Indoor Things to Do

Inner Peaks Climbing offers two climbing gym locations near Charlotte in Matthews, NC and South End. New through advanced climbers, including kids are welcome. You’ll find youth programs and adult programs, after-school sessions, school break camps, summer camps, birthday parties, and more!

Summer Camp: 3 options based on age and experience level!

Indoor playground and cafe for ages 0 – 7. The playground has a ball pit, slides, a large sandpit, a toddler zone, a climbing wall, and a sensory floor.

The cafe serves coffee-based drinks, juice, soda, and snacks. Socks are required and must be purchased on the first visit.

Birthday Parties: Various packages are available with party room rental, play passes, and even an option to rent the entire facility.

Check out our full Kidding Around review of Unwind Indoor Play Cafe! We have all the details on pricing, what to expect, and information about party packages.

Offers professional theatre, workshops, and classes for children. The theatre has upcoming theatre productions for all ages, exploring various themes.
The theatre is located at ImaginON.

Summer camps at CT Charlotte are available for ages 3 and older and explore theatre themes like dance, creative play, acting, production, and more.
Full-day camps are available for ages K and up, and Half day camps for ages 3-5 years old.
Class and camp scholarships are available.

The Mint Museum offers a unique gallery of art, craft, sculpture, and creations in various rotating and permanent exhibitions.

The museum has two Charlotte locations with different collection themes.
Mint Museum Uptown: 500 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC- Contemporary art, American art, craft, and design
Mint Museum Randolph: 2730 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC- European, African, Ancient American, and decorative art.

Free admission on Wednesday Nights from 5 – 9 pm.

Boutique bowling alley with a tavern, duckpin bowling, pinball, and an arcade.
Kids bowl free with an adult on Sunday until 8 pm.

The alley is ages 21+ after 9 pm.
Kids Night Out party package available.

Escape room in Charlotte with haunted, spooky, and “cold case” themes.
There are 4 escape room themes to choose from.

Closed Tuesday and Wednesday. Reservations are required.

We recommend this escape room for older kids, teens, and adults.

Bowling alley, arcade games, laser tag, bumper cars, VR, and augmented reality bowling are offered at Stars & Strikes.

Adult and kid birthday party packages are available.

Adventure Air Sports offers trampolines, a ninja course, arcade games, slides, slam balls courts, foam pits, and more. They offer several birthday party packages that start at $349 and include 120 minutes of jump time and 40 minutes of table time. You can book your party on their website.

Bowling alley offering 18 bowling lanes, an arcade, and a sports bar. They also offer birthday party packages. Book on their website.

Online reservations are available.
Birthday party and event packages are available.

Timed Out offers four escape rooms that are generally best for older kids, teens, and adults.

Escape room themes include elements like illusions, aliens, police stations, and laboratories.

Adventure Landing offers mini golf, batting cages, and arcade games. They offer birthday party packages starting at $119 for up to 6 guests. All birthday party packages include goody bags, one slice of pizza per person, one round of mini golf, and more. You can book your party on their website.

Offers a full service restaurant serving Southern cuisine
Daily bowling (21+after 8 pm on Friday/Saturday), billiards, ping pong, shuffleboard, foosball, and a selection of complimentary games to choose from are available.

Offers walk-in and DIY art programs, art birthday parties, workshops, art classes, and summer camps.

Summer camps are half-day or full-day, with STEAM based themes.
Ages 5 – 12 are welcome
June and July Camps available
Fort Mill Summer Camp

Location at Gibson Mill in Concord, The Valcarol Missions offers three escape rooms and a game show.

The American Girl Doll store offers in-store shopping for dolls & accessories, salon services, tea parties, and more. They offer in-store birthday party packages that start at $39 per child. All party packages come with a table activity, drinks, digital invitations, goody bags, and more. You can book your birthday party on their website.

*Currently closed for construction

Nature-based museum for families that offers nature exhibits, daily activities, special events, and live shows. In addition to an indoor museum, it also have an outdoor portion with nature trails.

Discovery Place Nature is part of Discovery Place Museums.
Open Tuesday – Sunday

Discovery Place Nature birthday party packages include “Insect Safari”, “Out of this World”, and “Animals of the Piedmont” themes, and are available for ages 3 – 12. Animal Encounter add-ons are available.

Interactive children’s museum with STEAM activities, live shows, daily events, and exhibitions. They also offer summer camps, birthday parties, and more. Their birthday party package is $13.80 per attendee and includes 20 kids and 5 adults. The package includes 1.5 hours in the party room, a t-shirt, and more. You can request a birthday party on their website.

