There comes a time in parenthood when your kids are amped up with energy but for one reason or another, letting them run wild at a park isn’t an option. And so, you turn to finding an indoor play area. There are several indoor playgrounds in Omaha – as well as places for play that aren’t necessarily “playgrounds. If you’re seeking a free indoor play area, this city has them as well. So, don’t wait — check out this list of indoor playgrounds in Omaha!
The Omaha metro is large, so I’m including places in towns nears Omaha. I know some parents are willing to drive a few extra miles if it means kids will be so tired after playing, they’ll nap on the way home.
Related post: Looking for more ideas? Read this list of 30+ fun things to do in Omaha with kids!
Best Indoor Playgrounds Near Omaha
The following indoor playgrounds and play areas are designed for open play sessions. If you’re looking for entertainment centers with a variety of activities like laser tag or arcade games, there's a section for that later in this blog post.
Altitude Trampoline Park
5575 N. 90th St., Omaha, Neb.
Purchase an Endless Jumps Pass (AKA, membership) for $15 a month and get two hours of jumping per day per kid. Otherwise, pay per jump session.
The trampoline park also has Junior Jumpers Jam for ages 6 and under on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Backyard Playworld
11808 Sterling Drive, Gretna, Neb.
Backyard Playworld sells playsets, yes, but they also open their showroom for open play. That's roughly 10,000 square feet of space that includes Rainbow swing sets, trampolines, and basketball hoops. They're also pretty accepting with outside food and drinks.
The cost is $10 per child (ages 1 and up) on weekdays and $14 per child (ages 1 and up) on weekends. Weekend open play times are limited. Note: Must sign a waiver before entering.
Bounce U
11144 Q St., Omaha, Neb.
Bounce U isn't just a fun place for a kid's birthday party. The indoor bounce house facility offers open play times giving kids a few hours exploring everything from the obstacle courses to giant slides. Socks are required.
Open bounce, as they call it, is available on weekdays as well as some weekends (availability depends on birthday parties). The good thing is that you can stay for the entire open bounce time -- there is no time limit. Cost is $10 for kids ages 2 and older; $3 for toddlers ages 12-23 months; and $3 for adults.
Core Kids Gym
14242 Fort St, Omaha, Neb.
Core Kids Gym opened in early 2023. Open gym is offered several days a week, though you'll want to check the schedule for times, as they may change seasonally. The price for open gym is $7-$10 for the first child, and $6 for each additional child in the same family.
The Hub
7 S. Fourth St., Council Bluffs, Iowa
The Hub has trampolines as well as a Warrior Course. It’s one of the few trampoline parks that offer family memberships as well as individual youth memberships. Memberships are monthly for two hours of play per day. Cost is $40 for a youth membership and $120 for a family membership.
KiDS Body Shop
1219 N. Monroe St., Papillion, Neb.
KiDS Body Shop is a gymnastics place for young kids, but they offer an open play time each week. Open play for ages 6 and younger is every Tuesday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. During the summer, kids up to age 12 can go to open play. Cost is $6 per child.
Mahoney State Park Activity Center
28500 W Park Hwy, Ashland, Neb.
Admission into the Activity Center is $3 for kids and $2 for adults. There's also an indoor climbing wall for an additional fee. No outside food or drinks, but there is a concession stand.
Metro Stars Gymnastics Open Gym
11153 Cumberland Drive, Papillion, Neb.
This gymnastics facility offers open gym in the morning and evening each week. Hours are Tuesdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to noon and Fridays from 7:15 to 8:45 p.m. The cost for morning open gyms is $9 for the first child and $7 for any siblings. For evening open gyms, the cost is $12 for members and $15 for non-members.
Papillion Landing Community Recreation Center
1046 W. Lincoln St., Papillion, Neb.
Pappy’s Playground is the indoor playground at Papillion Landing. Kids ages 10 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Admission for Papillion residents is $5.50 for kids and $8 for adults up to age 54; for non-residents, it’s $8 and $10. There’s also the option of a punch card for a discounted price on 10 admissions.
Kids Cave Play Cafe
2920 N. 118th St., Suite 106, Omaha
This play space is designed with parents in mind. Kids play while parents can enjoy coffee and chat. Open Play is $12 per child (and $9 for additional siblings over 12 months). The Kids Cave Drop-in-Go fee is $25 per hour (2 hours maximum).
The Salvation Army Kroc Center
At the Kroc Center, the Kid Zone is pretty much day care, but it has an awesome climbing area for kids ages 1-7. It's FREE if you’re a member or a $5 add-on if you have a facility day pass. Non-members can buy a Facility day pass for $14 per adult (ages 19+); $11 per teen (ages 12-18); $8 for youth (ages 2-11) and FREE for children ages under 2.
Sky Zone Omaha
4215 S. 133rd St., Omaha
You can purchase monthly memberships that get you either 60 minutes of jumping per day or 120 minutes of jumping per day; cost is $25 and $45, respectively. On Tuesdays, there's a discounted jumping fee ($10 Tuesdays). Little Leapers is a program for kids ages 5 and under and their adults at Sky Zone. Last I checked, it was from 10 a.m. to noon on Fridays and Sundays.
