My son and I spent about an hour at Prana Play, a sensory-friendly indoor play space in Carmel, and we could easily have stayed longer. There are sensory swings and silks to try, a woven tree net to climb, a pretend café and vet clinic and an indoor playground with four levels inside. There’s also a dark sensory room, with a quiet spot to sit and watch the lights.
What I appreciated most was how well it all fit together. There’s a lot in one space, but it never felt crammed. There was room to play and room to sit down.
The tree net, sensory swings and silks
The tree net stood out most to me. I haven’t seen a climbing net like it anywhere else around Indy. The woven surface stretches overhead, with large round openings and woven pods hanging below it.
Around the net are several kinds of sensory swings and long fabric silks, plus games projected onto the floor.
Twilight Time, the dark sensory room
Prana Play calls its dark sensory room Twilight Time. It’s a low-lit space with glowing bubble tubes, and it’s where we slowed down for a while. My son got so comfortable watching the lights that, for a second, I thought he was going to fall asleep.
Four levels inside the playground
There’s more inside the indoor playground than you can see from the floor, which I learned by climbing in after my son. It has four levels with a variety of obstacles. Enclosed tunnels, rainbow steps and suspended stepping platforms give kids different routes through the structure.
A little café and vet clinic for pretend play
The pretend-play area has a café with a kitchen and serving window and a vet clinic stocked with stuffed animals. Toy vehicles and hands-on play tables fill out the ground level, so there’s plenty to do without climbing anything.
Comfy seats with a view of the play space
For parents, the seating deserves a mention. There are several comfy chairs and a huge sectional, with plenty of places to sit while your kid plays. The main play area is one room, which meant I could pick a seat and still keep an eye on my son. Small thing, but worth noting.
Classes, special events and other programs
Beyond open play, Prana Play runs classes and rotating monthly pop-ups. Options include Flow Arts, a movement class with hula hoops and silk fans; Zumbini, music and instruments for kids ages 5 and younger with a caregiver; and Sensory Studio with The Mommy Toolkit, a sensory playdate. The venue also offers social-skills groups, Scout badge programs and group occupational therapy.
The event calendar has included Parents Night Out evenings, caregiver workshops and member gatherings, and Prana Play also does summer camps, birthday parties and private rentals. Check the event calendar for dates and registration, and contact the venue about anything not on the schedule.
Best ages for Prana Play
Based on our visit, I think kids ages 8 and younger will get the most out of the playground structure. Older kids still have plenty to do, especially the tree net, sensory swings and silks.
We had a great time, and this won’t be our last visit.
Related Article: 101 Things to Do in Indianapolis with Kids
Prana Play admission, hours and location
According to Prana Play’s open-play information:
- Address: 1019 3rd Ave. SW, Carmel, IN 46032.
- Admission: $22 per child for all-day play, with same-day reentry. One caregiver and infants are free.
- Ages: Open play is for toddlers through preteens.
- Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Check availability before visiting, since private events can affect hours.
- Socks: Socks are required for everyone playing and are available to purchase.
- Reservations: Walk-ins are welcome; online booking is recommended to secure a spot.