This location is part of the Discovery Place Museums.

Summer Camps at Discovery Place Kids are available at Discovery Place Kids, with June, July, and August options. Camps are half day or full day.
Two birthday party packages are available to choose from, with “It’s Science”, “Colors in Science”, and “Gross Science” themes available.

Skyzone indoor trampoline park in North Charlotte has several party packages you can choose from if you want to spend your birthday jumping with friends. You start by choosing your party theme (Freestyle Package, Glow Package, or Little Leapers Package) then you can select the platinum, gold, or silver tier for your party theme of choice. All packages include a private party room, party room set-up and clean-up, paper products, SkySocks, and e-invitations. No outside food or drink is allowed except cake or cupcakes.

Offers glow-in-the-dark monster mini golf, an arcade, laser tag, bowling, a laser maze, and VR.
The location is mostly blacklight/glow in the dark.

Birthday party packages from Monster Mini Golf are available and are recommended for ages 5 and older.

Monster Mini Golf Gastonia location: 3924 East Franklin Boulevard, Gastonia, North Carolina 28056
Monster Mini Golf Charlotte location: 230 East W.T. Harris Boulevard Suite C-4, Charlotte, North Carolina 28262
Monster Mini Golf Monroe location: 108 East Sunset Drive suite 114, Monroe, North Carolina 28112

The Play House Indoor Play Cafe offers fun indoor play spaces for children under age 6 and a bakery selection with complimentary coffee and wifi. Caretakers can enjoy a treat while their children play in the imaginative playrooms. They offer special events, summer camps, and three birthday party packages that start at $200. All packages include a 2 hour private time slot to play. Book your party on their website.

Part of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library system, the Joe & Joan Martin Center is a hub for family-friendly programming for children, teens, and families.

The center houses two theatres, an 11 and under dedicated library space, four multi-use classrooms, a teen-only library, a multimedia production studio, and an interactive exhibit space.

Special events can be found throughout the week, including storytimes, theatre productions, and more.

Hours:
Monday to Thursday 9:00 am – 8:00 pm
Friday to Saturday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Offers an arcade with over 30 classic video games like Donkey Kong, Joust, Street Fighter, and Star Wars.
Kids Bowl Free on Sundays until 8 pm.
Gameplay is free, except pinball ($1) and foosball ($.50)

Kids are allowed with parental supervision until 9 pm.
21+ after 9 pm (no exceptions)

*note that this venue has more of a bar vibe, but children are welcome before 9 pm.

Big Air Charlotte offers an indoor trampoline park and a soft play zone. They offer weekly jump specials including Cosmic Nights, Toddler Time, Air Camp, and Midday Maddness.

Four birthday party packages are available and start at $325.

Indoor trampoline park with inclined walls, extreme air sports, wall tramp, zipline, battle beams, parkour, and kid jump zone.

Birthday party packages are available and require a 10-jumper minimum. Weekday parties get a 10% discount.

Concord Mills is home to The Escape Game. We checked it out and had a blast! Most of these escape room will fit up to 8 people and one of the rooms will even fit up to 12.

Indoor skydiving, no plane required!  iFLY is a skydiving simulator.

Check out how it works in our full review of iFLY Indoor Skydiving in Concord, NC.

Birthday Parties: iFly offers a variety of party packages with everything from private flights to pizza, party rooms and pictures!

Science museum with specialized science themed events, lab workshops for kids, live shows, and featured IMAX showings of nature themed shows and movies.

Science Camps at Discovery Place Science are available for rising Kindergarten through 6th grade, with June and July options available.
Camps are full-day with extended care available.

Birthday party packages are available, including party themes like ” Our Ocean Friends”, ” Science of Super Villians”, and “Shocking Science” for ages 3 – 12. Animal meet and greet add-ons are available.

The IMAX theatre at Discovery Place Science offers multiple showings per day, with several options to choose from.

BounceU Charlotte offers 100% private birthday party rentals. Your party is the only party in the inflatable arenas and party room. Each 2 hour private party includes 1 hour and 10 minutes of split playtime between both of their large arenas plus 50 minutes in the private party room. Parties start at $239+ and you must book in advance.

The Davidson Community Players offers theatre for adults and kids.
Adult shows are typically for ages 12 and older on the Main Stage.
Children’s shows are held with the Connie Company and are generally for all ages.

The theatre also hosts children’s classes and workshops

Summer Camps at Davidson Community Players are week-long and themed with themes of acting, crafts, theatre games, and more!
Most summer camps are half day, but some full day options are available for older children/teens.

