Remember a time when you were young and totally bored at home? Your parents probably took you to a nearby park or school to keep you busy on the playground. But gone are the days of unadorned basketball courts and scalding metal play structures—now you can climb a rock wall, visit an enchanted forest, and slide through the mouth of a whale, all without leaving the comfort of your home. As the latest trend in Manhattan’s constantly evolving real estate offerings, new luxury properties are beginning to feature some of the most inventive playrooms in the world. Below are five we think do a fantastic job of putting the fun in functionality. It has never been a cooler time to be a city kid.

YOUNG MOZART

Inspired by the proximity to Lincoln Center, this play space in 200 Amsterdam on the Upper West Side is designed by CetraRuddy and features musical motifs galore for budding musicians. There’s a performance stage, costume area, instrument corner, and whimsical seating for the adoring audience. For the more serious artiste, there’s even a soundproof recording studio to get those tracks on tape.

THE NEVER-ENDING STORY

Renowned children’s museum designer Roto created this amazing 4,600-square-foot space inside Waterline Square on the Upper West Side. Outfitted similar to a museum, the playroom features vignettes that tell an adventure story where kids can follow along. Each interactive room is a different scene from the tale—there’s Stonehenge, an African safari, the Egyptian pyramids, and more.

INTO THE WOODS

At the Kent on the Upper East Side, this gorgeous indoor/outdoor space gives kids a change to cross a rope bridge, scale a rock wall, or gather around an (imaginary) indoor campfire. The building also contains a sound lounge—designed by none other than Lenny Kravitz—where budding rock stars can have a jam session.

THE JUNGLE EXPLORER

For young explorers ready to go on a trek, the playroom at the Alyn, on the Upper East Side, is just the thing. The indoor/outdoor space covers 2,400 square feet and has mighty ships, a jungle temple, and a giant blue whale to slide through. Designed by Silver Hill Atelier, the playroom offers something for all ages, including water sprinklers and interactive animals that speak when you touch them.

THE ENCHANTED FOREST

The Vandewater condominium building, in Morningside Heights, lets kids step into a magical forest, with mushroom stools and a mural of friendly woodland creatures by artist Rebecca Romeo. The calming palette and nature-inspired furnishings are there to help young minds flourish.