Escape the Chill, there's no need to stay cooped up during these freezing temperatures! 'Tis the season for indoor adventures in Jefferson City! Play and discover at these fantastic indoor destinations in Jefferson City where kids can unleash their energy and have a blast without turning your house upside-down.
The Runge Nature Center (FREE!) - 330 Commerce Drive, Jefferson City
While the park as a whole has a tremendous trail system, you can also just kick it indoors at their Nature Center. Inside you will find regularly schedule educational programs (usually requiring registration), nature exhibits with live animals, a large aquarium, wild life viewing area, as well as a gift shop. If your littles require a little run around, outside there is immediate access to their trail, very nearby is a natural musical play area.
Sunday Closed
Monday Closed
Tuesday 8am-5pm
Wednesday 8am-5pm
Thursday 8am-8pm
Friday 8am-5pm
Saturday 8am-5pm
Missouri River Regional Library (FREE!) - Both Jefferson City and Osage Branches
There is something almost daily at our local libraries for kids of all ages. Check out our resource guide for all the story and play time options, as well as our calendar to see what fits your schedule and needs. Highlights for play include Jefferson City's biweekly Rhyme Time that occurs in 3 different sessions including story, music and movement, the monthly Sensory Play Day at both locations that allows for exploring sensory and activity stations, as well as Families in Motion for whole family fun including stories and yoga/movement activities. The Children's Library always has an assortment of toys and play set up (puzzles, stem activities, coloring.)
Sunday 1pm-5pm
Monday 9am- 8pm
Tuesday 9am- 8pm
Wednesday 9am- 8pm
Thursday 9am- 8pm
Friday 9am- 6pm
Saturday 9am- 5pm
Capital Mall Play Area (FREE!) - 3600 Country Club Drive, Jefferson City
The perfect indoor play room for when the weather is not cooperating with your kid's energy levels. The space is HUGE and filled with an array of soft climbers designed to showcase Jefferson City sights on a soft cushiony floor to protect the newly walking toddlers and the daredevil jumpers alike. This is perfect for ages ranging from 0-10 as the climber range from small little stumps for babies in pull up stage to climbers with slides. Supervision is important and I would caution your bigger kids to be careful of the little ones. Benches line the room on all sides for parents and supervising caregivers to relax. Please no food in the playroom and have your kids remove shoes prior to entering. There is a private mother's room complete with outlets, comfortable chair and a sink. The bathroom has an adult-sized toilet, child-sized toilet for those potty training, as well as two diaper changers. Drinking fountain, but no bottle refill station. There is also a party room attached that is available for 1.5 hour rentals. The area is spot cleaned every 30 minutes by mall janitorial services.
Sunday 12pm-5:30pm
Monday 11am- 6:30pm
Tuesday 11am- 6:30pm
Wednesday 11am- 6:30pm
Thursday 11am- 6:30pm
Friday 11am- 6:30pm
Saturday 11am- 6:30pm
Quik Play Arcade (Pricing Varies by Preference) - 3600 Country Club Drive, Jefferson City
Quik Play is a coin-operated arcade located inside of Capital Mall and is a redemption arcade where all prizes are won on the spot through claw machines, coin pushers and other various prize game. They also have a collection of vintage and classic games for mom and dad to feel the nostalgia of arcade play. Arcade also has a birthday party option.
Sunday 12pm-5:30pm
Monday 11am- 6:30pm
Tuesday 11am- 6:30pm
Wednesday 11am- 6:30pm
Thursday 11am- 6:30pm
Friday 11am- 6:30pm
Saturday 11am- 6:30pm
Chic-Fil-A Play Area (Menu Pricing Varies, Play Area FREE!) - 3407 Missouri Blvd, Jefferson City
After a long hiatus post-Covid, the play area has recently reopened! Classic fastfood play space that includes climbers, tunnels and slides. Play area is open during regular restaurant business hours, always check for updates! Please patron the restaurant to use the play area. Restrooms have diaper changing stations.
