Indoor Play Series #1, #2, and #3

Due to the rainy weather this week, I am re-posting the Indoor Play Series to give you some ideas for keeping the kiddos busy before we get our sunshine back!

#1 – Indoor Playgrounds, Trampolines, and Inflatables

I’ve rounded up the very best places to “get physical” INDOORS and all the important details that will make it easier for you.  The hours shown are for “Public Open Play” times.  Some of the venues have varied hours on weekends due to holding birthday parties but check out their website or call them because they do like to open to the public when they don’t have any scheduled.  You can click on the name of each business to link directly to their website.  With all these choices, I hope you’ll find some favorites where your kids can get their wiggles out while staying warm and dry!

DON’T FORGET TO BRING SOCKS!  Your kids will not be able to play without them.

P.S. A majority of these places offer discounted prices when you pay for several play sessions in advance and several of them have coupons available in the Entertainment Book.

INDOOR PLAYGROUNDS

Climb, Slide, Tumble…

1. Climbaroo Indoor Play Center
4421 Gateway Park Blvd. #130, Sacramento, CA
(916) 916-928-9766
Hours: Open Play M/W 9:30am-8pm, T/Th 9:30am-6pm, F 9:30am-6pm; check website for possible weekend open play hours depending on parties and special events
Price: $8.00 per child
Play time: 4 hour open play sessions, see schedule
Extras: Family Night every Friday night 6-10pm

2.  Wacky Tacky
7351 Galilee Rd., #160, Roseville
(916) 783-3355
Hours: Weekdays M-F 9am-8pm – they may have private parties booked during these hours as well as weekends so check online calendar for current ‘open play hours’; Weekends – occasionally open if not reserved for parties
Price: $7.00/per child, Under 2 Free with paid sibling; Coupon on website
Play time: Unlimited
Extras: This is a huge indoor playground that even older kids can play on; Arcade games

3.  Shopping Malls
Arden Fair, Roseville Galleria, and Sunrise Mall all have soft play areas for toddler/preschool age kids.

INDOOR TRAMPOLINES

Jump, Jump, Jump…

1.  Sky High Sports
11327 Folsom Blvd. #160, Rancho Cordova
(916) 853-5867
Hours: Weekdays M 11am-10pm, T/W/Th 2-10pm, Fri 11am-midnight; Weekends Sat 11am-midnight, Sun 11am-10pm
Ages: All ages
Price: $9.00/per person 1st hour, $6.00/per person 2nd hour, Age 2 and under Free with paid jumping adult
Play time: 1 hour
Extras: Special Court for Little Jumpers (age 8 and under) daily; A great place for older kids; Munchkin Mondays from 11am-1pm, ages 8 and under, $5.00/per child.

2.  Sky Zone
1091 Tinker Road, Rocklin
(916) 644-9966
Hours: Weekdays T-Th 3-8pm, F 3-9pm; Weekends Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 10am-6pm
Ages: All ages (they encourage kids 5 and under to come opening hour on any day)
Price: $11/per person 1st hour, $3.00 add 1/2 hour, $5.00 add 1 hour; Discounts on their Facebook page
Play time: 1 hour
Extras: Wednesday Toddler Time from 1-3pm, ages 5 and under, $6.00/per child for one hour, one parent free; Friday SkyMania from 9-11pm for kids ages 11-15…$15 for hour and a half jump time, pizza and drinks

INDOOR INFLATABLES

Bounce, Slide, Climb…

1.  Bouncetown
Sacramento location
9844 Business Park Dr., Sacramento
(916) 366-9999
Hours: Weekdays M-W 10am-6pm; Weekends – occasionally open – call for hours
Ages: All ages
Price: $7.00/per child, under 2 Free
Play time: Unlimited
Extras: Family Bounce Night Wednesdays 6:30-8:30pm; Autism Family Bounce Night 1st Mon of each month 6:30-8:30pm

2.  Bouncetown
El Dorado Hills location
5037 Robert J Mathews Pkwy., El Dorado Hills
(916) 939-8799
Hours: Weekdays M-W 10am-6pm
Ages: All ages
Price: $7.00/per child age, under 2 Free
Play time: Unlimited
Extras: Family Bounce Night Thursdays 6:30-8:30pm

