Between the end of the major winter holidays and spring break, Seattle kids (and adults) can get pretty antsy waiting to go outdoors and play. And while playing “lava” with sofa cushions in the living room can be mighty fun, it can also try a parent’s patience. If you’re looking for creative ways to work off the winter stir-crazies, scroll down for nine energy burnin’ ideas.
iFLY
iFLY
Okay, so maybe you do have to be a little crazy to jump out of a perfectly good airplane, but iFLY offers you to experience the sensation in a totally safe environment. The crazy thing is that kids as young as 3 can try this out. There’s no parachute or jumping, but then again, there is nothing tethering you to the ground either. You’ll actually fly inside a giant see-though tube with a certified flight instructor by your side the entire time. Half the fun is watching others try this out. And although not the cheapest activity to do as a family, it is one that your kids will never forget. For first-timers, $69.95 will give you personalized instruction, flight gear rental, two flights and a personalized flight certificate.
Out-of-the-Cabin Tip: A 2-for-1 coupon for iFLY is available in this year’s Entertainment Book!
This new activity center takes the concept of an indoor trampoline park and raises it up a few notches with 50,000 square feet of different activities to wear you and your kid crew out, including 60 trampolines. In addition to traditional trampolines, you’ll find angled wall trampolines, launching decks and foam pits. Dodgeball is so much more fun on a bouncy surface and playing “AirDunk” is a great twist to playing basketball. You’ll also find the unique Ninja Obstacle Course (inspired by TV’s American Ninja Warrior) and stations for circus-related activities like the slackline, aerial silks and the trapeze! Kid under the age of 6 will enjoy the KidJump section (open every day from 9 a.m.-10 a.m.) While walk-ins are always welcomed here, it is recommended that you schedule a "flight” ahead of time. Prices start at $13 for kids age 6 & under and $17 for adults.
For Mom and Dad: Did you know that you can burn up to 1,000 calories per hour and strengthen your core using the trampolines? Flying Circus will soon be offering fitness classes for adults, so you can enjoy a unique, one-of-a-kind workout alongside other parents. Call for more details.
Out-of-the-Cabin Tip: Bring your entire family for an hour of jumping on Monday nights for $55. Also, check-in on Facebook or Instagram for $1 off your flight ticket.
Flying Circus 455 Andover Park E. Tukwila, Wa 98188 425-669-9707 Online: flyingcircus.us
If you've got a crew of kids under age 5, what could be better than playing in a giant indoor sandbox? That’s what little dirt diggers will find through May 24, 2018 at Sandbox Sports. Play time comes complete with shovels, pails and trucks and the “box” is open for kids on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays with two sessions from 9:30 a.m.-11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Admission is $8 per child (one adult free per child).
For Mom and Dad: The Sandbox offers adult volleyball leagues in the evenings ($560/co-ed 4’s and $360/coed 2’s for 8 weeks of play), but if you’re not willing to commit to a team just yet, you might want to try out a "Drop In Friday” event. Scheduled late-night drop-in volleyball games are offered at 10 p.m. for $15/player.
Out-of-the-Cabin Tip: Get 10 play sessions for the price of 7 with a kids’ play time punch card.
Here is one school that nobody will complain about having to go to. SANCA is the largest circus school in the US, offering experiences that are physically challenging as well as socially enriching. SANCA offers many classes for every age range from tumbling toddlers to adventurous adults. Perhaps the most surprising offering is that their two-hour trapeze class is open to anyone age 6 and up! The two-hour class is $60 per person ($50 for members) and is offered at various times every week.
Out-of-the-Cabin Tip: Drop in between 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. on Fridays and pay $10 for your first turn and $5 for each additional turn.
SANCA 674 S. Orcas St. Seattle, Wa 98108 206-652-4433 sancaseattle.org
Great Wolf Lodge
Great Wolf Lodge
If you need more than a few hours to burn off some energy and get out of the same four walls, then the Great Wolf Lodge Resort in Grand Mound just might be the ticket for you. This huge resort is almost completely indoors. While the star attraction is the water park, there are plenty of other activities to keep the kids busy including the "Howl at the Moon Glow Golf” mini golf, video game arcade, character appearances, “Wake Up with Wiley and Friends,” afternoon activities, PJ parties, story times and “The Great Clock Tower Show.” The resort is set up so that you’ll never need to leave the premises. The catch is though, no day passes are offered. In order to take in everything, you’ll need to spend the night in one of the resort’s rooms. The accommodations are great and for such a busy place, is surprisingly quiet inside the rooms. The resort offers a number of restaurants and gift shops, too.
