It's hot out there, which means it can be a challenge to keep the kids from bouncing off the walls. Here are several close-by places to play or learn inside where kids can stay active but stay out of the sweltering temperatures. All of these places are within a 45-minute drive from Bethesda, Chevy Chase and Potomac.
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Active Play
ClimbZone
https://www.climbzone.us/laurel/
Seventy-five climbing walls of varying degree of difficulty.
📍 13200 Mid Atlantic Blvd Suite 130 Laurel, MD 20708
💵 $18 to $35 per ticket depending on age and length of play
⏰ Monday, Wednesday & Friday 12 pm to 8 pm; Saturday & Sunday 10 am to 8 pm; Closed Tuesday & Thursday
Dominique Dawes Gymnastics and Ninja Academy
https://www.dominiquedawesgymnasticsacademy.com/special-events/special-events-rockville/
Weekly open gym times for all ages to explore the studio.
📍 5626 Randolph Road Rockville, MD 20852
💵 $20 to $25 per person depending on age and time of play
⏰ Saturdays and Sundays from 2 to 3:30 pm; Fridays from 6:30 to 8 pm; Check calendar for Junior Gym times.
Dynamite Gymnastics Open Gym
https://www.dynamitegc.com/open-gym
Weekly open gym times for all ages to explore the studio.
📍 4956 Boiling Brook Rd, Rockville MD 20852
💵 $12 to $23 per person depending on age and time of play
⏰ Mondays 12 to 12:50 pm; Saturdays 6:15 to 7:45 pm; Tuesdays 10 to 10:50 am for Mini Open Gym
Happy Bounce
https://www.westfield.com/en-US/wheaton/store/Happy-Bounce/77379
This storefront in Wheaton Mall has bounce houses and slides to play on by the hour.
📍 11160 Veirs Mill Road Wheaton, MD 20902, Level 1
💵 Check store for rates
⏰ Monday to Thursday 10:00 am to 8:00 pm; Friday & Saturday 10:00 am to 8:00 pm; Sunday 11:00 pm to 7:00 pm
HyperKidz
https://columbia.hyperkidzplay.com
Giant indoor playground with inflatables, slides, and climbing structures.
📍 9309 Snowden River Parkway Columbia, Maryland 21046
💵 $8 to $13 per ticket depending on age and length of play
⏰ Monday-Saturday 9 am to 8 pm; Sunday 9 am to 7 pm
Jolly Yolly Kids
https://www.jollyyollykids.com/bethesda.html
Indoor play place with inflatables, slides, and other fun in Montgomery Mall.
📍 7101 Democracy Blvd, Bethesda, MD 20817 (Next to Cheesecake Factory)
💵 $13 to $19 depending on day of the week
⏰ Monday-Wednesday 10 am to 7:45 pm; Thursday-Saturday 10 am to 8:45 pm; Closed Sundays
The Kid's Ground
https://thekidsgroundmd.com/gallery
This indoor playground in Rockville has sensory activities, a climbing structure, and ways to engage in imaginative play.
📍 8010 Gramercy Blvd Unit B, Rockville, MD 20855
💵 $17 per child ticket (Monday through Friday); $20 per child ticket (Saturday and Sunday)
⏰ Monday-Wednesday 10:00 am to 6:30 pm; Thursday & Friday 10:00 am to 7:30 pm; Saturday & Sunday 9:00 am to 7:30 pm
Me Land
This active indoor play space has two locations: one in Frederick and a new one in the old Omnifun space in Gaithersburg.
📍831 Russell Ave, Gaithersburg, MD 20879
💵 $9.99 per child ticket (Monday through Friday, ages 0-2) and $12.99 (Monday through Friday, ages 3-12); $13.99 per child ticket (Saturday and Sunday, ages 0-2) and $16.99 (Saturday and Sunday, ages 3-12)
⏰ Monday-Thursday 10:00 am to 7:00 pm; Friday & Saturday 10:00 am to 8:00 pm; Sunday 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Play N Learn
https://www.playnlearn.com/columbia-md-open-play/
Play N Learn is a company that sells swing sets. During the week, children can come play on the pre-assembled playsets set up in the showroom.
📍 9033 Red Branch Road Columbia, MD 21045
💵 $9 for two hours of play for children ages 1 to 15 years old; advanced tickets required
⏰ Mondays-Fridays 10 am to 5 pm; not open for play on weekends
Recess Silver Spring
Brand new (2024) indoor play space in Silver Spring for kids 18 months to 10 years old.
