Parents, grab your bestie and load up the kids, because play dates aren’t just for the little ones anymore! Here are some local cafes and play spaces that the grown-ups will like visiting, too.
7 spots near Indianapolis for playdate parents can enjoy too:
Birdies
632 IN-32, Westfield
Kids (and kids-at-heart) will love playing a round of mini golf on one of the 18-hole or 36-hole courses, which have guests putting through mountains and around waterfalls. Adults will love the large menu of shareable appetizers, burgers, wings and beer on tap. Sit on the patio and watch the putt-putt action, or sit inside and watch a game or two. Birdies is a place where kids can have fun and parents can relax, too!
Doughnuts & Dragons
3838 E. 82nd St., Indianapolis
Located on Indy’s north side, Doughnuts & Dragons offers a wide range of artisanal donuts — think flavors like blueberry-filled lemon basil, cannoli and (as a nod to Harry Potter) Butter Beer — as well as coffee and locally produced kombucha. For the adults, the beverage choices also include more than a dozen different beers on tap, as well as a large wine list.
But the food is just half of the fun: Doughnuts & Dragons is a great place to meet friends and play one of the 100+ board games and tabletop games available. There are games for all ages and skill levels, and lots of games for kids. You’ll find everything from Quirkle to Operation, Monopoly to Bananagrams, Chutes & Ladders to Pictionary. And, of course, games that skew more toward adults, like Cards Against Humanity and Catan.
Nine Lives Cat Cafe
1315 Shelby St. #1, Indianapolis
Cat-loving kids can feed their need for all-things feline at this cat rescue coffee shop in the heart of Fountain Square. Coffee-loving adults can enjoy a great cup of joe and a selection of pastries while their kids get their cat pats in. Guests can enter the cat sanctuary and sit among the furry creatures, or you can just pull up a stool and watch the cats do their thing from the cafe. Either way, it’s a purrrfect place for a good time.
Smiley Indoor Playground and Arcade
5729 E. 86th St., Indianapolis
Smiley’s has a huge indoor playground designed for kids 10 and under, with a giant ball pit, trampolines and obstacle courses. For the older kids, there’s an arcade with multiple games. For adults, there are lots of places to sit and relax (including multiple comfy couches and massage chairs) and a cafe with lunch options and treats.
Rose & Lois
7249 E. 146th St. #110, Carmel
A great place for coffee lovers with children, Rose & Lois has a play space inside the coffee shop. Kids can play with STEM-based toys and explore an area that was created just for them, while the grown-ups enjoy an elevated menu of coffee beverages and snacks. On the menu, you’ll find locally sourced baked goods, as well as creative cocktails, like an espresso martini or pink lemonade moscato.
Sweet Peas Play Cafe
1825 S. Plate St., Kokomo
If you find yourself north of Indy proper in the town of Kokomo, check out Sweet Peas Play Cafe. It’s a fun place with play areas for children up to age 12 with a space for parents to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. The large play space has two areas: one for infants up to age 5 with a small area for crawlers, and another area designated for ages 6 to 12. The play areas feature fun toys and hands-on activities.
Midtown Plaza Carmel
Midtown Plaza Carmel is the perfect destination a playdate. There really is something for everyone, from young kids looking for a place to play, to foodie parents searching for a great meal. This stretch along Carmel’s Monon Trail — between Carmel City Center and the Carmel Arts & Design District — is a goldmine of fun, food and festivities.
Play a game of ping pong, shuffleboard, corn hole or bocce ball — all of these family favorites are located in the outdoor play area in Midtown. Family-friendly movies play every Monday, giving parents a great chance to catch up with friends while kids are entertained with a favorite movie. Bonus: It’s Free!
