Winter weather in Texas can be pretty unpredictable, 75 degrees and sunny one day to raining and 40 degrees the next. So it helps to have a list of favorite indoor play places handy. A few of my indoor go-to spots were mentioned in a list my fellow contributor Jenny put together: 7 Days of Indoor Play for Kids in Dallas.
In addition to the awesome ideas in that post, I would like to share a few locations for 7 MORE days of indoor play! Just for reference, I have two girls ages 4 ½ & 1 and its really important for me to find a place they can both play, have fun and burn off energy. All of these locations are suitable for either or both of them.
1. Express Cheer Dallas located at the Walnut Hill Rec Center – Open M-Th from 10:30-11:45, this is an awesome indoor play gym that has everything from trampolines for the bigger kids, to small ride on toys for the little ones. There are big and small inflatables and ample space for crawling, toddling and exploring. Its the perfect place to meet up with your friends…or make a few new friends because this place always draws a friendly crowd. Cost: $5 per child and you can come and go as you please.
2. The Coop Frisco
– This modern and fun playspace is open M-F from 9-5. There is a ball pit with a climbing structure and slides, a light up dance floor and a chicken coop themed bounce house. There is a special area made just for little ones! Baby and toddler sized toys keep their attention while their bigger sibling runs, jumps and plays the day away. Parents have comfortable seating areas within the play area, too. There is a great big art table that is a fun place for a coloring and snack break. There are snacks, juice, water, coffee and espresso for sale during regular business hours. Cost: $10 per child (9 months and under are free) and you can stay as long as you want. On Tuesdays they offer $2 off admission for open play. PS: kids can go barefoot, but grown ups need socks.
3. Bake and Play Cafe – 
We have talked about this awesome playspace before (see post here) but it happens to be one of my daughter’s favorite places to go. Its like a fully stocked playroom that serves cookies, cupcakes (and food…and wine), that you don’t have to clean up at the end of the day. There are train tables, a climbing structure, dress up closet and a life size doll house. There is also a special area just for the little ones. The whole place is pretty well baby-proofed, so I felt comfortable letting the 1 year old walk/crawl around while her sister played. Cost: $8 per child, crawlers are free. PS: both kids and adults need socks to play in the playroom.
4. Arturo’s Nest at the Dallas Museum of Art – We love this super relaxed play area at the DMA. Its full of toys, games, puzzles and, well…art! Kids are encouraged to touch everything, crawl, climb and explore the space. There is a special event for ages 5 and under on the first Tuesday of every month. Cost: General admission to the DMA is free!
5. Monster Yogurt – I love this place because we can pop in for 10 minutes of playtime and a treat or we can meet friends and stay until the kids are exhausted. The best time to go? Before school gets out in the afternoon! I like to take my girls right after lunch, just before their afternoon naps. And I also like to take them during that long afternoon lull, just before dinnertime. I will let them play while I get a big container of fro-yo to keep in the freezer at home.
6. Play Street Museum – 
Hands down, one of my favorite places to go right now. And word is spreading fast about this fun location, see a post about it here. Its the furthest one from my house, but its well worth the drive because both girls can play for hours there. Its an adorable, well-stocked and maintained play village with a little area for babies. My 1 year old loves to get a shopping cart and push it around like she owns the place. My 4 year old can play house, vet, doctor…or all three at the same time. The kids get a wooden token with admission that they can trade in for a snack. Cost: $11 per child ages 1-8.
7. Bookmarks at Northpark Center – while we love most all of the Dallas library locations, this one is my favorite. Not just because it happens to be in my favorite ‘playground’ Northpark Center, but it is one of those places that takes little pre-planning or coordination to visit. My older daughter loves the various reading nooks and will often hide out with a book or puzzle on her own while the baby wanders around the steps in the back. There are preschool age appropriate computer games and daily music programs my girls really enjoy. The best part? Any books my girls just can’t live without can come home with us for a couple weeks.
There are so many fun places to visit with your kids in Dallas. While it is nice to have some favorites on stand-by, I always enjoy adding a new place or two to my list. Where are your favorite places to play indoors?
Great post. Thank you. I live in Sulphur Springs but like to go to Dallas about once a week. Which one of these places is best for a one year old?
Hi Jane! I also have a one year old (15 months) and they are all great for her. She loves the independence she can have at a place like Bake and Play, The Coop or Playstreet and they are so well child proofed! I would take my 1 year old to any of them to play but I do think Monster might be a little better for an older child.
This is a great post! It’s been so hot, so finding indoor activities for my 2 year old has been a struggle! Also, noticed you’re also from New Mexico 🙂 I’m from Deming near Las Cruces NM!