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Need to stay inside? Here are some great options for indoor fun in or right around Fairfax County, including arcades; mall play areas;kid gyms and other indoor playgrounds; movie series; indoor pools and water parks; and skating, bowling, and laser tag locations. Also see our HANDS-ON FUN page for local kid-friendly museums, craft events, cooking schools, and “DIY” workshops! “Stuck” at home? See our Pinterest page of fun indoor ideas!
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Non-Mall Play Areas & Kid Gyms with Open Play
Kid Junction Chantilly (our sponsor!): Large indoor amusement center for kids with walk-in, open play each day boasts a huge climbing structure, a smaller one for younger kids, a Kid Town with pretend-play rooms (animal hospital, post office, pizza place, and store), arcade games, a cafe, and party rooms.
Monkey Joe’s Dulles (our sponsor!): Fun inflatable play and party center in Sterling for kids 12 and under with a good variety of wall-to-wall jumbo slides, jumps, and obstacle courses, plus separate toddler play areas, arcade games, and a cafe with lots of seating for parents. Open play daily: walk-ins always welcome, and parents are always free! Special events include a monthly Exceptional Kids Night for special-needs kids and their families.
My Gym Chantilly and My Gym Burke (our sponsors!): Fun, bright gyms that help boost kids’ strength, balance, fitness, coordination, and motor skills. Fun classes for all age levels, summer camps, and parent night out events, too! My Gym also has locations in Kingstowne and Sterling.
Great Play of Fairfax: This state-of-the-art gym in Fairfax (our sponsor!) has a unique, patented Interactive Arena and fitness programs for kids from six months old through fifth grade. It offers classes, fun birthday party options, and summer and teacher workday camps.
Sport Bounce of Loudoun (our sponsor!): Huge place for active play in nearby Ashburn with large inflatables and a giant jumping pillow offering fun year-round in a clean and safe environment; open bounce times are always updated on the website.
PB & Jack: Cozy indoor playground in Fairfax (best for younger kids, from babies to age 7) with a bright ocean theme; adults can enjoy the nice little cafe and free WiFi.
MoBu Kids: Indoor playground in Falls Church with a fun jungle theme and weekly open play.
JW Tumbles: Herndon gym with open play time for members and non-members; times and days vary.
Rebounderz: Huge indoor trampoline arena (locations in Sterling and Manassas) also featuring two arcade sections; also hosts birthday parties and corporate events.
Flight Trampoline Park: Cutting-edge entertainment, fitness, and sport facility in Springfield for fun, dodgeball, workouts, and more.
Chibis Indoor Playground: Family gym and indoor playground in Ashburn for kids age six and younger.
Play N’ Learn Playground Superstore: Play equipment showroom in Chantilly offers the public free play Monday and Thursday mornings.
Pump it Up Manassas: Large inflatables play area and party place in Manassas with moon bounces and slides, open play, and “glow” jump events.
Hidden Oaks Nature Center: The inside exhibit area in this county park also features a nice little treehouse to climb and other play structures.
Sherwood Community Center: City of Fairfax facility offers free open play and games for various age groups on select days.
Fair Oaks Mall: Newly designed (Nov. 2013) with a construction and building theme; sponsored by Michael & Son. Structures include a truck slide, color-changing paint brush, and climber/crawlers.
Tysons Corner Center: Soft play area with an environmental theme, sponsored by National Geographic. Structures include an eagle, polar bear, and other animals. Kids’ entertainment offered regularly. Train rides ($3) nearby.
Springfield Town Center: The renovated re-opened in late 2014 with two children’s play areas.
Landmark Mall: Woodlands Play area is a small (unenclosed) soft play area with a forest theme where kids can climb on frogs and tree stumps, go through “logs.” Miniature train rides are $4.
Dulles Town Center: New play area (July 2014; the former “airport” is gone) with a Washington Nationals baseball theme. Best for toddlers, as height restrictions are up to 42″ maximum. Now located in the food court, which has a carousel ($1.50/ride). Miniature train rides nearby ($2/ride).
