Capital District Indoor Activities for Children
Indoor activities for bad weather days.
The Capital District of New York has tons of fun indoor activities for children you just need to know where to look. There are also great options that allow them to run and play in indoor playgrounds and activity centers.
Check back for more ideas as they are added to this list.
Albany Art Room
For $8 an hour you can visit the Albany Art room 7 days a week (see website for open art hours). The fee includes all the supplies for painting, drawing, collages, sculpture, jewelry making, furniture painting, book making, print making and season projects. It is open for all ages. Groups of 5 or more can reserve additional hours.
Albany Art Room
467 Madison Ave
Albany, NY 12210
518.427.3910
Albany Indoor Rock Gym A.I.R
Albany, NY
The Albany Indoor Rock Gym A.I.R is an indoor rock-climbing and caving experience. It has the only indoor caving system in the U.S. The facilities are targeted for adults and children aged 10 and over. Children 10 and under may climb or cave on weekdays only from 3-6pm and must have on adult to every child. Children under 10 may not climb during school holidays.
Prices are rather reasonable with a full day pass and equipment rental under $20 per person. The gym only sells day passes.
Location:
4C Vatrano Rd., Albany, NY 12205
By Phone: (518) 459-7625
By Fax: (518) 459-0860
By E-Mail: air@airrockgym.com
ArtSmarts
ArtSmarts offers drop in and series art classes for tiny tots up to adults. In addition, they offer party options, kids night out and summer enrichment programs.
637 New Loudon Road/Bayberry Square
Latham, NY
518-785-1715
The Edge Halfmoon
The Edge in Halfmoon offers rock climbing, classes, team building and even a rock climbing team. Their specialis include Ladies Night, College Night, Learn to Climb Night and Family Day. This area's newest rockwall has indoor fun for the whole family.
518-982-5545
1544 Route 9
Halfmoon, New York 12065
Bounce Houses in the Capital District
Bounce Around in Clifton Park has 1-hour, 2-hour and all day pass and monthly pass options that range from $7.00 - $24.99. It is located in Clifton Park Center at 22 Clifton Country Road Clifton Park, NY 12065.
Afrims Bounce Zone is located upstairs in the main sports complex. It has 3 bounce houses. Cost is $5 for all you can bounce, $20 for a monthly pass and $50 for a 6 month bounce pass. While the variety and quality is not as great as Bounce Around in Clifton Park, it is a great quick (an sometimes not crowded) way to get the kiddos some bounce time.
Bowling Centers
There are several nice bowling centers in the Capital District area that offer good family entertainment. Two of my personal favorites are:
Spare Time in Latham is a large facility and a favorite among field trips, birthday parties and a family night out. The center features a pub, sports bar, state of the art lighting and TVs. They also host fun themed nights such as a galactic bowling night, league bowling and holiday camps.
My other favorite is The Saratoga Strike Zone which features additional theme entertainment such as a Ballocity, Bumper Cars, bowling specials and an arcade.
Visit a Children's Museum
There are several museums perfect for children in the Capital Region.
The Children's Museum of Science and Technology is located in East Greenbush and open Wednesday - Sunday and some holidays/breaks. This is a small interactive museum where children can learn about the local topography, weather and animals. It also offers Parent & Me courses. General admission is $5 for individuals 2 and over. Check the 2011 Entertainment book E49 and E50 for a buy one get one admission
The Children's Museum of Saratoga is a fun restored Victorian with interactive play areas. Children can become a vet, firefighter, run a grocery store, post office and much more. This is a fun environment for small children. The museum also offers several programs. It is open Tuesday - Sunday. Admission is $6 for 1 and over. Check the 2011 Entertainment book E56 for a buy one get one admission
The New York State Museum offers learning and fun for all ages. Little ones will love the carousel and Discovery Place, older children and adults can enjoy the museum and its various exhibits.
Colonie Community Center Toddler Tales
The Colonie Community Center Toddler Tales is a Friday morning program for children under 5. It runs from 10:00 am - 11:30 am and includes free play, a craft, theme parties and a snack.
The Court Club of Colonie
Colonie, NY
The Court Club of Colonie has rock climbing available for both members and non-members. The club has one day climbing passes as well as equipment rental for both adults and children.
Location
444 Sand Creek Road
Albany, New York 12205
Phone: 518-459-4444
Tip
Look for coupons in Consumer Pak
Fun4Tots
Fun4Tots located in Schenectady in the Carman Road Alliance Church has open play time for children 5 and under. Check the website for details on open play times and contact information.
