Where to Take Your Kids in Lusaka: Play Spaces That Actually Work

May 3

Jump to: Soft Play | Arcade & VR Gaming | Active Play | Baby & Toddler | Quieter Options

Quick Guide:

Best for babies & toddlers: BBB, PlayPad
Best for birthday parties: Fun World, Discovery Zone, The Great Escape
Best for rainy days: Discovery Zone, PlayPad, Game Zone, The Great Escape
Best for older kids (8+): Game Zone, The Great Escape, REV VR, Selako, Circus Zambia

Lusaka used to be a city of big yards. Children played outside, climbed trees, invented elaborate games involving sticks and dirt. Many families still have this luxury - sprawling gardens where kids can spend entire afternoons constructing imaginary worlds.

But the city is changing. New developments favour paved compounds over grass. Townhouses come with courtyards, not climbing trees. And even if you have the yard, some days you just need to leave the house before someone loses their mind.

This is for those days. When it's raining, when you've exhausted the garden's entertainment potential, or when you simply need other adults and a change of scenery. Here are Lusaka's best indoor play venues for children that might just preserve everyone's sanity.

Soft Play and Controlled Chaos in Lusaka

Discovery Zone (Garden City Mall, Great East Road)
Lusaka's answer to "what if we let children climb everything?" Discovery Zone splits into soft play for the littles and trampolines for anyone who thinks gravity is negotiable. The setup works - toddlers stay contained in padded zones while older kids test their vertical limits. Parents get actual chairs and the knowledge that someone else is cleaning up after snack time.

PlayPad (Olympia)
A newer spot that takes sensory play seriously, PlayPad features a sand pit and carpeted playroom where children can explore. The on-site cafe lets parents supervise from a comfortable distance, and you can pay for a helper to watch your children - particularly useful for after-school meetups or mum circles. The padel court adds another dimension when weather turns, keeping everyone occupied under one roof. PlayPad also runs structured sessions and playgroups for babies through early primary.

Fun World (Twin Palms Mall, Salama Park)
Arcade-style games, bright lights, loud noises, and a small soft play area. Fun World works best for kids up to 8 who thrive on sensory stimulation and don't mind the chaos. Particularly good for birthday parties when you need contained excitement and someone else managing the entertainment.

Looking for weekend activities for the whole family? Check out what's happening across Lusaka this week.

Arcade and Virtual Reality Gaming for Kids in Lusaka

The Great Escape (Longacres Mall, KK Mall area)
Sprawled across two floors, The Great Escape delivers proper arcade energy - the kind where you lose track of time because everything's designed to keep you playing. VR racing simulators, golf simulators, bowling, and an impressive range of arcade games from racing motorbikes to rollercoaster simulators. The venue works for a wide age range, with staff supervision available so parents can actually relax with a drink while children navigate their way through game tokens. Prices start around K20 during the week, making it reasonable for regular visits rather than just special occasions. The setup encourages staying for hours, which works brilliantly when you need children thoroughly entertained and you need air conditioning.

Game Zone (East Park Mall, Great East Road)
For when soft play no longer cuts it. Bowling, arcade games, and a 7D cinema that makes children feel very sophisticated. It's designed for the 8+ crowd who roll their eyes at ball pits but still need somewhere to burn energy that isn't your living room.

REV VR Experience (Manda Hill Mall, upper deck next to Ster Kinekor)
Virtual reality without the commitment of owning equipment. REV VR offers headset experiences where children (and adults) can fly through space, ride rollercoasters, or encounter creatures that don't exist in Lusaka. Sessions start from K50, most games run at that price point, making it accessible for trying out whether your child actually enjoys VR or just likes the idea of it. The upper deck location at Manda Hill keeps it convenient - combine it with cinema trips or shopping without crossing town. Best for kids around 8 and up who can handle the headset and understand the concept of virtual environments. The immersive element means even short sessions feel like proper entertainment rather than a quick distraction.

Active Play Spaces for Kids in Lusaka

Selako Entertainment (KK Mall, Longacres)
Roller skating: the activity where everyone looks ridiculous together. Selako runs public sessions with staff who'll teach beginners how to stay vertical, plus themed nights when the lights go down and the music goes up. Works brilliantly for the 6-14 bracket who need speed, minor peril, and the chance to impress their friends.

Circus Zambia (Stand 720 Kabulonga, Off Kudu Road)
Your child wants to run away and join the circus? Here's where they practice. Actual circus arts training - acrobatics, juggling, aerial work - taught in proper terms. It builds real skills, genuine confidence, and gives you excellent material for family gatherings. For children who thrive on structure and secretly want to be the centre of attention.

Baby and Toddler Activities in Lusaka

Bump Birth and Beyond (BBB) (Joseph Mwilwa Road, Rhodes Park)
Playgroups, baby classes, and a proper community for parents navigating the chaotic early years. BBB runs structured sessions focused on development disguised as play, plus gives adults actual conversation with other humans who understand why you're wearing yesterday's shirt.

Quieter Children's Activities in Lusaka

Lechwe Trust Art Gallery (Nationalist Road, Northmead)
For days when you need the volume turned down. Lechwe showcases Zambian artists and runs occasional children's workshops - painting, sculpture, the kind of activities where sitting still is part of the deal. A genuine alternative when everyone's overstimulated and you need something that doesn't involve screaming.

Where to Eat Out with Kids in Lusaka

Looking for restaurants where children can play while you actually finish a meal? We've got you covered. Check out our complete guide to family-friendly restaurants with play areas in Lusaka - including spots like Mint Agora, Flave, Sugarbush Cafe, La Bonne Vie, and Market Square where kids stay entertained and parents get to sit down.

What Lusaka Still Needs for Kids

Lusaka needs more for the 10-14 bracket - that awkward age where they've outgrown play equipment but aren't quite ready for fully adult spaces. And when the rains really hit, indoor sports facilities that go beyond skating would be transformative.

Save this guide - Bookmark this page for the next rainy day or school holiday crisis. Better yet, share it with other parents who need saving from another afternoon of "I'm bored."

Looking for more things to do with your kids in Lusaka? Check our events calendar for workshops, performances, holiday programmes and family-friendly activities happening across the city.

Running an event for children or families in Lusaka? We're here to help parents find great things to do. Add your event to our calendar and reach parents looking for their next adventure.

Found this helpful? Share it with other Lusaka parents on WhatsApp or your mum groups - everyone needs a solid list of places to take the kids.

Twaambo Kapilikisha