Family Fun Places
Every year brings more venues for family fun. Scroll down for children's museums, corn mazes, waterparks, snow domes and other family fun spots.
Nickelodeon Universe
This indoor amusement park at the Mall of America in Bloomington MN is the first theme park with Nickelodeon branding, with new and old rides matched to popular characters from Nickelodeon's tv shows: SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, and other faves.
This indoor amusement park at the Mall of America in Bloomington MN is the first theme park with Nickelodeon branding, with new and old rides matched to popular characters from Nickelodeon's tv shows: SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, and other faves.
Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Starting in late 2009, we Muggles will have a chance to enter the magical world of Harry Potter. Universal Orlando is building a new themed island in Islands of Adventure, a multi-attraction "theme park within a theme park" called "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter".
Starting in late 2009, we Muggles will have a chance to enter the magical world of Harry Potter. Universal Orlando is building a new themed island in Islands of Adventure, a multi-attraction "theme park within a theme park" called "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter".
Indoor Flying (Vertical Wind Tunnels)
Okay, now you really can fly... and zoom up 30 feet high, and roll and flip in the air; and so can your kids over three years old, thanks to giant electric fans in a wind tunnel. Check out iFLY, near Universal Studios Hollywood in southern California; or Paraclete XP SkyVenture, in North Carolina.
Okay, now you really can fly... and zoom up 30 feet high, and roll and flip in the air; and so can your kids over three years old, thanks to giant electric fans in a wind tunnel. Check out iFLY, near Universal Studios Hollywood in southern California; or Paraclete XP SkyVenture, in North Carolina.
Ziplines (aka Canopy Tours)
Zipline adventures -- aka "canopy tours"-- are a new-ish type of family fun: basically, a person straps into a harness and zips along a cable for several hundred feet. Kids as young as seven can fly through the air with the greatest of ease.
Zipline adventures -- aka "canopy tours"-- are a new-ish type of family fun: basically, a person straps into a harness and zips along a cable for several hundred feet. Kids as young as seven can fly through the air with the greatest of ease.
Blue Man Group
Blue Man Group performances are an indescribable mix of mime, percussion, and antics involving the audience: teens and tweens will find them hilarious, and attending a show can add a lot of fun to a trip to New York City (or London, or Chicago, or elsewhere...) New in 2007, families can see Blue Man Group at Universal Orlando.
Blue Man Group performances are an indescribable mix of mime, percussion, and antics involving the audience: teens and tweens will find them hilarious, and attending a show can add a lot of fun to a trip to New York City (or London, or Chicago, or elsewhere...) New in 2007, families can see Blue Man Group at Universal Orlando.
American Girl Place
"American Girl" not only makes unique dolls, it also has extrardinary stores (in LA, Chicago, NYC). Extraordinary, how? Well, guests might: eat at the "American Girl Cafe", with "Treat Seats" for doll guests; or visit the on-site Theater. Print out an itinerary! Also, check for packages with hotels that include American Girl goodies in your room.
"American Girl" not only makes unique dolls, it also has extrardinary stores (in LA, Chicago, NYC). Extraordinary, how? Well, guests might: eat at the "American Girl Cafe", with "Treat Seats" for doll guests; or visit the on-site Theater. Print out an itinerary! Also, check for packages with hotels that include American Girl goodies in your room.
Build-A-Bear Workshop®
Build-A-Bear Workshop® is at once an innovative retailer and an entertainment venue: a place where kids have fun creating customized furry friends. New York City has the flagship store but there are hundreds of locations. "Guests" create their own stuffed animals through an eight-step process, with the assistance of "master Bear Builder associates".
Build-A-Bear Workshop® is at once an innovative retailer and an entertainment venue: a place where kids have fun creating customized furry friends. New York City has the flagship store but there are hundreds of locations. "Guests" create their own stuffed animals through an eight-step process, with the assistance of "master Bear Builder associates".
Swim With Dolphins, and Other Dolphin Encounters
Swim With Dolphins, and other types of dolphin encounters, are very appealing for families. Yet ethical issues surround these programs, especially when using dolphins in captivity.
Swim With Dolphins, and other types of dolphin encounters, are very appealing for families. Yet ethical issues surround these programs, especially when using dolphins in captivity.
MagiQuest : fantasy attraction at Myrtle Beach SC
Kids who love fantasy-type computer games can step right into a fantasy world. MagiQuest is a live-action adventure game, played in a 20,000 sq. ft. area packed with special effects that get activated by the player's prize possession: the Wand. Think: fantasy video game meets laser-tag play-space, sort of.
Kids who love fantasy-type computer games can step right into a fantasy world. MagiQuest is a live-action adventure game, played in a 20,000 sq. ft. area packed with special effects that get activated by the player's prize possession: the Wand. Think: fantasy video game meets laser-tag play-space, sort of.
Family Fun Centers
A Family Fun Center is typically an outdoor entertainment zone with go-karts, mini-golf, and various other kid-pleasers. There are countless such places across the US; the link above, at TravelingUSA.com, has a clickable map that you can search by state. For more choices, try searching at Google.com for "Family Fun Center [city name]".
A Family Fun Center is typically an outdoor entertainment zone with go-karts, mini-golf, and various other kid-pleasers. There are countless such places across the US; the link above, at TravelingUSA.com, has a clickable map that you can search by state. For more choices, try searching at Google.com for "Family Fun Center [city name]".
