We’re officially approaching the first days of winter, and we’ve already seen plenty of snow! Playing outside can be a blast when the snow is fresh and the temperatures are fair, but as the weeks go on and we hit cold snaps, those outdoor adventures become harder to enjoy. After a little hibernation, our kids are often bursting with energy and we’re all looking for somewhere warm to retreat indoors.
They need to burn that energy, and we need options. Here’s your go-to guide to indoor play spaces, organized by age group with cost noted, so you can quickly find what works best for your family.
Special reminders:
This guide will be updated throughout the winter as we visit more locations and add photos.
Please note: hours, availability, and pricing are subject to change. While we’ve done our best to provide generally accurate information, we recommend checking each location’s website or social media pages for the most up-to-date details before heading out. Click on each location name to visit their website and check the most up-to-date hours, pricing, and details.
Many of the spots listed below are great for multiple age ranges. We’ve organized them by the age group they tend to work best for, but depending on your child’s interests, abilities, and energy level, you may find some overlap, and that’s a good thing!
🍼 Toddlers & Preschoolers (Ages 1–4)
Crossroads Mall Play Area
📍 4101 W Division St, St. Cloud, MN 56301
💲 Free
🧸 Best for young kiddos and parents who appreciate a safe, soft place to climb
⏱️ Open when the mall is open; kids usually last about an hour
Pro Tip: Enter through the entrance between Macy’s and Target. Check out the arcade across the hall if you have kids of multiple ages in your group.
Sartell Community Center – Kid Zone
📍 850 19th St S, Sartell, MN 56377
💲 Free
🧸 A two-level play area with a slide and many hands-on activities
⏱️ Hours vary frequently; check the website for daily availability
Pro Tip: This area is also available to rent for birthday parties.
Rainbow Play Midwest
📍 3606 Roosevelt Rd, St. Cloud, MN 56301
💲 $10 per child for a 2-hour session; under 12 months play free
🧸 Huge indoor play area made of Rainbow Play Systems, including swing sets, basketball hoops, and trampolines
⏱️ 10:00 AM–4:30 PM
Pro Tip: Bring water bottles to keep kids hydrated. Food and snacks aren’t allowed on the showroom floor, so plan to eat before or after to maximize playtime.
KinderGym – Whitney Recreation Center
📍 1529 Northway Dr, St. Cloud, MN 56303
💲 $2.25 per child, per session
🧸 Great for gross-motor skill development with supervised parent play
⏱️ Typically Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9:00–11:00 AM
Pro Tip: A money-saving 20-punch pass is available for $36.
North Crest Kids Activity Center – Open Gym
📍 1009 Industrial Dr S, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
💲 $12 per child with pre-registration; $15 at the door
🧸 Designed for children who are walking through age six to explore equipment with parental assistance
⏱️ Sundays, 2:10–4:10 PM
Pro Tip: Check out their Parents’ Night Out on the second Saturday of each month for a fun night off.
Burger King Play Area
📍 15 S Benton Dr, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
💲 Free (though you may grab a snack or drink)
🧸 A nostalgic indoor play area and one of the last in our area! Recently renovated in 2025!
⏱️ Open during restaurant hours
Pro Tip: Download the Burger King app and join Royal Perks for the best food & drink deals.
Chick-Fil-A Play Area
📍 4185 W Division St, St Cloud, MN 56301
💲 Free (though you may grab a snack or drink)
🧸 While small, people love it because it is CLEAN, and because of the way it is designed, it is easy to keep track of your child and who is entering or leaving the play area.
⏱️ Open during restaurant hours
Pro Tip: Right now (2025), if you download the Timberwolves app You get a FREE Chick-fil-A Original Chicken Sandwich when an opposing team player misses two consecutive free throws in the 4th quarter during a home game!
Granite City Jump
📍 3333 W Division St, St. Cloud, MN 56303
💲 Ages 4+: $14.95 | Ages 3 & under: $11.95 | Under 1: Free
🧸 Unlimited jumping with inflatables and a dedicated toddler area
⏱️ Typically Wednesday–Saturday 10:00 AM–8:00 PM; Sunday 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
Pro Tip: Bring socks or plan to purchase them on-site.
Great River Children’s Museum
📍 110 8th Ave S, St. Cloud, MN 56301
💲 $14 for non-members over 12 months
🧸 Especially great for toddlers and preschoolers, with sensory-rich exhibits designed for light, sound, touch, and movement
⏱️ Typically open 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, with later hours on Thursdays
Tip: Take advantage of the museum’s two Wellness Rooms for a calm, low-sensory break or private lactation space.
