Thursday, June 27, 2013

My DFW bucket list for toddlers

Don't get your hopes up.

 I'm not gonna start blogging again 😜.

I just needed to make a list...cause I like lists. I really like lists on paper, but since links and paper don't work we'll together then a blog it is.

I'm trying to compile a list of play dates that are somewhat conveniently located between myself (in south Arlington) and a friend (in Grapevine). I would like for them to be mostly indoors and air conditioned, free or very cheap a majority of the time, great for expending lots of energy, and safe to let my 1 year old run around and climb everything.
I'm not really a fan of library events, my kids won't sit still for that stuff and it doesn't wear them out. Indoor playgrounds at fast food joints are usually overcrowded and dirty and I can't keep my dang kids in them! They'd rather try to spend their time escaping. I already know of lots of great parks its just way to hot, and we have a pool so we have lots of play dates at home involving water already.

SOOOO, after you've read through my list below and have gleaned from my vast knowledge 😂, and have read my likes and dislikes above, then please please do share any recommendations you have that might fit into our framework!


The Ark at Grace Point Church in Coppell
Free
I haven't been yet, but it seems like a nice clean, safe place for the kids.

Royal Jump at the Parks Mall in Arlington
$6 for kids
$4 for adults
before 2 pm (all day pass)
This is a massive room full of bounce houses and lots of small ones for toddlers.
You have to watch your kids though, it's madness when it's crowded (so go as early in the day as possible). I found a little boy smacking my 1yr old over and over with a part of a bounce house and also found a little girl trying to 'help' pick my 1 yr old up tightly by her neck 😳! All that craziness happened after 3 pm. I've been twice around 10/11am-ish and its been a ghost town.

JumpStreet trampoline park in Colleyville
$4 all day
Just did this for the first time today and my kids had a blast and were begging to go to bed on the ride home 👍. Went with a friend and all our kids are under 4 so we had to stay in the under 7 area which is just a bounce house and then 3 big rectangular trampolines that partially slice up the wall. There are monitors watching the kids to make sure no ones beating each other up or breaking rules, but you still have to keep a bit of an eye on your kids.


The Tubes at Irving Bible Church
Free
I haven't been in a few months but this is a massive church and the Tubes are like the chick fila playground on steroids. It's padded, has an area for smaller kids, is surrounded by glass and only has one door in and out. And AIRCONDITIONED!  There's seating all around and a coffee shop just down the hall a ways.


Gateway Church in Southlake indoor play place
Free
I haven't been yet, and there website is incredibly annoying because there is no information about their playground! But you can check out this website for pictures:
http://worldsofwow.blogspot.com/2010/11/gateway-church.html
You will just have to call and ask if the kids building is open that day. I called today and it was closed for vbs, so be sure to check before you go.

Texas Discovery Gardens in Fair Park (Dallas)
Prices vary
So this is further than I prefer to drive, but I guess if I'm desperate my daughter would really enjoy watching the butterfly release. They do it every day at noon.

Dallas World Aquarium
Terribly overpriced! But its one of those things you've just got to do.
$21 for adults
$13 for ages 3-12
Under 3 is free though, so I figure I better get my butt up there before Z turns 3 in a few months.


Okay, don't forget to share your hidden dfw gems!