Indoor Playgrounds & Play Spaces for Kids in Sacramento
When you have an energetic kiddo and need to entertain them when the weather isn’t ideal, indoor play areas in Sacramento provide a great outlet. These play spaces have pretend play areas that spark imagination, ball pits to jump into, climbable structures, and indoor playgrounds for kids that have endless stamina.
Most indoor play areas in Sacramento are geared toward younger children, ten and under. Play spaces tend to have co-working areas for parents, too. Often, there are additional enrichment programs, classes, and special events. Indoor play areas in Sacramento make fantastic options for entertaining kids on hot or rainy days. They are also great venues for kids’ birthday parties in Sacramento. Indoor play spaces are some of the best things to do in Sacramento with kids.
You can find indoor play spaces throughout Sacramento, from Elk Grove to Roseville, inside malls and stores, bowling alleys, and museums. Don’t forget socks for these play areas! If you’re looking for the best indoor playgrounds in the Sacramento area, this list covers them all. Keep reading below to bookmark these indoor play areas in Sacramento.
Expect several new indoor playgrounds opening soon in Sacramento!
Indoor Playgrounds & Play Spaces for Kids in Sacramento
1. Enchanted — Elk Grove
Enchanted is one of the best things to do with kids in Elk Grove. This popular forest-themed indoor play area is always full of kids and parents. Soft multi-level climbing structures, slides, trampolines, and pretend play structures make this an entertaining spot for kids. I have to say that Enchanted in Elk Grove is very clean. There is also a soft play zone for babies. The staff are constantly cleaning, and the area for parents is welcoming. Socks are required, and Enchanted Elk Grove is designed for kids ages 0-8.
2. Enchanted Cosmos — Natomas
Enchanted recently expanded to a second location, and Enchanted Cosmos in Natomas is now open. It’s out of this world, as its indoor play space is space-themed. There are ball pits, slides, and interactive structures. Like Enchanted Elk Grove, there is a soft play zone for babies. Enchanted Natomas is for kids ages 0-8, and they will have a blast at this entertaining indoor play space in Sacramento. Socks are required.
If you wish there were more Enchanted Indoor Playgrounds in the Sacramento area, you’re in luck! A third location was recently announced, and Enchanted Rocklin is due to open in early 2026.
3. Peek-a-Boo Factory — Rancho Cordova
Tire the kids out at this colorful three-story indoor playground that has slides, a moving Super Mario Obstacle wall, a timed Ninja course, and more. While most indoor play spaces in the Sacramento Area are geared toward younger children, Peek-a-Boo Factory is suitable for a wider age range, from 0 to 12. There’s a Toddler Area with a magic drawing screen, a few rides, and arcade games. Check out what to expect in my Peek-a-Boo Factory Instagram Reel.
4. Sacramento Children’s Museum — Rancho Cordova
While the Sacramento Children’s Museum has the word “museum” in it, it still classifies as an indoor play area. There are many imaginative play spaces where kids can pretend to be a veterinarian, play house, be a mail carrier, shop for groceries, and so much more. The museum has fantastic seasonal events and ever-changing exhibits. It’s an ideal indoor play area for little ones and will occupy them for a few hours. There is also a soft play space specifically for babies. The Sacramento Children’s Museum is best for children ages 0-8.
5. Space To Play — Elk Grove
Space To Play is a cute spot for little ones in Old Town Elk Grove to get creative in an engaging and safe environment. Expect an open floor plan with everything you could think of that a kid may want to play with. There’s an indoor climbable structure with a slide, a monkey jumper, pretend play items like grocery carts, a dollhouse area, and a stage with costumes. My toddler loves plunking away on the keys of the real piano. The sensory room is a unique feature with dark lighting, another small climbing structure with a slide, and a fish tank.
Space To Play has an art studio where they regularly have crafts and welcome kids to get messy. There is also a separate area for babies. Space To Play is best for children ages 0-6. The indoor play area has various monthly events. Socks are required.
6. Wacky Tacky — Rancho Cordova & Roseville
Wacky Tacky is a vibrant indoor play center offering fun and active entertainment for kids of all ages. While most of the indoor play spaces in Sacramento in this article typically have a younger age range, this one indicates admission goes up to age 17. Wacky Tacky features colorful, multi-level play structures, slides, obstacle courses, and ball pits. It’s designed to spark creativity and adventure in a safe, enclosed environment and is a perfect option for when it’s too hot or raining in Sacramento.
7. Ely’s Play House — Citrus Heights
Ely’s Play House in Citrus Heights is a 6,000-square-foot indoor playground for kids aged 0-8 to enjoy imaginative and active play. The indoor play space features a 1,250-square-foot play structure with climbing, swinging, spinning, and sliding, making it perfect for endless fun. The play space also includes pretend play areas, and abundant seating. Ely’s Play House often has special open play hours.
