Fun Factory Team · Updated 2026-09-01
Before you leave the house
A smooth indoor playground visit starts at home. Every child needs a signed waiver before they can play. At Fun Factory you can complete the waiver online so the front desk line moves faster when you arrive at 1420 Bayly St., Unit 15 in Pickering.
Pack socks for every child and every adult. We are a socks-only facility. Reception sells socks for $3 if you need a pair. Leave outside drinks at home. Nut-free snacks from outside are welcome if you want something specific for picky eaters.
Check hours before you go. From September 8, 2026, we are open Monday and Wednesday 9:30 am to 2:30 pm, Tuesday and Thursday 12:00 pm to 7:30 pm with 50% off drop-in admissions after 3:30 pm, and Friday through Sunday 9:30 am to 8:30 pm.
Check-in and admission
Drop-in play is pay at the desk. There is no time limit on your visit, which surprises some first-time families who expect a two-hour cap. Stay as long as your kids have energy and your schedule allows.
Current admission rates: under 1 year is $5 (free with a paying sibling), ages 1 to 3 are $10, ages 4 to 13 are $14, and ages 14 to 17 are $10. Access 2 Card holders receive $2 off. Maximum two adults per family are included in admission.
After payment you will get wristbands or stamps depending on the day. Staff can point you toward the toddler zone if you have younger children, or toward the main structures if your kids are ready to climb.
On the play floor
Durham indoor playgrounds range from small storefront soft-play areas to full centres like Fun Factory with multi-level structures. Expect noise, movement, and kids of different ages sharing the same space. Parent seating is placed to keep sight lines open so you can supervise while sitting down.
The toddler zone gives younger children a calmer area away from the busiest climbers. Older siblings can use the main structures while you stay closer to little ones. That split layout is one reason families drive from Ajax and Whitby instead of choosing the closest strip-mall option.
When kids need a break, head to Littles & Lattés Café on site for coffee, iced drinks, or a snack. You do not have to leave the building or re-pay to re-enter. Your admission covers unlimited play for the day.
Tips from regular Durham families
Tuesday and Thursday afternoons are a strong value play if your schedule is flexible. After 3:30 pm, drop-in admissions are half price. Morning visits Monday, Wednesday, and weekends tend to skew younger, which suits toddlers and preschoolers.
Bring a change of clothes for toddlers who work up a sweat. Label water bottles if you pack them for the car, since outside drinks cannot come inside.
If you are planning a return visit or a birthday party later in the year, ask about loyalty points on regular drop-in visits and weekday party discounts. Many Durham families try drop-in first, then book a party once they see the layout.
First visits feel smoother when you set expectations with kids ahead of time. Explain that socks stay on, running is for the play structures, and you will take breaks for snacks. That short talk prevents meltdowns at the door.
Birthday parties versus drop-in on busy days
On weekends you may see party rooms in use while drop-in play continues on the main floor. Party guests get a private room and hosted food service. Drop-in families use the same play structures with separate check-in.
If you are scouting for a future birthday, watch how staff move pizza to rooms and how much seating parents have. Those details matter more than glossy photos when you are planning twenty hungry kids.
Fun Factory serves Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, and Scarborough families. The Bayly Street plaza location keeps east Durham trips short compared to driving downtown for a similar-sized centre.
FAQ
Is there a time limit on drop-in play?
No. Fun Factory offers unlimited play time on drop-in visits. Pay once at the desk and stay until closing or until your kids are ready to go.
Do adults pay admission?
Up to two adults per family are included with a child's paid admission. Additional adults beyond that may be charged. Ask at the desk when you arrive.