9 Free (and Cheap) Places to Play Indoors in Edmonton

As we head into outdoor play season, we’ve got a feeling that we’ll be spending a bit more time inside than we would like, with the current air quality situation in Edmonton. For that reason, we wanted to create a list of places for families and children to play indoors, that isn’t going to break the bank.

Here are the best places to play indoors for free (and cheap) in Edmonton

Strathcona County Sports Zone ($14/month)

Visit the SportsZone in Strathcona Community Recreation Centres for a fun, bounce-castle, indoor recreation play experience. This one is a fantastic choice for younger kids, and is open daily, in the arena. The best part is that you can get a monthly pass for as low as $14/child - giving you the best bang for your buck at one of the best places to play in the city.

Stanley Milner Library (free)

From the massive wall (click here to find the schedule for the theme of the wall) to the many play opportunities inside the library, Stanley Milner is a favourite for kids of all ages. From the children’s library to the maker space, and the video games - it’s a fan favourite around here. The best part? It’s completely free to play and explore.

Clareview Recreation Centre Indoor Playground ($6)

Clareview Recreation Centre indoor playground is one of the most underrated and lesser known places to play in Edmonton, indoors. The recreation centre is a great choice for younger children, and can be coupled with a visit to the Clareview Public Library - that you can access from inside the recreation centre.

IKEA Edmonton (free)

Did you know that Smalland is back at IKEA Edmonton? You can drop the kids off for thirty to forty-five minutes of play, while you sit in the shop (hey, we don’t judge), browse IKEA or simply grab a couple of necessities without kids in tow. Plus, if you’ve got small children, you’ve got to check out the new look.

Go on a Scavenger Hunt at Salisbury Greenhouse (free)

Visit the greenhouse and take part in a Salisbury greenhouse scavenger hunt! There is a fun, and free, hunt through the Greenhouse for children under twelve, with a prize at the end.

Royal Alberta Museum ($70/year)

You’re going to need to buy the annual pass for this one ($70) but once you do, you could get a stellar bang for your buck if you play just once a week in the Children’s gallery at the Museum, this summer. At $70, the Mammoth Pass for the Royal Alberta Museum is a great value, especially if you’ve got children under the ages of eight, who are going to enjoy the regular drop-in play experiences in the gallery.

Art Gallery of Alberta (free)

Visit the Art Gallery of Alberta and explore the children’s museum, free, on the last Thursday of every month. This is a great time to explore the gallery and see what’s new in the museum. Mark your calendar for this free place to play, in Edmonton, every month.

Family Resource Centre (free)

Every week, there are free, registered and drop-in play group experiences in St. Albert with the Family Resource Centre. From cooking for kids, to science and steam playdates for toddlers and kids, there are plenty of opportunities to play indoors, learn and try something new, and connect with local families. You can find their full schedule of play groups, here.

Strathcona County Library (free)

Visit the Library and search for a book hidden in the massive tree trunk, play with puppets and create your own puppet show, or try a new game on one of the computers. There’s a central play section with a rotating activity, and plenty to explore and play in the library. Visit the library, here.