Are the rainy—or even snowy!—days getting you down? Have bored kids at home that just may be driving you crazy? Rather than waiting for summer to return to leave the house, why not head out for some family fun out of the weather? You can escape the weather and stay entertained with these local indoor activities in Olympia and Throughout Thurston County.
Hands On Children’s Museum
414 Jefferson Street NE, Olympia
360.956.0818
Looking to get the kids out of the house? Look no further! The Hands On Children’s Museum is a family favorite for a reason. There are many fun and educational activities for a range of ages to enjoy, all in one place. Each area of the museum is divided up into different exhibits based on a particular subject, from the Arts & Parts Studio featuring a huge assortment of new and recycled crafts to the Emergency exhibit featuring an Olympia police car, fire engine, and more, there is no shortage of exciting things to discover at the Hands On Children’s Museum. In fact, you will want to return often, as each visit is a new and exciting adventure for the whole family. Be sure to check out their special events throughout the year! Plan your visit today.
Exit Puzzles
109 5th Avenue SW, Olympia
360.930.9686
If you like mysteries, an escape room is a great way to spend a cold afternoon. At Exit Puzzles, you will put on your thinking cap with a group of friends to solve a series of puzzles and escape the room. They currently are featuring two escape rooms with two unique experiences. A range of items and clues will help you successfully exit the room. You and your friends will race the clock in these timed challenges, making for an even more exciting experience. On the next gray day, be sure to round up some friends and tackle the inspired and challenging escape rooms at Exit Puzzles. The puzzles change often, so you can revisit time and time again.
DEFY Olympia
7960 Center Street SW, Tumwater
360.338.6786
Just because it’s wet and gloomy doesn’t mean you have to stop moving. Previously Boomshaka, DEFY Olympia has a range of indoor attractions to help you stay active and learn new skills, including angled trampolines, battle beams and basketball. They even have an aerial silks area to practice trapeze-style tricks safely over a bed of foam. If you’re looking for something more intense, try their extreme dodgeball, which is done on wall-to-wall trampolines to add an additional twist to the game! No matter what age, adults and kids alike will find fun and excitement at DEFY Olympia. Buy single-use tickets online or purchase a Flight Club membership for great additional savings.
Puget Sound Estuarium
309 State Avenue NE, Olympia
360.915.0773
You don’t have to stop appreciating the great outdoors and wildlife of the Pacific Northwest just because it’s wet outside. The Puget Sound Estuarium provides a wonderful, dry place to experience the local sea life and learn more about the ecosystems of Puget Sound. Visitors can connect more with the natural world by viewing the sea life in their five aquariums, which feature animal species such as fish, starfish and anemones. They also have a shell exhibit, movie screenings, and microscopes so you can get up close and personal with the unique findings from our local ecosystems. With so much to explore, the exhibits and activities will easily keep you entertained for many weekends to come.
Laser Fun Zone
1225 Ruddell Rd SE, Lacey
360.499.0623
If you and your family have already rotated through all of your board games, it may be time to engage in another type of friendly competition. At Laser Fun Zone, you can challenge your friends and family to exciting games of laser tag. Their 4,200-square-foot laser tag arena provides plenty of space to relieve those restless legs in an epic battle amongst your family and friends. With their weekly specials, you can find times that work best for your budget and schedule too! Open weekday afternoons and all weekend long, Laser Fun Zone provides plenty of convenient times to join the fun. Next time you’re feeling competitive, ditch the Uno deck and hit Laser Fun Zone.
Olympia Pinball Museum
509 Capital Way S, Olympia
360.878.8483
Nothing cures those wintertime blues like a little nostalgia! Head on down to the Olympia Pinball Museum and slip into simpler times with some of the most classic arcade games of all time. Featuring over 70 unique pinball machines, the Olympia Pinball Museum has nearly every theme you could ask for, including The Beatles, Jurassic Park, Dr. Who, Rick & Morty, Star Wars, Guns ‘N’ Roses, and many, many more! If you’re into classic arcade games, you can also find an assortment of throwback machines featuring fan favorites such as Dig Dug, Ms. Pacman, Donkey Kong, and Burger Time. Visit the Olympia Pinball Museum and reawaken your inner child with these treasured and timeless games. One flat feel allows you to play as much as you want!
Cirque Climbing
8726 28th Court NE, Lacey
360.915.8614
Interested in picking up a new hobby and making new friends? Check out Cirque Climbing, the premiere destination for indoor climbing in the South Sound. Featuring 3,500 square feet of bouldering and 11,000 square feet of roped climbing, there is endless fun and challenge to be had here. Weekends are open to all with affordable day passes and are the perfect time to try out this exciting activity. They also provide a number of classes for different skill levels, so whether you are a beginner or experienced climber, there is always something new to try to challenge yourself. If you get hooked, you can purchase their five-pack passes or take advantage of greater access and more deals by becoming a member. With their expert team and community of active, devoted members, you’ll surely find more than a day of fun at Cirque Climbing.