Potomac Mills: This huge outlet center in neighboring Woodbridge has a large play area with a local/history theme. Climbing structures include a cannon, a small replica of Monticello, a cardinal, an ancient ship, and more.
Skating, Bowling, & Laser Tag
AMF Lanes: Bowling alleys in Centreville, Annandale, and more.
Bowl America: Locations in Burke, Fairfax, Chantilly, Falls Church, and other nearby areas.
Skate N Fun Zone: Roller skating rink in nearby Manassas.
Ice skating – SkateQuest: Large indoor ice-skating rink in Reston
Ice skating – Fairfax Ice Arena: Ice skating rink in Fairfax.
Ice skating – Mount Vernon: Ice skating arena in the county’s Mount Vernon RECenter.
Note: The list above includes only indoor ice skating rinks; for outdoor rinks open in winter; see our winter guide.
Shadowland Adventures: Laser tag facility offering a huge multi-level arena plus birthday party options, group activities, and special events. Locations include Chantilly, Springfield/Alexandria, and Maryland (Columbia, Gaithersburg, and Frederick). Equipment is lightweight and high-tech.
Sudden Combat: The first scenario gaming experience powered by the iCombat/irTactical system in Northern Virginia, the 15,000 square foot facility in Sterling features four themed gaming arenas, Reball, and mobile gaming options; owned by the adjacent Rebounderz trampoline arena.
Ultrazone Laser Tag: Laser tag venue in Falls Church also features an arcade and more.
Panther Laser Tag: Laser tag venue in Sterling from the owners of Ultrazone in Falls Church.
Kid-friendly Indoor Movie Series & Kid Theatre
University Mall Theatres: atch up on movies you may have missed at this bargain theater where movies are just $4 for adults, $3 for kids, and just $2 for everyone all day long on “Two-buck Tuesdays!”
Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center: This City of Fairfax center hosts free family movies on some Friday nights.
Wegmans: Some Wegmans food markets offer regular free family movie nights.
Kid-friendly Theatre: See our special section listing MANY kid-friendly theatres in our area!
Indoor Public Pools & Water Parks
Cub Run RECenter Indoor Water Park: Fairfax County recreation and sports center featuring an indoor pool and water park with two water slides, a lazy river, and zero-depth entry kiddie area, and a lap pool.
Herndon Community Center Pool: The Town of Herndon’s Parks and Recreation Department has a nice community center (sports, classes, events) with a pool. During winter it offers an indoor kiddie open gym, Wacky Wednesdays in the pool all year long, Family Fun Nights, and special events in the pool.
Other Fairfax County Pools: Fairfax County has other indoor pools at its other RECenters: Audrey Moore, George Washington, Lee District, Mount Venon, Oak Marr, Providence, South Run, and Spring Hill.
This list is only for INDOOR pools — see also our water parks list in the summer seasonal guide!
Kid Junction in Chantilly (Fairfax Family Fun sponsor!): Large indoor amusement center with arcade games, robotic ride-on animals, a huge climbing structure, tot areas, pretend-play rooms, a cafe, party rooms, and more.
Chuck E. Cheese (multiple locations): National arcade chain and restaurant with inexpensive games for all ages. Locations in Fairfax, Herndon, and Alexandria plus nearby in Manassas, Dulles, and other neighborhoods.
Ultrazone: Laser tag venue in Falls Church with an arcade section.
Rebounderz: Just outside of Fairfax in Sterling, this huge indoor trampoline arena has two arcade areas.
Generous George’s: This Herndon family restaurant features a large arcade room.
Other: Cici’s Pizza (Chantilly, Falls Church, and other sites); Bowl America (Burke, Chantilly, Fairfax, Falls Church, and sites); and AMF Bowling (Centreville, Annandale, Alexandria, and other sites) have small arcades.
