Happy Hideaway Call (765) 713-8600
A smiling child in a blue bear t-shirt walks barefoot across a padded blue bridge between soft yellow rope nets.

Muncie's first indoor sensory playroom

A softer place to play.

An indoor sensory gym for every kid, whether they have sensory needs, autism, or just a lot of energy to burn. Soft floors, swings, climbing and a quiet room, on McGalliard Road next to Plato's Closet.

Call (765) 713-8600 Plan your visit
4.7 on Google from 32 reviews
Wooden gymnastics rings on teal straps in the foreground, with a swing, a wooden climbing frame and foam puzzle-mat floors behind.
Rings, swings and the wooden climber at Happy Hideaway.

Built by a Muncie mom who couldn't find a place like this for her own kid.

Happy Hideaway opened in December 2025 as Muncie's first sensory gym. Crystal started it after her four-year-old daughter's autism diagnosis, when the nearest sensory gym was in Indianapolis. It's a nonprofit, and a lot of what's inside was donated by people around town who wanted it to exist.

It's open to everyone. Kids on the spectrum, kids with sensory processing differences, and kids who simply need room to climb, swing and crash into something soft all play here side by side. Grown-ups stay, sit on the mats, and get to watch their kid be a kid.

  • Sensory-friendly
  • Open to everyone
  • Shoe-free, socks on
  • Nonprofit

What's inside

One bright room with a wall of windows, foam puzzle mats wall to wall, and everything sized for small people. Here's what you'll find.

A small child in a pink dress reaches for coloured holds on a low, padded indoor climbing wall.

Climb and slide

A wooden climbing structure with a slide, ladders and a low climbing wall, all landing on soft mats.

A ball pit full of red, blue, green, orange and yellow balls beneath a climbing wall and a white cargo net.

The ball pit

Under the climbing wall and cargo net. Dive in, bury a friend, dig back out.

Swings

Platform swings and a hanging pod swing to rock, spin, or curl up in until things feel settled.

Felt cookies, a cutting board and pretend food laid out on a colourful play mat at a low table.

Sensory tables and pretend play

Bins of textures to dig through, a pretend kitchen, puzzles and shelves of toys at kid height.

Soft floors everywhere

Foam puzzle mats, crash pads and soft blocks. Falling down is part of the fun here.

A baby lying on a soft blue mat reaching for small colourful toys.

Infant and toddler corner

A gentler section for the littlest ones, away from the climbers.

The calming room

A quiet, dim room to step into when the big room gets to be a lot. No rush to come back out.

The party room

A room of its own for birthdays and small groups. Call to ask about dates.

Who it's for

Everyone, really. But it was designed first for the kids who usually get told to calm down.

Kids with sensory needs
Swings, crash pads, textures to explore and a calming room to retreat to. A calmer setup than a typical indoor playground.
Kids on the autism spectrum
Nobody minds stimming, scripting or needing a minute. Kids get real time to play alongside other kids at their own pace.
Every other kid too
Babies, toddlers, preschoolers and early elementary kids who just need somewhere to climb in an Indiana winter. Siblings play together here.
Parents and caregivers
You stay with your kid, and you'll meet other families who get it. Nobody here needs the diagnosis explained.
A toddler sits inside a fort built from big green and orange foam blocks, holding a blue block up to look at it.

Plan your visit

A few things to know before you come, so the first visit goes smoothly.

  1. Socks on, shoes off

    The whole gym is shoe-free to keep the mats clean and soft. Socks are a must for kids and grown-ups, so pack a pair for everyone.

  2. Find us next to Plato's Closet

    819 E McGalliard Rd, in the strip next to Plato's Closet and Greeks. Look for our sign between the two.

  3. Check the schedule first

    Open-play hours shift around themed sessions and private parties, so check our Facebook page for this week's times, or call before you head over.

  4. Grown-ups stay and play

    This isn't drop-off care. A parent or caregiver stays with each child, on the mats or on the couch by the window.

  5. Parties and groups

    There's a party room for birthdays and small groups. Call to talk through dates and what's included.

  6. Questions about admission

    Call (765) 713-8600 or message us on Facebook for current admission and party pricing.

See this week's hours on Facebook Get directions
4.7 on Google from 32 reviews
4.8 on Facebook from 23

"Anyone is welcome, and they truly can … regulate themselves and play and have fun, and … be a kid."

A Muncie parent, quoted in the Ball State Daily News, February 2026
Read the Google reviews Read the story in the Ball State Daily News

Come play

Call with a question, ask about a party, or just come by during open play. We'd love to meet your kid.

Address
819 E McGalliard Rd
Muncie, IN 47303
Next to Plato's Closet and Greeks
Hours
Posted on Facebook, along with themed sessions and specials. Or call ahead.

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