Take a thrilling final run down the water slide at Splish Splash in Calverton. Photo courtesy of the park

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The Best Indoor Play Spaces in Nassau County

The climbing structure at Sensory Beans is safe toddle and little kid play zone.

1/21/22 - By Thien August

The chilly weather might force your little ones indoors, but they don't have to be confined to your living room all winter long. After you've made your umpteenth indoor fort and your kids are climbing the walls, get up and out with our list of the best indoor play spaces in Nassau County. Most of these spots are affordable and accessible, and, where appropriate we've added age designations to guarantee a good time for all.

No worries if you're in Suffolk County. See our list of the top indoor play spaces in Suffolk County, as well as our guide to Guide to Indoor Spots and Sports Centers on Long Island.

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Be sure to check with each venue for its COVID guidelines and requirements before heading out to any event, and read more about local public safety protocols here.

Active Kidz Long Island — Jericho

200 Robbins Lane
Active Kidz has a number of attractions, including an adventure maze, laser tag, inflatables, toddler center, ball pit/cannon area, and a rock-climbing wall. Open-play sessions vary from week to week and might be limited to only some attractions. The schedule can be found on its events calendar or by calling. Active Kidz is primarily a party space, so call and double-check open-play times. Prices are either per activity or bundled into combination packages.

The Children's Social Club — Rockville Center

280 Sunrise Highway
Parents and children can enjoy themselves at The Children's Social Club. Young children can safely play in the gated area while parents socialize and watch from the tables. There is a small section for babies with dedicated toys. The older toddler and preschooler section has a climbing structure with a slide leading into a huge ball pit.

The Kiddie Clubhouse — Syosset

140 Eileen Way, Suite 250
The Kiddie Clubhouse caters to children ages 2-8 though there are plenty of toys and space for crawler siblings. There is a small multilevel climbing structure, chalk wall, kiddie coaster, Legos, play kitchen and more. In addition to open play, it also offers drop-off classes.

Bounce away that youthful energy at Bounce! Trampoline Sports in Syosset.

Bounce! Trampoline Sports — Syosset

310 Michael Drive
Open-bounce sessions, dodgeball fun, foam pits, inflatables, and yes, trampoline after trampoline, are all available here. Open-bounce sessions vary depending on the day's schedule, so check the website before going. Kids 6 and younger bounce in a separate area that is away from bigger kids and loaded with all the same bouncy fun, including traditional bounce houses and trampolines. There's even a toddler time just for little ones, as well as Jump N Glow evening sessions for the bigger kids with, you guessed it, glow-in-the-dark bouncing and activities.

Pump It Up — Great Neck

225 Community Drive, Suite 250, Great Neck
This center has open-bounce sessions on various dates and times, so check its event calendar. It also features a wind tunnel and hosts glow-bounce and supervised drop-off, parents-night-out sessions. Any age, even adults, can bounce, but there is a minimum height requirement of 34 inches. Socks are required. It also offers sessions for children with special needs. These sensory jump events require tickets in advance. Occupational therapists are welcome to accompany children.

Lolli Bop Cafe boasts more than 2,000 square feet of play space, and Wi-Fi for grown-ups.

Lolli Bop Cafe & Play — Lawrence

398 Central Avenue
Look no farther for a play space for kids that also offers coffee, a healthy cafe menu, and Wi-Fi. This play cafe keeps kids busy with a rock climbing wall, Lego table, music area, clubhouse, lots of games, a toddler area, and a dress-up area. Adults can supervise close by with a latte in hand.

Long Island’s Laser Bounce — Levittown

2710 Hempstead Turnpike
This large indoor complex has something for kids of all ages. Rooms are filled with bouncers. There's also a big ball-filled climbing area with ball cannons, a laser tag arena, a game arcade, and a stuff-a-bear station. Unless already booked, all activities are available for parties or public play. The facility tries each week to list on its website times when each area is open to the public, but it advises calling first.