Sunday Closed
Monday 6:30am-9pm
Tuesday 6:30am-9pm
Wednesday 6:30am-9pm
Thursday 6:30am-9pm
Friday 6:30am-9pm
Saturday 6:30am-9pm
Local YMCA Branches (FREE with membership) - Knowles, Firley and Hartsfield locations
This one is a great one for YMCA members - childcare hours allows for you to drop off and take time for you! Not feeling like working out? Thats okay! So long as you stay on grounds, YMCA has free wifi to relax, sit and scroll or bring your laptop to get in some work while the kids play and socialize. Check preferred location for closings. Staff reserve the right to limit the number of children in their care, due to ages. They are no longer changing diapers, so be prepared to return if your little one is still in diapers. No food or drink allowed in nursery or kid center. Nursery allows ages 3 months-preK, Kid Center allows kinder-13 years
All Branch Location Hours
Sunday Closed
Monday 8am-11:30am and 4pm-8pm
Tuesday 8am-11:30am and 4pm-8pm
Wednesday 8am-11:30am and 4pm-8pm
Thursday 8am-11:30am and 4pm-8pm
Friday 8am-11:30am
Saturday 8am-12pm
Tiny Tumbler Gym ($5 per child) - 1716 Four Seasons Dr, Jefferson City
Tiny Tumbler Gym of Jefferson City hosts 4 weekly options for open play in their gym. Ideal for children between ages of 1-8. Time can be spent exploring the gym which includes all sorts of gymnastics equipment (balance beams, bars, trampoline, climber and slide) - also an ideal for current students to practice and work on their skills. Option to buy vouchers for 10 visits for $40. Parents MUST supervise, everyone must remove shoes. Check Facebook for changes to open play schedule, as inclement weather and party reservations may impact open play times. Sunday session is $10 per child.
Sunday 6pm-7:30pm ($10 admission)
Monday 9am-10:30am
Tuesday No open play
Wednesday 9am-10:30am
Thursday No open play
Friday 9am-10:30am
Saturday No open play
SK8 Zone ($6-$10 Depending on Session) - 301 Flora Drive, Jefferson City
Sk8 Zone is Jefferson City's only roller rink. They offer a variety of public skating hours, Wednesday's being their value night with admission at $6. No skates, no problem - regular rental skates $2, inline or speed skates at $5. Evening sessions do require teens under age of 15 to be accompanied by adult. No Concessions. Birthday Party options!
Sunday 2pm-4pm ($8.50 admission)
Monday No Public Sessions
Tuesday No Public Sessions
Wednesday 7pm-9pm ($6 admission)
Thursday No Public Sessions
Friday 7pm-10pm ($10 admission)
Saturday 2pm-4pm ($8.50 admission) AND 7pm-10pm ($10 admission)
Washington Park Ice Arena ($3.50-$8 Depending on Session) - 711 Kansas Street, Jefferson City
Jefferson City's own year-round indoor ice rink, maintained by Jefferson City Parks. The rink offers a variety of sessions from public skating to figure skating and hockey, each with its own admission price. They offer a weekday special for all ages of $3.50 if you visit before 3pm, skate rentals are $3. Times listed below are just public skate options, check their website and calendar for blocked off time for specialty skating sessions, as well as scheduling changes.
Sunday 1pm-3pm
Monday 12pm-2:30pm and 4pm-5:30pm
Tuesday 12pm-2:30pm and 4pm-5:30pm
Wednesday 12pm-2:30pm
Thursday 12pm-1:30pm and 4pm-5:30pm
Friday 12pm-2:30pm and 4pm-5:30pm
Saturday 1pm-4pm
Cork and Board ($3 per person) - 124 E High Street, Jefferson City
Cork and Board is a family friend board game pub located uptown on High street. They have a collection of over 150 games (some for all ages) with a creative food menu ranging from snack bowls with candy, charcuterie boards to hot sandwiches and am impressive drink selection.
Sunday Closed
Monday Closed
Tuesday 3pm-10pm
Wednesday 3pm-10pm
Thursday 3pm-10pm
Friday 3pm-12am
Saturday 3pm-12am
Have a favorite FREE or low cost indoor play place we're missing in Jefferson City and Fulton? Let me know at chelseahy@macaronikid.com and I'll add it to the list!
