As the rain falls and the temperature drops, you may be wondering how you're going to keep your kids entertained this winter. Luckily, indoor recreational opportunities are plentiful in the South Sound. Here are just a few adventures worth checking out.
For some airtime and seriously sweaty kids, head to BoomShaka Extreme Air Sports in Olympia where you can bounce on more than 40 trampolines, test your skills on a Ninja course and play dodge ball. Or launch yourself into a cushy foam pit from a swing, trapeze bar, ramp or trampoline. This place is a blast for kids and adults alike.
One to two-hour flight tickets are available from $11-$30 with a $1 military discount. Family Night (Mondays from 6-9 p.m.) offers a good value at $40 for the whole family for an hour. If your children are younger than age 6, try visiting during Kid Jump, held Monday-Thursday from 9-10 a.m., when children jump for $11 and a parent is free.
Children 13 and younger must be accompanied by an adult, and jump socks are required.
Another great way to burn energy is a day at an indoor rock climbing gym. Cirque Climbing in Lacey boasts more than 11,000 square feet of climbing, including a 15-foot high bouldering wall and 46 top rope anchors with routes as high as 45 feet.
"We recommend climbing for ages 6 and up," said Preston Reeves, a manager at Cirque. "Kids usually take right to it. It's very intuitive for them, like climbing trees."
On your first visit, a staff member will give you an introduction to the gym and show you how to use the auto belays. They also offer complimentary belay lessons for climbers 13 and older. Day passes are $14 for youth and military. Harnesses and climbing shoes are available to rent, although tennis shoes are allowed. An adult must accompany kids ages 6 to 12, but if you're just watching or belaying, you don't have to pay. You can come and go throughout the day and take breaks in the upstairs lounge, where outside food and drink are permitted.
If keeping your feet on the ground is more your style, try gliding around the rink at Skate Tiffany's! Roller Skating & Family Fun Center in Puyallup. This fourth-generation, family-owned business is the largest roller rink in the state. It's been entertaining families for 48 years with a timeless skating experience complete with music, flashing lights and swirling disco balls.
Public skating times are offered throughout the week for $7 per person including the popular Friday Night Live from 7-10 p.m. and Saturday All Day Skate from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Geared for kids ages 10 and younger, the Walk and Roll Skate on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. lets parents walk or skate with their kids and even push a stroller. From 4-10 p.m. on Saturdays, the lights come down and everyone glows at Cosmic Skate.
"A budget-friendly option is our Tuesday Night Skate for $2 from 4 to 8 p.m.," said rink owner Melinda King. "Parents can also go to kidsskatefree.com and sign their children up to get two free skating passes per week for an annual registration fee of just $4."
You may bring your own skates or rent inline or quad skates. Skate mates are also available to help kids learn without too many falls.
If the sun does come out this winter, head outside and soak it in. But on those inevitable gloomy days, beat the winter blues with these indoor family fun spots.
BoomShaka Extreme Air Sports, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday-Wednesday; 3:30-9 p.m., Thursday; 9 a.m. to midnight, Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday, 7960 Center St. SW, Olympia, 360.338.6786, boomshaka.us
Cirque Climbing, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday-Friday; 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday; 8276 28th Ct. NE, Lacey, 360.915.8614, cirqueclimbing.com
Skate Tiffany's! Roller Skating & Family Fun Center, 1113 N. Meridian, Puyallup, 253.848.1153, skatetiffanys.com