Bonus: The Grand Mound Great Wolf Lodge is home to the Howlers Peak Rope Course. This outdoor attraction (open Memorial Day through October) will allow you to take your family on an invigorating aerial adventure that will have you balancing on ropes, crossing bridges and climbing through obstacles: all from the safety of a climbing harness! The Ropes Course offers high-flying fun that will elevate your family vacation to a whole new level.
For Moms and Dads: If you’re adventurous, you’ll appreciate the water park’s “Howlin’ Tornado,” “River Canyon Run” and “Alberta Falls.” If not, then the Iron Horse Fitness Center or the Elements Spa Salon is for you.
Out-of-the Cabin Tip: Check out the Great Wolf Lodge website for current discount offerings. During the winter, they offer a Cabin Fever Sale.
Great Wolf Lodge 20500 Old Highway 99 S.W. Centralia, Wa 98531 800-640-9653 Online: greatwolf.com/grand-mound
For other great indoor pools and parks in the area, click here.
Even Laser Tag has received an upgrade at places like Laser Quest. Here, you’ll have three different types of experiences to burn off energy. First, there is the regular game where the concept is to try to tag as many people as you can without getting tagged by others. The 15-minute game play will fly by young ones, but is just long enough to wear out out-of-shape adults. The Iron Man game mode is twice as long and includes swirling fog and energetic music to keep you going. Then, there is the Key Quest which combines laser tag with an escape room. You’ll need to find clues, solve a series of puzzles and find the missing key to let yourself out! Regular games are $9 per person; Iron Man games are $12 per person and the Key Quest Experience is $15 per person.
For Mom and Dad: While you might enjoy any of the three activities, the Key Quest Experience involves less running around and is geared for those ages 12 & up.
Laser Quest 2210 S. 320th St., Ste A4 Federal Way, Wa 98003 253-946-4500 Online: laserquest.com
Family Fun Center
Kristina Moy
The Family Fun Center has always been a destination fun haven during the summer months with its many outdoor activities, but you’ll find a number of indoor activities to do there as well, including the new VR Challenge where you’ll wear a VR headset and walk through a physical building with a vibrating motion floor and many virtual worlds. Also, the Family Fun Center is home to the brand-new 16-lane Bullwinkle Lanes. Other indoor attractions include the XD Theater (a multi-seat 6D motion simulated thrill ride theater), Lazer Xtreme (which includes music, fog and strobe lights), a four-level soft play area known at Kidopolis and a huge video game arcade as well as bumper cars and the Drop and Twist and Frog Hopper rides.
Out-of-the-Cabin Tip: Discount coupons can often be found on Groupon as well as in this year’s Entertainment Book.
Family Fun Center 7300 Fun Center Way Tukwila, Wa 98188 425-228-7300 Online: fun-center.com/tukwila
While not as extensive as its Tukwila brethren, the Edmonds Family Fun Center still offers a lot of undercover fun including the Cowabunga Play Area for kids under 58 inches tall, Lazer Runner (where “virtual reality comes to life”), bumper cars, Max Flight (a roller coaster simulator ride), Frog Hopper and nine batting cages (open if the playing field and lower level of the cages are dry).
Family Fun Center 7212 220th St. S.W. Edmonds, Wa 98026 425-774-4263 Online: fun-center.com
Whirlyball
Helen Green
Described by some as "the world’s only totally mechanized team sport,” Whirlyball will get your juices flowing! Kids must be 8 years or older, but the learning curve is easy enough so that just about anyone can play regardless of size or athletic ability. The game itself has been described as a combination of basketball, hockey and Jai-Alai played while riding an electrically powered machine, similar to a bumper car, called a WhirlyBug, which is said to be quicker, stronger and far more maneuverable. In order to play, you’ll need to gather up some friends and make a reservation. The cost is $198 per hour of play for up to 25 players.
For Mom and Dad: This is a great alternative to your usual Bunco game.
Whirlyball 23401 Hwy. 99 Edmonds. Wa 98026 425-672-3332 Online: whirlyballseattle.com
Does your family have another go-to place to burn off excess energy? Tell us in the comments below!
