Best Indoor Playgrounds In San Francisco

Housed within an historic airplane hangar at Crissy Field, House of Air is an indoor trampoline facility with an excellent children's program. The 8,000-square-foot facility has a number of attractions, such as the Matrix, a trampoline structure with 42 conjoined trampolines, Colosseum with 22 conjoined trampolines including trampoline walls and the Air Junior Bounce House suitable for children ages three to six. The Mini Program, designed for children ages two to six, introduces children to beginning gymnastic positions and other appropriate activities. House of Air also offers a number of other classes appropriate for ages seven to 12, like beginning and intermediate trampoline in the Training Ground and a number of summer camp programs, with sessions through August 22.

Featuring an outdoor playground and an indoor play space, Upper Noe Recreation Center is a very popular destination for local children. The indoor play space is open to daily free play during designated times, in addition a variety of classes such as Baby and Me for mothers and babies ages one to three, and Karate Kidz for "little kickers" ages five to six. The indoor play space is also available for birthday parties and other special events. The outdoor playground features age-appropriate play structures, a sand pit, benches and new restrooms. 

Describing itself as "San Francisco's premier family club and preschool," Peekadoodle offers a safe facility for children 20 months to five years old. Membership privileges include a 1,300-square-foot indoor play space, and access to a variety of children's classes, workshops and drop-off programs. During the summer, Peekadoodle offers a number of Summer Kidscamps through August 22. The preschool has an average enrollment of 100 students, with class sizes averaging 12 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of six-to-one. Peekadoodle is located within historic Ghiradelli Square and just steps away from Fisherman's Wharf.

Planet Granite is a popular local rock climbing gym offering a variety of classes and programs, including an excellent kids program. Conveniently located next to House of Air at Crissy Field, the gym offers 25,000 square feet of climbing, fitness and cardio area, two yoga studios and a bouldering area. The kids program includes summer camps, birthday parties and after-school programs for children at least five years old. Summer climbing camps for kids five to eight and nine to 13 run through August 15.

Located in Potrero Hill, not far from Jackson Field, Recess is Yelp's top-rated indoor playground facility in San Francisco. Recess is also a membership-driven business, featuring use of a 3,200-square-foot playspace, childcare by reservation, kids classes and parent workshops. Sample kids class titles include Junior Artist Series, Story and Music and Kids and Family Yoga. Classes are offered quarterly, with some summer sessions running through August 29. People interested in a possible membership sign up can obtain a Preview Pass by advance reservations to view the playspace at a discount, which may be applied to same-day membership signups.

Randy Yagi is a freelance writer covering all things San Francisco. In 2012, he was awarded a Media Fellowship from Stanford University. His work can be found on Examiner.com Examiner.com.