Whether you’re looking for a nice family outing, or just need a place for your kids to run around, there are plenty of indoor options for families in Mérida. Though many play areas didn’t survive the pandemic, others have opened up too. Here is a roundup of indoor activities that will keep your family active and entertained.
This museum devoted to Maya culture offers free children’s workshops every Saturday and Sunday at 11 am. Pre-register at visitas@granmuseodelmundomaya.com. You can also take on a family tour of the Museum for a different kind of educational activity.
Calle 60, Xcumpich
FB: Gran Museo del Mundo Maya de Mérida
Wednesday to Monday 9 am - 5 pm
An interactive museum of Mexican music that takes you on a sensory journey through sound, visuals, interviews, and holograms.
Calle 58 x 59 y 60, Centro
FB: Palacio de la Música - Centro Nacional de la Música Mexicana
Wednesday to Monday 10 am - 4 pm
A science museum with color and light exhibits and interactive spaces. Bonus: it’s right beside the large food court and covered park at the beautiful Parque La Plancha.
Calle 50 x 43, Parque de la Plancha
FB: Museo de la luz Mérida
Tuesday tu Sunday 9 am - 1 pm and 4 pm - 8 pm
One of the best ways to beat the heat in Mérida is to go to the mall. Plazas are a popular gathering place in Mérida, and on Sundays, there is a lot to do and see. Go and find a variety of pop-up performances, bazaars, and art installations in the mall’s main corridors. Most will have at least one indoor playground (check out The Harbor’s large play dome and slide)!
My favorite malls for taking a family stroll are:
The plazas open daily at 11 am.
Get to know our listing of the best malls in Mérida.
Indoor trampoline park at Plaza Akrópolis, north of the city in Las Américas.
FB: Flip Out Mérida
Indoor trampoline park at La Isla Mall, Gran Plaza (north of Mérida), and Plaza Canek (in the western end of the city).
FB: Xtreme Jumping La Isla | Xtreme jumping | Xtreme Jumping Canek
An indoor adventure park with trampolines, zip line, climbing wall, and roller racers at Macroplaza, on the north-eastern side of Mérida.
FB: Wild Place Macroplaza Mérida
If your kids are the adventurous type and you don’t mind a little sunshine, there’s also a free adventure park in Mérida, known as Mérida’s extreme park. We tell you all about it in our article “Extreme Fun at Mérida’s Extreme Sports Park.".
Mérida’s sole ice skating rink, located in Galerías mall, north of the city.
FB: Ice Gallerie
Monday to Thursday 11 am - 4 pm
Friday to Sunday 11 am - 9 pm
The main attraction here is the outdoor amusement park but there are also indoor games. Find it at La Isla Mérida.
Arcade games at Plaza Altabrisa y Plaza Las Américas
Family-friendly bowling alley.
Periférico Norte Km. 25, Santa Rita Cholul.
www.sportbowl.com.mx
FB: Sport Bowl Mérida
Family friendly bowling and billiards. Altabrisa Mall, upstairs.
This restaurant and seafood restaurant Villa Rica share a huge playground area with climbing structures, slides, and even movies. Located in Cordemex, in the Gran Plaza vicinity.
Calle 69 x 46 y 48, Cordemex
Tel. 999 666 4179
www.sirloinmerida.com
FB: Sirloin Mérida
This Yucatecan food restaurant has a room with toys at their branch in San Ramón Norte (in front of the casino).
Calle 20 x 32-A, San Ramón Norte
Tel. 999 400 7871
www.habaneros.com.mx
FB: Restaurante Habaneros
A Mexican diner serving a wide range of Mexican options, La Casa de los Abuelos offers a room with toys and activities for the little ones at their Gran Plaza and Plaza Uptown restaurants.
FB: La Casa de los Abuelos Oficial
Every full-service location of this local taco chain has a playground with climbing structures and slides, in addition to children’s entertainment on weekends.
FB: Los Trompos
A grilled-chicken restaurant with a twist, also offering burritos and burgers. Their Altabrisa and Calle 60 restaurants have a playground with a climbing structure and slides.
Altabrisa: Av. República de Corea x 20-A, Col. Maya
Tel. 999 406 0400
Calle 60: Calle 60 x 25 y 27, Loma Bonita
Tel. 999 195 5752
FB: Pollo Feliz Yucatan
This restaurant and Mexican restaurant Sirloin share a huge playground area with climbing structures, slides, and even movies. Located in Cordemex, in the Gran Plaza vicinity.
Calle 69 x 46 y 48, Cordemex
Tel. 999 666 4180
FB: Mariscos Villa Rica
At this restaurant, your children will find a pretend village with playhouses and toys.
Av. García Lavín x 59 y 61, San Antonio Cucul
Tel. 999 944 1816
FB: El Fabuloso Pez
While they have several locations, it’s the one at Las Américas (north of the city) that has a play area.
Calle 53 x 108, Fracc. Las Américas
Tel. 999 931 7217
FB: Los Mariscos de Chichí
One of the most traditional seafood restaurants in Mérida, La Pigua offers a room with plenty of toys.
Av. Cupules x calle 62, Alcalá Martín
Tel. 999 920 3605
FB: Restaurante La Pigua Mérida
While there are children’s areas within La Isla mall where you could leave your kids (were you so inclined), Izakaya Sushi has an on-site room with toys of its own.
La Isla Mérida, Santa Gertrudis Copó
Tel. 999 166 9869
FB: Sushi Izakaya
Small play area with toys and activities, Monterreal
Small play area with toys and activities, México
All locations have a big playground area. Altabrisa, Caucel, Dorada, and Montejo.
FB: Boston´s Pizza
Shaded outdoor play area. On weekends they have small events for the kids like face painting or spa day with the Mini Spa located upstairs.
San Ramón Norte
FB: Soco Mérida
Room with toys and nanny. México Norte
Av. Líbano x calle 7, México Norte
FB: Café Bar 500 Noches Mérida
So there you have it. Maybe I’ll see you out and about on a Sunday afternoon!
Just a little reminder, in case you were looking for activities with children in Mérida, and with air conditioning!, How to safely visit cenotes with children?, The family guide to Parque la Plancha, the Extreme Sports Park, and the workshops for children at the Grand Museum of the Maya World.
Photography by Monica Starling, Yucatán Today and Café Bar 500 Noches for its use in Yucatán Today.