Sweat-Free Shenanigans: Free & Cheap Indoor Spots to Save Your Sanity This Summer
It’s that special time of summer—when the heat index hits “surface of the sun” and the kids are bouncing off the walls like popcorn in a microwave. I don’t know about you, but I’m officially over sweating through my clothes just walking to the mailbox. If you, too, are searching for a way to entertain the kids without frying like an egg on the sidewalk—or dropping a small fortune on admission fees—I’ve got you covered.
Here’s a roundup of free and low-cost indoor spots where your little ones can burn energy, make some memories, and stay blissfully air-conditioned. Bonus: you might even get to sit down for a second.
Maybe. (No promises.)
FREE Indoor Play with the option for Add-ons.
Mall of Georgia Buford
Yes, this is a drive for us, but we usually make a day of it while we’re there. We usually pair it with the carousel, lunch in the Food Court, and playtime at Billy Beez – that’s the add-ons I mentioned above. Of course, they want Cinnabon for the drive home and I usually stop at American Cookie Company.
Northpoint Mall Alpharetta
A pretty frequent outing for us. There’s a wooden train outside the play area that they like to pretend to drive before hitting the play area. We usually eat at the Food Court. Then, it’s a stop at the carousel and maybe they get to ride the mall’s train or we stop by Cosmic Mini Golf & Play for them to play in the sand. Again, we make a day out of it and none of it is busy.
Avalon Alpharetta
We pair this play area with a movie at Regal and lunch somewhere in Avalon. The girls love stopping here first. It’s a great family area with a nursing room and kid-friendly restrooms. Its usually never busy – but we are there catching a movie’s first showing. It may pick up in the afternoon.
Cumberland Mall Atlanta
We don’t venture here too often, but if we do we go early before the mall gets too busy and its paired with lunch at the Food Court then usually Cinnabon. The mall does have a Build-a-Bear(add-on) and Claire’s (add-on), which we try to avoid. We did visit Round1 once about a year ago and decided it was not worth the money – at least not at their ages. We bought a combo deal and they got tired of bowling before we completed one game, they loved the idea of Karaoke, but refused to sing in the room, and only half the things in Spo-cha were working.
The Family Lounge Avenue East Cobb
This little play area is a fun stop after brunch or after a movie at Picture Show – with kid friendly restrooms, charging stations, and a nursing room. Bonus – Its usually never too busy. We’ve also been known to ride the train around the property (add-on).
Free Play Eat/Shop
IKEA Atlanta
Free 30 min playtime (based on availability)
(30 extra minutes for IKEA Family Members)
Children must be between 37 inches and 54 inches to be admitted*
Children must be potty trained and be able to use the restroom on their own, without assistance*
Children must be able to play independently.
Monday - Saturday 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
This Summer, IKEA is also doing Kids Eat Free M-F (Buy any Adult Entrée and get up to 2 Kid’s Entrees FREE) through Aug 5th. If you’ve been, please let me know how it is.
Chick-fil-a Multiple Locations –
Search online or through the app (make sure you click on playground to search)
Burger King Multiple Locations –
Search through 3rd party site and select your state – (lists both indoor and outdoor)
McDonald’s – Multiple Locations –
Searching through their site has not worked for me. It either brings up every McDonalds or tells me there’s not one within 50 miles. The only way I’ve discovered them is by drive-bys.
The Camp @ The Works – Atlanta
Ok – not indoors, I know! However, its an acre of free play with TONS of shade. We are here often since Fox Bros BBQ is right across the street and Munster Cravings is located in the Food Hall. My hubby is all about the BBQ and I can’t go without a quick stop for a PB&J cookie. I won’t go on and on about the cookie, but I am a PB addict and trust me when I say “Oh. My. Goodness!”
Ok – on to the play area: there’s a stage that the kids get on to pretend they’re performing. There are hills, tunnels, climbing posts, balance beams – all on artificial turf, so no puddy spots or grass stains when the girls slide and roll repeatedly down the hills!
FREE! 9AM – 5PM Everyday!
Antique Fire Memorabilia on Display
FREE! 8AM – 5PM Everyday!
Antique Fire Memorabilia on Display
Southeastern Railway Museum Duluth
Closed M, T, & W
2yr+ Tickets start at $13 (Train Ride Included)
Additional Train Ride $4
Southern Museum Kennnesaw
Closed Su & M
3yr+ Tickets start at $5
Designated area for PreK to climb and crawl
Assortment of model wood trains – design your own track
Superior Play Systems Norcross
All day play $12 Weekday | $15 Weekends & School Holidays
Charitable Play: Wednesdays offer Charitable Play from 10 am to 1 pm for $6, benefiting St. Jude's Children's Hospital.
M-F: 10AM-6PM
Saturday: 11AM-5PM
Sunday: 12PM-4PM
Playsets, trampolines, basketball hoops, and swings
Kids get to play on the playground equipment sold by Superior Play Systems in their showroom! No, its not free, but I just heard about this and had to share. We have not been here – If you have, let me know your thoughts!
Libraries
Don’t forget to check out your county libraries for FREE events! A quick check at ours had 20 pages of events for the last week of Summer for all ages:
Free Summer Breakfast, Lunch & Movie!
Pre-Teen, Teen, & Adult Crafts & Clubs
Baby, Toddler, and Family Storytimes and Playdates
Sensory Friendly Movies
Puppet Shows
Yoga
Bingo
Coding Classes
ESL Classes
