Are you looking for family-friendly indoor things to do with kids in the South Hills of Pittsburgh? Below we have compiled some of the best indoor places to go and things to do with kids in the South Hills of Pittsburgh neighborhoods including Baldwin, Bethel Park, Brentwood, Bridgeville, Castle Shannon, Dormont, Jefferson Hills, Mt. Lebanon, Mt. Oliver, Mt. Washington, Pleasant Hills, Pittsburgh, South Park, South Side, Upper St. Clair, West Mifflin, Whitehall and the cities in between.
Not afraid of crossing a bridge or two? Find more indoor play places in the 'Burgh beyond the South Hills here. Want to get local family fun delivered to your inbox every Monday? Sign up to receive our FREE newsletter HERE.
Where's your favorite indoor play space in the South Hills? Let us know here so we can get it on the list.
Always be sure to check with the venue for complete details prior to arriving.
 |
1. Da Vinci Workshop and Cafe, Bethel Park
The DaVinci Workshop and Cafe may be new to the neighborhood, but they aren't new to the idea of engaging kids. The mastermind behind this STEAM haven for kids is both an artist and an engineer with a desire to inspire young minds of the future. At Da Vinci Workshop and Cafe, your kids can explore their inner creator with a wide variety of hands on activities. Littles can explore safely with their parents by their side as older kids enjoy autonomy in the makerspace while parents gather over a cup of Persian tea and a snack in the center of the studio. davinciworkshopcafe.com
2. The Little Gym of Pittsburgh, McMurray
The best way to encourage children is with a smile! The Little Gym is non-competitive, and Serious Fun, which means children are encouraged to strive for their personal best. We teach children ages 4 months to 12 years Gymnastics and Parent - Child classes. The Little Gym is excited to also offer birthday parties, camps, and parents' survival nights! thelittlegym.com
3. Iron City Ninja, Brentwood
Want to give your kids a spectacular day and tire them out? Take them to Iron City Ninja in Pittsburgh. This facility will have your kids swinging, jumping, falling (in a good way), and climbing all day. They reserve birthday parties and can host up to a group of 12. You can schedule training if your kid(s) want to be real ninjas, or you can come and swing around during their open gym times. ironcityninja.com
4. That Pottery Place, Bethel Park
That Pottery Place located in Bethel Park is a family-owned small business helping people find their inner artist. You can order pottery for curbside pickup or reserve a table (reservations are at 50% and times are staggered). thatpotteryplacepittsburgh.com
5. The Seesaw Center, Castle Shannon
Open September through May
Monday - Friday 9:30am-3:00pm, Tuesday & Thursday 5pm-8pm, Saturday 9:30am-12:30pm, Sunday CLOSED
The Seesaw Center is a large room offering creative indoor play opportunities in a variety of developmental themes for children of all abilities. Best suited for infancy through kindergarten age. theseesawcenter.org
6. Splat: A Make & Take Art Studio, Bethel Park
April will work with all ages, needs, and abilities on an individual basis, based on skill level and interests (while providing all the supplies) to bring their art creations alive! Check their Facebook page for most current hours and projects being offered. facebook.com/SplatMakeandTakeArtStudio
 |
7. Fox in a Box, Bethel Park
Walk into this paint-splattered floor studio expecting an afternoon of fun. Fox in a Box is an Art Studio for Kids that is jam-packed with creative juices to satisfy every young creator. Textiles range from paint to fabrics to repurposing. Fox in a Box also offers make and take boxes where you will get a personalized craft experience with all necessary supplies included to create in the comfort of your own home. silviartstudioforkids.com
 |
8. Chuck E. Cheese, Bridgeville
Sunday - Thursday 11am-9pm, Friday 11am - 10pm, Saturday 10am - 10pm
Chuck E. Cheese has come a long way from the memories of my youth. Gone are the ball pits and cups of dirty coins. Play operates on an electronic card per play or by the hour. Tickets are still a thing and so are the smiles as your kid leaves with the small trinkets they pick out after turning in all their winnings. Get ahead of the game by downloading a free coloring sheet for your kids to do before you go for some free play points! chuckecheese.com
9. True Gymnastics, Castle Shannon
True Gymnastics offers a variety of ways for your kids to fly high and get all their energy out. They offer preschool programs, recreational programs, ninja classes, focused training and more. At True Gymnastics, it's the small progressions of success that matter. truegymnastics.com
10. Dragon's Den, Homestead
This historic church turned innovative community center is the magnificent home of 2 levels of ropes course challenges and a climbing wall. The strategically built courses offer targeted challenges for children ages 5-9 while offering more complex obstacles for ages 10 and older. Feeling super brave? Soar through the air on the 140-foot zip line, the Dragon's Leap. dragonsdenpgh.org