3313 Carmen Rd.
Schenectady, NY 12303 USA
Indoor Fun Books
Head to the local library, bookstore or plan ahead and order an indoor fun games book for the family. Find books on child friendly science experiments that pair with a poor weather day. An experiment on how fast water freezes on a cold day or what makes rain on a rainy day will pair fun with learning.
Indoor Water Parks
Rudy A Ciccotti Center - Colonie, NY
The Rudy A Ciccotti Center is a community gym that offers day passes to non members. In addition to a gym, basketball courts, indoor track, exercise equipment and classes, the gym also has an indoor water park with lazy river, children's play area and large water slide.
Library
When it comes to libraries and fun programs, the Capital area has some wonderful options. The libraries offer crafts, story times, movies, computer area for children, games and areas dedicated exclusively to children.
Voted Best Libraries by Times Union Readers
William K Stanford Library located at 629 Albany Shaker Road in Loudonville.
Clifton Park/Halfmoon Public Library 475 Moe Road, Clifton Park, NY 120
Guilderland Public Library 2228 Western Avenue Guilderland, NY 1208
Two others receiving mention
Bethlehem Pubic Library 451 Delaware Ave Delmar, NY 12054
East Greenbush Community Library 10 Community Way / East Greenbush, NY 12061
For a full list of libraries in the area the Upper Hudson Library System is a comprehensive list of 29 independent public libraries.
Admission: FREE
Malls
The Wilton Mall has indoor bounce houses and charge $5 per hour.
Colonie Center Mall has a free indoor play area outside of LL Bean and coin play rides outside of Barnes and Noble.
My Place to Play
Rotterdam, NY
My Place to Play in Rotterdam NY offers indoor play for children age 1 to 7. Their themed play centers include Dani's Cafe and Market, Big Ts Pit Stop, My Place to Play Toy Shop and Kidz Zone. The center is open Monday through Saturday. Hours change during the season so check their website for current hours.
2623 Guilderland Avenue
Rotterdam, NY 12306.
Story times in the Capital District of NY
There are several places to catch story times for small children in the Capital Region.
Barnes and Noble - Barnes and Noble has several story time locations.Colonie Centre131 Colonie Center Suite 355Albany, NY 12205518-438-1728NiskayunaMohawk Commons402 Balltown RoadSchenectady, NY 12304518-377-0349SaratogaWilton Square3029 State Route 50Saratoga Springs, NY 12866518-583-7717Borders - Borders Books at Crossgates also offers story times.Albany1 Crossgates Mall Rd.Albany, NY 12203Clifton Park3 South Side DriveClifton Park, NY 12065Saratoga Springs395 BroadwaySaratoga Springs, NY 12866Tiny Tots Tea Room
Clifton Park, NY
Tiny Tots Tea Room has a great indoor play area, cafe with healthy food choices and a princess room. Open play times occur several times a week. This is a great place for small children to play inside on bad weather days. It is also a great place for mom since the entire play area is viewable from the cafe and it offers yummy coffees, Italian sodas and a great selection of meal choices. The meals for children are healthy and served on bento style trays.
Tree Paad
Tree Paad Officially re-opened at the end of February 2013 after a brief closure from a fire. The facility has been updated and new featues added.
Tree Paad is an awesome indoor play area that is appealing to all ages. Toddlers to teens can have a great time in the indoor play area that includes
Balocity - a 3-story interactive play area. This section alone can entertain the kids for hours (and a few big kids AKA dads too).TIP: Find Tree Paad Coupons in the Capital Region Saving Source Magazine.TreePaad Fun Center
2381 Route 9 - Malta, NY 12118
518-289-5475 | 518-289-5478
Tumbling Tykes
Latham, NY
Tumbling Tykes has a great indoor play room and offers play time 7 days a week. This spot is great for small children on rainy or cold days or when mom needs a little more relaxation than the standard park. They have small ride on cars, indoor play equipment including a mini roller coaster (aka a ride on toy w long plastic double hill), mini trampoline and other fun stuff. This is a great way for children to get out extra energy without the craziness of a packed park or playground.
Visits are $7/per child or purchase a 10 visit pass for $60. They also have a membership program. Located on Rt 7 Troy-Schenectady Road behind Control Tower Ice Cream Stand and High Adventure Ski Shop.
Zero Gravity Laser Tag
Colonie, NY
Zero Gravity has a 5,000 sq ft multi-level area for laser tag fun! Look for discount coupons in Clipper Magazine (free and available in most retail areas like Starbucks and Bruegers). And find deeper discount coupons on Double Take Deals.