Ready, set, let’s find a great place for children with a lot of energy! Well, you’re in luck as Westfield’s Carter’s Play Place needs to be added to your short list of indoor fun in Hamilton County.
For parents, finding an indoor playground that offers a fun and safe area for young children is so important. (Especially on days when you want to escape the cold or rainy weather!) Carter’s Play Place, located near the intersection of 31 and 32, checks all the boxes for a memorable family outing, with its large play area, birthday party rooms, and a kitchenette and dining space with complimentary popcorn and coffee.
Play Structures Galore at Carter’s Play Place
Carter’s Play Place moved into its current building a few years ago, allowing for even more play space for families with more adaptive play equipment. Today, you’ll find a two-story play structure with slides, a foam pit and ball pit, a toddler trampoline, Little Tikes Cozy Coupes, swings, and even a separate area specifically for younger children that has a play picnic area! They have a brand new, large trampoline!
As a mom of two little boys, I enjoy watching them jet from one area to the next during our visits, with their personal favorites being the ball pit and two-story play structure! They also always get a healthy dose of practicing the fun skills of sharing and taking turns. A tip for parents: I can attest to these many play structures helping wear out little ones ahead of nap time!
For children who may need a break from the noise and activity of the main play area, there’s a room called “The Calm Cave” that’s the perfect place to relax in a quieter environment. It includes a couch and toys so that little ones can still play while taking a little break. This space also serves as the perfect place for nursing mothers to feed their infants in private.
Looking for a Themed Party? Carter’s Has You Covered
Three separate rooms can be rented for parties and events for two-hour time slots, and each party package covers 12 kids, their play socks, and favor bags. The room themes? That’s where things get really fun! There’s an Ocean Room, Space Room, and Jungle Room, each uniquely decorated at all times. Parents are welcome to bring their own décor to the room if they choose. When there’s no booked party, anyone visiting Carter’s Play Place can go into the rooms to play with the puzzles and toys inside.
During our most recent visit, we spent a lot of time in the Space Room as they had a toy rocketship that was the perfect size for little ones. 3, 2, 1 – take off to the land of make-believe!
Don’t Forget the Free Books, Coffee, and Popcorn
Outside of the main play area is a space to enjoy snacks and drinks – it looks like a cute, miniature kitchenette with kid-sized tables and chairs. Bonus: Parents can enjoy complimentary coffee, and the entire family can enjoy complimentary popcorn. It’s hard to pass up free coffee!
On your way out, don’t miss the bookshelf filled with free books donated from Knights of Columbus. Each child is encouraged to take a book home with them! My three-year-old was immediately drawn to one about Mickey Mouse, making the transition from play area to getting ready to leave much smoother.
Speaking of books, Storytime at Carter’s Play Place, which is free with admission, is held every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m.! Little ones can play, take a break by listening to a story (and enjoy a quick snack!), and then get back to playing.
Plan Your Visit to Carter’s Play Place
Carter’s Play Place has a lot of open hours during the week: Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday from 12-5 p.m. Both day passes and memberships are available. (On Wednesday nights, they’re open until 6:45 p.m. for members!) They don’t require reservations, and you can stay as long as you’d like during their open hours!
At this point in my parenting journey, I’m drawn to play places that also offer set hours for toddlers so that they can feel a little safer running around and exploring. At Carter’s Play Place, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 am to Noon are restricted to age four and under and are known as “Kiddie Carter’s.” I took my boys on a Thursday at 9 am, and it was perfect for us — less crowded, and they could effortlessly run around to check out all of the fun play areas! My youngest is still very much “toddling” around and learning how to navigate new spaces, so it was nice visiting during the Kiddie Carter’s time.
Outside of Kiddie Carter’s, there are no age restrictions to enjoy the play areas. While most of their equipment has weight limits of around 200-250 pounds, it’s worth noting that the majority of kids who come to play at Carter’s Play Place are between the ages of one and six years old, so it’s a hot spot for that preschool playtime.
To ensure no child slips on the blue play mats inside, Carter’s Socks, which have grippy bottoms for safety, are required at all times and can be purchased on-site.
For Families with Special Needs
Carter’s Play Place is a safe space for all children, but it understands that some families feel more comfortable bringing their child during a time that is much calmer. For these families, “Calmer Carter’s” is offered once a week for children with special needs. It’s not publicly advertised to ensure it stays quiet and calm for the children who need this time the most. (Parents are encouraged to reach out directly to learn more about Calmer Carter’s.) Lunchtime, especially during the weekdays, is usually quiet as well.
Carter’s Play Place was founded by a parent who has a son with autism. Because of this, the staff is aware that every family has unique needs and wants every child to have the opportunity to play and enjoy themselves.
Carter’s Play Place Address:
1021 Kendall Ct.
Westfield, IN 46074
Address
1021 Kendall Ct.
Westfield
IN
46074
Visit An Early Childhood Paradise in Westfield | Carter’s Play Place
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