Indoor Drop-in Activities for the Little Ones for Marin & Beyond

Looking for fun indoor activities and play spaces for the little ones? There are several places to take the kids to get them out of the house and get creative or burn off all that extra energy, especially on a cold or rainy day. Here are a few ideas for fun indoor drop-in activities in Marin County and beyond:

Berkeley

• Habitot Children's Museum
  2065 Kittredge Street, Berkeley
  (510) 647-1111
  Hours: Monday–Thursday, 9:30–12:30 pm & Friday–Saturday, 9:30–4:30 pm
  Discovery Museum for young children, toddlers and infants. Fun activities, hands on exhibits, arts & crafts, fun classes, music and much more. Cost: $12 children and adults (free for under 12 months). Seniors 65 and up $10. For more info, call (510) 647–1111 or visit their website.

Fairfax

• Free! New Moms and Babies Group
  Fairfax Community Center (next to Peri Park)
  16 Park Road, Fairfax
  Hours: Tuesdays, 11 am–12:30 pm (year-round with a break in summer)
  Join us for an ongoing drop in group with an accepting and friendly tone. Our group offers a safe and supportive environment conducive to sharing about topics such as emotional and physical recovery after birth, expectations surrounding being a mother, changes in lifestyle and in relationships, finding support and trusting caregivers, life balance and sleep, navigating medical care, child development, play and temperament, among other topics and issues. It is a time to get out, meet other new moms and dads and talk about whatever is on your mind surrounding parenting. This is a participant led group; please suggest speakers and/or topics of interest. Bring your baby - feel free to feed, change and let baby talk or fuss. For more info, visit their website.

• Pavilion Playgroup and Toddler Tumbling (ages 1–5 years)
  Fairfax Pavilion
  142 Bolinas Road, Fairfax
  Hours: Wednesdays and Fridays, 9:30–11:30 am (resumes January 8 through springtime)
  Join other moms, dads and kids at the charming red building on the hill. Children 1 to 5 years enjoy riding scooters and climbing on a variety of soft blocks and mats. We will encourage early childhood development by guiding children to play and explore their physical capabilities with state of the art gymnastics equipment.Parents enjoy mingling, playing and drinking fresh coffee and tea. Cost: $15 per child per visit for residents outside of Fairfax; $12 per child per visit for Fairfax residents. For more info, visit their website.

Mill Valley

• Jump Indoor Playday (September, 2019–May 21, 2020)
  Mill Valley Community Center
  180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley
  (415) 383-1370
  Hours: Wednesdays & Thursdays, 9 am–noon
  Drop-in for children ages 1–5. All the mats will be out with push and pull toys, balls and obstacles to play on. Parents and/or caregivers must attend. The cost is $6 child or $8 for the family. No registration necessary. Exact change appreciated. Doesn't run in summer. For more info, call or visit their website.
• Toddler Ballet-Dance with Miss Anna (18 months to 5 years)
  Sprout
  12 Miller Avenue, Mill Valley
  (415) 389-1312
  Hours: Fridays, 10:15–11:15 am & 11:15 am–12:15 pm
  A precious and imaginative ballet class to enjoy with your little dancer as they are introduced to the basic fundamentals of ballet. This one hour class is for children ages 18 months up to 5 years old. One participating adult is required for each child age 2 and under. Classes are offered on a drop-in basis. Cost: $25 per child. Event details.
• TumbleSpot Open Gym (ages 1–5)
  750 Redwood Hwy, Suite 1212, Mill Valley
  (415) 843-1619
  Hours: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 10:30 am–12:30 pm
  Our open gym allows for parents and children (ages 1–5 years) to practice at their own pace, get in some excellent exercise, spend time together, and have fun. Toddler/Preschool gymnastics apparatus is set up for use as an obstacle course, as well as our tumbling mats and props. Come any time during our open gym, and leave when you want! Parent/guardian supervision required. Cost: $15 drop-in. Event details.

Novato

• Busy Bees-Indoor Play Days
  Downtown Rec Center, 950 7th Street, Novato
  (415) 899-8279
  Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Fridays, 9 am-noon (October 7–March 27, 2020)
  Parents and little ones are invited to join Recreation Staff for a morning of safe and secure indoor fun! Enjoying learning and playing with your toddler/preschooler in this parent-participation class featuring age appropriate toys, tumbling mats, sensory bins, crafts and parachute play. No registration required. Drop-in fee is $5 per family at the door. Parents and/or caregivers are required to stay the duration of class and are responsible for their child(ren). Parents and/or caregivers will be asked to sign-in daily. Please do not attend if your child is sick. For more info, visit their website.