Urban Air Adventure Park
15364 Weir St., Omaha
Urban Air offers three levels of membership, ranging in price from $10/month to $15/month. All three levels include unlimited visits each month and access to the basics like trampolines, indoor playground and Warrior Course. You can add a parent pass for $3.99 to any child membership. Otherwise, you can buy a single day pass.
Chirpy's Play Cafe
2063 Creek Side Drive, Papillion, Neb.
Open Play hours at Chirpy's Play Cafe are Mondays through Thurdsays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Weekend Open Play hours are anounced 7 days in advance each week. During the summer, no reservations are needed, but for the rest of the year, you'll want to make them.
Playful Pines
7051 S. 181st St., Omaha, Neb.
Playful Pines is open seven days a week, with hours typically from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 2 to 4 p.m. Price is $15 per child for infants to kids up to 7 years old.
The contemporary indoor playground is available for private parties.
Omaha Children's Museum
500 S. 20th St., Omaha, Neb.
With space designated for infants, and another for toddlers and early elementary kids, Omaha Children’s Museum has perfected play. The most popular area is the Imagination Playground with its huge water table, grocery store, and climbing area. Family memberships are a good idea if you think you’ll visit more than twice a year.
Free Indoor Play Parks & Play Groups
Free indoor play spaces are often found in Omaha malls and a few fast food restaurants, but they're not the only places for free (or nearly free) play.
Shopping Malls With Indoor Playgrounds
Shopping malls in the metro with spaces for kids:
- Westroads Mall, 10000 California St., Omaha, Neb., near Dick’s Sporting Goods
- Oak View Mall, 3001 S. 144th St., Omaha, Neb., located on the lower level near the elevators.
Fast Food Restaurants With Play Areas
Not every location of the following fast food chains have indoor play areas, but I'll note the ones I know for sure have them:
- Chik-fil-A locations (including 6310 N. 72nd St.)
- McDonald’s locations (including 2760 S. 13th St.)
- Burger King locations (including 5049 S. 108th St.)
Commons Coffee Shop at StoneBridge Christian Church
15801 Butler Ave., Omaha
Locate the coffee shop inside StoneBridge (park in the East parking lot) and you’ll find a neat little indoor playground. It’s great for ages 6 and younger.
La Vista Community Center
8116 Park View Blvd., La Vista, Neb.
The community center offers open gym at various times each week, so you’ll want to check the calendar before going. Admission is FREE for children who are residents of La Vista. Adults who are residents will need to pay $3.
Saddlebrook Community Center
14850 Laurel Ave., Omaha, Neb.
Toddler Gym Time is held at the community center on Tuesdays, Fridays & Saturdays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Cost is only $1 per adult and FREE for children.
Sorensen Community Center
4808 Cass St., Omaha
Parent and Tot Gym Time is Tuesdays and Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon at the community center. It’s geared toward kids ages 5 and younger. Cost is only $1 per adult and FREE for children.
Fun Entertainment Centers In Omaha
In my experience, entertainment centers appeal to an older kid and work well for families with quite a big age range. Not all have a lot of things to do for the youngest members, but generally, there’s something for everyone.
The Amazing Pizza Machine
13955 S Plaza, Omaha
Attractions include:
- Arcade
- Bowling
- Go Carts
- Indoor Play Area
- Laser Tag
- Virtual Reality Games
Chuck E. Cheese
225 N. 76th St., Omaha
Attractions include:
- Arcade
- Indoor Play Area
Dave & Buster's
2502 S. 133rd Plaza, Suite 111, Omaha
Attractions include:
- Arcade
- Billiards
- Bowling
- Virtual Reality Games
Bowlero
20902 Cumberland Drive, Elkhorn, Neb.
Attractions include:
- Arcade
- Bowling
- Laser Tag
Spare Time
17202 Lakeside Hills Plaza, Omaha
Attractions include:
- Bowling
- Arcade
- Laser Tag
- Escape rooms
Tips for going to indoor play parks
Every indoor play space has its own set of rules, but here are a few general tips to help first-timers plan well:
- Pack the hand wipes and/or hand sanitizers. Whether or not you plan on eating while you’re there, it doesn’t matter: Always always always have a way to clean your kid’s hands.
- Double check before going. Hours can change and it’s not always just due to weather. Call ahead or check online to make sure a place is open when you’re planning on going.
- Bring water. Kids get thirsty. You get thirsty.
- Bring snacks, if they’re allowed. Not every place welcomes outside food, but it will save you some money when your exhausted kids come running at you for a snack.
- Give your kids an early warning before it’s time to leave. I give my kids a 5-minute warning (10-minute warning if I’m feeling it). This, hopefully, gives kids time to wrap up play and might reduce tears. Then again, I always say “All fun things end in tears,” so it may not help that.
Seasoned parents: What are some of your tips?