Nurture to Play Play Café
📍 1001 2nd St S #200, Sartell, MN 56377
💲• Ages 1+: $12.50 + tax per child
• Additional children (ages 1+): $10 each (no charge after the third child)
• Ages 6–12 months: $6.25 per child
🧸 A cozy café paired with imaginative play spaces
⏱️ Typically open 9:00 or 10:00 AM until 3:00 or 4:00 PM, with extended Friday hours
Pro Tip: Bring your own socks to save a few dollars, and check the website for special events and updated hours.
Chuck E. Cheese
📍 3318 W Division St, St. Cloud, MN 56301
💲 Prices vary; Fun Pass memberships start at $7.99/month🧸 Pizza, arcade games, and animatronic shows
⏱️ Typically opens between 10:00–11:00 AM and closes around 9:00 PM
🧒 Elementary (Ages 5–12)
Skatin’ Place Roller Skating Rink & Activity Center
📍 3302 Southway Dr, St. Cloud, MN 56301
💲 Admission starts around $9.99, with add-ons for skate rental, bounce houses, or unlimited sessions
🧸 Perfect for kids who can skate independently, with bonus activities like laser tag and a Kids Corner bounce area
⏱️ Hours vary seasonally; check the website calendar for the most up-to-date schedule
Pro Tip: Save on admission with The Value Connection.
AirMaxx Trampoline Park & Warrior Course
📍 3900 Roosevelt Rd, St. Cloud, MN 56301
💲 Prices vary; example: $16.49 for a 60-minute jump session (ages 5+)
🧸 Trampolines, ninja warrior course, pixel floor games, and arcade fun
⏱️ Typically opens at 10:00 AM; closing times vary
Pro Tip: To get the most bang for your buck, look for Maxx Out Wednesdays and Glow Parties on weekends.
Great River Regional Public Library – Family Makerspace
📍 1300 W St. Germain St, St. Cloud, MN 56301
💲 Free (90-minute reservations available)
🧸 A creative space for building, STEM games, and logic activities for ages 4+
⏱️ Available Monday–Friday during library hours by reservation
Pro Tip: In my experience, they typically want this to be a quiet time so discussing that with children beforehand may be helpful.
St. Cloud Municipal Athletic Complex (MAC) – Open Skate
📍 5001 Veterans Dr, St. Cloud, MN 56303
💲 Adults: $7 | Students: $5 | Kids under 4: Free with paid adult
🧸 Casual, all-abilities skating sessions
⏱️ Typically Fridays and Sundays, 1.5–2-hour sessions
Pro Tip: Skate sharpening is available for $5.
🧑🤝🧑 Tweens & Teens
Open Mic Night at B-Side Indie Music Café
📍 27 7th Ave N, St. Cloud, MN 56303
💲 Free (purchase a beverage if desired)
🧸 Weekly all-ages, sober open mic hosted by Project 37
⏱️ Wednesdays, 6:00–8:00 PM
Pro Tip: Follow their Facebook page for additional free all-ages events.
Paramount Arts Underground
📍 913 W St. Germain St, St. Cloud, MN 56301
💲 $10 per participant (adult chaperone required for minors)
🧸 Hands-on creative sessions including pottery, painting, mosaics, sculpture, and more
⏱️ Typically Thursdays, 6:00–9:00 PM
Pro Tip: Free parking is available in the ramp behind the Paramount after 5:00 PM.
Blacklight Adventures
📍 240 33rd Ave S, St. Cloud, MN 56301
💲 Laser tag and mini golf start at $9; package pricing available
🧸 Glow-in-the-dark laser tag, escape rooms, mini golf, VR, and arcade games
⏱️ Typically open 3:00–8:00 PM with extended weekend hours
Pro Tip: Family memberships can offer big savings if you plan to return.
Emotion in Motion
📍 730 S Benton Dr, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
💲 Typically $25–$50
🧸 Smash rooms and splatter rooms for creative (and therapeutic!) expression
⏱️ Sessions generally last one hour
Pro Tip: Check out group options like the Giant Rage Extravaganza or the Fury Frenzy for a shorter experience.
Indoor Winter Fun Doesn’t Have to Stop
Winter in Minnesota doesn’t mean staying cooped up at home it just means getting a little more creative with how we play. Whether you’re chasing toddler-friendly soft play, looking for an afternoon that keeps school-age kids engaged, or searching for something cool enough to impress your teens, there are plenty of indoor options to keep everyone moving, laughing, and burning off energy.
Bookmark this guide, share it with a friend, and keep it handy for those long winter days when cabin fever starts to creep in. Because around here, a great daycation doesn’t stop just because it’s cold outside.
Have a favorite indoor play spot I should add? Send me a message or tag me when you go! I’ll update this list!