55+ Indoor Kids Play Places – Where to Play Inside in Lansing All Year Round

Indoor Kids Play Places Mean Year-Round Fun and Lansing Has a Long List to Choose From!

Rain or shine, summer or winter, no matter what mood you’re in, Lansing has indoor kids play places galore.

Some places like Impression 5 and the Michigan History Museum have been around since we were kids and continue to stay on our favorites list, but these days there are tons of fun and new options popping up all the time.

We’ve narrowed it down to our 55+ favorite indoor play options in the Lansing area. The hard part though? Where to go first.

The MSU Museum on Michigan State University’s campus

Top Indoor Kid Play Places Around Lansing

Play comes in many forms – from laidback fun to bouncing off the walls.

These inside options for kid play places are tested and proven to be a great time. If we haven’t been to them ourselves, we’ve gotten close friend approval that these are up to par.

So…..drum roll please! Here are our best places to play indoors around Lansing:

Abrams Planetarium

755 Science Rd
East Lansing, MI 48824

Learn about astronomy and space science right here in the heart of MSU’s campus. Public shows are offered Friday nights, Saturday nights, and Sunday afternoons.

Abrams Planetarium in East Lansing, MI

Al!ve Charlotte

800 W Lawrence Ave
Charlotte, MI 48813

An experienced-based health park open to the public with no entry fees or membership requirements. They have GROW, an enrichment area for kids. Rates apply to some children’s activities.

All Skate Fun Center

1313 W North St
Jackson, MI 49202

Roller skating, laser tag, fun shop counter, and more at this rink that’s about 35 minutes from Lansing. Bonus All Sake Fun Center participates in the Kids Skate Free program.

Castaway Play Cafe

1800 N Burkhart Rd
Howell, MI 48855

Indoor play structures, bounce houses, laser tag, arcade, toddler play area, “Create-a-Pal” stuffed animal maker, and The Challenge Zone (a ninja-style warrior course).

Chuck E Cheese

5451 L W Saginaw Hwy
Lansing, MI 48917

“Where a kid can be a kid.” Arcade, games, prizes, food, and performances. It’s always a treat to go for a birthday party, but you can play here anytime.

City Limits (two locations)

2120 E Saginaw Hwy
East Lansing, MI 48823

801 N Cedar St
Mason, MI 48854

Bowling, cosmic bowling, and food make for a fun day out.

City Limits in Mason, MI

Community Centers

Allen Neighborhood Center
1611 E Kalamazoo St
Lansing, MI 48912

Foster Community Center
200 N Foster Ave
Lansing, MI 48912

Gier Community Center
2400 Hall St
Lansing, MI 48906

Letts Community Center
1220 W Kalamazoo St
Lansing, MI 48915

Schmidt Community Center
5825 Wise Rd
Lansing, MI 48911

Lansing offers these great community centers that offer indoor activities and programs throughout the year including greenhouse workshops, theater plays, meet-ups, swimming, sports, resources, and plenty more each unique to the center.

Don’t skip over the E.L. Hannah Community Center in East Lansing which offers a swimming pool, gyms, and programs.

DEFY

820 S Waverly Rd
Lansing, MI 48917

Formerly known as District 5, this trampoline park offers a basketball court, extreme dodgeball, battle beams, a ninja course, a dedicated little kid areas, and of course tons of trampolines. Check out their memberships which can be totally worth it after just a couple visits.

Defy_Balance_Beam-sisters-playing-together
The balance beam at DEFY

East Lansing Ice Cube

2810 Hannah Blvd
East Lansing, MI 48824

Public skating times are offered throughout the year and it’s always a cool time!

Edru Skate

1891 N Cedar St
Holt, MI 48842

Lace up those skates for a day of fun and exercise! Wear out the kids and then take a break at the snack counter. They offer laser tag, an arcade, and an ice cream shop.

Edru Skate in Holt MI

GymKind Academy

1982 W Grand River Rd Suite 420
Okemos, MI 48864

Open gym with self-guided learning available on select dates for children in 1st through 9th grades. Play & Learn Explorative Open Play Time is for Walkers to Kindergarten along with a special adult. (Adult participation is required).

High Caliber Karting & Entertainment

1982 W Grand River Rd Suite 800
Okemos, MI 48864

High speed kart racing, combat karting, handicapable go-karting, axe throwing, rage rooms, games, food, and more.

Imagine Planet

730 Tomlinson St
Jackson, MI 49203

A safe and welcoming place to explore science through animals and hands-on activities.  Admission is FREE and there’s fun for all ages.

Impression 5 Science Center

200 Museum Dr
Lansing, MI 48933

I5 has it all! Fun and interactive exhibits for all ages to challenge their understanding of science. My kids never want to leave. Open to the public Tues – Fri 9:30AM – 4PM; Sat 9:30AM – 5PM; and Sun 11:30AM – 5PM.

