in the back.

Sky Zone (Manassas)

Billy Beez (Manassas Mall)

Rebounderz (Manassas) 

Play N Learn Playground Superstore (Chantilly)
http://playnlearn.com/party-play/free-play/
They open their showroom and offer 2 hours of play for $8/child.

nZone (Chantilly)
http://thenzone.com/
The nZone offers toddler classes (soccer, etc.) on their indoor fields/courts. They host birthday parties, toddler fun days (now every Tues and Thurs morning!), and parents night out babysitting services.

Chibi's Indoor Playground (Ashburn)
http://www.chibisindoorplayground.com/
Chibi's offers open play Mon-Sun, $10 for 90 minutes of play. They have a soft infant play room, a toy room, a play kitchen area, and a large indoor play structure with a large slide, ride on toys, etc.

Kidz Plaza (Ashburn)
 http://kidzplazaplayground.com/

Sport Bounce of Loudoun (Ashburn) 
 http://www.sportbounce.com/

The Little Gym (Gainesville)
http://www.thelittlegym.com/GainesvilleVA/Pages/default.aspx
Offers gymnastics classes for infants through age 12. Hosts birthday parties and offers a free trial class.

 Kids N Motion (Woodbridge) 
 http://www.kidsnmotion.biz/OpenPlayTimes.html
This place has bounce houses, relays, small slides, medium slides, large slides, a soft playroom for the toddlers, ride on toys and climb on toys. Although some of the equipment looks a bit older and shows some wear, my son thoroughly enjoyed himself and wasn't bored for a minute. You spend 45 minutes in the first playroom and 45 minutes in the second playroom for a total of 1hr30 mins of play. Check the website for open play times.

 Alexandria Soft Playroom (Alexandria) 
http://alexandriava.gov/recreation/info/default.aspx?id=12352#SoftPlayroom
This indoor playroom is entirely padded and perfect for little ones who may fall a lot but who love to climb. When we went it was a weekend and rather crowded, so if possible I would recommend visiting on a weekday. Also be sure to call ahead to make sure the room hasn't been reserved for the time you wish to visit. They have soft stairs, a small slide, a small ball pit, foam blocks, balls, etc. $4 per half hour.

Chuck E Cheese (Manassas)
 http://www.chuckecheese.com/locations/get/118

Kid Junction (Chantilly)
New indoor playspace with an arcade, train table, pretend play areas (grocery store, pizza shop, post office, veterinary clinic), large play structure (in progress when we went), etc.

Monkey Joe's (Dulles)
http://www.monkeyjoes.com/Dulles

Pump It Up (Manassas)
2 rooms with inflatable play structures (slides, standard bounce houses, obstacle courses, etc.) There is an age/height requirement to enter and they make you watch a safety video first.

Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center (Manassas)
http://www.freedom-center.com/aquatics/
Indoor leisure and lap pools, swim classes.

Warrenton Aquatic & Fitness Center (Warrenton)
http://www.warrentonva.gov/ParksRec/WARF/AbouttheWARF.aspx
Indoor leisure and lap pools. Claude Moore playground is right outside.

Little Lords & Ladies (Chantilly)
http://www.littlelordsandladies.com/Welcome.html
Okay so this is a children's consignment store (that I am in love with!) but they offer story time, occasional fun events/crafts, and they have a small play area with a train table that my son loves. 

Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum 

Play areas at the Fair Oaks Mall (currently under construction), Manassas Mall, Chick Fil A (Manassas, Gainesville, etc.)
Can become very crowded, and you may want to bring some (read: LOTS) of hand sanitizer.