3.  Bounce U
Roseville location
7611 Galilee Road, Roseville
(800) 640-1385
Hours: Weekdays Age 7 & under…W 9:30-11am, Th 9:30-11am, F 12:30-2pm; All ages…M 2:30-4pm Th 3:30-5pm; Weekends – occasionally open – call
Ages: All ages
Price: $7.00/per child, Under age 2 Free if accompanied by paying child
Play time: 1 1/2 hour session
Extras: Family Bounce Night Wednesdays 6:10-8pm $8.95/per child, $7.95/per sibling, 2 and under Free

4.  Bounce U
Rancho Cordova location
11280 Sanders Drive, Unit A, Rancho Cordova
(916) 859-0559
Hours: Weekdays Age 7 & under…T 10-11:30am, W 10-11:30am, F 10-11:30pm; All ages…Th 3:30-5pm; Weekends – occasionally open – call
Ages: All ages
Price: $7.00/per child, Under age 2 Free if accompanied by paying child
Play time: 1 1/2 hour session
Extras: Family Bounce Night Tuesdays 6:10-8pm, $8.95/per child, $7.95/per sibling, 2 and under Free

5.  Laguna’s Awesome Party Palace
3147 Dwight Rd., Elk Grove
(916) 422-4244
Hours: Weekdays – M & W 9am-6pm, T & Th 11am-6pm, F 9am-closing varies, call; Weekends – see website or call
Ages: All ages
Price: $7.00/per child weekdays crawling – age 18 , $8.00/per child weekends & Holidays; sometimes discount on website
Play time: Unlimited
Extras: Arcade games & air hockey table

6.  The Bounce Spot
2939 Promenade St., West Sacramento
(916) 371-2386
Hours: Weekdays T-F 9am-11am; Weekends – occasionally open – check website or call for hours
Ages: All ages
Price: Weekday $5.00/ per child – all ages, including crawlers; Weekends $7.00/ per child
Play time: Unlimited
Extras: Toddler play area; Friday Family Fun Night, 6-9pm, $7.00 per person including parents

#2 – Roller Skating Rinks

I don’t know about you…but I LOVE to roller skate!  It takes me back to my childhood and it is just plain fun!  Fortunately, my kids are now old enough to try it out and it is becoming a family favorite.  Roller Skating is one of the fun exercises that parents and kids can do TOGETHER.  It is also a great outing when the weather is cold or rainy.

“If you can walk, you can skate” is the motto at King’s Skate Country.  Did you know there are roller skates for younger kids?  We just found that out when we went recently as a family.  Most skating rinks carry them and the wheels are adjusted so that they don’t roll.  Kids can scoot/walk at their own pace and once comfortable, can trade them in for regular skates.  My 4-year-old and 2-year-old thought they were such big boys out on the floor with the rest of us!

Not all skate times are good for toddlers or small children, so you may want to call for the best times.  Usually mornings and weekday evenings are not as crowded and less likely to have teenagers speeding around.  All of these rinks have either a special kids session, family sessions, or classes.  The special sessions and classes cost either the same as regular admission or are discounted!  All the information below.

If you or your kids haven’t skated yet, don’t be afraid to try it out.  Remind your kids that there will be falls and lots of practice needed…but it will be worth it!  Click here for a little article from Teachkidshow.com on teaching your child how to roller skate if you’d like some tips.

ROLLER SKATING RINKS

1. Foothill Skate Inn
4700 Auburn Blvd., Sacramento
(916) 488-4700
Hours: Public sessions vary – click here for the schedule
Price: Session $5.50 – $7.50 click here for pricing, Skate Rental $2.00, Inline Rental $3.00
Extras: Tiny Tots & Beginners Class – every Saturday from 10:00-11:00am.  Just $6.00, includes regular skate rental.  Discount Pass Includes 4 lessons & hour and a half session following class for $20.00.
Family Night – every Wednesday night from 6:30-9:00pm.  $10.00 for family (total of 6), $2.00 skate rental per person.

