14 Indoor Play Spots & Rainy Day Ideas for Lexington Kids

Hands-on museums, free library play sessions, indoor swims and an arcade for the days the weather won't cooperate.

Updated October 15, 2026 · 14 picks

Gray skies and fall break don't have to mean screen time all afternoon. This list rounds up indoor places around Lexington and nearby towns where kids can build, splash, climb into a flight simulator or just sprawl out with a stack of books.

A practical tip: library programs are free but often fill up, so check the branch calendar the morning of and arrive a few minutes early. Museums and swim schools are busiest on rainy weekends, so a weekday visit usually means more elbow room.

1.Lexington Children's Museum
Explorium of Lexington · Lexington
The go-to hands-on museum downtown, with homeschool days, sensory hours and members-only hours built into the schedule. Fall Break camps run starting September 28 and again October 2 if you need a full day covered.
Sat, Oct 17 · LCM's 36th Birthday Party Sun, Oct 18 · Sensory Hours Sat, Oct 24 · BOO-seum!
2.The Living Arts & Science Center
Lexington
Art and science under one roof, plus the Farish Planetarium with daily shows (including September 29, 30 and October 1). They also run family classes, Discovery Saturdays and no-school-day camps.
Through Oct 15 · Farish Planetarium Daily S…Fri, Oct 16 · Farish Planetarium Daily S…Fri, Oct 16 · Art By Nature - From Concr…
3.Central Library
Lexington Public Library - Central · LexingtonFree
The downtown branch runs free Open STEAM Play almost daily through October, so it's an easy last-minute stop when the rain starts. Baby storytime and Fall Break Movies are on the calendar for September 29.
Through Oct 17 · Friends of the Library Hug…Through Oct 17 · Friends of the Library Hug…Through Oct 17 · Friends of the Library Hug…
4.Aviation Museum of Kentucky
Lexington
Aircraft exhibits near the Lexington airport plus flight simulator sessions kids can actually try. Simulator Sundays are coming up October 4 and October 11.
Sun, Oct 18 · Simulator Sunday Sun, Oct 25 · Simulator Sunday Sun, Nov 1 · Simulator Sunday
5.Goldfish Swim School – Nicholasville Rd
Goldfish Swim School - Nicholasville Rd · Lexington
An indoor pool means swimming happens no matter the forecast. Family Open Swims are open to the public on Saturdays and Tuesdays, including September 29, October 3 and October 6.
Fri, Oct 16 · Trunk or Treat - Hosted by…Sat, Oct 17 · Goldfish Swim School Famil…Tue, Oct 20 · Goldfish Swim School Famil…
6.Retro Social Freeplay Arcade
Frankfort
A freeplay arcade in Frankfort where families can work through the games without feeding quarters into machines. Arcade Day is set for October 7.
7.Lexington Children's Theatre
Lexington Children’s Theatre · Lexington
Downtown theater that produces plays specifically for young audiences, from picture-book adaptations to family holiday shows. A great rainy-afternoon outing for kids who'd rather watch than run.
Sat, Oct 24 · Mister E of Imagination: T…Sat, Oct 24 · Mister E of Imagination: T…Sun, Oct 25 · Mister E of Imagination: T…
8.Jessamine County Public Library
NicholasvilleFree
Downtown Nicholasville's library goes well beyond books with slime labs, Pokémon clubs and maker classes on 3D printers and laser cutters. Family Storytime is September 29 and a free Read & Play Saturday lands October 24.
Through Nov 6 · Family Book Club: A Horse …Fri, Oct 16 · Jump & Jive Fri, Oct 16 · Dungeons and Dragons for T…
9.Beaumont Branch
Lexington
A reliable Lexington branch for the littlest crowd, with baby, toddler and preschool storytimes plus Lego challenges and Pokémon meet-ups for bigger kids. Toddler Storytime is September 29, baby on September 30 and preschool October 1.
Sun, Oct 18 · Pokémon Trainer Meet Up Tue, Oct 20 · Toddler Storytime Tue, Oct 20 · Crafternoon: Macrame Monst…
10.Tates Creek Branch
Lexington
Storytimes here run morning and evening, so you can fit one around naps or after work — Evening Family Storytime is October 1. Reading-with-dogs sessions are a hit with newer readers.
Thu, Oct 15 · Evening Family Storytime Fri, Oct 16 · Baby Storytime Sat, Oct 17 · Paws To Read
11.Eastside Branch
Lexington
Storytimes for babies through preschoolers plus book clubs, Pokémon Club and reading-to-dogs sessions. Coming up: Collaged Button Making on September 29 and Geode Cupcakes on September 30.
Fri, Oct 16 · Toddler Storytime Sat, Oct 17 · Draw with a Webtoon Artist!Mon, Oct 19 · Baby Storytime
12.Northside Branch
Lexington
The Russell Cave Road branch mixes storytimes with craft programs and Paws to Read. An Alebrije Craft for Kids runs September 30 and Fiesta Hispana is October 2.
Sat, Oct 17 · Make Your Own Video Game Sun, Oct 18 · Toddler Rock & Read Mon, Oct 19 · Preschool Storytime
13.Marksbury Family Branch
Lexington
Cane Run Road's branch offers preschool and bilingual storytimes, read-to-a-dog sessions and afterschool crafts. DIY Tiny Piñatas is September 29 and Bilingual Storytime returns October 2.
Thu, Oct 22 · Boo Bash Fri, Oct 23 · Preschool Storytime Fri, Oct 23 · Afterschool Monster Mash
14.Dunbar Community Center
Lexington
A city community center with kid-focused classes indoors, including a Children's Baking Class making gluten-free pumpkin pie cookies on October 7 and Children's Bingo Blast on October 8.
Tue, Oct 20 · Girl Scout Exploration Ser…Wed, Oct 21 · Children's Baking Class: M…Fri, Oct 23 · Dunbar Fall Festival