Indoor Activities
Indoor Play
Afterwords Books
441 E. Vandalia St.
Edwardsville, IL
This little local indie bookstore offers customers both new and used books, educational toys, and unique gifts. It is a charming place to bring your children to nurture a love of reading. In-Store Shopping. They sometimes have facebook live sales and/or book bundles that can be purchased through facebook. The owner has also set up for online shopping of select books on her website.
Altitude Trampoline Park
91 Fountain Dr
Glen Carbon, IL
https://altitudeglencarbon.centeredgeonline.com/
The Park offers entertainment activities such as a foam pit, gymnastics tumble tracks, a kid zone, basketball dunking lanes, dodge ball, and wall-to-wall trampoline attractions. The business also can provide party spaces. Children 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Toddler Time Hours: 11am-2pm Monday thru Friday. Toddler Time Pricing: $8.75 per toddler jumper and $5.75 for parents/guardians. Regular Hours: Sunday 11am-7pm. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 11am-8pm. Friday-Saturday 11am-10pm. Tuesday Closed for Renovations. Friday Night Frenzy Special: 6-9pm $20 per jumper. Saturday Teen Nights: 6-9pm $20 per jumper. Normal Single Jumper Rates: 1 hour pass is $18.99, 90 Minute pass is $23.99, 2 hour pass is $26.99, 3 hour pass is $29.99. Deals are announced on their facebook page.
Edison's Entertainment Complex
2477 S State Route 157
Edwardsville, IL
Edison’s offers a variety of entertainment options such as bowling, laser tag, a huge arcade, and a full-service restaurant. There is plenty of outdoor seating on the patio. The 12 bowling lanes have plenty of seating and projection screen tvs. There is also lane service for guests’ food and beverage needs. The business also can provide party spaces. The laser tag area has an upper and lower area. Plus a viewing room so visitors can watch. The arcade area has traditional games like ski ball as well as newer game options such as Virtual Reality gaming. Hours: Monday-Wednesday 11am-10pm, Thursday 11am-11pm, Friday & Saturday 11am-12am, and Sunday 11am-10pm. Specials are announced on their facebook page.
Edwardsville Children's Museum
722 Holyoake Rd
Edwardsville, IL
www.edwardsvillechildrensmuseum.org
The Edwardsville Children’s Museum offers a fun indoor and outdoor environment for kids to explore and use their imaginations. The building houses several exhibits with varying themes. Areas include Market, Art Studio, Florist, Annies Custard Cart, Hawthorne Animal Hospital, Community Heroes, Peel pizza place, Post office, Dentist Exhibit, Canopy Tree House, Phillips 66 STEM Forest Exhibit, and Hospital Nursery. Outdoor play areas includes a garden, play stage, sensory garden, paint station, sand and rock pit, slide, and much more! A free pass is available to visit ECM thru the Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Maryville, and Troy libraries. Otherwise, you can pay by the visit or invest in a membership. Playtimes: Mondays and Tuesdays 9:30am to 2pm, Thursdays 9:30am-2pm, Fridays 9:30am-5pm, Saturdays 9:30am-2:30pm. $8.00 for nonmembers for children over 1 year old. See website for membership prices. Special Program options can also be found on the website.
Happy Up Inc.
6654 Edwardsville Crossing Dr. Ste A
Edwardsville, IL
This toy store has a large variety of toys, games, gadgets, stuffed animals, and more for all ages! Shopping can occur in store or online. If you order online, you can pick up items at either store location. You can also call and place an order via phone for curbside pickup. Purchases can be wrapped in store no extra charge. In the past, Happy Up would offer in-store weekly craft projects for $5.00 each during the summer months.
Korte Rec Center
1 Nagel Drive
Highland, IL
https://www.highlandil.gov/departments/parks_and_recreation/korte_recreation_center/index.php
Recreation Center with a Gym/Fitness Area as well as an Indoor Pool Area. It is open for members and non-members. Group Fitness classes include: Boot Camp, Zumba, Senior Cycle & Strength, Aquarobics, Pop Up Barre, and More! See website for pricing. *Pool Schedule is different than building hours. Open Swim is Monday – Friday 3:30pm-8:30pm, Saturday 12pm-5:30pm, Sunday 12pm-4:30pm. Open Swim begins at 1pm on weekdays when Highland School District is not in session. For residents, it is $6 for children and $7 for adults ($6 for ages 60+). Resident Family pass is $25.00 for 2 adults plus children. For non-residents, it is $7.50 per child and $8.50 per adult ($7.50 for ages 60+). Non-resident family pass is $31.00. Toddler Time is every Friday from 10:30-11:30am. It is $1.00 off per child during toddler time. The Indoor Pool Area has two lanes marked off for lap swimming. I believe the deepest part of the pool is 4 feet. There is a small lazy river set up with a “tornado” portion in the middle. One large water slide is available for individuals who can swim without a life jacket and are at least 48 inches tall. The toddler swim area (for ages 8 and under) includes one small water slide and several spraying apparatuses. There is also a hot tub for people over 16 years old. Two lifeguards are present. There are family changing rooms and restrooms.
