Indoor fun for a price

Yesterday I wrote about several fun indoor places you can go with your family to beat the heat or snow when you just need to get out of the house for cheap or free. Today I’m sharing a few other places to go that do cost money, but are well worth the price.

The Bounce Place. Whether it’s called Bounce U, Monkey Joe’s or whatever your local place is dubbed, it’s so worth the price because your kids get to run and jump around, getting in exercise and getting rid of that excess energy from being cooped up inside. My best friend A and I took our girls earlier this week and they had such a great time.

Rec Centers and YMCA. We pay $32 per month for our rec center membership and it’s the best monthly fee we pay. Wood Sprite swims at least twice a week, and without the membership it’s $6 per day, so it pretty much pays for itself just with that. But we also get membership child care for free, so when Indy and I go walk together she goes to play in the kids’ club, giving her time with other kids and toys while we get an hour “date.” You can’t beat it!

All of the following places can be expensive—unless you go on select dates when there are offers for discounts or even freebies. Call to find out about when these occur, or visit them online to see if they have coupons or mailing lists:

Skating rinks

Movie Theaters

Incredible Pizza Company (and similar indoor fun centers, such as go-kart, wall climbing, trampoline and other places)

Play Place at your local McDonald’s or other restaurant. Just buy a drink if you don’t have much money; you can still play!

Museums (In St. Louis, for example, there's the Magic House, Science Center, various art museums, etc.)

Local kids’ gymnastics, taekwondo and other sports: Lots of these offer one-day events for a discount.

Photo courtesy of Sara S. Fuego still needs to get out more...