The Art Farm in the City offers kids a chance to play in its spacious play area.

The Art Farm in The City – Upper East Side

419 East 91st Street between First and York Avenues
Drop-in play: See the calendar for current availability.
Ages 18 months and up
Don't have a pet of your own? Kids can get up close and personal with the animals at The Art Farm while also enjoying art projects, storytime, and a well-appointed play space. Visit the website for a full schedule.

FunFit Kids – Morningside Heights

550 West 110th Street at Broadway
Drop-in times vary; visit the website for a complete schedule.
Ages 0-8
A multi-sport spot, FunFit Kids was founded with the mission to help kids build confidence through sports, so you'll find plenty of specialized equipment and classes here. During drop-in hours, kids have free-run of the 2,700-square-foot play space and can climb the walls (literally), propel themselves around a scooter raceway, clamber up playground equipment, play with soft balls and sports equipment, and more. Sound too wild for your brood? There's also a book and music nook.

RELATED: Private Playtime: 13 Indoor NYC Play Spaces That Can Be Rented For Pods or Families

Elliot's Gymnastics has a full slate of classes, but it is often open for drop-in play.

Elliott's Gymnastics – Upper West Side

131 West 86th Street between Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues
Drop-in times vary; visit the website for a complete schedule.
All ages
We're longtime fans of the gymnastics classes at this Upper West Side spot. But even if your kids aren't enrolled in the gymnastics program here, they can still enjoy the developmental gymnasium's facilities on select weekday afternoons.

The Playroom NYC offers a variety of playtime options with reservations required.

The Playroom NYC – Upper East Side

1439 First Avenue at 75th Street
Drop-in times vary; visit the website for a current schedule.
Ages 6 months to 5 years
True to its name, this Upper East Side spot focuses on playtime and offers open-play hours seven days a week. The 3,000-square-foot play space offers an indoor jungle gym, dress-up area, faux bodega for grocery fun, and more imaginative play options.

RELATED: The Top Indoor Play Spaces Across New York City Open Now

ACT Indoor Playstation is one of the best deals in Manhattan.

Drop-in Play Spaces Temporarily Closed Due to COVID

ACT Indoor Playstation – Morningside Heights

Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, 1047 Amsterdam Avenue at 111th Street
Ages 0-5
During fall and winter weekday afternoons, this early childhood education program opens its spacious gymnasium to the public. The child-size equipment includes slides, balls, and places to crawl, all on a safe mat area. The center closes during school breaks, summer, and holidays, so it's best to call ahead to confirm it's open. However, if you enjoy visiting ACT Indoor Playstation, check its website for information about camps, toddler classes, and special programming when the Indoor Playstation is unavailable.

14th Street Y – East Village

344 East 14th Street between First and Second Avenues
Ages 6 months-3 years
The padded playroom on the top floor of the 14th Street Y was one of my son’s favorite play spaces when he was young. The no-frills classroom-sized space is clean, with soft climbing and sliding structures for the toddler set. Occasionally the staff brings out large toys, bubbles, or giant balls. The Y typically doesn’t offer programs when school is out, so call ahead to confirm hours. Also, check its website for weekly drop-in classes like Messy Play, Music & Movement, Sing-Along, and more.

Chelsea Piers Toddler Gym – Chelsea

Field House at Chelsea Piers, 23rd Street and the Hudson River
Ages 6 months-4 years
I cried when my son aged out of this awesome play space. He enjoyed sliding, climbing, and crawling through the big play structure, but he especially loved dive-bombing into the ball pit. The center also has manipulatives on the wall, additional slides, soft playthings, and a tiny rock-climbing area.

Chinatown YMCA – Chinatown

Chinatown YMCA, 273 Bowery between Houston and Stanton Streets
All ages
On weekday mornings, kids can drop in for some indoor fun at the 3,200-square-foot gym at the Chinatown branch of the YMCA. Let them run, jump, climb, and balance freely—there's plenty of space!

The Heimbold Family Children’s Playing and Learning Center – Midtown East

Scandinavia House, 58 Park Avenue at 38th Street
Ages 1-5 (children must be walking independently to be admitted)
Scandinavia House's awesome indoor play spot was my son’s second home before he started school. This is where he was introduced to Brio trains, Legos, and Pippi Longstocking. The center was completely redesigned in 2011 and we were blown away. Inspired by early childhood centers in Scandinavia, it features a reading room full of English and Scandinavian-language books connected to a softly lit sensory room by a kid-sized tunnel. This isn't a place for wild romping (and believe me, the staff enforces calm cooperative play). Instead, it's a great spot for relaxing and imaginative play.

TLB Music Playroom – Upper East Side

266 East 78th Street between Second and Third Avenues
Ages 6 months-6 years
This music education program has a cozy playroom featuring slides, a play kitchen, a market, a soft block area, a short rock climbing mountain, a train table, and lots of puzzles, books, and toys. The small space can only accommodate 15 children, so reservations are recommended and can be made via phone at 212-744-0407 or email tlb@tlbmusic.com.

Play Space at The Ballet Club – Upper East Side

328 East 61st Street between First and Second Avenues, second floor
Ages 0-6
This dance school opens its cozy playroom to the public on weekdays during the school year. Attractions skew toward the preschool set, like a puppet theater, play kitchen, pop-up tent, dollhouse, manipulatives, and picture books. It offers a great place for imaginative play on rainy or cold days. Families should arrive on the hour or half-hour. Reservations are required Mondays; drop-in visitors are welcome all other weekdays. Call 917-281-1030 or email info@theballetclub.com to reserve.

The Music & Play Station — Roosevelt Island

507 Main Street
Ages 0-8
This music class hot spot offers daily open play for tots, attracting families from Manhattan and Queens. There is an indoor climbing playground and various play stations to explore, as well as special events like movies for kids and drop-off PJ parties for older kids.

Photos courtesy of the venues

A version of this article first published in December 2009, but it is regularly updated.