Mac's Family Fun Time
13229 US Hwy 40
Highland, IL
Brand new indoor playground, arcade, and frozen custard! The arcade has Hoops FX basketball, ATV Slam, Centipede Chaos, and 4 lanes of Skee-ball as well as other games. The three level playground area includes slides, climbing structures, spinning devices, tunnels, and an interactive ball area. The small balls can be placed in air guns, tunnels, or a device that throws balls in the air. The fee to play in the playground is $15 for an all day pass. Children 3 years & under are free with paid adult. Socks with grips (like the ones used at trampoline parks) are required for all guests on the playground. You can bring your own or purchase fro $3.00 each. Kids can go back and forth from the playground to the arcade.The reloadable arcade cards can be loaded with the amount of your choice as low as $5. The cards keep track of the number of tickets you win with each game. Prize options include candy and toys. There are different package options for food and arcade. In addition to their traditional ice cream shop set up, they have a freezer of pre-made pints and quarts of frozen custard options. There are slushies available in Ski, Cherry, and Cola. Popcorn, pizza, and toasted ravioli is also on the menu. Hours: Monday – Closed, Tuesday- Sunday 11am-9pm. They also have birthday party packages.
RP Lumber Center
6289 Tiger Drive
Edwardsville, IL
Brand new recreational complex that offers ice skating and exercise options. It has a 175-meter special surface track, state-of-the-art ice rink, fitness room, teen center, and meeting space. They have open skate hours, hockey programs, learn to skate programs, figure skating, and more! Membership options and open skate session times are listed on the website. Open Skate Prices: District 7 Families – $7 for ages 4-64, $4 for Seniors, 3 years and under are free. Skate Rental is an additional $3. Non District 7 Families – $9 for ages 4-64, $6 for Seniors, 3 years and under are free. Skate Rental is an additional $3. If you are wanting a seal device for the children to push or ride on, it is an additional $6. Every Friday from 4:10 to 5:35pm, it is only $5/person (admission and skate rental) during open skate. Sundays from 4:45-6:45pm they have Friends and Family Skate Night: $30 for entry, skate rentals for 4, 14″ pizza, and 4 fountain drinks. Hours: Monday 6am-9pm, Tuesday 6am-10pm, Wednesday 6am-9pm, Thursday 6am-10pm, Friday 6am-10pm, Saturday & Sunday 6am-9pm. They also have birthday party packages.
The Sports Academy
101 The Game Dr
Glen Carbon, IL
Indoor sports Facility with adult sports leagues (Soccer, Kickball, Flag football), youth sports leagues, and Sports Bar and Grill. The playhouse indoor playground has a large open area for big kids and a small enclosed area for little children. This business also can host birthday parties and special events. The playhouse is open after 4pm on weekdays except for 11am on Fridays. Weekend Indoor Playground Hours: Saturday and Sunday 9am-9pm. Unlimited access for $4 dollars per child. Ages 3 and up. See website for team schedule.
Tri-Township Park Activity Center
284 Riggings Rd
Troy, IL
https://www.tritownshippark.org/activitycenter
Activity Center that holds Open Skate Sessions on the weekends and certain weekdays. You can rent halls for parties or sports practices. Open Skate Sessions occur Friday and Saturdays 7-10pm, Sundays 1-4pm. $10 Admission on Fridays/Saturdays and $8 Admission on Sundays. They have Nerf War Nights and Laser Tag Tournaments during the year.
We Rock the Spectrum Kid's Gym
1015 Century Dr.
Edwardsville, IL
http://www.werockthespectrumedwardsville.com/
Kid’s Play Gym with specially designed sensory equipment to foster learning, exploration, and inclusive sensory-safe experiences for children of ALL abilities. Open Play is $15 per person and $13/Sibling. Toddler Tuesday Pricing is $10 for Open Play for ages 1-3. The owner stated she uses a hospital grade disinfectant spray often in addition to wiping down surfaces in between new guests coming to play. See Facebook page/website regarding hours, camps, classes, and events.
Art
The Edwardsville Arts Center
6165 Center Grove Rd
Edwardsville, IL
www.edwardsvilleartscenter.com
This nonprofit center creates classes, exhibits, and cultural events for youth and adults. Spring Classes For Ages K-8th Grade Include: Character Creation, Drawing, Painting, and Mixed Media. There are free art classes on Saturdays for kids.
The Macoupin Art Collective
115 E. Main
Staunton, IL
Even though this establishment is not located in Madison County, it is too special not to share and is close to the area. There are winter classes for kids of all ages. Class sizes are small. Check out their website to see all of the options. Adult classes that have been offered in the past include knitting, ceramics, wheel throwing, watercolor painting, shibori dyeing, stained glass basics, barn quilts, and more. They even had a Bob Ross paint-a-long class!
