It is easy to entertain kids over the weekend or during a vacation when the weather is warm. But when the rain and snow trap them indoors, keeping them happy is much more difficult, unless you are near one of the fun indoor adventure and amusement parks, where even the largest rides are safely enclosed in a warm space. Las Vegas has the Adventuredome, with 25 attractions under a massive dome. Funplex in Houston has more than 200 rides and attractions. New Jersey has iPlay America, with over 200 rides and games. Cleveland has the 1-week-long annual I-X Indoor Amusement Park with a Ferris wheel and all sorts of other attractions. Wisconsin Dells has its Africa-themed Kalahari Indoor Theme Park, and Bloomington has Nickelodeon Universe, the largest indoor amusement park in the world.
Kalahari Indoor Theme Park, WI
Located at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Kalahari Indoor Theme Park offers more than 100,000 square feet of attractions and activities for the entire family.
Some of the most popular rides are a six-story Ferris wheel, Revolution 360, and an African-themed carousel.
There are also a ropes course, climbing walls, and laser tag games for those who prefer a little more action.
The bowling court has 24 lanes, golfers can enjoy the high-definition golf simulator, and the sports bar has a number of flat-screen TVs for those very important games.
Still not having enough fun? There are also go carts, arcade and redemption games, mini golf, and much more.
Kalahari Indoor Theme Park, WI, 1305 Kalahari Drive, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965, Phone: 608-254-5466
Nickelodeon Universe, MN
The largest indoor amusement park in the world, Nickelodeon Universe is an indoor amusement park on 7 acres located in the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota.
It is the world’s only exclusive Nickelodeon theme park and features 27 fun rides, personal encounters with Nick characters such as SpongeBob, Dora the Explorer, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as well as four rollercoasters such as the Avatar Airbender and the Brain Surge.
For the small kids, there is the old-fashioned carousel, Big Rigs ride in fire trucks and other huge vehicles, Crazy Cars go carts and much more. Adrenaline junkies love the hair-raising Splat-O-Sphere and Shredders’ Mutant Masher.
Nickelodeon Universe, MN, 5100 Center Court, Bloomington, MN 55425, Phone: 952-883-8500
Adventuredome, NV
Located right on the Las Vegas Strip, the Adventuredome is a 5-acre spectacular indoor amusement park located at the Circus Circus hotel.
The hotel and the park are protected by an enormous dome, the world’s largest permanent big top. The park has 25 attractions and rides that include rollercoasters such as Canyon Blaster, a rock climbing wall, clown shows, an 18-hole miniature golf course, the Xtreme Zone, a video game arcade, Pikes Pass, midway games, a virtual reality zone, and so much more.
Being enclosed, the park is open all year round as it is not affected by the weather. In October, the Adventuredome becomes the Fright Dome – a Halloween-themed theme park.
Adventuredome, NV, 2880 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109, Phone: 702-794-3939
Funplex, TX
Funplex is an enormous 200,000-square-foot indoor entertainment space in Houston that offers fun for all generations regardless of the weather. It is the largest complex of its kind in the States. There are more than 200 attractions and games that include all sorts of rides, bowling alleys, classical and hi-tech modern arcade games, a roller skating rink, go-karts, trampolines, the two-story Playport for children, and so much more. There are also diverse restaurants and a large shopping center. Funplex is a fantastic and very popular place for birthday parties. They organize everything, including food and refreshments; all you have to do is bring a cake.
Funplex, TX, 13700 Beechnut St, Houston, TX 77083, Phone: 281-530-7777
iPlay America, NJ
iPlay America is New Jersey's largest and most popular indoor theme park. Designed to look like an indoor boardwalk, iPlay has more than 200 games, attractions, rides, go carts, laser tags and far more, spread over more than 4 acres of pure fun space.
iPlay America also has an event center and the Warehouse 100, where they often host concerts, expos, trade shows, galas, company outings, social gatherings, sporting events, and absolutely fantastic birthday parties.
Some of their latest attractions include the Freedom Rider Spinning Coaster and a high rope course called Sky Trails. The food at iPlay America is boardwalk style, with American favorites served at Game Time Bar & Grill. They also cater for events organized at the venue.
iPlay America, NJ, 110 Schanck Rd, Freehold, NJ 07728, Phone: 732-577-8200
I-X Amusement Park, OH
The I-X Amusement Park is an annual spring event organized in Cleveland's I-X Center, where for one week, families enjoy dozens of fun rides, live shows, great food, celebrity appearances, and all sorts of special events.
One of everyone’s favorites is the 35-foot-tall Ferris wheel, which has its own fantastic glass atrium. From the Ferris wheel, you can see downtown Cleveland in its entirety.
Some other popular rides are the Skater – the largest skateboard in the world – an old-fashioned carousel, and a huge rotating swing called the "Freakout."
Kidzville is a special area for the little ones with 30 rides and all sorts of activities such as mini IndyCars and the "berry-go-round.”
I-X Amusement Park, OH , One I-X Center Drive, Cleveland, Ohio 44135, Phone: 216-265-7000
Parthenon at Mt. Olympus, WI
The bitter Wisconsin winters should not put a stop to family fun. Mt. Olympus Water and Theme Park is an indoor and outdoor entertainment complex in Wisconsin Dells and is divided into four areas.
Besides outdoor parks such as Zeus' Playground and Neptune's Water Kingdom, which are closed in the winter, there are the Parthenon theme park and Medusa's Indoor Waterpark, which offer fun all year round.
Kids and their parents can enjoy the twirling teacups, bumper cars, and crazy trolley if they want to stay dry, or they can splash in the pools, soak in the steaming whirlpools, and plunge down waterslides in the warm indoor waterpark.
Parthenon at Mt. Olympus, WI, 1701 Wisconsin Dells Pkwy, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965-8798, Phone: 800-800-4997
Stratosphere Casino Tower, NV
The Tower is an iconic Las Vegas fixture that stands out in the city’s skyline. It is by far the best spot to see the entire city and the valley surrounding it.
The Stratosphere Casino Tower is also the site of several unique, adrenaline-pumping adventures. SkyJump is an open-air jump from 829 feet straight down to the neon-lit Strip. At the launching pad on the 108th floor of Stratosphere Casino, jumpers are strapped into a harness and attached to a cable connected to a “descender.” After they jump, moments before they reach the ground, the machine slows down the fall for a safe landing.
The Big Shot is another thrill ride in which strapped participants are shot at 45 miles per hour 160 feet into the air from a 921-foot-high platform. Insanity - the Ride is a huge mechanical arm that extends 64 feet at a height of over 900 feet over the edge of the Stratosphere Tower. It then turns its strapped riders upside down, offering them truly unique views of Las Vegas.
Stratosphere Casino Tower, NV, 2000 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89104, Phone: 702-380-7777
Malibu Jack’s, Louisville
Regardless of the weather, the fun is always on at Malibu Jack’s, Louisville in Louisville. This spacious indoor amusement park is perfect for rainy day entertainment and birthday parties or just to treat the family to a fun day out. Attractions include mini-golf, laser tag, a full indoor go kart track and a Bounce Beach for under 10’s. Older children and adults can enjoy a variety of typical amusement park rides including a roller coaster, wave rider and the spin zone. In addition, there is a 16-land bowling alley and a fun-filled games arcade. Various party packages are available to take the stress out of your next kid’s birthday celebration.
Malibu Jack’s, 1915 S. Hurstbourne Pkwy, Louisville, KY 40220, 502 883 0380