2. The Rink
2900 Bradshaw Road, Sacramento
(916) 363-2643
Hours: See Public Session times here
Price: Session rates and skate rentals vary, see them here
Extras: Family Day – every Thursday night 6:30-9pm and every Sunday from 1:00pm – 5:00pm.  $6.00 for the first parent & $2.50 for each additional family member. Total of 6 family members. Family rate is given to immediate family only.
Wacky Wednesday – $3.00 sessions

3. King’s Skate Country
10408 Franklin Blvd., Elk Grove
(916) 684-7132
Hours: Public Sessions vary, click here for calendar.  Each session is 2 – 2 1/2 hours long.
Price: $6.50, Skate Rental $2.50, Inline Rental $4.50
Extras: Family Rate – every Wednesday and Sunday for public sessions.  $7.00 for the first parent & $3.00 for each additional family member. Total of 6 family members. Family rate is given to mom and/or dad and their children.
Tiny Tot Session – every Saturday and Sunday from 10:30-1:00.  For children 8 years old and younger and their parents only.  They play all Disney music.  Regular admission & skate rental, children under 40 inches tall receive half off admission.  They take out their bounce house and scooters during the last half hour of all weekend public skate sessions.

4. Roller King
889 Riverside Avenue, Roseville
(916) 783-0918
Hours: Public Sessions vary, click here for calendar.
Price: $5.00-8.00 depending on day, click here for calendar, $3.00 Skate Rental, $4.00 Inline Skate Rental; coupons available on their website
Extras: Children’s Lesson & Session – every Saturday morning 9:30-10:00am Lesson, 10:00-11:30 Session.  For kids 12 and under and parents only.  $9.00 includes lesson, session and skate rental.
Tuesday afternoon Lesson & Session – every Tuesday from 4:00-4:30 Lesson, 4:30-6:30 open skating.  All ages.  $9.00 includes session, lesson and skate rental.

Two-Buck Tuesday Night Open Skating 6:00-8:00  pm
$2.00 Admission and $2.00 Any Skate Rental

Family Skate Night – every Friday 7:00-10:00pm, Family Rate, up to 5 skaters for $15.00; skate rental $3.00.  At least one parent must be present.

5. Sunrise Rollerland
6001 Sunrise Vista Dr., Citrus Heights
(916) 961-3333 or (916) 961-3339
Hours: Public Sessions vary, click here for calendar.   Each session is 2-2 1/2 hours long.
Price: Typically $6.00 (many discounted sessions, click here for calendar), Skate Rental $3.00, Inline Rental $4.00
Extras: Kids Session every Wednesday from 10:00am -12:00pm ($4.00 and includes skates, $3.00 for mom or dad to skate) AND Saturday 10:00am-12:30pm (regular admission).  Kid music and Disney music.
All You Can Eat Pizza Night – every Saturday from 7:00-10:00pm.  $11.95/per person for pizza & soda buffet, skate rental $3.00.
Discount Thursday every Thursday night from 7:00 – 9:15 it’s $5.00admission, Skate Rental included!
Family Night Skate every Sunday night from 6:00 – 8:30 pm is $5.00 admission! Skate Rental is included.  One Parent Has to skate!

#3 – Places to do Arts, Crafts & Building

Kids love to get those creative juices flowing and express them freely!  Whether it’s drawing, painting, sculpting, gluing, or building with wood…art allows kids to be creative and have fun!

According to First 5, here are some of the reasons ART IS GOOD FOR KIDS:

• Art stimulates both sides of brain.
• Art enhances self-esteem.
• Art develops hand-eye coordination.
• Art teaches open-ended thinking.
• Art teaches children how to engage in creative problem solving.
• Studies show that children who do art read better and do better in math and science.
• Children can share and reflect on their art to learn about themselves, each other, and the world in which they live.
• In the process of art making, a child is presented with possibility, discovery , and freedom.
• Art nurtures the human soul! (It feels good to do it!)

I’ve rounded up the best places for kids to “be creative” in Sacramento.