11. Gymsport, Bridgeville
Gymsport is the largest gymnastics, tumbling, and parkour facility in PA. Their 36,000 square foot complex offers a limited Open Gym for any athlete wanting a safe place to work on their skills or who just want to jump, tumble and have fun. During the school year, Gymsport opens its doors for Preschool Playtime where parents can bring in their children (ages 5 and under) for parent-supervised playtime in their exciting Jungle Gym and on preschool equipment. The cost is $12 per child per hour of play. Gymsport also offers open gym during the school year for any athlete wanting to work on their skills for $24 for two hours (weekly hours vary). gymsport.com
 |
12. Sky Zone, Canonsburg
Looking for a place for your little one to burn off energy? We have made Sky Zone a frequently visited place for the sake of our own sanity! In addition to their open jump times listed above, they offer Toddler Time on Friday and Sunday from 11am-12pm for $10 plus socks. You can purchase your timed ticket online or at the park. We suggest filling out your waivers prior to going to save some time while checking in. www.skyzone.com
13. USC Community & Recreation Center, Upper St. Clair
Whether you are a member or purchase a visitor's pass, the Rec Center has a variety of indoor activities the whole family will love. The USC Rec Center hosts classes, activities, and an open gym, but I think the main attraction here is definitely the indoor aquatics facility that is open year-round. For $12 you can bring your child to a waterpark that will seem like Sandcastle through their little eyes!
Carnegie Science Center inspires and entertains by connecting science and technology with everyday life. Carnegie Science Center offers 4 floors packed with interactive exhibits that are geared for all ages; to appease your smallest scientist to adults! Little architects and engineers love Bricksburgh and your aspiring doctor will be amazed when the BodyWorks exhibit explains all about the workings of blood, brains, and guts! Travel back to World War II and see what life was like on the USS Requin, the Navy’s first Radar Picket submarine or catch a movie experience like no other with 4K clarity and Dolby Atmos surround sound in the Rangos Giant Cinema. In addition to providing valuable scientific experiences, Carnegie Science Center engages in outreach programs that serve Pittsburgh’s diverse community. The Science Center is located on Pittsburgh’s North Shore along the banks of the Ohio River and is accessible to persons with disabilities. carnegiesciencecenter.org
15. Urban Air, Robinson
With attractions ranging from Basic Trampolines, Virtual Reality, Ropes Course, Sky Rider, Battle Beam, Warrior Course, Climbing Walls and more, Urban Air is an experience the entire family will love! You can read about how much our family loves it here. Please check their site for current hours as they vary. Bring your little adventurer Friday's for only $9.99 from 10am-noon for Jumperoo time. urbanairtrampolinepark.com
 |
16. Slime Time, Bethel Park CLOSED
Do you have a slime enthusiast at home? A budding mad scientist? A kid who loves all things squish?! Slime Time is for you! Kids arrive at Slime Time and don their very own lab coats and slime-making goggles. They'll then get to create their very own custom slime choosing from a variety of scents and toppings (charms, beads & glitter). "Scientists" have the opportunity to experiment in the Slime Tank, Water Bead Tank, and take a turn at the Mad Scientist Selfie Station. What a great way to spend an afternoon! Check out our experience at Slime Time HEREslimetimepittsburgh.com
17. Printscape Arena at Southpointe, Canonsburg
More than just ice, Printscape Arena hosts Learn to Play Workshops for Basketball, Volleyball, Hockey, Soccer, and more! printscapearena.com
 |  |
18. Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburgh
Located in Oakland, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History is sure to be an all-day affair. Adults will be in as much awe as the children as you visit the Dinosaur Armor exhibit (here until July 5th, 2021). Purchase your tickets in advance here.
19. Play Area at South Hills Village, Bethel Park
Visit the Play Area located on the lower level near Macy's and enjoy interacting with your kids in a stimulating, imaginative environment. Charging stations are also available inside the Play Area for your convenience. Enter the mall using the lower level side entrance near Macy's.
20. Throw: Indoor Axe Throwing, Pleasant Hills
While you won't find me here with a toddler, this experience of axe throwing is sure to please your older kids. Walk-ins are accepted based on availability Wednesday - Thursday 1-8 pm, Friday 4-9 pm, Saturday 11:45 am - 9 pm and Sunday 12 pm-5 pm. Children under 16 are required to have an adult present. Book your experience in advance HERE.
21. Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh
Ask my kids where their favorite indoor play space is, and the answer is going to be the Children's Museum. With 5 levels of fun, plus the backyard play space, you can spend hours here. We like to start in the Studio where the kids can create their own art that they will take home. Starting our day in the Studio allows us to leave any projects on the racks to dry while we are exploring the rest of the museum. From there, they run straight to the limb bender, or what I lovingly call the ant hill wall (it reminds me of an old school science project watching the ants move around from behind a piece of plexiglass). We could easily come down here and spend all day just in the wall but at some point, I call them out, so we can move through the Makeshop, Attic, Garage, and rest of the 1st floor exhibits. On a good day, my daughter won't make me walk through the Gravity Room! Want to know more? Check out 10 Things to know before you go to the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh HERE. pittsburghkids.org
22. Laser Storm Pittsburgh, Ross Township
A short drive from the South Hills, this is an afternoon well spent. Play laser tag daily from noon to 9 pm. $8 per game - approximately 20-minute sessions.
23. Fun Slides Carpet Skatepark, McKnight
Have you ever been indoor iceskating, but not on ice?! Here's your chance! Fun Slides might be a little bit of a drive from the South Hills, but it'll be worth it to experience the world's only indoor carpet skate park! funslidespark.com
24. ASCEND Pittsburgh, South Side
ASCEND Pittsburgh is the perfect place for all ages of beginners and advanced climbers. It includes indoor facilities and outdoor training sessions. Rock climbing, rope climbing, yoga and exercise facilities are offered. Prices vary for admission and memberships. ascendclimbing.com
25. AMF Mt Lebanon Lanes, Mt. Lebanon
If you can get here when kids bowl free, that's a major bonus. Even if they can't, pop in for a quick game of bumper bowling or spend an hour in the arcade playing throwback video games of OUR youth!
26. Altitude, Bridgeville
Altitude Trampoline Park is located right behind the DMV in Bridgville and offers endless fun for kids of all ages. Altitude often runs an Endless Jump Pass for just $10 a month, making this affordable fun for everyone! Sign up for their e-mails to snag the special the next time it comes out. During the school year, bring your junior jumpers to Altitude for $7, weekdays from 11am-1pm for Junior Jumpers Jam. altitudetrampolinepark.com
 |
27. McDonalds, Bethel Park
I don't know about you but we don't have the budget to play out all day every day. I love McDonalds on Fort Couch Road for that quick fix! McDonalds indoor playground equipment is designed for children ages 4-12, but adults can go in with caution with their smaller kiddos. Make sure you bring socks for the kiddos as you can't wear shoes or be in bare feet. I like to bring a pair of socks from the trampoline park so there's no unnecessary sliding. Bonus that there's free wifi!
28. The Bible Chapel, McMurray
Another fam favorite freebie hidden gem is the indoor playground at the South Hills Bible Chapel. It's open during the Bible Chapel's normal business hours, Monday - Thursday 9-5. If the doors are locked (they will be when pre-school is in session), you can buzz in at door 5. There is also a cafe that serves breakfast, lunch, smoothies, coffee, and espresso from 9am-2pm. I highly recommend trying their breakfast sandwich!
29. Lilliput Town Center, McMurray
Kids love to play in the child sized store front. Watch them use their imagination to buy groceries in the grocery store, make a pet better at the vet’s office, ride a trolley, create a masterpiece in the art studio, get a new “do” at the beauty salon, put out a fire as a fire fighter and create culinary masterpieces in the bistro.
 |
30. Snapology, Bridgeville CLOSED
Snapology is the premier partner for STEAM activities and offers year-round learning through play in their hands-on Discovery Center. In addition to their public sessions, they also offer private birthday parties and virtual programming. My kids love the variety of activities, all STEAM-based. There are Legos, big building blocks, digital and traditional art, games, clubs and so much more! I love that I can go there to play with my kids OR sign them in for an hour while I run around the South Hills to complete some errands! Macaroni Kid Subscribers can use THIS CODE for 10% off! snapology.com
Where is your favorite place to take kids in Pittsburgh? Do you have a favorite indoor play space in Baldwin, Bethel Park, Brentwood, Bridgeville, Castle Shannon, Dormont, Jefferson Hills, Mt. Lebanon, Mt. Oliver, Mt. Washington, Pleasant Hills, Pittsburgh, South Park, South Side, Upper St. Clair, West Mifflin, Whitehall and the cities in between? A hidden gem? Let us know here so we can get it on the list.
 |  |  |  |
