To The Moon and Back is a one-of-a-kind indoor play centre in Almonte, Ontario, designed to spark imagination in children from infancy through the early school years. Rather than a traditional playground, the venue is built as a miniature indoor town — complete with a grocery store, a diner, a vet clinic, a construction zone, a hair salon, and a sensory space station, all connected along “Friendship Street.” Located at Unit 1, 341 Frank Davis Street in the Mississippi Mills community, it’s a genuinely creative kids’ play space near Almonte that you won’t find anything quite like in the surrounding region. The venue has earned recognition as a local favourite, having received a 2025 winner badge and a 2026 nominee badge from its community.

To The Moon and Back runs ticketed play sessions throughout the week, making it ideal for families looking for structured, enriching drop-in play experiences — as well as for those planning a themed birthday party, a private group outing, or a sensory-friendly session. Daycares, home school groups, and parent-and-baby gatherings are all warmly welcomed. Whether you’re coming from Carleton Place, Kanata, Perth, Smiths Falls, or the Ottawa Valley, this imaginative kids’ indoor play centre near Ottawa is well worth the trip.

Attractions and Play Zones at To The Moon and Back — Almonte’s Indoor Play Town

The Grocery Store — Imaginative Shopping Play for Little Ones

One of the anchor zones in To The Moon and Back’s miniature town, the grocery store lets children fill their carts, sort produce, and play out the everyday routines they observe at home. This kind of dramatic play builds language, social skills, and real-world understanding in a completely child-led way — it’s learning disguised as pure fun.

🎯 Recommended Age: 1 to 6 years

The Diner — Pizza-Making and Pretend Restaurant Play

Budding chefs head straight for the diner, where they can whip up pretend pizzas and take orders from friends and siblings. Restaurant role-play is a classic favourite for young children, and To The Moon and Back’s setup gives it the detail and props to make it genuinely engaging rather than just a passing activity.

🎯 Recommended Age: 2 to 6 years

The Vet Clinic — Animal Care and Nurturing Play

Children who love animals will gravitate toward the vet clinic, where they can tend to sick stuffed animals and learn about caring for others through hands-on pretend play. This zone is particularly wonderful for nurturing empathy and cooperative play between children who might be visiting for the first time.

🎯 Recommended Age: 2 to 6 years

The Construction Zone — Building and Engineering for Kids

The construction zone gives little builders a place to stack, build, and problem-solve in a hands-on environment. It taps into the deep satisfaction young children get from building something themselves — and knocking it down to start again. A great spot for kids who love to make and create.

🎯 Recommended Age: 2 to 6 years

The Hair Salon — Dramatic Play and Creativity

The hair salon is a perennial hit with young children who love to style, fuss, and pretend. It encourages imaginative storytelling, turn-taking, and cooperative play — all while children feel like they’re running their own little business along Friendship Street.

🎯 Recommended Age: 2 to 6 years

The Sensory Space Station — Calm and Exploratory Play

The sensory space station adds a quieter, more exploratory dimension to the play town. Designed to engage multiple senses, it’s a wonderful zone for children who need a gentler pace, for very young visitors, or simply as a change of pace between more active role-play zones.

🎯 Recommended Age: 0 to 4 years

Theme Days & Special Character Events

To The Moon and Back regularly hosts themed play days that transform the entire town around a beloved character or story — past events have included Bluey, Paw Patrol, Toy Story, Minnie Mouse, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Peppa Pig, and more. These ticketed events sell out quickly and are a highlight of the venue’s calendar. Following @tothemoonandbackalmonte on Instagram is the best way to catch new event announcements before spots are gone.

🎯 Best For: 1 to 6 years

Birthday Parties & Private Events Near Almonte, Carleton Place & the Ottawa Valley

To The Moon and Back has become a cherished birthday party venue near Almonte for families across Mississippi Mills and the wider Ottawa Valley. Parties are hosted exclusively on Sundays and use a flexible “Build Your Own Birthday” format — families choose their date, theme, and add-ons, then submit a request form online and wait for confirmation. Venues this characterful and hands-on are rare in the region, which is why families travel from Carleton Place, Smiths Falls, Perth, Arnprior, Renfrew, Kanata, and Ottawa to celebrate here.

To The Moon and Back also accommodates private bookings on weekdays for home school groups, parent-and-baby groups, daycares, and playdates — a 90-minute private session in the play town is available by arrangement.