8. Funbox Sacramento — Natomas
Kids of all ages can jump to their heart’s desire at this indoor inflatable bounce park in Natomas. There are inflatable mountains to climb, large slides, obstacles, and even arcade games. If your kids are older and aging out of play spaces for younger kids, Funbox is a great option to let them bounce off the walls when it’s rainy or too hot in Sacramento.
9. BusyKids Play Town & Coffee Shop — Folsom
BusyKids is a family-friendly coffee shop and interactive indoor play space for children under 10 to learn, imagine, and explore. It features themed areas like a mini city with exhibits inspired by local businesses, wooden play structures, and soft play zones. Parents can enjoy co-working spaces, free WiFi, and a café offering coffee, tea, snacks, and even grown-up drinks. There are also enrichment programs and events. Socks are required.
10. Kids Empire — Rancho Cordova
Kids Empire is one of the newest indoor playgrounds to open in the Sacramento area. While the admission is steeper than others on the list, it does offer all-day play. Kids could spend hours climbing a large play structure and sliding to their heart’s content. A highlight is a mechanical motorcycle that kids can ride. There’s also a dancing hour with the Kids Empire dragon character and a surprise parade from time to time.
11. The Alley — Elk Grove
The Alley in Elk Grove might be better known as a bowling alley, but it features other entertaining outlets for kids, like a large indoor playground. The playground is for a wide age range, kids ages two to 12. With a bowling alley, indoor playground, and arcade games, it’s easy to have a full day of amusement at The Alley.
Sacramento Museums with Indoor Play Spaces for Kids
12. Utility Exploration Center — Roseville
The Utility Exploration Center in Roseville is a hidden gem for kids and one of the best free activities in the Sacramento area for families. There are many interactive exhibits, such as a touch-screen game to sort trash, a ball maze, and kitchen and bathroom appliances that prompt kids to challenges. There’s also a utility vehicle that kids can climb into. It’s interactive while highlighting the role of Roseville utility vehicles, and it’s completely free!
The Roseville Utility Exploration Center is better for older children. They have a specific education program (League of Explorers) designed for children ages 7-11. However, my 3-year-old had a great time here, and it’s a fun, free, educational experience. Combine it with the Martha Riley Community Library and playground at Mahany Park, all of which are on the same property.
13. California Automobile Museum — Old Sacramento
You might not think of a museum full of classic cars as a location that has an indoor play space for kids, but surprise! The indoor play area at the California Automobile Museum has a train set, books, and tons of cars for kids to zoom across the play area.
14. Crocker Art Museum — Downtown Sacramento
Tot Land is reason enough to visit the Crocker if you have younger children to occupy them for a while. Tot Land is for children who are five years old and younger. A large wooden boat is in the middle of Tot Land, which kids can clamber in and interact with. There’s a climbable structure, book nook, stuffed animals, and art, to name a few things. It’s a fantastic indoor play area and an enjoyable experience for little kids. Tot Land is on the bottom floor of the Crocker. While there is an admission fee to the Crocker, you can find out how to get in for free to the Crocker here.
15. California State Railroad Museum — Old Sacramento
The California State Railroad Museum is already one of the best things to do with kids in Sacramento, but it also has an indoor play area, which adds to how engaging this museum is. Go to the third floor, walk past the bathrooms and the toy trains, and you’ll come across the museum’s indoor play space. There’s a train-themed climbing structure with a slide, many toy trains and tracks for kids to interact with, a book nook, and other engaging toys. It’s a challenge to get young kids to leave this entertaining indoor play area, so it’s probably best to go after you’ve already seen everything else!
16. SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity — River District
I don’t think this museum gets enough credit for how interactive, modern, and interesting it is. I was very impressed the first time I visited MOSAC. While the museum leans toward 1st to 4th graders, there is a dedicated early education space for little ones! The Toddler Zone is on the second floor of the museum and has interactive components on the walls, and some soft foam climbers. There are also interactive dinosaur murals in the Toddler Zone. Another fun fact is that all the equipment in the Toddler Zone was designed by local engineering students.
If you have an older toddler, there are a few additional things on the second floor they might be interested beyond the Toddler Zone. The museum has those popular blue foam blocks for imaginative play. They also have Kapla blocks which are sustainable wooden planks for endless building. Both of these are also on the second floor across from the family bathroom.
Want to explore more museums? Discover the best museums in Sacramento for kids and learn how to receive free admission to some of them.
Malls & Stores in Sacramento with Indoor Play Areas for Kids
17. A Seat at the Table Books — Elk Grove
Free
As an avid reader, I love that there are so many independent bookstores in Sacramento. Living in Elk Grove means I enjoy A Seat at the Table Books. This welcoming space is extremely kid-friendly. It has an indoor play area for kids with a play camper, a kitchen, and stuffed animals. In addition to a fantastic selection of children’s books to browse, it also has a cafe with kid-friendly fare (and enticing seasonal caffeinated drinks for adults). There are high chairs and a changing table in the bathroom. They also have weekly storytimes and other family-friendly events.
