October 28, 2008

Kids are the best. When they are happy. The period is between those sentences for a reason. If they aren't happy, well, we still love them, but likely we aren't saying "they're the best." So what can you do to make the little urchins happy but you're not in an outdoor mood? Arcades are fine, but what about something a little different? Check out these options for a twist on indoor fun.


1) Indoor Archery:
Techno hunter (virtual hunting on a Kevlar screen) and children’s leagues are all the rage for kids and adults alike, and Aspen Archery and Outdoors is leading the charge. Details: 4851 U.S. 50 East, Carson City; Noon to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Cost: $7 and $5 children; additional $2 for equipment rental; (775) 884-1464.

2) Let the monkey's loose:
If they're climbing the walls with boredom ... good! Just take them to Rocksport and let them do it right. The indoor rock-climbing center has children’s climb times on weekends. Details: 1901 Silverada Blvd; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Cost: $12 for a day pass and $5 for equipment rental; (775) 352-7673.

3) Chill out:
Get out on the ice! It's a novel idea in summer, and even though the downtown rink is closed a nice little trip to the lake can't be beat. Details: South Tahoe Ice Arena, 1176 Rufus Allen Blvd., South Lake Tahoe; 10:45 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 7-10:30 p.m. Saturday; call for Saturday’s afternoon session and Sunday’s times. Cost: $6 to $9; $3 skate rental; (530) 542-6262.

4) If you must give them a little culture, check out one of these museums, designed so kids get something educational along with their fun.
Chances are they'll be having so much fun they won't even noticed they learned something.

Children’s Museum of Northern Nevada in Carson City has an ER exhibit, grocery store and banking exhibits, not to mention model trains, dolls, a walk-on piano and more. Details: 813 N. Carson St., Carson City; 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily. Cost: $5, $4 seniors, $3 ages 2-13 and free for ages 1 and younger; (775) 884-2226.

Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center at UNR has really cool displays and programs on astronomy and space science. Call for show times. Details: University of Nevada, Reno, 1650 N. Virginia St., Reno. Museum admission is free; movies $6 and $4 seniors and children; (775) 784-4812.

Kidzone Museum let's kids blast off in a rocket ship, see how astronauts live and fly around in the anti-gravity bounce house. Details: 11711 Donner Pass Road, Truckee; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. Cost: $5 per child for Placer and Nevada county residents, $7 for non-residents, $3, $2 seniors and free for under 1; $1 for locals first Tuesday of each month; (530) 587-5437.

5) Jump on the furniture, inside:
Indoor bounce houses slash amusement parks are a great option for parents who want their kids to blow off some steam, but in a safe, enclosed environment.
Bouncing Around Indoors:
Details: Walk-in sessions are Wednesday -Thursday 10 a.m. - noon, and 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Friday 10:30-noon; 8975 Double Diamond Pkwy, Reno; $7 each; (775) 852-8975.

Jump Man Jump:. Details: Hours: Walk-in sessions are 10-11 a.m., 11 a.m. to noon and 3:30-5 p.m. Tuesday, and 10-11 a.m. and 11 a.m. to noon Thursday; 335 Edison Way, Suites 1-2, Reno; $5 each; 856-3226.
Jump N Play: Details: Mon. & Thurs., 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; 4690 Longley Lane, Bldg. A, Suite 8; $10 each; (775) 827-5867.