• Cal Star Gymnastics Indoor Power Play
  70 Digital Drive, Suite #3, Novato
  (415) 382-7827
  Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:30–11:30 am & Saturday–Sunday, 9–10:30
  Cal Star Gymnastics offers drop-in fun for ages 5 years and under. Participants can run, jump and play in an open gymnastics environment. The cost is $15 per child and $130 for a 10-visit saver card. Cal Star Gymnastics. For more info, visit their website.
• Drop-in: Open Play at Sing Dance Play!
  5420 Nave Drive, Stuite F, Novato
  (415) 419-7454
  Hours: Monday 10:30 am–12:30 pm and Wednesday & Thursday, 3:30 - 5:30
  Come let your kids play in an environment of free exploration and movement. A great way to connect with other families and just have downtime in an enclosed space with lots to do. Pack a (peanut and nut-free) snack and enjoy it in our snack alcove. Babies to age 4, (older siblings okay). Drop in $10 per child ($0.28 fee for credit card), $5 for siblings 1 and over (no charge for siblings under 12 months). For more info, visit their website.
• Music Time with Megan
  Sports Basement
  100 Vintage Way, Novato
  (415) 493-2633
  Hours: Wednesdays & Fridays, 9:30–10 am
  Join us every Wednesday and Friday morning at the Sports Basement Novato from 9:30-10am for all live music, singing, dancing and playing instruments with popular children's musician Megan Schoenbohm. Cost is $10 per child, and siblings under 7 months are free. This is an ongoing weekly class. Event details.
• Studio 4 Art
  1133 Grant Avenue, Novato
  (415) 596-5546
  Offered throughout the year (see website for schedule)
  Studio 4 Art offers drop-in hands-on art and crafts for all ages. My kids really love this place. Cost: $23 per hour (plus tax) and includes all supplies. For more info, call (415) 596-5546 or visit their website.

Petaluma

• Redwood Empire Gymnastics
  434 Payran St, Petaluma
  (707) 763-5010
  Redwood Empire Gymanstics offers drop-in gymnastic classes for children ages 1–3.5 years on Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 9–9:45 am and Thursday from 11:45 am–12:30 pm. Cost: $13 for drop-in for the Little Bugs class. For more info, visit their website.

Rohnert Park/Cotati

• Rebounderz Rohnert Park
  555 Rohnert Park Expressway, West, Rohnert Park
  (707) 416-4445
  Families looking for active indoor fun should head up north to Rohnert Park and check out the new Rebounderz Indoor Trampoline Arena. See prices here. A one-time purchase of our Rebounderz Jump Socks is required to jump. These socks are reusable and are available for purchase at the front desk. For more info, visit their website.

San Anselmo

• Play-Well TEKnologies
  Marin Engineering Center, San Anselmo
  (415) 460-5210
  Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 12–6 pm and Saturday-Sunday, 10 am–6 pm
  Play-WEll TEKnologies in San Anselmo offers drop-in LEGO play for all ages. Cost: $10 per hour per child and and sibling discounts available. Preschool discount: $8 per hour weekdays under age 5, before 1 pm (not applicable on school vacation days, including summer). Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. For more info, call (415) 460-5210 or visit their website.

San Francisco

• House of Air
  926 Mason Street, Crissy Field, San Francisco
  (415) 345-9675
  Hours: various times
  The Presidio's House of Air indoor trampoline park offers a variety of programs for little ones. Reservations for trampoline sessions are required. Reserve weekend time slots in advance as they sell out! They're located in an historic aircraft hangar at Crissy Field. Cost: check website for cost. For more info, visit their website.