18. Arden Fair Indoor Play Space — Arden-Arcade
Free
Arden Fair is a popular shopping destination in Sacramento that’s very kid-friendly. One of those kid-friendly aspects is the indoor play space. With a forest theme, animals to interact with, and small slides, this play space is best for babies, toddlers, and younger children. The play space is in the Food Court, and shoes are not allowed. This is not a drop-off play space; caregivers must remain with their kids. Extend the indoor fun at Arden Fair with a carousel ride or attend the monthly Arden Fair Kids Club.
19. Westfield Galleria at Roseville Indoor Play Space — Roseville
Free
Kids can take a break from shopping and play at the free indoor play space at the Westfield Galleria at Roseville. Find it on Level 1 near Macy’s. This play space is not a drop-off, and parents must supervise children at all times.
20. Ikea Smaland — West Sacramento
Free
We’re lucky that our local Ikea in West Sacramento has a Smaland! However, check the website before you go to confirm it’s open, as they frequently close. In case you haven’t heard about Smaland, it’s a supervised indoor play area where you can drop off children for up to 30 minutes while you shop. Kids must be able to play independently and can look forward to playing equipment, a quiet rest area, a creative space, and a G-rated film. For kids to be dropped in Smaland, they must be between 37 inches and 54 inches tall, be potty trained, and be able to use a bathroom on their own.
21. Living Spaces — Roseville
Free
Furniture shopping with kids can be challenging. I’m always worried my toddler will accidentally knock over an expensive lamp or leave muddy footprints on a floor-model couch. Living Spaces in Roseville makes it easy to shop for furniture with kids. The store has a free, supervised indoor playground for kids! You can drop off children for up to two hours while you shop, so long as they are 4-12 years old. Caregivers must remain on the premises while children are in the kid’s space. Socks are required in the play space.
22. Bel Air Grocery Store — Folsom
Free
The Bel Air Grocery Store in the Folsom Broadstone Plaza has a private indoor play area! Why can’t more grocery stores adopt this approach? This indoor play space is pretty spacious and includes a climbing structure and slide, a play kitchen, and other interactive components. This indoor play space is for children aged 0-4. To access it, you have to be a Something Extra member (it’s free to sign up), reserve a time slot for the play space, and sign a waiver.
Bonus Indoor Play Areas for Kids in Sacramento
23. Explore and Learn at Sacramento Library — Multiple Sacramento Library Locations
Free
Our family regularly frequents the Sacramento Library not just for the books but for all the free kid-friendly programs and free things you can get with a Sacramento Library card. Our local library, the Franklin Library in Elk Grove, has a free weekly program called Explore and Learn. The program is for ages 0-5. Librarians set up interactive play stations for kids in these age ranges, creating an hour-long makeshift indoor interactive play area. View the schedules and libraries where Explore and Learn takes place here.
Frequently Asked Questions About Indoor Playgrounds in Sacramento
Are indoor playgrounds in Sacramento good for toddlers?
Yes! Indoor playgrounds are perfect for toddlers as they are enclosed spaces and structures for little ones to run around in a safe environment. Many indoor playgrounds in Sacramento have dedicated areas for babies and toddlers. Some museums like MOSAC also have toddler-specific areas.
What are the best indoor playgrounds in Sacramento for rainy or hot days?
Anything on the list would be fun for kids in Sacramento on rainy or hot days. All of these are indoor play areas that provide respite on hot or rainy days. Just be prepared for these indoor playgrounds to be busy on hot or rainy days. They also tend to be busy on weekends, as well as during school breaks and holidays.
Are there any free indoor play spaces in Sacramento?
Yes! Several on this list are free indoor play spaces, and some of the best free things for kids in Sacramento. The Roseville Utility Exploration Center is a fantastic free play space. You can get free admission to several Sacramento museums on this list through the Discover & Go Program. All of the indoor play areas in malls and stores shown here are free indoor play spaces.
Which indoor play spaces are best for older kids?
Funbox Sacramento is one of the best indoor play spaces for older kids. Teens tend to bounce around at Funbox. Wacky Tacky and The Alley have larger play structures that might be better fits for older children. The Utility Exploration Center in Roseville is geared toward older children, particularly kids ages 7-11. SMUD MOSAC is also a fantastic museum for older kids, as it has many engaging and interactive exhibits that will spark their curiosity.
Do indoor playgrounds in Sacramento require reservations?
Yes, popular indoor playgrounds in Sacramento, such as Enchanted and Peek-a-Boo Factory, require reservations, especially on holiday weekends or hot and rainy days. It’s always best to make reservations if there is an option to guarantee entry.