ARTS & CRAFTS

1. Alpha Fired Arts
4700 Auburn Blvd., Sacramento
(916) 488-4700
Paint Studio – Paint your own pottery, then Alpha Fired Arts glazes and fires it to turn into your finished piece of art.
Hours: M-F 10:00am – 6:00pm, Sat 10:00am – 4:00pm, Sunday closed
Ages: All ages
Price: Studio Fee – $7.00 per Child, $9.00 per Adult (includes paint, glazing and firing); plus Item $3.00 – $20.00
Extras: Birthday Party Place

2. Art Beast Studio
2226 K Street, Sacramento
(916) 441-1233
Open studio space, art exploration rooms, and loads of classes so that children can dig into the arts.
Hours: Open Daily 9:00am – 6:00pm
Ages: Focus on kids 6 and under (I think kids all the way up to 10 would enjoy)
Price: Admission $8.00 per person.  Children under 1 and extra adults in same family are FREE
Extras: Classes, Special events, and Birthday Parties

3. Color Me Mine
9640 Bruceville Road Suite 100, Elk Grove
(916) 714-4943
A paint-your-own ceramics studio with over 400+ pieces.  Grab some paint brushes, pick your paints and make your very own masterpiece.
Hours: Monday-Thursday 11:00am – 8:00pm, Friday 11:00am – 9:00pm, Saturday 11:00am – 6:00pm, Sunday 12:00 – 6:00pm
Ages: All ages
Price: Studio fee –  $8.00 per Kid 12 & under, $10.00 per Adult; plus Item – $6.00 and up (painting, glazing and firing included)
Extras: Classes, Special Events and Birthday Party Place

4. Color Me Mine
305 Iron Point Road, Folsom
(916) 351-9008
A paint-your-own ceramics studio with over 400+ pieces.  Grab some paint brushes, pick your paints and make your very own masterpiece.
Hours: Monday – Friday 11:00am – 9:00pm, Saturday 11:00am – 6:00pm, Sunday 12:00pm – 6:00pm
Ages: All ages
Price: Studio fee – $8.00 per Kid 12 & under, $10.00 Adult; plus Item – $10.00 & up (painting and glazing included);plus Firing – $1.00 per item
Extras: Birthday Party Place

5. KidzArt
4480 Duckhorn Drive #100, Sacramento
(916) 574-9600
KidzArt helps kids of all ages increase their skills and knowledge of various art media, learn to draw using a proven method, and most of all, to have fun!  Studio Classes are offered for each age group  – Mommy and Me (ages 2-3), Preschool (ages 4-5), and Elementary.
Hours: See website for calendar of classes
Ages: Kids 2 – 12
Price: $54.00/month; Save $10.00 on your first month
Extras: Birthday Party Place

6. Lakeshore Learning
1850 Douglas Blvd., Roseville
(916) 774-4304
Drop in any Saturday to create a fun craft.
Hours:  Saturday 11:00am – 3:00pm
Ages: Kids 3 and up
Price: FREE
Extras: Unique arts & crafts materials for sale

7. reCreate
8417 Washington Blvd #135, Roseville
(916) 749-3717
Turn recyclable items into works of art.
Hours: Wednesday – Friday 1-5pm, Saturday 10am – 6pm
Ages: All ages
Price: $6.00/hour for Drop-in Crafting
Extras: Classes, Special Events and Birthday Party Place

Sacramento Public Library
Local libraries often have FREE arts & crafts activities and Storytimes typically have a craft activity at the end.  Click here to see the events calendar.

BUILD

Home Depot Kids Workshop
All Home Depot locations
Hands-on “How-To Workshops” designed for children.
Hours: First Saturday of each month, drop in between 9:00am – 12:00noon
Ages: Kids 5 – 12
Price: FREE

Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinic
All Lowe’s locations
Fun wooden building projects for kids.  Build and Grow kid’s clinics are a great way to help build confidence.  Each participant also receives a free apron, goggles, a project themed patch, and a certification of merit upon completion of their project.
Hours: Twice a month at 10:00am.  Click here for current dates.  Register online.
Ages: Kids 5 – 12
Price: FREE