📍 12210 Plum Orchard Dr #210, Silver Spring, MD 20904
💵 $ 9 to $17 per child (weekdays); $14 to $22 per child (weekends); snack pack can be added for an extra charge and 1 free adult admission per child
⏰ Mondays-Thursday 9 am to 8 pm; Fridays and Saturdays 9 am to 9 pm; Sunday 10 am to 7 pm
Scramble Indoor Play
A giant indoor playground with two locations in Northern Virginia.
📍5412 Eisenhower Avenue Alexandria, VA 22304
💵 $10 to $14 per child (weekdays); $12 to $20 per child (weekends and federal holidays); $2 per adult admission
⏰ Mondays-Thursday 9:30 am to 5 pm; Fridays and Saturdays 9:30 am to 8:00 pm; Sundays 9:30 am to 6:00 pm
Silver Stars Open Gym
https://www.gosilverstars.com/index.php?cat=1283107083436756
Silver Stars Gymnastics has open gym for kids ages 8 and under every weekday from 12pm to 1pm. Come play on their mats and equipment.
📍 2701 Pittman Drive Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
💵 $9 per child admission; ages 8 and under only
⏰ Mondays-Fridays 12 pm to 1 pm (resumes September 11)
Sky Zone Gaithersburg
https://www.skyzone.com/gaithersburg
Sky Zone is a massive trampoline park. There is also a foam pit that kids can dive into and a ninja course.
📍15813 Gaither Dr Gaithersburg, MD 20877
💵 $19 to $30 depending on age and length of play
⏰ Sunday-Thursday 9 am to 9 pm; Friday & Saturday 9 am to 11pm
Urban Air Adventure Park Laurel
https://www.urbanair.com/maryland-laurel/
Urban Air is the ultimate indoor adventure zone. There are trampolines, rock climbing, go-karts, ziplining, and more all in one spot.
📍 13446 Baltimore Ave Laurel, Maryland 20707
💵 $27 to $42, depending on attractions
⏰ Monday-Thursday 4 pm to 8 pm; Friday 2 pm to 8 pm; Saturday 10 am to 10 pm; Sunday 12 pm to 8 pm (check website for special hours)
We Rock the Spectrum
https://www.werockthespectrumgaithersburg.com
An indoor playground made for ALL kids. This Gaithersburg gym is made for kids with all abilities.
📍7601 Airpark Dr, Suite D and E, Gaithersburg, MD 20879
💵 $16 for drop-in play; $14 for each additional child
⏰ Check the gym's Facebook page for hours.
Zava Zone
https://www.zavazone.com/rockville/
An indoor trampoline park with ropes courses, ninja zones, and more!
📍 40 B Southlawn Ct, Rockville, MD 20850
💵 $25+ per person (pricing based on amount of time playing)
⏰ Sunday & Monday 10 am to 6 pm; Wednesday & Thursday 4 pm to 8 pm; Friday 4 pm to 10 pm; Saturday 10 am to 8 pm
Imaginative Play
BeWithMe Playseum
Located inside Columbia Mall, this playseum is full of interactive costumes and rooms to help your little one's imagination come alive.
📍10300 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia, MD 21044
💵 $12 per person (ages 1 to 100)
⏰ Monday-Thursday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm; Friday & Saturday 10:00 am to 8:00 pm; Sunday 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm (open in the morning for private parties)
Kids Play Gallery
https://www.kidsplaygallery.com
Kids Play Gallery has little buildings set up with costumes and accessories to let your child's imagination run wild.
📍 217 Muddy Branch Rd Gaithersburg, MD 20878
💵 $18-$20 for one child admission, $15-$17 for each additional sibling (prices vary based on weekday or weekend)
⏰ Open Daily from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm
The Little Towns Children's Museum
https://www.thelittletownsmd.com
📍 4931 Wyaconda Rd North Bethesda, MD 20852
💵 $25 per child admission for a two-hour block of play
⏰ Open Monday through Thursday from 9:30 am to 11:30 am, 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm, and 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm; Friday and Saturdays from 9:30 am to 11:30 am, 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm, 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm, and 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm; Sundays from 9:30 am to 11:30 am, 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm, 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Montgomery County Public Library Discovery Rooms
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/library/for-you/kids.html
Reserve a Discovery Room filled with puzzles, costumes, dollhouses, pretend food and so much more at one of four libraries in the county. In addition to Praisner, you can reserve rooms at Germantown, Gaithersburg or Quince Orchard Libraries.
