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Escape the Chill: Erie's FREE Indoor Play Places for Frightful Days

For those days when you just need to get out of the house!

By Kara Murphy, publisher of Macaroni KID Erie January 9, 2024

Indoor Play Places (Alphabetical Order)

5 Wits Erie

πŸ“ 5800 Peach St., Erie, PA (Millcreek Mall)Immersive adventure games for all ages.πŸ”— 5-wits.com

ASCEND Erie

πŸ“ 1950 Rotunda Dr, Erie, PAIndoor rock climbing gym with kids’ classes and open climb.πŸ”— ascendclimbing.com/erie

Asbury Woods Nature Center

πŸ“ 4105 Asbury RoadLive animals, interactive kids’ room, and nature trails.πŸ”— www.asburywoods.org

Chick-Fil-A

πŸ“ 7160 Peach St.Indoor playground + monthly storytimes.πŸ”— www.cfarestaurant.com

Elevate Trampoline Park

πŸ“ 7300 Grubb Rd., Erie, PA30,000 sq. ft. trampoline park with various attractions.πŸ”— elevatetrampolinepark.com/erie/

Erie Bank Sports Park

πŸ“ 8159 Oliver Rd, Erie, PAIndoor ice skating, hockey, and sports programs.πŸ”— eriebanksportspark.org

Erie County Public Library (Five Branches)

πŸ“ Blasco Library - 160 East Front St., ErieπŸ“ Edinboro Branch - 413 W Plum St.πŸ“ Iroquois Ave. Branch - 4212 Iroquois Ave.πŸ“ Lincoln Community Center - 1255 Manchester Rd.πŸ“ Millcreek Branch - 2088 Interchange Rd., Suite 280Storytimes, activities, and interactive play spaces.πŸ”— www.erielibrary.org

Escape Room Erie

πŸ“ 930 W Erie Plaza Dr., Erie, PAInteractive puzzle adventure rooms for families and kids.πŸ”— escaperoomerie.com

expERIEnce Children's Museum

πŸ“ 420 French St., Erie, PAInteractive exhibits and hands-on activities for kids.πŸ”— eriechildrensmuseum.org

McDonald’s

πŸ“ 7200 Peach St.Play Place (under construction).πŸ“ž (814) 866-2416

Millcreek Mall’s Widget Kidz Zone

πŸ“ 5800 Peach St.Indoor play area for kids under 42 inches.πŸ”— Millcreek Mall

Play Port

πŸ“ 2730 W 12th St., Erie, PAIndoor fun center with mini-golf, arcade games, and more.πŸ”— playporterie.com

Round One Entertainment

πŸ“ 5800 Peach St., Erie, PA (Millcreek Mall)Bowling, arcade games, karaoke, and more.πŸ”— round1usa.com

Sinai Sports

πŸ“ 2311 W 15th St, Erie, PAIndoor sports training facility offering classes and open gym play.πŸ”— sinaisportserie.com

Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park Resort

πŸ“ 8091 Peach St., Erie, PAIndoor water park with slides, pools, and a lazy river.πŸ”— splashlagoon.com

That Play Place

πŸ“ 7200 Peach St., Erie, PAIndoor playground with pretend play areas and climbing structures.πŸ”— thatplayplaceerie.com

Tom Ridge Environmental Center

πŸ“ 301 Peninsula DriveInteractive exhibits, a kids’ playroom, and a scenic tower.πŸ”— www.trecpi.org

Tumble 84

πŸ“ 4025 W Ridge Rd, Erie, PAGymnastics, tumbling, and open gym play.πŸ”— tumble84.com

We Rock the Spectrum - Erie

πŸ“ 2141 W 12th St., Erie, PAInclusive gym with sensory-rich play for all abilities.πŸ”— werockthespectrumerie.com

YMCA of Greater Erie

πŸ“ Multiple LocationsIndoor pools, open gym, sports programs, and family activities.πŸ”— ymcaerie.org

Have a favorite indoor play spot in Erie that we missed? Let us know at karam@macaronikid.com!

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Visiting with a rabbit at Asbury Woods.

1. Asbury Woods

Asbury Woods Nature Center offers both indoor and outdoor fun. While their outdoor trails and nature exploration are always worthwhile of exploration, their indoor Nature Center is just as impressive. It features exhibits with live animals, educational displays, and a discovery room where children can learn and play. FREE admission.

  • April 1 - October 31: Monday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Sunday 12:00 - 5:00 p.m.
  • November 1  - March 31: Monday  - Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Sunday 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.


Photo from TREC Foundation

From the second floor of the Tom Ridge Environmental Center.

2. Tom Ridge Environmental Center

The Tom Ridge Environmental Center (TREC) is an excellent destination for both education and indoor fun. While the interactive exhibits and educational displays provide valuable insights into the local environment and wildlife, the TREC also offers a play area for kids. Children can enjoy a hands-on learning experience while exploring the center's various exhibits and then take a break with some indoor playtime. FREE admission.

  • April 1 through October 31: 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. daily
  • Nov. 1 through March 31: Tuesday to Saturday, 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.






Look at all these building blocks available to kids at Iroquois Library!

3. Blasco and the Erie Library Branches

The Children's Room at Blasco Library is a haven for kids who love books, with a wide selection of age-appropriate reading material. Additionally, the library offers interactive play spaces, educational toys, and cozy reading nooks where children can explore their imaginations. The other Erie County Public Libraries are just as welcoming. Visit all of them this winter! 

Blasco

  • Mon.-Thur. 9:00-8:30 PM
  • Fri.-Sat. 9:00-5:00 PM
  • Sun. 1:00-5:00 PM

Branches

  • Mon.-Tues. 9:00-8:00 PM
  • Wed.-Sat. 9:00-5:00 PM






The entrance to the Widget Kidz Zone.

4. Widget Kidz Zone at Millcreek Mall

The play area features a variety of Erie-themed climbing structures, slides, and soft play surfaces designed for children to have a blast in a safe environment. Parents can relax on benches while keeping an eye on their kids.

Mall hours
  • Mon–Sat 10am-9pm
  • Sun 11am-6pm




5. McDonald's and Chick-fil-A

If you're looking for a quick bite to eat and a place for your children to play, both the neighboring Chick-fil-A and McDonald's on upper Peach Street in Erie, Pa., offer indoor play areas. These fast-food restaurants have designated play zones where kids can climb, slide, and have fun.

Have a favorite FREE indoor play place we're missing in Erie? Let me know at karam@macaronikid.com and I'll add it to the list!