Planet Play — Bellmore

418 Bedford Avenue
Open play is scheduled in two-hour blocks and varies based on age. Some sessions are for all-ages while others are for 7 and younger. It also holds sensitive space sessions for children with special needs. There is a multilevel play structure, inflatables, arcade, and virtual-reality pods. There is also a dedicated toddler zone. Check the website for open-play hours.

The little town play area at the Long Island Children's Museum celebrates the work adults do in our communities.

Long Island Children's Museum — Garden City

11 Davis Avenue
Admission includes the indoor play areas, Tot Spot and Climb It. At Tot Spot, kids can play in the pretend train, grocery store, or construction areas, as well as wiggle, jump, slide, and play. Climb It offers two stories of crawling and climbing adventures. It is recommended for ages 4 and older with a minimum height of 42 inches. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays 10am to 5pm and memberships are available.

Mindnasium — Franklin Square

939 Hempstead Turnpike
A rock-climbing wall, multilevel climbing structure and a zip line are some of the stand-out features at Mindnasium. It also offers science and art classes, and visiting children can explore the science and art areas. Open play hours vary by week, so it's best to check its Facebook page for the latest updates.

Once Upon a Treetop — Plainview

151 Dupont Street
This large indoor space focuses on creating settings for imaginative play. It is probably best for younger children, but older kids, especially if part of a mixed-age group, can have fun as well. The space is organized as if it were a little town or city, with rooms set up as a post office, restaurant, school, veterinary office, grocery store, construction zone, and more. Kids can run from room to room or ride little cars and bikes. There is a climbing treehouse on the property with a slide. Parents must supervise children, but staff are available to encourage imaginative play. Crawlers must wear socks.

Liddle Bites offers plenty to do in its cozy space in Long Beach.

Liddle Bites Play Cafe — Long Beach

132 East Park Avenue
This intimate and extensive play space is perfect for babies, crawlers, and preschoolers. It features life-sized dollhouses and stores for imaginative play, and so much more, from dolls to trains, blocks, puzzles, books, and art supplies. Parents are encouraged to order lunch or an early dinner from one of the many nearby restaurants, and snacks and drinks are available at reasonable prices. Admission is $10 per child and $7 for crawlers; adults are FREE. Season passes at a discounted rate are available. Socks are required in the play space.

Sensory Beans — Wantagh

3309 Merrick Road
In addition to special events held throughout the year, Sensory Beans usually offers morning and late-afternoon open-play sessions. Toddlers and preschoolers can enjoy climbing, swinging, and jumping on the different structures. There are also sensory play areas, such as water mats, sensory boards, and an interactive game projected onto the ground. Sensory Beans' staff don't just walk around cleaning up, by the way. They interact and play with the young ones as well. Accessible equipment is also an integral part of the play space, making it comfortable for children of all abilities.

Kids will thrill to the playtime possibilities at Sippy Cups Cafe.

Sippy Cups Cafe — Seaford

3890 Merrick Road
For the 6-and-younger crowd, Sippy Cups Cafe offers a wooden climber with slides and peep holes, a train table, puppet theater, Duplo for building, and a cozy reading area. Adults will appreciate the selection of coffees and teas, as well as breakfast, lunch, and snack offerings that include pizza, sandwiches, salads, and baked goods. Sippy Cups Cafe is open Monday to Saturday, so grab your socks and enjoy your coffee while it's hot.

Social Play Haus — Plainview

200 Express Street
Parents can enjoy a hot coffee or local beer while they watch the kids run and play. Social Play Haus is the perfect name for one of Nassau's newest indoor play spaces, as it mainly focuses on allowing parents to enjoy social time while they comfortably watch their children play. It also offers private events, making it a great option for those with a guest list of adults and children.

Photos are courtesy of the venues

A version of this post was published in January 2017. It was updated by writer Gina Massaro in January 2022.