Cooking classes, summer and school’s out camps, family events, homeschool classes, birthday parties, etiquette classes, adult sip n’ stirs, and MORE! All in a fun an educational environment.

Birthday Parties: Several party options are available for kids ages 3 to 17, including an option for two birthday kids to share a party.

This natural history museum offers dinosaurs, minerals, critters, and a planetarium in its indoor museum. You will also find outdoor activities at the museum as well.

The museum offers free entry on the 2nd Tuesday of each month!

Summer camp at Schiele Museum offers week-long or summer-long camps for kids ages 6 to 6th grade. Camps are full day from 9 am – 4 pm.

Learn more about the Schiele Museum of Natural History in our KA review! 

10 Park Lanes offers 32 lanes, Bocce, corn hole, and ping pong.

The bowling alley also has a sports bar.

Birthday party packages are available.

The modern art museum located in Charlotte offers rotating exhibits, permanent exhibitions, jazz music events, and special events.
The museum offers a Family Day regularly, which is free admission to the museum.

Offers 40 bowling lanes, billiards/pool, food, and drinks.
AMF is wheel chair accessible, has a lounge, and sports bar.

The alley also offers kid and teen birthday party packages.

Offers a large arcade, VR, full-service restaurant, and bar.
Dave & Busters regularly has weekly deals, with 1/2 price games on Wednesdays
2 locations are available in the Charlotte area

Dave & Busters Concord, NC- 8361 Concord Mills Blvd., Concord, NC
Dave & Busters Pineville, NC- 11049 Carolina Place Pkwy. Suite LS-05, Pineville, NC

Interactive play space open daily for kids ages 0 and up. The play space has large climbing structures, an indoor playground, slides, interactive video games, an obstacles course, and more.

Tickets start at $9 per two hours of play. Reserve online.
Socks are required and you can bring your own or purchase from Just Play.

Birthday Party packages are available with 2 hours in party space.

Entertainment complex offering bowling, a large arcade, an escape room, and more attractions.

Two locations are in the Charlotte area

The venue has a full-service restaurant and bar.
Birthday party packages are available.

Sparetime Entertainment Huntersville– 16317 Statesville Road · Huntersville, NC
Sparetime Entertainment Pineville– 9600 Pineville-Matthews Rd · Pineville, NC

Indoor boutique mini golf course. They also offer a food and beverage menu.

Tickets are $12 to putt.
Reservations are needed for weekend play, weekdays do not require reservations.
Kids golf free on Sunday.

The location is 21+ after 7:30 pm

Build-A-Bear Charlotte offers several birthday party packages starting at $20 per guest. Their packages all include choosing a furry friend (animal valued between $14-$36) to stuff and a bear box or carrying case. You can book a party on their website.

High Five Playhouse is an indoor playground geared for kids 10 and under. They have ball pits, climbing structures, slides, and more. They offer three birthday party packages starting at $275 for 10 kids. All packages include two hours of play time and time in party room, a slice of pizza, and a drink for each child. Visit their website to learn more about their parties and membership options.

Speedway Escapes offers 4 escape rooms to choose from.

Offers large-scale professional theatre productions, including family-friendly theatre productions, throughout the year.

Performances are generally held at the Belk Theatre, Booth Playhouse, or Stage Door Theatre.

Retro arcade with classic 80’s and 90’s games.
Also offers a full bar.

Children are welcome until 8 pm.
After 8pm, 21+
$10 per adult and $5 per anyone under 21
Tuesday & Wednesday is $5 for everyone
Games are free to play after entry fee.

The Charlotte Mecklenburg Library offers free services ranging from book rental, audio and visual rental, resources for research and learning, family-friendly programming and events, adult events, and so much more.

Services are available for adults, teen, children, students, outreach services, employment services, book club kits, and nonprofit services.

Events are held at all locations of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, including storytime events, the Makerspace Program, career development, and dozens of specialty events categorized by age and theme.

Locations:

Allegra Westbrooks Regional: 2412 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte, NC 28216

Indoor parkour, ninja gym. They offer free play passes, classes, and more.

Ninja Nation also offers summer camps for ages 5-12 years old. Camps are from 8:30 – 3:30

Learn why Ninja Nation is an awesome place to play indoors in our KA review!

Extreme Ice Center offers public ice skating, birthday parties, summer camps, and hockey.

Summer Camps include several hockey camps for ages 5 and older. Camps range from beginner skater to advanced.

The amusement park offers indoor activities including a large arcade, 24 bowling lanes, Hologate VR, and laser tag.