Find Family Fun in a City You're Visiting
So you're visiting Seattle, or Phoenix, or Boston, and you want to know about family fun: no problem.
So you're visiting Seattle, or Phoenix, or Boston, and you want to know about family fun: no problem.
Family Fun: Children's Festivals
Many cities have Children's Festivals, usually during the month of May.
Many cities have Children's Festivals, usually during the month of May.
World's Largest Indoor Water Park
Where's the world's largest indoor water park? You might be forgiven for answering "Wisconsin Dells", a small town that's a giant for indoor waterparks. But the world's largest is in the Seagaia resort complex in Japan; and second-biggest is at the giant fun-plus-shopping palace, West Edmonton Mall in Alberta Canada.
Where's the world's largest indoor water park? You might be forgiven for answering "Wisconsin Dells", a small town that's a giant for indoor waterparks. But the world's largest is in the Seagaia resort complex in Japan; and second-biggest is at the giant fun-plus-shopping palace, West Edmonton Mall in Alberta Canada.
Snow Domes! Indoor Skiing Parks
What'll they think of next? You may have to go to Europe to find indoor skiing-- but mega-projects in North America are in the works. See a list of snowdomes around the world.
What'll they think of next? You may have to go to Europe to find indoor skiing-- but mega-projects in North America are in the works. See a list of snowdomes around the world.
Wannado City: Role-playing Entertainment Park
Here's something new: in Fort Lauderdale, Wannado City -- the size of three football fields-- lets kids 4 to 11 play at being a firefighter, archaeologist, TV or news reporter, chef, judge, pilot, doctor and lots more. The kidizens™ of Wannado City™ have a pint-sized fire stations, hospital, flight training center, circus, etc.
Here's something new: in Fort Lauderdale, Wannado City -- the size of three football fields-- lets kids 4 to 11 play at being a firefighter, archaeologist, TV or news reporter, chef, judge, pilot, doctor and lots more. The kidizens™ of Wannado City™ have a pint-sized fire stations, hospital, flight training center, circus, etc.
Ron Jon Surf Park, Orlando FL
"Ron Jon" is a legendary name in surf stores, and now the company's launching the Ron Jon Surfpark on International Drive, with three surf pools for different levels of wave-riding. Beginners can learn to surf in perfect, controlled conditions. Those with skills can try the Pro Pool's with waves 8 feet high, and a ride that lasts 100 yards. (Opening has been delayed...)
"Ron Jon" is a legendary name in surf stores, and now the company's launching the Ron Jon Surfpark on International Drive, with three surf pools for different levels of wave-riding. Beginners can learn to surf in perfect, controlled conditions. Those with skills can try the Pro Pool's with waves 8 feet high, and a ride that lasts 100 yards. (Opening has been delayed...)
Indoor Snow Park - Dubai
Dubai -- one of the United Arab Emirates-- is only 1000 sq. miles big but it lives large. And one of the attractions it offers its millions of tourists is an indoor snow park the size of three football fields, with 5 slopes (the longest run being 400 meters with vertical drop of 60 meters) ; 90-metre quarter-pipe; and gear and winter clothes included in the ticket price.
Dubai -- one of the United Arab Emirates-- is only 1000 sq. miles big but it lives large. And one of the attractions it offers its millions of tourists is an indoor snow park the size of three football fields, with 5 slopes (the longest run being 400 meters with vertical drop of 60 meters) ; 90-metre quarter-pipe; and gear and winter clothes included in the ticket price.
Swimming holes!
This cool "Platial map" shows swimming spots in the Boston area: if you know a good spot, add it to the map.
This cool "Platial map" shows swimming spots in the Boston area: if you know a good spot, add it to the map.
Family Fun: Corn Mazes
More and more corn mazes are dotting the countryside and providing a great fall outing: read about what to expect and how to find a corn maze. Prime time is September-October, but some fields open as early as mid-July.
More and more corn mazes are dotting the countryside and providing a great fall outing: read about what to expect and how to find a corn maze. Prime time is September-October, but some fields open as early as mid-July.
Halloween Haunted Happenings - Family Fun
Every year seems more Halloween family fun events: Boos at Zoos, spooky sciences museums, haunted houses, hayrides, and lots more.
Every year seems more Halloween family fun events: Boos at Zoos, spooky sciences museums, haunted houses, hayrides, and lots more.
Visit a Pumpkin Patch
Pumpkin Patch - fall family outings - find a pumpkin patch
Pumpkin Patch - fall family outings - find a pumpkin patch
Holiday Lights
A dozen places to see dazzling Holiday Lights displays.
A dozen places to see dazzling Holiday Lights displays.
Polar Express
This "Polar Express" is a beautiful children's book written by Chris Van Allsburg (and a move, too.) At several locations in the US -- in New Hampshire, Colorado, Smoky Mountains, Santa Fe, and more-- families can take a train ride that brings to life the Polar Express experience. See other types of Christmas Train Rides, too.
This "Polar Express" is a beautiful children's book written by Chris Van Allsburg (and a move, too.) At several locations in the US -- in New Hampshire, Colorado, Smoky Mountains, Santa Fe, and more-- families can take a train ride that brings to life the Polar Express experience. See other types of Christmas Train Rides, too.