Impression 5 Flow a water experience downtown lansing Feature Image
Impression 5 Science Center

Jaxon’s Playhouse

2151 Ferguson Rd
Jackson, MI 49203

Jaxon’s Playhouse provides children an outlet to have fun in a safe indoor setting. They can climb and slide on the indoor play structure and make believe they’re a firefighter, teacher, or veterinarian in the “village.”

Jumpin’ Jax Bounce Arena

1475 Lake Lansing Rd
Lansing, MI 48912

Let the kids jump the day away at Lansing’s largest indoor bounce arena. Call or check their website for current open bounce times. Closed Mondays.

Kiki’s Gymnastics

1161 E Clark Rd Ste 330
Dewitt, MI 48820

Blow off some steam and try new tricks at open gym Mon – Fri 10AM – 1PM; Sat & Sun 1-3PM. $10/child, parent must remain onsite, but coaches will be on floor to assist.

Launch Trampoline Park

1982 W Grand River Ave
Okemos, MI 48864

Located in the Meridian Mall near the JC Penney wing, Launch provides hours of entertainment for the whole family. Trampolines, arcade, ninja course, Launch Escape, laser tag, dodgeball, battle pit, slackline, basketball, launch pad, tumble tracks, food, and more.

Libraries

Read the day away, play in the play areas, catch a story time, put on a puppet show, have craft time, and much more at your local library. Check what our local libraries have to offer:

Capital Area District Libraries (CADL) with 13 locations
Delta District Library
Grand Ledge Area District Library
East Lansing Public Library
DeWitt District Library
Portland District Library
Briggs District Library (St. Johns)
Ionia Community Library
Jackson District Library

– Howell Carnegie District Library

Downtown CADL Library Lansing Indoor Play
CADL Downtown Branch

Mall Play Area

Meridian Mall
1982 W. Grand River Ave
Okemos, MI 48864 

Lansing Mall
5330 W Saginaw Hwy
Lansing, MI 48917

Both malls have a public, open-air play area for little kids and they’re FREE. This is a great place to meet up with a friend for a quick chat or let your kiddo blow off some steam before naptime.

McDonald’s Play Place

2530 E Jolly Rd
Lansing, MI 48911

You can eat lunch or sip coffee while the kids play in this casual environment.

Jolly and Dunkle McDonalds Lansing
McDonald’s Play Place

Michigan History Museum

702 W Kalamazoo St
Lansing, MI 48915

Learn Michigan history and experience cool, hands-on exhibits geared toward kids at the Michigan History Museum. We’ve laid it all out for you in our Michigan History Museum article with info + tips to have a fantastic adventure. There’s a dedicated kid center and Sundays are FREE!

Michigan-History-Center-Giveaway-Feature Kids looking at Carl the tree
Michigan History Museum

MSU Broad Art Museum

547 E Circle Dr
East Lansing, MI 48824

That unique-looking structure on the corner of Grand River and Farm Ln in East Lansing? That’s the Eli & Edythe Broad Art Museum! Always free and open Wed – Sun 10AM-6PM. Get connected with art with a permanent collection of 10,000+ works. There’s a kids area on the lower level, and the first Saturday of the month is Family Day which is FREE.

MSU-Broad-Art-Museum-Mom_and_son_Broad_art
MSU Broad Art Museum

MSU Bug House

288 Farm Ln
East Lansing, MI 48824

Get up close and personal with live insects and arachnids.

MSU Museum

409 West Circle Dr
East Lansing, MI 48824

It’s a Creative Collaboratory! The MSU Museum is a place to come to “openly explore, express, and experiment with ideas across disciplines and interests, and indulge their natural curiosity about the world.” Regular hours are Tues-Sat 10am-5pm.

MSU Museum East Lansing Indoor Play Dino
MSU Museum

Munn Ice Arena

509 Birch Rd
East Lansing, MI 48824

Come skate on the same ice as the MSU hockey team! On the beautiful campus of Michigan State University, Munn offers public skating throughout the year.

Munn Ice Arena MSU Ice Skating Kids Indoor Play Lansing
Munn Ice Arena in East Lansing, MI

Nature Centers

Fenner Nature Center
2020 E Mt Hope Ave
Lansing, MI 48910

Harris Nature Center
3998 Van Atta Rd
Okemos, MI 48864

Woldumar Nature Center
5739 Old Lansing Rd
Lansing, MI 48917

Howell Nature Center
1005 Triangle Lake Rd
Howell, MI 48843

Play, learn, and explore indoors with interactive science and nature learning stations at these local nature centers.

