1. Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park in Plainfield
Located just north of I-70, Sky Zone Plainfield has a variety of attractions for all ages. With trampolines everywhere and a variety of things to do, your whole family will enjoy this spot.
You can play Sky Zone Dodgeball or try out your basketball trampoline skills with SkySlam. Sky Zone Plainfield has two new attractions -- Wipe Out and their own Ninja Warrior Course.
A perk I find exciting is the Little Leaper Program. They have scheduled times on the weekends designed for young kids and their caregivers.
Sky Zone also offers the facility to rent so you can host a work event or a birthday party.
Indoor trampolines are a great way for kids to release that energy during the cool months of winter.
2. Art Studios
Art studios provide a great activity during all kinds of weather. They offer a creative outlet where we don't have to clean up! I love taking my kids to art classes because they can stretch their creative muscles, and I don't have to come up with the activity so I can enjoy it with them.
Hendricks County offers a variety of art classes including:
- Brightly Art Studio is located right on Main Street in Brownsburg. Brightly Art's space gives options for their classes and they have retail space. I personally love this place because they offer classes for toddlers, teens and even adults. They offer seasonal classes and camps that go along with the local school's schedule.
- uPaint Pottery Studio in Plainfield offers a kid-friendly, paint-your-own-experience. They have holiday classes coming up where participants can create handprint ornaments and other holiday-themed pieces. They even have a Taylor Swift-themed night planned for January!
- Children's Art Studio in Brownsburg offers a variety of art classes for kids. They offer classes so students can build upon their art knowledge and they also offer workshops as well.
All of these places offer private party options too.
3. Kid's Planet in Brownsburg
Kid's Planet is is filled with activities to keep kids busy during these winter months. They've recently gone through a renovation to include trampolines and a larger toddler area.
Kid's Planet is also a great place to plan your next party. You can choose a theme and even book a mascot.
Besides the play area, they also have an arcade area where you can purchase an unlimited play card or a point-balance card to play the games.
We've enjoyed Kid's Planet a few times, and each time, it's a hit with our kids!
You can check their current hours and entrance fees on their website.
4. Press Play Gaming Lounge in Brownsburg
This experience boasts numerous virtual reality stations with tons of games, a foam war area, three-point shootout and more.
Press Play also has a BEAM system for their really young visitors. Many video games and virtual reality type of games can be too old for our kids, but our 3- and 5-year-olds enjoy playing games on the BEAM system.
The BEAM system is an interactive projector system that projects the game on the floor where players have to physically move in order to play the game.
There is also an arcade corner where you can play a few retro games. A great perk about exploring Press Play is they offer food so you can spend the whole day there!
5. The Tie Dye Lab in Avon
The Tie Dye Lab is a great do-it-yourself experience for individuals of all ages and even groups. At the lab, participants can color T-shirts, hats, socks and more.
No matter your age, The Tie Dye Lab has created a space for you. They offer classes and projects geared toward preschoolers as well as senior citizens. They offer a 10% discount on Thursdays for senior citizens to come, bring a friend or grandchild and create.
I love creating tie-dye projects, and I've done a few with our young kids, but it is a messy project. The ease of going and doing a project at The Tie Dye Lab where they clean up the mess makes it so easy. All we have to do is bring it home and wash it.
And they're the experts and can offer ideas and techniques to help you create your masterpiece. The staff are always helpful and can suggest what colors may work together or if you want a new technique, they'll show you how to create it!
6. Royal Theater in Danville
The historic Royal Theater, unlike most traditional theaters, caters to kids and families with its one screen. Typically favoring newly released, family-friendly offerings over other blockbuster, R-rated hits, it has become a cheaper alternative for a family to enjoy top releases on the big screen.
Showing times are limited to weekends though with 7 p.m. showings on Friday and Saturday and a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. But what you lose in limited showings, you more than make up for in value.
Every ticket is just $5 whether you're age 8, 88 or anywhere in between. The concessions also come at a fraction of the cost of other theaters, making it a great place to let the kids pig out on jumbo popcorn and candy.
We took our kids a few weeks ago to their first movie here, and it was such a great experience. They had all of the movie magic with the ease of a the small-town feel. The kids loved seeing the old projector and learning how they would show the movies on the screen.
You can visit their website for current and upcoming showings.
7. Virtual Galaxy in Avon
Virtual Galaxy is a virtual reality experience that provides fun for everyone in the family.
The games immerse the player into the video game where they can become the character.
There is also a cafe area that offers a selection of food, drinks and shakes.
This would be a great place to bring a group of friends and enjoy some fun together. They are currently open Thursdays through Sundays.
You can also book your party at Virtual Galaxy.
8. Richard A. Carlucci Recreation & Aquatic Center in Plainfield
Plainfield's Recreation and Aquatic Center offers so much! There is a running track, exercise equipment and fitness classes. There are basketball courts, too.
Pool time is so much fun in the summer, and we're always a little sad when the local pools close for the season. To enjoy water year round, you can visit the Indoor Splash Island Water Park which is a part of the Recreation and Aquatic Center. The zero entry pool is a perk for those with young kids, and they also offer a slide and play area.
This fall, they have posted open rec pool time on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Check their website for specific times this winter since they block out times for swim lessons and lap swimming. You can also watch their virtual tour to see more of what they offer.
Admission rates vary depending on place of residency, and day passes and memberships are available. Their front desk is also very helpful and more than happy to answer your questions.
BONUS: Indoor Play Spaces
There are a few local churches that offer indoor play spaces to the community for free. They're great places for kids to run off some energy during the winter months.
The Center at The Well Community Church in Brownsburg offers space for kids to climb and play as well as a few toys. There's space for adults to sit and visit as well. There is no admission fee but you can rent the space out for private parties. They also host events throughout the year, too. You can check their Facebook page for up-to-date hours and events.
Plainfield Christian Church in Plainfield offers their indoor play place The Treehouse on Tuesdays or Thursdays. They are open year round.
The Center at Northview Church in Danville recently opened this year and offers an indoor playscape, a turf field and meeting rooms. Fields Coffee is also in the space. So, you can grab a coffee while the kids play. They have tables and chairs throughout as well so it's a great place to meet up with friends or have a snack after playing.
They are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Their is no entrance fee, and you can reserve some of the space on their site.
