| Indoor play spaces |
By: Vered DeLeeuw, Parenting Products columnist
On 12/17/05
During the summer, many parents take their kids to the playground several times a week. Kids get to socialize with other kids, breathe in the fresh air and exercise their muscles.
Now that the weather is cold and rainy, parents are stuck indoors for weeks and the kids are becoming bored and grumpy. What can you do?
Indoor play spaces aim to provide you and your child with the same experience you get at an outdoor playground: safe, age-appropriate fun. The difference is that weather is not an issue at an indoor playground.
The indoor spaces listed below are national chains with locations in many states. In addition to these, there are countless local indoor play spaces. To locate one near you, ask other parents, or try a Google search of your location and “kids’ indoor play”. This article does not include centers that only offer structured classes, as opposed to free play. These will be examined in a separate column.
Pump it up:
Pump It Up is a chain that offers large indoor arenas filled with colorful inflatable play structures. The structures, suitable for ages 2 years old to adult, are challenging, interactive and – above all – very enjoyable. The play arenas are ideal for birthday parties and for playgroups. We celebrated our own daughters’ birthdays at the local “Pump it Up” twice, and have been invited to several great birthday parties of friends. In most locations, you will need to organize a group in order to enjoy the arena, although some arenas do offer a weekly playtime that is open to the public. The play structures vary by location and include a bounce house, a slide, an obstacle course, a boxing arena, and more. Activities on these structures include bouncing, climbing, sliding and tumbling. Pump it up has locations in 29 states.
Jeepers:
“Jeepers” is an indoor play center for children age two to twelve. “Jeepers” combines the rides and excitement of an outdoor amusement park with indoor convenience and climate control. Each “Jeepers” offers five or six rides geared to different age groups, ranging from "kiddie" rides to the "Python Pit", an exciting indoor roller coaster designed exclusively for “Jeepers.” “Jeepers” also offers arcade-type games that build hand-eye coordination and give parents and children the opportunity to play together. Many games have a sports theme, such as basketball hoop shots or bowling, while others, like Hungry Hippos, are just plain fun. There is also a soft play area that includes tubes, chutes, slides and obstacle courses. “Jeepers” has locations in ten states.
Chuck E. Cheese’s:
This restaurant chain has approximately 500 locations nationwide and in Canada. The chain offers indoor rides that are appropriate for preschoolers and for elementary school children. The rides vary by location and may include a carousel, bulldozer and helicopter, all of which are token-operated. There are also sky tubes and slides that are free. During play, there is an opportunity to win tickets that can be redeemed for prizes at the prize counter. In addition to the rides, the chain offers free stage shows, non-violent arcade and video games and a toddler zone with age-appropriate rides and activities.
BounceU:
The concept here is similar to the Pump it Up concept. The chain, with locations in seven states, offers giant inflatable structures in a safe and comfortable indoor environment. BounceU is geared towards organized groups and is ideal for parties or for play groups. According to the BounceU website, the facilities also offer a few "open bounce" sessions scheduled each week where individuals can come in and pay to play, with pre-set start and end times. Age 2-adult.
IKEA
Ikea, with 26 US locations and 6 more opening soon, is another great place for a rainy afternoon. The stores offer a play area where you can leave pre-school aged kids to play, supervised by store staff. If you prefer to keep the kids with you, many play areas, suitable for preschoolers, are scattered throughout the store. There are also clean feeding and changing rooms, a family restroom, and a restaurant with a children’s menu.
Fast Food Restaurants
If you do not object to the occasional fast food meal, many fast food restaurants offer colorful, clean, engaging indoor play spaces for toddlers, preschoolers and elementary school children.
Playgrounds are fun, but your child’s safety comes first. For important tips on outdoor and indoor playground safety, visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission web site. Another informative source is the National Program for Playground Safety website.
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