Jacoby Arts Center
627 E Broadway
Alton, IL
https://www.jacobyartscenter.org
They offer performance arts and art classes for all ages. Examples of classes that have been offered in the past include: YogArt on Wednesdays, Photography, Adult Wheel Throwing, Adult Ballet and Modern class, Digital Photo Design, Kids Pom Poms, Kids Acro, Kids Hip Hop, and Adult Swing Dance. Camp Options: Clay Camp, Messy Art Camp, Space Art Camp, Food Art Camp, Play with Clay for Kids. Every Tuesday from 4pm to 5pm there is a FREE art club. It takes place in the downstairs classroom at the Jacoby Arts Center. It is for ages 5-15. RSVP on the website.
Joyful Arts Movement
802 West Main Street
Collinsville, IL
This well known dance studio in Collinsville now offers weekly art lessons for ages 1-14. See class options on website.
Pottery Hollow
23 Junction Dr, Suite B
Glen Carbon, IL
A great place to paint and create customized gifts. Specials and coupons are listed on their facebook page and groupon. Pottery To-Go is also available for purchase online.
Acting/Music
Tessitura Music
871 S. Arbor Vitae
Suite 4
Edwardsville, IL
https://www.tessituramusic.com/
New Music Lessons & Instruction School! Currently offering several lesson combinations for voice, piano, and music theory. Lessons can be conducted in person or virtually. There is also an early music class for ages 4-7, a musical theater class, and a kindermusik class. The owner has degrees in Music Literature, Vocal, Pedagogy, Vocal Performance, and English Literature. She has been teaching private voice lessons for 10 years. She also teaches applied voice at SIUE, sings in the St. Louis Symphony Chorus, and serves as Director of Choral Music at St. John’s United Methodist Church in Edwardsville.
Swing City Music
244 S. Buchanan St.
Edwardsville, IL
This store sells many different types of instruments such as guitars and drums. They offer a band instrument rental program. Also, online lessons program is available. Students are assigned to an experienced instructor who will teach about the designated instrument.
SIUE Suzuki String Program
SIUE Box 1771
Edwardsville, IL
www.siue.edu/suzuki/program-workshop/suzuki-strings-program.shtml
This program offers string instruction for children ages 3-18. It has been a part of the Edwardsville Community for over 50 years. See link for class options.
SIUE Presents Kindermusik
https://www.siue.edu/artsandsciences/music/community/kindermusik/index.shtml
Kindermusik is a music and movement program for children ages 0-7 years old. Classes are at the Tessitura Music Studio but they have also been offered at certain libraries in the area before. See website for in-person class options.
Dance/Gymnastics
Joyful Arts Movement
802 West Main Street
Collinsville, IL
Joyful Arts Movement currently has a variety of dance classes for all ages(7-18)! Baby Jam and Terrific 2’s classes for 1 and 2 year olds, Ballet/ Tap/Jazz classes for 3 to 6 year olds, and tumble hop and mini-musical theater for 3-7 year olds. Also, there are several Ballet, Tap, and Jazz options for ages for 7 – 12 year olds based on experience level and ages. They also offer Acro, Hip Hop, Musical Theater, Pointe, and Lyrical for kids. Adults classes offered include: Tap, Hip Hop, and Ballet. Classes take place in the afternoon/evenings different days of the week. Class sizes are small. They offer one free trial class for all ages once a month to help customers decide if dance class is the right thing. See schedule on website for details.
Prima Dance and Tumbling
2771 RT 66 Business Pk Dr.
Edwardsville, IL
Prima Dance and Tumbling teaches recreational and competitive dance with classes in Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Tumbling & More. Classes are for ages 2.5 and up. There is also a cheer team that competes locally and regionally. The owner, Chelsea LaBrie Guempel, danced on the competitive dance team at Edwardsville High School and cheered for the Rams for 4 years. She was captain of the Rams cheerleaders for one year. Dance attire (shoes, tights, tutus) is for sale at the dance studio. Class Options are posted on the prima website.
Pride of Illinois: Cheer, Gymnastics, Tumbling
926 McDonough Lake Rd
Collinsville, IL
Pride Cheer offers recreational and competitive cheerleading, gymnastics, and tumbling classes and teams. Classes are available for ages 3 and up. They also host Open Gyms and Parent Days Out Classes. Options are listed on the website.
Heavenly Rhythm Dance Studio
1124 Troy Rd
Collinsville, IL
Heavenly Rhythm strives to provide affordable and quality dance education in a family friendly Christian environment. There are a variety of classes offered to different ages (20months and up) in the evenings Monday-Thursdays. Types of dances to be taught include Hip Hop, Ballet, Tap, Acro, and Jazz. Schedule is printed on their website.
Turning Pointe Academy of Dance
34 Executive Plaza
Maryville, IL
Turning Pointe Academy of Dance offers a variety of dance classes for ages 3 and up. All of the full-time teachers have a Masters or Bachelors degree in dance. There are daytime and nighttime classes. Adult classes for hip hop fit, adult ballet, yoga, and modern dance are also available. Acro gym has been offered in the past as well.
Dance House
208 Pine St.
Highland, IL
Dance House offers dance, tumbling, and cheerleading to girls and boys ages 3-18. There are recreational and competitive teams. Classes are held on Monday-Thursday evenings.
Last Updated: 7/14/2023