25 Places for Indoor Fun in Red Deer & Area

Updated December 13, 2024

The snow is here and maybe here to stay. There’s always fun to be had outside – snowman making, tobogganing, and fort making. Sometimes having someplace to go and play inside can prevent full-on hibernation mode and expend some energy in a warm and cozy environment.

Whether you’re looking for a toddler, elementary, pre-teen, or teen, this list should have a few spots you can go that aren’t the mall!

This land has welcomed First Nations from across Turtle Island, and settlers and visitors from around the world. Alberta lands are part of Treaties 4, 6, 7, 8 and 10, and the homeland of the Métis. Alberta Mamas respects the sovereignty, lands, histories, languages, knowledge systems and cultures of all Indigenous, Métis, and Inuit nations. We are all Treaty people.

Places to take your kids for some indoor fun in Red Deer

1. Red Deer Museum

Red Deer Museum offers great programming for kids and the chance to have fantastic art & cultural experiences.

2. Jollyland Kidz Park

They haven’t announced an opening date yet, but keep an eye on Jollyland Kidz Park for a brand new indoor play space, hoping to open before the end of 2024!

3. Treehouse Indoor Playground

With 11,000 square feet, Tree House Indoor Playground & Cafe is the place to burn off steam. If you don’t want to host your kid’s party at home this is a great option, too. They even give you a party room! Don’t forget your socks (you, too, parents)!

4. Thunder Country Trampoline

Sign up for a bouncing good time with a class at Thunder Country Trampoline.

5. Heritage Lanes Bowling

Go bowling at Heritage Lanes! If you’re heading there during the summer be sure to register for Kids Bowl Free and save on lane rentals!

6. Collicutt Centre

The Collicutt Centre offers registered programs, drop-ins, a climbing wall and of course – the water park! Check out the Red Deer Recreation and Culture activity guide for events running in the facility.

7. Michener Aquatic Centre

Check out the Red Deer Recreation and Culture activity guide for events running in Michener Aquatic Centre, or just head over during public swim hours to enjoy the 3 pools.

8. G.H. Dawe Community Centre

With a water park, arenas, child minding, preschool, and more, G.H. Dawe Community Centre can help give you that change of scene you’re craving!

9. Red Deer Recreation Centre

The Red Deer Recreation Centre has a huge outdoor pool for the summer, or a quieter indoor pool in the winter.

10. Color Me Mine

If you’ve got an artist on your hands, Color Me Mine has creative outlet options for your kids. They could even make some Christmas gifts for grandma and grandpa. Two birds, one stone there!

11. Paint of Interest

Have a date-day with your creative kids and make something at Paint of Interest with options in pottery, resin, and acrylic. Parties are also available.

12. Red Deer Public Library

Have you looked at the library calendar? With 3 branches there is something going on all the time. And if nothing fits your schedule, there are so many other ways to use the library (besides books, of course!).

13. Kerry Wood Nature Centre

There are plenty of public programs to take in, or check out the newly renovated exhibits, natural playground and music garden at the Nature Centre in the Gaetz Lake Sanctuary.

14. Trailhead Climbing

Check out the Fun Zone at Trailhead Climbing, Red Deer’s only indoor climbing facility. The also offer after school programs and summer camps.

15. The Clubhouse

Sharing an entrance with Aurora Golf, The Clubhouse has over 60 different arcade games to play.

Outside the City

17. Alberta Sports Hall of Fame Museum

You can find all kinds of fun inside Alberta Sports Hall of Fame Museum including interactive mulit-sport games.

18. Abbey Centre’s Indoor Play Space – Blackfalds

In Blackfalds, the Indoor Play Space, located in the Abbey Centre, has 6 levels and over 2600 square feet of fun for your child 12 years and under.

19. Whitecap Resources Indoor Play Space – Sylvan Lake

The Whitecap Resources Indoor Play Space in NexSource Centre has over 1,000 sq ft of indoor play space and is designed for children under the age of eight. It’s very toddler friendly.

20. Sylvan Library – Sylvan Lake

Also in Sylvan Lake, much like the RDPL, Sylvan Library has programming for kids and of course – books!

21. Family Resource Network – various locations

McMan Central runs programs throughout central Alberta. Check the calendar in the right menu for programs you can register in.

22. Family Resource Network – Sylvan Lake

Family Resource Network runs programs and playgroups in Sylvan Lake.

23. Penhold Regional Multiplex

In Penhold, the Multiplex Area offers drop in programming (including free Sunday skating in the winter) and special events.

24. Penhold Library

There’s also the Penhold Library!

Closures

There are a few spots that Google has been bringing up when I do my research that are permanently closed. If you love doing deep research like me, don’t bother looking into these places further:

• Cafe O’ Play Red Deer (So sad about this one, I loved taking my daughter to the one in Riverbend as a toddler!)
• Moonwalkers, Alix (closed due to lack of financial viability)