Fun Places for Kids to Play

The choices for fun places to take the kids are enormous. Parents should never feel like they̵7;re trapped at home when there are so many options available no matter what the weather. The goals should always be simple: find somewhere easy to get to, inexpensive, engaging for any kid and somewhere guaranteed to tire out your little one before nap or bedtime.

  1. Outdoor Fun

    • Taking children to a park can be a learning experience.

      You can always go to a playground, but large open picnic areas or national parks are even better. Kids are endlessly fascinated with all the wonderful bugs, leaves, sticks and rocks free for them to play with. Younger toddlers are content to collect rocks or pick grass to make piles, while older kids can be imaginative and make believe they are in a magical forest, build forts or parents can get really creative and plan a scavenger hunt.

    Indoor Fun

    • If the weather is not in your favor, get the kids inside somewhere they can still get their energy out. These places will always cost more than the inexpensive or free outdoor options, but it beats staying cooped up at home. There are a number of indoor-play places that offer big bouncy castles, slides and obstacle courses in a safe, fun zone. Also, kid-friendly science museums that encourage interaction are well worth the price of admission. Avoid the seemingly easy option of the shopping mall; these aren̵7;t the most welcoming places to let kids run and expend energy. Also, although it is free to enter, parents will wind up spending just as much on snacks, drinks, toys or clothes as they would have if they'd chosen the indoor options that do charge admission.

    Shopping/Dining Fun

    • There are a number of shops that will provide what is essentially temporary daycare while you go shopping or have a bite to eat. If you have an Ikea close by, for example, they offer an area called "Smaland" in which children ages 3 to 9 can play in a room of balls, color and watch cartoons in their theater. Other places̵2;frequently fast food restaurants̵2;will offer similar play areas for kids to use while parents relax with their meals, although these are rarely supervised.

    Seasonal Fun

    • Picking pumpkins can be a fun seasonal activity for children.

      Depending on the season and your location, there are often fruit-picking options available if you head a bit out of town. Picking apples and pumpkins in the fall or strawberries and blueberries in the summer can help teach kids about nature and where our food comes from while offering a fun day out.

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