Fenner Nature Center Eagle Kids Play Lansing
Fenner Nature Center in Lansing, MI

Nokomis Cultural Heritage Center

5153 Marsh Rd
Okemos, MI 48864

The Nokomis Cultural Heritage Center is dedicated to the preservation of history, arts, culture, and language of the Anishinaabe people (Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi nations). Come learn and experience the programs, exhibitions, and special events. They offer programs like poetry reading, language, ribbon skirt/shirt making, drum making, drum instruction, firekeepers, and medicine planting.

Preuss Pets

1127 N Cedar St
Lansing, MI 48906

Stroll through this iconic Lansing pet store and see lizards, snakes, reptiles, birds, fish, mice, rats, bunnies, ferrets, gerbils, hedgehogs, and much more! Walk on the bridge over the in-store river and even feed the koi fish! You can keep the kids entertained for quite a while just perusing this pet emporium.

Preuss Pets Lansing Indoor Play Koi Fish Kids
Preuss Pets indoor koi pond

REACH Studio Art Center

1804 S Washington Ave
Lansing, MI 48910

This non-profit community art center offers all sorts of art experiences for all ages and economic levels. Check out their Walk-In Wednesdays from 4:30 – 6PM.

Walk-in-Wednesday-REACH-art-studio-kids-painting
REACH Art Studio

Royal Scot

4722 W Grand River Ave
Lansing, MI 48906

60-lane bowling center with bumper bowling available, cosmic bowling, neon balls, and a full bar and grill.

Spare Time Entertainment

3101 E Grand River Rd
Lansing, MI 48912

Bowling, arcade, axe throwing, escapology rooms, bumper cars, and volleyball. Located near Frandor.

Springz Trampoline Park

936 East Mall Dr
Lansing, MI 48917

Trampolines, glo golf, laser tag, virtual reality, bumper cars, spin zone,

Swimming

Goldfish Swim School
5135 Times Square Dr Suite B
Okemos, MI 48864

Schmidt Community Center
5825 Wise Rd
Lansing, MI 48911

E. L. Hannah Community Center
819 Abbot Rd
East Lansing, MI 48823

Swim year round at these indoor swimming places around Lansing.

Goldfish_Swim_School-winter-blues-and-SAD-hacks
Goldfish Swim School

Taggart’s Playground

9466 Cutler Rd,
Portland, MI 48875

Have loads of fun at this indoor playground that was designed to replicate the city of Portland! It’s located inside of Portland Church of the Nazarene and open Mon, Wed, & Fri 9:30 – 11:30AM. Closed on holidays.

Take a Tour

Michigan State Capitol
100 N Capitol Ave
Lansing, MI 48933

Michigan Hall of Justice
925 W Ottawa St
Lansing, MI 48915

Beaumont Tower on MSU’s Campus
375 W Circle Dr
East Lansing, MI 48824

Try these out-of-the-box ideas for spending a day indoors. Check their websites for tour times.

Michigan-State-Capitol-Building-Kid-excited-to-go-inside-and-tour-the-capitol
The Michigan State Capitol in Lansing, MI

The TreeHouse in Chelsea

1101 S. Main St.
Chelsea, Michigan 48118

The TreeHouse in Chelsea is about a 50-minute drive from Lansing. This 9,000 square feet facility has a huge climbing and playing structure, five slides, a baby and toddler area, swinging bridges, basketball hoops, and of course a huge treehouse!

Tinkrlab

2650 E. Grand River Ave, Suite A
East Lansing, MI 48823

Tinkrlab is a kid-focused maker space that focuses on teaching kids how to make and create things. Creativity and curiosity are encouraged in a safe environment, with hands-on teaching.

Water Parks

Soaring Eagle Water Park in Mt. Pleasant
Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Grand Rapids
Holland Aquatic Center in Holland
Zehnder’s Splash Village in Frankenmuth
Bavarian Inn Lodge in Frankenmuth

Plan a visit one these indoor waterparks less than two hours from Lansing. Want even more waterparks? Check out this big list of Michigan indoor waterparks.

Mt Pleasant Soaring Eagle Indoor PlayWater Park
Soaring Eagle Water Park in Mt. Pleasant, MI

Zap Zone

936 Mall Dr E
Lansing, MI 48917

Laser tag, glo golf, bumper cars, arcade games, trampoline park, and a bear factory will fill your day with fun.

NOTE: Zap Zone is moving to the Lansing Mall as of December 15th, 2023!

Zap-Zone-Laser-Tag-Kids-Lansing
Zap Zone in Lansing, MI

Pictures of Indoor Play Options around Lansing

DEFY
woldumar nature center lansing indoor play kids
Woldumar Nature Center
Harris-Nature-Center-Welcome-center
Harris Nature Center
impression 5 lansing indoor play areas
Impression 5 Science Center
District-5-Lansing-Kids-Jump-Trampoline-park
DEFY Trampoline Park
beaumont-tower-winter-in-lansing
Beaumont Tower

More to Explore

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