The winter weather in Calgary can be brutal. As much as we love the outdoors, sometimes we just need an indoor place to let the kids run wild. But the cost of indoor entertainment can add up, especially with a whole pile of kids. So we’ve found some amazing FREE indoor play areas in Calgary! As always, we have personally tried each play area and recommend them because our own family loves them!
Related: The Best Indoor Swimming Pools for Kids in Calgary
Cross Iron Mall
The Little Fossil Fun Zone at Cross Iron Mills Mall is a cute dinosaur themed play area for toddlers and little kids. There are several dinosaurs to climb including a triceratops and pteradactyl. There is also a small slide and several interactive wall panels with little games and puzzles for children to solve. Little Fossil Fun Zone is located at the north end of the mall, near Chapters & Toys R Us. At this time, the play area is available for drop-ins – appointments are not required.
Market Mall
The Wildlife Park for Kids is Market Mall’s cute, free indoor play area. The play zone features numerous animals and vehicles to climb on as well as a small slide, tunnels, and interactive wall panels. Wildlife Park is located near the food court. Children must be under 46 inches to play and playtimes must be booked in advance. To book a 1 hour playtime, visit Market Mall’s website.
Deerfoot City
The Lodge Play Area at Deerfoot City is a beautiful, free indoor play area located right beside the food court. The play area includes a large wooden climber with a slide and super tall fire poll to slide down. There is also a smaller playhouse for toddlers! We love that there are tables and chairs right beside the play structure so parents can eat their lunch while directly supervising playtime! No appointment is required for this free indoor play area.
Airdrie Genesis Place
The Fun Place is located inside the Genesis Place recreation centre just north of Calgary, in Airdrie. It is free for children 5 and under. There is a fee of $7.50 for children ages 7-12. It features a big climbing structure with stairs, bridges, tunnels and a tall twisty slide. There is also a toddler zone with oversized, soft blocks. The play area is contained within its own room and there are tables and chairs beside the structure, perfect for snack time. No appointment is required but you do need to check in at the aquatics desk when you arrive. Also note that there are certain times on the weekends when the play area is booked for birthday parties. For hours and details, visit the Genesis Place website, here.
Eau Claire Market
Ok, this is super cool and unique. The play area at Eau Claire Market is actually an outdoor playground that has been moved indoors. I have never seen this anywhere else and let me tell you how my kids went CRAZY for this! The playground is in the corner of the mall food court and there are high-top tables & chairs around it so grown ups can easily supervise while eating lunch or sipping a coffee!
Calgary Farmers’ Market South
The free indoor play area at the Calgary Farmers’ Market has a cute barnyard theme. There is a climbing structure with a twisty slide and a bridge. There is a little tractor at the top of the climber that kids can pretend to drive and a small toddler area with a couple of wall panels and soft mats. We love that the play area is right beside a face painting booth and tons of delicious food vendors. This is an awesome spot for kids to spend a morning or afternoon!
Would you recommend any other FREE indoor play areas in Calgary?! We’d love to hear about them!
These are great. Thanks for sharing!!!