Once the snow hits the ground, everyone is on the hunt for indoor activities for the kids. We've already compiled a list of the Top 10 Indoor Play Areas in Rochester, but we understand the costs can add up! Here are some free alternatives.

The Marketplace Mall has an open area for kids to play all week long. There is often playmates to run around with here and is a perfect stop if you are daring enough to bring the kids along for some Christmas Shopping. The closest entrance to the play area is the East Mall Entrance.

​271 Greece Ridge Center Dr, Rochester, NY 14626

The children's play area at the Greece Ridge Mall is open 7 days a week. There are multiple tunnels, slides and climbing structures for kids to burn energy. Use entrance 9 or 10 by Michael's to enter near the play area. This mall also has $1 Carousel rides within the food court (entrance 8). 

After running around Greece Ridge Mall, stop across the street at Chick-fil-a for lunch and additional play! Open Monday-Saturday, this restaurant has a small play area for kids to enjoy. Plus, each kid's meal comes with a book!

Come visit the only remaining McDonald's Play area in Rochester. For the cost of a Happy Meal (ranging from $2.49-$3.99) kids can eat lunch and burn some energy. Socks required! Play hours are 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM daily.

There are always friends to play with at Pure Imagination Cafe. Unlike child-centered Play Cafes, this one is free to enter. Grab some coffee then sit back and relax while the kids play.

While some recreation centers charge a small price per child, many others are free. 

• The Play area at Gates Recreation (pictured) is open Monday-Friday and free to enter when other programs are not in session (pictured)
• Pearce Church in North Chili offers a free open gym on Wednesdays, 10:00 am - 11:00 (following the Churchville-Chili school calendar).
• Chili Community Center opens up their gym for free play Every Monday. 9:30 am - 10:30 am. (excluding school school vacation days) 
• Spiegel Community Center in Pittsford hosts a free Parent/Tot Open Gym 10:30-12:00 on Tuesdays and Fridays
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  You can check the full list of recreation centers ​HERE

You can't go wrong visiting your local library. Each Monroe County Library has a spot for kids to play and explore, some more vast than others. The Toy Library (pictured) has enough to entertain the kids all day long! The Webster, Gates and Brighton Library also have large rooms dedicated to play. We've outlined the children's sections at each Monroe County Library HERE.

You don't need to do much to have fun inside your own home! Call it a pajama day, create some sensory bins, build a fort, or make some crafts. You can also snag this free download. This fun Thanksgiving themed word search is a great way to get into the spirit, no matter where you travel for the holiday! Be sure to check out more reading activities at Education.com!

This play area just opened up in Canandaigua and serves a large age range in a wide open space. Children can bounce in the bounce house, play air hockey, dig in the sand and climb a mini rock wall all in the same line of sight.
Cost: $11/kid or $20/2 kids for all day open play
Ages 6 months to 1 year are free with a paying sibling.

Ladybugs Play is an indoor play area located in Fairport and designed for children 7 years of age and younger. There is a variety of food and beverages available for purchase and an array of unique toys for children to explore. There is also a sectioned off area for children 18 months and younger to play and explore safely, and a room for nursing mothers. 
Cost: $10 per child all day open play​. 
​Children under one year FREE with a paid sibling.

Bounce Hopper is an indoor inflatable playground that is fun for kids of all ages! With over 10 thousand square feet of inflatable jumps, slides, and obstacle courses, this indoor play place also includes concessions and play areas for toddlers.
Cost:  (Weekdays)
Children under 2 years old    $7
 (Infants under 1 year FREE with paid sibling) 
​Children 2 to 12 years old   $12
Adults & Children 13 and up   Free

Leap N’ Laugh has unique inflatables, over 20 interactive arcade games, 2 Virtual Reality Stations and a three story climbing structure that includes multiple slides and ball pit.  They also have an interactive floor and an area for the little ones.
Cost: Under 3 years: $10, 3-12: $15 
$6 to play with your children!
Children under 1 year FREE with paid sibling admission.

This is a very spacious cafe with an area for kids to play. The cafe is very kid-friendly but open to whomever wants great food and coffee!
Cost: It is free to enter but you are encouraged to order off the menu if staying to play. 

At the Bricklab, children can drop in and free play with LEGOs, Duplos, and Kenex. This center serves a wide range of ages with areas for the little guys and pro builders. There is also a glow-in-dark building room!
Cost: $7.50 per child (18 months or older)
Children under 18 months free with paid sibling

An indoor play center for children 10 years and younger, providing high quality fun, educational open play, and birthday parties.
Cost: Children under 2 years old: $5   (Infants under 1 year FREE with paid sibling)
​Children 2 to 12 years old: $11.50
Adults & Children 13 and up: $3   (includes $3 food coupon)