San Rafael

• JymBABIES (birth to 2 years)
  Osher Marin JCC
  200 North San Pedro Road, San Rafael
  (415) 444-8000
  Hours: Tuesdays from 9:30-11 am
  Drop-in indoor play is for ages birth to 2 years. JymBABIES offers little ones a soft indoor playground for climbing, crawling, sliding, bouncing in a bounce house, building, dancing, scooting and more. On-site cafe offers kid-friendly food and snacks. Drop-in $10 per visit or 10 visits for $90. For more info, visit their website.
• Jumping Jacks
  The San Rafael Community Center
  618 B Street, San Rafael
  (415) 485-3333
  Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9:30–11:45 am (6 months–4 years)
  Jumping Jacks is an hour-long class that consists of activities that encourage creative movement, balance and hand-eye coordination. These activities are done in a high-energy, fun-filled atmosphere. The first half of each class is free play - parents/caretakers are expected to have fun interacting with their child/children! The last half hour of class is group time...have fun dancing with scarves, playing with the parachute and of course popping bubbles! Jump-up (for children crawling to 26 months) class is from 9:30-10:30 a.m. High Jump (for children 26 months to 4 years) is from 10:45-11:45 a.m. Come and check out this fun program! Drop-in fee $10. For more info, visit their website.
• Music and Movement in Spanish for 3 mo - 5 yr olds
  Cucu's PlayHouse 
  1414 4th Street, San Rafael (4th and D)
  (415) 815-6035
  Hours: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays (morning and afternoon classes, visit their website to see the times)
  Fun, active and educational music and movement class in Spanish for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Some classes are age-specific, and others are for mixed ages.  A selection of songs in Spanish guides the class from start to finish. Games and activities are related to the lyrics, in order to familiarize the children with the words and their meanings. Classes are taught in a beautiful, Montessori inspired playroom with plenty of natural light. Sustainably made toys, mostly wooden, are used during the classes and are available for purchase. Memberships and Class packs available on their website ($12 to $16/class) or drop-in for $19. First class is free. For more information visit www.CucusPlayHouse.com
• Open Play - Indoor Playroom with Educational & Sustainable toys
  Cucu's PlayHouse 
  1414 4th Street, San Rafael (4th and D)
  (415) 815-6035
  Hours: Mondays and Fridays 10am - 12pm and 3pm - 5pm
  Montessori inspired playroom with low, open shelves. Children will have access to educational, sustainable toys, not within a structured activity, but as a time for them to just play, using their creativity and imagination. The playroom is carefully rearranged for this activity, to encourage independence and concentration. The selection of toys rotates partially every two weeks, which makes for an interesting and engaging experience that fosters their curiosity. Price: One hour $12. Some of their Class Packs and Memberships include Open Play times at discounted prices. For more information visit www.CucusPlayHouse.com
   
• Toddler Open Gym
  GymWorld, San Rafael
  3040 Kerner Blvd, San Rafael
  Hours: Monday–Friday, 10:30 am–12:30 pm
  GymWorld offers Open Gyms for Toddlers on a drop-in basis. Come run, jump, bounce, swing, use the foam pit and trampoline! Cost: drop-in $15 or $25 for 2 kids. For more info, visit their website.

Santa Rosa

• Children's Museum of Sonoma County
  1835 W Steele Lane, Santa Rosa
  (707) 546-4069
  The Children's Museum of Sonoma County provides hands-on, interactive exhibits and activities in a safe environment that are custom designed for families with children aged ten years old and younger. Closed on Tuesdays. Cost: Adults and children: $10, babies under 12 months: free. For more info, visit their website.
• Epicenter
  3215 Coffey Lan, Santa Rosa
  (707) 708-3742
  The new Epicenter indoor sports complex offers a variety of activities, from a trampoline park to indoor sports courts. There's even an on-site restaurant and a Starbucks, too. For more info, visit their website.
• Snoopys Home Ice
  1667 W Steele Lane, Santa Rosa
  (707) 546-7147
  Snoopy's Home ice in Santa Rosa offers a full range of skating activities with both public and private time, as well as a café. You can even visit the nearby Charles M. Schulz Museum for more fun! For more info, visit their website.

Sausalito

• PlayLand Sausalito
  610 Coloma Street, Saualito
  (415) 381-1241
  Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 9 am–noon (closed Wednesday & Sunday)
  PlayLand is an indoor bounce house playground for ages 7 and under. Come jump in the bouncy zone, play games, have fun at the train tables, or even spend some quiet time in the arts room. Free music class on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:00-11:30 with paid admission There's also free organic coffee, tea, and cookies for the grownups! Playland cost: $10 Sausalito resident, $12 non-resident; 10 pass admission card $70 ($90 non-residents). For more info, visit their website.
• Bay Area Discovery Museum
  557 McReynolds Road, Sausalito
  (415) 339-3900
  Hours: Tuesday – Friday: 9 am–4 pm, Saturday: 10 am–5 pm, Sunday: 9 am–5 pm
  BADM is a perrenial favorite with Marin parents and children. They have a number of different indoor play and activity areas as well as a variety of programs for all ages. Cost: adult (ages 19 - 64 years): $15.95, child (ages 1 - 17 years): $15.95, babies (ages 6 mo. - 1 year): $13.95. For more info, visit their website.

Tiburon

• Music Time with Megan
  Tiburon Yacht Club
  400 Trinidad Dr, Tiburon
  (415) 789-9294
  Hours: Mondays, 9:30–10 am
  Marin's best kept secret! Join us every Monday morning at the Tiburon Yacht Club from 9:30-10am for all live music, singing, dancing and playing instruments with popular children's musician Megan Schoenbohm. Cost is $10 per child. This is an ongoing weekly class. Event details.