📍Marilyn J. Praisner Library 14910 Old Columbia Pike, Burtonsville, MD 20866
💵 FREE
⏰ Open during library hours (generally 10 am to 6 pm, but check individual websites for times)
Arcades/Party Spaces
Chuck E. Cheese
The iconic play space where a kid can be a kid offers games and prizes.
📍 5238 Nicholson Ln Kensington, MD 20895
💵 Prices vary depending on length of play and day of the week
⏰ Open Sunday to Thursday from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm; Friday & Saturday from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
Dave & Buster's
https://www.daveandbusters.com
This restaurant and sports bar has a wealth of video games and virtual games to enjoy.
📍 8661 Colesville Rd Silver Spring, MD 20910
💵 Prices vary depending on activities and games played
⏰ Open Sunday through Thursday from 11:00 am to Midnight; Friday & Saturday from 11:00 am to 1:00 am
Museums
College Park Aviation Museum
https://www.mncppc.org/1593/College-Park-Aviation-Museum
This small museum in College Park has aircrafts and artifacts from the history of aviation.
📍1985 Corporal Frank Scott Drive College Park, MD 20740
💵 $5 per adult ticket; $4 per senior ticket; $2 for kids ticket (age 2 and over)
⏰ Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Glen Echo Aquarium
This small aquarium located on the grounds of Glen Echo park lets kids get up close and personal with the life found in the Chesapeake Bay.
📍7300 MacArthur Blvd Glen Echo, MD 20812
💵 $8 per person (ages 2 and up)
⏰ Open weekdays from 11:30 am to 5:00 pm; weekends 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; however, most showings by appointment only (text or call 571-334-8713).
International Spy Museum
Learn the secrets of the spies at this D.C. museum.
📍700 L'Enfant Plaza, SWWashington DC 20024
💵 $32.95 for ages 13 and over; $20.95 for kids 7-12; free for kids 6 and under
⏰ Open Daily from 9 am to 7 pm, but check website for each week's hours.
KID Museum
Visit for a 2-hour block on Sundays (reservations recommended) to play, create, and build in the newly-opened Bethesda makerspace. MCPS students can get in for free all Summer long with advanced registration here.
📍3 Bethesda Metro Center, Suite 140 Bethesda, MD 20814
💵 $15 per person
⏰ Open Sundays 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Maryland Science Center
The Maryland Science Center is packed with activities and exhibits that let kids learn about all different kinds of science, from paleontology to astronomy and beyond.
📍601 Light St, Baltimore, MD 21230
💵 $26.95 for adults; $20.95 for children (age 3 to 12); $25.95 for seniors
⏰ Open Wednesday to Sunday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
National Air and Space Museum
After several years of renovation, this favorite museum is open again. You will need to reserve tickets before you go see planes and rockets at this downtown staple on the Mall.
📍6th Street and Independence Ave SW Washington, DC 20560
💵 FREE (but reserve your tickets in advance HERE)
⏰ Open Daily (except Christmas Day) 10:00 am to 5:30 pm
National Aquarium in Baltimore
Visit the National Aquarium to get an unclose look at aquatic life, including fish, puffins, and sharks.
📍501 East Pratt Street Baltimore, MD 21202
💵 $29.25 for child tickets; $39.95 for adult tickets; $34.95 for senior tickets
⏰ Monday to Thursday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm; Friday & Saturday 9:00 am to 8:00 pm; Sunday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
National Building Museum
The National Building Museum has several kid-friendly exhibits, including Play, Work, Build, where kids can create structures with giant blocks.
📍401 F Street NW Washington, DC 20001
💵 $7 for child tickets; $10 for adult tickets
⏰ Thursday through Monday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
National Children's Museum
https://nationalchildrensmuseum.org
This D.C. museum has many STEM-based activities so your kids can build, experiment, problem-solve, and have fun while exploring the way the world works.
📍1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20004
💵 $15.95 per ticket
⏰ Open daily (except Tuesdays) from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
National Capital Trolley Museum
This small museum has a model train exhibit, street cars and trolleys on display, and a ride on the trolley included in your ticket.
📍1313 Bonifant Rd Colesville, MD 20905
💵 $8 per child ticket; $10 per adult ticket
⏰ Open Saturday 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Natural History Museum
Visit the Natural History museum to see dinosaur fossils, gems, and mummies up close.
📍1000 Madison Drive NW Washington, D.C. 20560
💵 FREE
⏰ Open Daily (except Christmas Day) 10:00 am to 5:30 pm
Planet Word
This D.C. museum celebrates words in all forms, bringing language to life. It has interactive galleries and exhibits for all ages.
