Indoor Play Directory for Families
Ah, indoor play. It’s the savior for every parent who has looked outside and thought, “Rain again? Really?” But fret not, fellow guardians of tiny humans, for the wonders of indoor playgrounds are here to rescue us.
Not only are they designed to exhaust your child’s seemingly endless energy reserves, but they’re also crafted for those of us who have forgotten to pack sunscreen or perhaps misplaced those pesky rain boots. Plus, let’s be real: there are only so many times you can pretend that a cardboard box in your living room is a spaceship. (We all know it’s a top-secret hideout).
Dive into this directory to discover a trove of play havens where the coffee is almost always hot, the floors are (usually) not made of lava, and where socks – mysteriously – might find their eternal mate. Welcome to the indoor play zone areas in the Quad Cities area.
The Fun Station
The Fun Station (formerly known as the ‘The Play Station’) is in Eldridge, IA. It’s an absolute favorite when it comes to indoor fun in the QCA! My kids and I arrived right when they opened, and we were there well into the afternoon. There is SO much to do and something for kids of ALL ages.
Related: Go, See, Explore: The Fun Station
There are 18+ attractions – all under one roof!
- Trampolines
- Warrior Course
- Wipe Out
- Joust Battle Beam
- Jump Tower
- Trapeze
- Air Bag
- Warp Wall
- Basketball
- Spin Zone Bumper Cars
- Play Maze
- Climbing Walls
- Rope Course
The following have an additional cost:
- Mini Bowling
- Lazer Frenzy
- Axe Throwing
- Arcade
- Virtual Reality
In addition to the activities – they also have a full-service menu at the Boxcar Cafe, from sweet snacks to savory meals. You can see the menu here.
Location + Hours
400 South 14th Avenue – Eldridge, IA
Phone #: 563-559-7200
Hours vary – but they are open *most* days of the week. You can see their full schedule here.
Birthday Parties
The Fun Station is the perfect place to host a birthday party – they make it so easy for you and have several options/party packages.
Party Basics Included in Packages:
- Grip Socks for every child
- Printable Invitations and Thank You Cards online
- Once your reserved party time ends, you can stay and play as long as you like. You have to move out of the reserved party area.
Check out our reel from our recent visit to The Fun Station!
Bettendorf Family Museum
A family favorite is the Bettendorf Family Museum. Open Monday to Saturday. With an emphasis on role play and interactive learning, the Family Museum invites families to Play and Learn Together!
Buffalo Bill Museum
Find out about the Wild West through the eyes of Buffalo Bill Cody at the Buffalo Bill Museum in LeClaire. Adults are $5, but children are just a dollar. There is a pilot wheel, a musical wall, a dress-up area, a place to plant a garden, and much more fun.
Elevate – Davenport | Milan
Elevate Trampoline Park is outfitted with wall-to-wall trampolines and boasts a variety of family-fun activities! It’s a great way to burn tons of energy. There are locations in Davenport, IA, and Milan, IL.
Felix Adler Children’s Discovery Center
Located in beautiful downtown Clinton, the Felix Adler Children’s Discovery Center started in 1993. With fun and educational interactive exhibits, the Discovery Center is a great place for everyone.
Figge Art Museum
Take in some culture at The Figge Art Museum. Check out their calendar for fun, family-friendly events and classes.
Happy Joe’s Jungle Bungle
Get a little wild at Happy Joe’s Jungle Bungle. This Happy Joe’s location offers an enormous play place, jungle gym, and arcade games.
John Deere Pavilion
Get behind the wheel of innovation at the John Deere Pavilion! It is a Quad Cities favorite and one of our biggest tourist attractions. You (and your kids) can climb into the cab, sit in the driver’s seat, and test your skills in state-of-the-art simulators. Explore some of the biggest John Deere machines — from combines and dozers to excavators and swing machines — and learn how they change lives worldwide.
Putnam Museum
History, Science, and Natural Earth are all under one roof, right here at the Putnam Museum! Travel to faraway lands, discover your roots and immerse yourself in Iowa’s changing landscape.
QC Botanical Gardens (Tropical Sun Garden)
Get your nature fix at the Quad City Botanical Gardens. Ditch the mittens and hats and enjoy the tropical sun garden and temperate oasis in the heart of downtown Rock Island.
QC Area Libraries
All of the libraries in the Quad Cities offer tons of wonderful programming. From story hours to teen classes to STEAM activities to book clubs, check your local libraries’ websites and our community calendar. Many have winter reading programs you’ll surely enter for their great prizes. Get out of the metro area and explore smaller libraries like LeClaire or East Moline. You’ll be amazed at what wonderful changes you notice when you’re not in the big libraries.
Sawmill Museum
Located in Lyons District in Clinton, Iowa, along the Mississippi River, The Sawmill Museum is great for all ages with highly interactive and engaging exhibits. Don’t forget to check out the Live Mississippi River Cam.
VanderVeer Conservatory
Explore all the green plants and feel the warmth of Vander Veer Conservatory in the middle of the winter. The Conservatory is open Tuesdays-Sundays from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (closed on Mondays). There is no admission fee. An adult must accompany children under 16.
Walcott Truck Museum
Who doesn’t love trucks? Be sure to check out the Walcott Truck Museum. If you can handle the “buy this for me”, the World’s Largest Truckstop is also worth visiting!
SouthPark Mall
Children’s Play Area is located in the mall between Dick’s Sporting Goods and JCPenny.
Chuck-E-Cheese
A wide selection of entertainment for kids and adults alike. Our family fun center offers diverse menu options, skill-level arcade games, and in-store performances for everyone to enjoy.
Ensure you never miss out on a parenting or community-related blog post: sign up to receive Quad Cities Mom posts in your inbox. While you’re at it, follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
