The kids are off school for a couple of weeks – so while spending time outdoors tobogganing, skating or building a snowman is a great way to burn off some energy when the weather is mild, there are indoor options for when Mother Nature doesn’t co-operate.
A long time local favourite spot to play, Dynamyx Gymnastics Club offers members and drop-in guests fun on the mats, beams, foam pits and trampolines at scheduled events or designated free play times. There’s still space at the club’s Christmas event Dec. 20, from noon to 3 p.m., and shopping camps, where kids enjoy supervised play while grown-ups can get their Christmas shopping done. Those camps go Dec. 22 and 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Winter camps on Dec. 29 and 30, when the kids are starting to get antsy, also run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and feature supervised gym time, crafts and games for ages three to five and six to 10.
“The kids can burn off some steam and give parents a break,” said Dynamyx special events co-ordinator Tanya Van Denboer. “Our special events usually sell out, but there’s still space this Christmas. Look for more coming at Family Day and Easter time.”
Just south of St. Albert, Edmonton’s newest and largest trampoline-focused play spot – Hide n Seek indoor playground – is a rambling, two-storey space of trampolines, a ball pit, slides, arcade and an obstacle course for kids of all ages.
The newly-opened 15,000 square-foot warehouse-type space on 170 Street was created by parents, so safety and cleanliness are as important as the fun factor, according to Hide n Seek marketing manager Bryan Saunders. To that end, a relaxing cafĂ© overlooks a specially-built toddler area (for children four and under), which makes keeping an eye on the kids worry-free. Also, adults are only admitted, for free, when accompanying a child – security tags for parents and children further keep safety paramount.
“Parents will notice that the facility is super clean, quieter and bigger than other trampoline places. But for the kids, it’s all about the fun – our main playground for kids up to age 12 features Alberta’s only spider web,” said Saunders, calling it five floors of bungee straps that kids can manoeuvre through before hitting the arcade — a mix of new and classic games sure to entertain kids and adults alike. To top it off, there’s an onsite candy store — but with all the energy-burning options, the resulting sugar rush shouldn’t be a problem.
Another space that’s new and near St. Albert, is the LZ Trampoline Park Recreation Centre on 156 Street, offering what sounds like trampoline fun taken up a notch. There’s trampoline dodge ball, trampoline basketball with dunk zones and open jump trampolines for the whole family — tots to grandparents, according to LZ manager Juanita King.
“We’re already getting a lot of bookings for teams, schools and corporate events, but we reserve Monday for family nights, where parents and kids can play together,” King said.
Just as with Dynamyx and Hide n Seek Playground, LZ Trampoline offers birthday party packages that are already in demand, so if your child also has a birthday during the winter holiday season, there’s likely no better way to celebrate and play all at the same time.