📍 925 13th St NW Washington, DC 20005; entrance on K Street
💵 Free ($15 suggested donation)
⏰ Wednesdays to Fridays and Mondays (Closed Tuesdays) 10 am to 5 pm; Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 6 pm
Port Discovery
This playseum in Baltimore has three floors of activities and interactive exhibits to keep your family busy.
📍35 Market Place Baltimore, MD 21202
💵 $21.95 per ticket (ages 1 and over)
⏰ Open daily 10:00 am to 1:00 pm; 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm (some hours are reserved for groups only and advanced purchased online tickets required)
Udvar-Hazy Center Air and Space Museum
https://airandspace.si.edu/udvar-hazy-center
This companion museum to the Air and Space Museum on the mall, has dozens of REAL aircrafts to see up close. There is even a space shuttle and a super speed Concorde airplane on display.
📍14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway Chantilly, VA 20151
💵 FREE (parking $15 per car)
⏰ Open Daily (except Christmas Day) 10:00 am to 5:30 pm
Indoor Pools
Montgomery County Indoor Swim Centers
When it is cold, we don't usually think swimming, but many of the county's indoor pools are open through the winter months. Several have water features, too. Check the county website for recreational hours. Daily admission fees of $5 to $7, depending on age.
Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/rec/facilities/aquaticcenters/silverspring.html
📍 1319 Apple Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Germantown Indoor Swim Center
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/rec/facilities/AquaticCenters/Germantown.html
📍 18000 Central Park Cir, Boyds, MD 20841
Kennedy Shriver Aquatic Center
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/rec/facilities/AquaticCenters/KennedyShriver.html
📍 5900 Executive Blvd Rockville, MD 20852
Martin Luther King Jr. Indoor Swim Center
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/rec/facilities/aquaticcenters/martinlutherkingjr.html
📍 1201 Jackson Rd, Colesville, MD 20904
Olney Swim Center
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/rec/facilities/AquaticCenters/Olney.html
📍 16605 Georgia Ave, Olney, MD 20832
Piney Branch Pool
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/rec/facilities/aquaticcenters/pineybranch.html
📍 7510 Maple Ave Takoma Park, MD 20912
Rolling Crest-Chillum Indoor Splash Pool
Not too far away in Hyattsville is an indoor splash pool with slides and sprayers. There is a small admission fee but even though the pool is located in PG county, visitors who live in Montgomery County are included in the "resident" pricing.
https://www.pgparks.com/4543/Rollingcrest-Chillum-Splash-Pool
📍6122 Sargent Road Chillum, MD 20782
💵 $5 to $6 dollars
⏰ Check here for hours.
Ice Skating
Wheaton Ice Arena
http://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/wheaton-ice-arena/
Both the Wheaton Ice Rink and the Cabin John Ice Arena are open to the public for skating all year long!
📍11717 Orebaugh Avenue Wheaton, MD 20902
💵 $8 per person + skate rental, if necessary
⏰ Hours vary, check the rink website for public skate sessions
Cabin John Ice Rink
📍10610 Westlake Drive Rockville, MD 20852
💵 $8 per person + skate rental, if necessary
⏰ Hours vary, check the rink website for public skate sessions
Free Places to Play Inside
Play Space in Westfield Wheaton Mall
https://www.westfield.com/wheaton/service-detail/Westfield-PlaySpace
Wheaton Mall also has a indoor play area with a few big animals to climb on and tunnels to burrow through.
📍11160 Veirs Mill Road Wheaton, MD 20902, Level 1 (near DSW Shoes)
💵 FREE
⏰ Monday to Thursday 10:00 am to 8:00 pm; Friday & Saturday 10:00 am to 8:00 pm; Sunday 11:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Silver Spring Library Children's Area
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/Library/branches/silverspring.html
The Children's floor in the Silver Spring Library has several interactive learning activities to keep kiddos engaged. Also check out Wheaton Library, White Oak Library, Noyes Library and many of the other county facilities. Also check above about reserving Discovery Rooms in four libraries across the county.
📍900 Wayne Avenue Silver Spring, MD 20910
💵 FREE
⏰ Monday to Thursday 10:00 am to 8:00 pm; Friday to Sunday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Brookside Nature Center
https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/brookside-nature-center/
Brookside Nature Center has plenty of fun to explore outside (including a natural playground with sandpit in the back), but when its hot, their exhibits inside and children's Discovery Room are a winner!
📍1400 Glenallan Ave Wheaton, Maryland 20902
💵 FREE
⏰ Tuesday to Friday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm; Saturday & Sunday 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
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