• Build Your Own Birthday Package — choose your theme, date, and extras online
• 2 hours of playtime for up to 8 children, with additional guests welcome
• Non-refundable deposit required to secure your party booking
• Parties hosted exclusively on Sundays — book well in advance as dates fill quickly
• Theme days featuring character meet-and-greets available as ticketed events
• Private weekday bookings available for home school groups, daycares & playdates
• Costume character rentals available (Bluey, Bingo, Mickey, Minnie) for parties and events outside the venue
• Digital gift cards available online — a lovely gift for the child who has everything

To start planning a birthday party or private event at this unique imaginative play centre near Ottawa, visit the Build a Party Form on the To The Moon and Back website, or reach out directly through their contact page.

Facility Amenities at To The Moon and Back Almonte

• Miniature indoor play town with themed role-play zones throughout
• Timed play sessions of 90 minutes, with 30-minute resets between sessions for a fresh experience every time
• Online booking — reserve your spot in advance through their booking system
• Online waiver — one per child, completable before arrival; valid for multiple visits
• Sensory-friendly Quiet Sessions available periodically for children who thrive in calmer environments (check current schedule on social media)
• Baby College classes hosted on-site on Tuesdays — evidence-based infant and toddler development sessions for children aged 0–3 and their caregivers
• Themed character days throughout the year, tied to popular children’s characters and stories
• Mascot costume rentals (Bluey, Bingo, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse) available for off-site events and parties
• Private weekday bookings for home school groups, daycares, and small gatherings
• Gift cards available for purchase online
• Active social media presence — follow on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok for event announcements and availability updates

Why Almonte and Mississippi Mills Families Choose To The Moon and Back

To The Moon and Back fills a genuine gap in the Mississippi Mills area — there simply isn’t another indoor imaginative play centre near Almonte quite like it. The concept of a fully realized miniature town, where children take on different roles and move freely between zones, is one that developmental experts consistently praise for building language, empathy, executive function, and social skills. The venue has clearly been built with that philosophy in mind rather than just as a rainy-day distraction. The addition of sensory-friendly sessions, Baby College classes, and themed character days signals a real commitment to serving the full spectrum of families and children in the region. The fact that birthday party slots regularly book up months in advance speaks to the loyalty To The Moon and Back has earned among local families — and the growing number of visitors making the journey from Carleton Place, Kanata, and across the Ottawa Valley.

Frequently Asked Questions — To The Moon and Back Almonte

How do I book a play session or birthday party at To The Moon and Back?

Play sessions are booked online through the Book Online page on the To The Moon and Back website. Birthday parties are handled through the Build a Party Form — you pick your preferred date and details, submit the form, and wait for email confirmation. A non-refundable deposit of $100 is required to secure a birthday party booking. Party slots, particularly on Sundays, fill up quickly, so families are encouraged to plan several months ahead.

What is the cancellation and rescheduling policy?

To The Moon and Back asks for at least 48 hours’ notice if you need to cancel a play session in order to receive a full refund. If less than 48 hours remain before your session, the team is happy to offer a reschedule to a later date that works for your family rather than a refund. Birthday party deposits are non-refundable. For the most up-to-date policy details, visit the FAQs page.

Are there sensory-friendly or quieter sessions available?

Yes — To The Moon and Back periodically offers Quiet Sessions designed specifically for children who thrive in a calmer, less busy environment. These sessions have limited capacity to ensure a comfortable experience for every family. Availability and scheduling for Quiet Sessions is announced through the venue’s social media channels, so following @tothemoonandbackalmonte on Instagram is the best way to stay informed. Note that as of the time of writing, Quiet Sessions were listed as temporarily postponed — check the website or social media for current status.

Can I book the space privately for a home school group or daycare visit?

Absolutely. To The Moon and Back warmly welcomes home school groups, daycares, parent-and-baby gatherings, and similar private groups on weekdays by arrangement. A 90-minute private session in the play town is available — contact the venue directly through their contact page to discuss availability and details. This is a particularly popular option for groups looking for a more relaxed, exclusive experience of the indoor play town.

Where is To The Moon and Back located, and how do I get there?

To The Moon and Back is located at Unit 1, 341 Frank Davis Street, Almonte (Mississippi Mills), ON K0A 1A0. The venue is a comfortable drive from Carleton Place, Smiths Falls, Perth, Arnprior, and the Kanata and west Ottawa area. Before heading out, check current session availability and any schedule changes on the To The Moon and Back website or their social media pages, as the venue occasionally closes for private events.