Maryland Indoor Play Spaces to Visit During Winter Break

While we love the winter weather, playing outside is not my first choice when it’s cold. We tend to find something to do in the house or head out to play at one of the many play spaces. Although not a full list of every space in the DC area, here are some of our favorites to visit.

Maryland

Port Discovery
Admission: $15.95 for ages 2 and up
Members and children younger than two years: FREE
What to Expect: This museum contains 3 floors of interactive rooms for kids up to the age of 12. Don’t be surprised if your kids get lost temporarily in the humongous treehouse in the middle of the building. Our favorite rooms are the Wonders of Water, Tiny’s Diner and Adventures Expeditions. **Bonus: Save $20 on all Annual Memberships through December 31, 2017. 

B&O Railroad Museum
901 West Pratt St., Baltimore, MD 21223
Admission: $12-$20
What to Expect: Trains, trains and more trains is what you’ll find at the B&O. Step aboard on a real train ride, little conductors can explore a number of locomotives, hop on the B&O Train Carousel and play in the newly expanded Choo Choo Blue Kid Zone.

ClimbZone USA
13200 Mid Atlantic Boulevard, Suite 130, Laurel, MD 20708
Admission: Climbers (6 yrs+) = $25 + tax/Pre-schooler (2-5 yrs) = $12 + tax
What to Expect: If you build it, kids will climb.  Families can challenge each other to see who can make it to the top of these giant climbing walls. If there’s any fear, have the kiddos climb short distances or challenge them on the inflatables. They also have a play area for small children to enjoy.

Scary Strokes
2960 Technology Pl Suite #106, Waldorf, MD
Admission: $9-$10
What to Expect: This 18-hole mini golf course brings a fun and memorable experience with black lights, a full arcade and prize redemption area. The course has been carefully crafted with vampires, mummies, graveyards and tombstones. Beware that it may be a little scary for younger kids.

SkyZone
Multiple Locations throughout the DC area
Admission: $16 – $30
What to Expect: Kids will be jumping, flipping, and bouncing all around at SkyZone. Book a session from 60 -120 minutes and there are areas just for younger children to play. This will definetly be a couple hours of fun for the entire family and you all will be pooped at the end!

Washington DC

National Building Museum
401 F St NW, Washington, DC
Admission: $7-10/ 2 & Under: FREE
What to Expect: You’ll walk into an architect’s dream with interactive exhibits and amazing structures. Kids and parents alike can design and build using supersized foam blocks, get silly with the virtual block experience and youngsters can explore and create projects in the Building Zone.

MORE WINTER FUN

I know these are not indoor activities but for most, you can share the excitement from inside the car! Don’t miss these holiday lights displays before they end. I’m listing a few but click for the full list!

Maryland

Winter Festival of Lights at Watkins Regional Park – Upper Marlboro
November 24, 2017 – January 1, 2018
5-9:30 pm daily
Entrance Fee: $10 per car (FREE Entrance Dates: December 4 & 25)
Winter Festival of Lights is Prince George’s County, Maryland’s spectacular drive-through Christmas light display featuring more than a million twinkling lights. Bring canned food items to donate to local food banks for the holidays.

Annmarie Garden in Lights – Solomons
December 1, 2017 – January 1, 2018
6-9 pm (CLOSED Dec. 4,5,24,25)
Cost: $6/ children 4 & under FREE ($1 Off Discount Coupon)
Don’t miss this award-winning light display! This is walking tour will allow families to stroll the path, and be transported to a place of spectacular lights with animal, airplanes, pirates, princesses, circus acts  and the list goes on! Enjoy the “Holiday I Spy Game,” nightly entertainment, special discount nights, sweet treats, and other fun activities.

Virginia

Winter Walk of Lights at Meadowlark Gardens
9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court – Vienna
November 10, 2017 through January 7, 2018
5:30 to 10 pm
Admission: $8 – $13 
Meadowlark Gardens is an outdoor trail with displays totaling more than 500,000 lights! Light fountains, a garden of illumination, a tunnel of light, birds, bees, squirrels, the Gingerbread Village, Holly Berry Hill, Korean Bell Garden, many photo ops and more are in store for the entire family. 

Washington, DC

ZooLights
National Zoo
November 24, 2017 – January 1, 2018. Closed Dec. 24 & 25.
5-9 pm
FREE Admission
The National Zoo presents a seasonal display of more than 500,000 environmentally friendly LED lights of thousands of sparkling animated displays! New this year: Glow-in-the-dark play zone for children features light-up LED games, GRUMP Holiday Market, and the CulturalDC’s SPACE4: Mobile Art Gallery. Some attractions are additional.

Festival of Lights
Washington D.C. Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Kensington
Nov 30 – Dec 31
Open Every Day from 10 am – 10 pm
FREE Admission
Each night families can experience entertainment by a performing artist or group including bell ensembles, choirs, orchestras, and more! Each performance is presented twice nightly on the grounds. See over 650,000 lights, nativity, and Christmas trees decorated in international themes.

What are some of your favorite indoor play spaces in the DC area?

(Photo Cred: Port Discovery)