# Indoor places for a rainy day in Oakland

8 places in Oakland for when it rains: a planetarium and science centre in the hills, an ice rink downtown, a West Oakland play space with a ninja ropes course, a building of art, animals and a play space, a hands-on children’s art studio, a toddler nature play space inside the Oakland Museum, a climbing gym, and a movie theater where kids can eat a real meal during the film.

Last updated 2026-09-12, from the newest confirmation among these places.

## The list

1. [Chabot Space & Science Center](https://ourplayday.com/places/chabot-space-science-center-oakland) (museum). Planetarium shows under a 241-seat dome, hands-on exhibits, and research telescopes open to the public on clear evenings, up in the Oakland hills. Free covered parking, which is rarer than the telescopes. Confirmed: wheelchair accessible (Play Day, September 2026).
2. [Oakland Ice Center](https://ourplayday.com/places/oakland-ice-center-oakland) (ice rink). Indoor skating all year downtown, and rentals start at a toddler size 6, so the very small ones are genuinely included rather than just watching.
3. [Bay Play](https://ourplayday.com/places/bay-play-94608) (attraction). A West Oakland play space with a multi-level playground, climbing walls, a ninja ropes course, an arcade, and a small toddler area.
4. [Junior Center of Art & Science](https://ourplayday.com/places/junior-center-of-art-science-oakland) (attraction). Art spaces, a library, a play space and animals in one building, which is a lot of different moods covered under one roof.
5. [MOCHA, Museum of Children's Art](https://ourplayday.com/places/mocha-museum-of-children-s-art-oakland) (museum). A hands-on art studio and gallery near 12th Street BART, open for drop-in on weekends. Come in clothes you do not mind.
6. [Nature Playspace (Oakland Museum of California)](https://ourplayday.com/places/nature-playspace-oakland-museum-of-california-94607) (museum). A toddler-focused nature play space inside the Oakland Museum of California, with full museum and garden access included.
7. [Pacific Pipe](https://ourplayday.com/places/pacific-pipe-94607) (attraction). A climbing gym in Oakland with options set up for family climbing.
8. [The New Parkway](https://ourplayday.com/places/the-new-parkway-94612) (attraction). A movie theater with a cafe where kids can eat a real meal during the film.

## About this list

Every place here is a listing on Play Day, and a place is listed only when something positive is known about it for kids. The facts come from published guides, parents who visited and OpenStreetMap, and each listing says which and when.

Page: https://ourplayday.com/guides/oakland/indoor-places-for-a-rainy-day. All of Oakland: https://ourplayday.com/places/in/oakland