Indoor Play Areas-
By katsmeow1213
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
United States
June 28, 2008 1:05pm CST
Do you have indoor places you can bring your children?
We used to have a place called Discovery Zone. It was geared for children under 8, with all sorts of padded jungle gym type equiment. They could just run and play and jump and scream and not bother anyone. It was rather inexpensive as adults didn't have to pay.
The company soon went bankrupt and closed all their establishments.
Since then we've had a few others like it, but typically more expensive, and not as convenient to get to. They also eventually closed down.
The only indoor activity center we have now is Chuck E Cheeses, and there's only 1 in the city. Unfortunatly it is on a very bad side of town. We went there once and were disgusted by the way the children behaved. It wasn't just typical child like behavior, these children were extremely rude and even foul mouthed. Many fights broke out amongst the children. I don't find this acceptable behavior at all, and will not subject my kids to that, so we have not gone back since.
1 person likes this
7 responses
@jonesy123 (3948)
• United States
28 Jun 08
There is two malls in the area that have indoor playgrounds. Not big, but sufficient. Unfortunately, the closest one is 35 miles away. So, now that's only an occasional treat. The Chuck E Cheeses here are more arcade style. And the games are often broken. And there are the gymboree style things, but that's costly in the long run. Some of the fast food places have indoor playgrounds, but of course they want you to buy there food....
2 people like this
@jonesy123 (3948)
• United States
28 Jun 08
I don't think they have ball pits anymore because of that. None of those in our area have those. There still could be a mess in the tunnels, but that could happen on a regular playground, too. We use those where we know they are cleaned regularly and they will clean anything up as soon as it is reported. Messes happen when little ones are around.
2 people like this
@carlaabt (3504)
• United States
29 Jun 08
We have a Chuck E Cheese, but we've never been there. Really the only indoor kids' place that we routinely take our toddler to is the one at Menards! I take my son to play there, while my husband shops in the store. It works well for us for now. My son is only 2.5, so he doesn't need big stuff. It just has a few playhouses, and a couple of small slides. It also has a few ride on toys for toddlers. It's basically a place where you can give your child a test drive on toys that you can buy there. My son likes it. We even bought one of the playhouses they have there, because my son liked it so much! For whatever reason, he doesn't seem to like it as much in our yard, though.
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
29 Jun 08
Because it's not a novelty to him anymore. They always get bored with things they own, no matter how cool it is.
My twins had one of those when they were little. Day 1 they wouldn't get away from it, day 2 they ignored it. :)
Thanks for responding.
@Carrie26 (1587)
• United States
28 Jun 08
We dont have a Chuckie Cheese or anything like that near here not even 45 minutes away.We just have to take the kids to the park and Burger king and some Mcdonalds have some inside as well as Chick-fil-A.I wish they did.My sister-n-law has a place like that up where she lives of an indoor play area and it only costs 3.00 a piece for kids under 4 years of age.The kids had a fun time when we took them there when we were visiting my husbands sister and family.But some kids at times can get rude and not watch out for the little ones and also some parents werent watching there kids.I never heard any foul language though .Thank goodness.We also took the kids to CHuckie Cheeses when we went on a mini vacation up in PA.They like it.It was a decent place.
1 person likes this
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
28 Jun 08
We have lots of places like that to take the kids. I have never come across a bad one yet they are all very clean and well taken care of and they limit the age and everything. It is a shame that there is no where for you to take your children, but I do not blame you for not taking them to that place, it sound awful.
1 person likes this
@sophiasmom911 (1345)
• United States
1 Jul 08
I dont blame you for not taking your children back, and thats a darn shame when you cant even take your child to a play place, because all the kids are going to be misbehaving. My daughter is almost ten months so I still have a while before I get to that. I hope you can eventually find a place that you and your children will enjoy.
@Bluepatch (2476)
• Trinidad And Tobago
29 Jun 08
In the first mall they ever built in Trinidad there was a playground inside of it next to the Food Fair with video and ball games where only the children paid and they could win prizes and all that stuff.
After quite a number of years it closed down.
People who build large complexes or malls usually include a place with video or other games where children could play.
I never heard of any of them going bankrupt.
Also the public parks usually have a section with swings and other stuff for children.
I'm surprised that is the US this kind of situation exists. It appears Trinidad could be on par with you people in this.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
29 Jun 08
We have plenty of outdoor playgrounds and too many arcades with video games and such. Those are not what I was referring to. I was talking more along the lines of indoor playgrounds or play areas for smaller children.
Thanks for your response.
@GreenMoo (11833)
•
1 Jul 08
Where I used to live there were some fabulous indoor play areas for the kids, with soft play areas and ball pools. They were great places to meet up with other Mums as adults were free and could sit and have a coffee whilst the kids were occupied.
Unfortunately, there are none near me now 