Outdoor activities like go-karting, minigolf, and amusement rides are available.

Immersive escape room with two locations in Charlotte, NC.
There are 12 games total between the two locations.
Reservations are recommended.

The minimum age for most rooms is 12 +

North Location: 9539 Pinnacle Dr. Ste 300, Charlotte NC
South Location:  4215 Stuart Andrew Blvd, Ste B, Charlotte NC

Pretty Princess Play Palace offers princess parties that last 2-3 hours and include princess spa treatments, a food table, a princess dress to wear and take home, and a fashion show exit. You must fill out their online form to get details on birthday party packages.

Masterpiece Escapes offers 5 escape rooms to choose from.
Bookings are private and recommended for ages 12 and older.

Indoor inflatable playground located in the Concord Mall bounce houses, inflatable slides, inflatable obstacle courses, a toddler play area, and more.

Birthday Party Packages are available for 5 – 24 children, packages vary by price.

Offers an indoor trampoline park with dodgeball, basketball, a foam zone, a drop zone, a ninja warrior section, a toddler zone, and more.

SkyZone birthday party packages are available, including Freestyle, Glow, and Little Leapers

Northlake Charlotte Location: 7325 Smith Corners Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28269
Pineville Location: 10200 Centrum Pkwy, Pineville, NC 28134

Art Buzz Kids is part of Wine & Design. They offer kids painting classes, art camps, after school art programs, and toddler art.

Summer camp with Art Buzz Kids is week long, half day camp, with June and July options available. Recommended ages vary.

Big Air Trampoline Park in Charlotte offers several birthday packages to fit your party needs. They offer four birthday package options starting at $325. All packages include jump socks, pizza, drinks, jump time (1 hour+ depending on package), dessert, and 40 minutes in your party room.

Acting Out Studio is an award-winning acting studio that offers birthday parties, acting classes, summer camps, and more. They have four locations in Charlotte. If you love singing, acting, and all things musical theatre, you can book a party with them. Parties cost $350, are two-hours long, and include 10 kids (all ages). Each additional child is $10 per child.

The NASCAR Hall of Fame is a museum for all things NASCAR. They have special events, guided tours, interactive exhibits, and much more.

The museum offers summer camps, Spring Break camps, and camps throughout the year where children learn about NASCAR, engineering, hands-on experiments, and more.
Summer camps are for grades K – 9th grade, with week long camps in June and July.

Indoor trampoline park with attractions like dodgeball, basketball trampoline dunk, a soft play area, zipline, toddler play area, and more.

Altitude Birthday Party Packages are 2 hours of playtime, with customizable packages available.

With two locations in the Charlotte area, Urban Air offers a huge multi-story “adventure hub”, VR, an indoor playground, bumper cars, a wipeout course, a sky rider, ropes courses, a climbing wall, a huge trampoline section, and more. They offer birthday party packages that start at $235. You can book a party on their website.

Urban Air birthday party packages start at $255 for a party of 10, with 3 options to choose from.

Summer camps at Camp Urbie feature STEM activities, guided activities, open play time, and more!

Urban Air Cornelius Location: 17001 Kenton Drive, Cornelius, North Carolina 28031
Urban Air Mint Hill Location: 9108 Lawyers Road, Mint Hill, NC 28227

This indoor playground and cafe offers a huge indoor playground with multi-stories, a toddler area, slides, obstacle courses, swings, a ball pit, and even a ball blaster.
Ages 1 -10 allowed.
Admission cost is for 2 hours of play. Weekends and holidays require reservations.

Three birthday party packages are available, starting at $225. Full facility rental available.

Skyzone indoor trampoline park in South Charlotte has several party packages you can choose from if you want to spend your birthday jumping with friends. You start by choosing your party theme (Freestyle Package, Glow Package, or Little Leapers Package) then you can select the platinum, gold, or silver tier for your party theme of choice. All packages include a private party room, party room set-up and clean-up, paper products, SkySocks, and e-invitations. No outside food or drink is allowed except cake or cupcakes.

The sports and family entertainment center offers family-friendly attractions including

Bowling
Jump-n-play
Sky Trail Ropes Course
Bumper Cars
Mini Bowling
Arcade Games
Laser Tag
Esports gaming
Playland Adventure Center
Rock Climbing
VR
They also offer several birthday party packages starting at $249 for 10 kids.

Party Packages are available

Offers private escape room experiences, with 10% off for weekday games.
6 games with varying themes are available.

All ages are welcome, but those under 14 require parental supervision.