Fun Fore All

On our Pittsburgh trip we were lucky enough to stop by Fun Fore All: Family Fun Park. They have just about everything there: an arcade with 70 games, 36 holes of mini golf, go karts, batting cages, duckpin bowling, bumper cars, and several kids' rides including a kiddie coaster, a swing, a balloon ride, crazy cars and a jeep ride. 

They have a full restaurant and they serve beer on the weekends. We ordered pizza, mozzarella sticks, pretzel bites, and ice cream and our whole party was impressed overall but particularly loved the crispiness of the mozzarella sticks. 

Good to know:

-Spend $100 and get $50 on the fun card 

-Time play passes will get you unlimited use of all attractions including video games (not ticket of prize games) They offer these in two, three, and four hour passes

-Duckpin bowling and the arcade are open year round while the outdoor attractions are open seasonally 

-Look online for their daily specials. Right now on Mondays some games are a nickel to play, Tuesdays are 50% off all ticket games, Wednesdays are half priced bowling, Thursdays are half priced appetizers, and Fridays are $10 off time play passes. 

Our entire family loved this place. Both boys and adults did putt putt; my youngest and cousin did some of the rides while my oldest and I did the batting cages. Everyone loved the arcade and inside area. My mom found a table and a nice chair outside under an umbrella and read. Score. We spent four hours here. 

Fun Slides: Pittsburgh, PA

Headed to or through the Pittsburgh area, and looking for something unlike anything we have here in Hampton Roads? Check out Fun Slides,  a carpet skate park with 35,000 square feet to play on. You'll wear closed toe shoes and get their "strap on skates" where you'll slide down ramps that vary in length and incline. Perfect for ages 4-13.  They offer a hockey rink, dodgeball court, bounce house (in socks), a Ninja Warrior course, and a Nerf arena. Good to note: there is a bounce house just for ages 6 and under. 

Good to know: 
-closed on Thursdays

-no reservation for public skate is needed

- it's a blacklight facility, so wearing coloring is fun 

-located in the Pines Plaza, you'll want to pull around to the back of the facility to enter 

-We spent about three hours, but we were on a time crunch and could have stayed longer 

-Open Monday-Wednesday from 10:00-8:00, Friday 10:00-8:30, Saturday and Sunday 11:00-8:30

Prices:

-All day admission open to close $24.50

-Two hour admission- $22.50 

-Butt Slide N' Bounce (ages 4 and under) $12.00 

-Parent admission $12.00 (to skate, to watch is free) 

-Monthly membership: $35/month 

Perfect if you're visiting Pittsburgh or driving through the area and need to get some energy out. I'll be sharing my full Pittsburgh itinerary this week, so check back! 

National's Stadium

We revisited the Nationals Stadium on this DC trip, since the Mariners played them right after their series with the O's. Our kids have been before and we all love this park. We got there early to watch batting practice, and the game went on a three hour rain delay, so we had a ton of extra time to explore. 

01. Kids Eat Free: Depending on where you sit, you'll be automatically enrolled in the Kids Eat Free program, where kids can get a hot dog or veggie dog, chips, and a bottle of water for free. There are several stands throughout the park. You just walk up, scan their ticket, and they hand it over. Easy. 

02. We sat in the upper deck and we used a voucher program. Because of the seats we got, we each got a $25 voucher to spend on anything we wanted in the park. This was on top of the kids eating free, so it stretched really far. Where we sat we had access to a cooling lounge, which was great because it was so hot. In the lounge there was free chips and water, too. 

03. You can bring in a clear tote bag or a small clutch, one sealed bottle of water, and one sealed single serve snack bag. They are super strict about the bags. No backpacks allowed, even if they are clear. Even if they are small. Even if you carry it as a tote. 

04. There is a nursing section in section 223. 

05. You'll want to stop by guest services if it is their first game and grab a free certificate. 

06. The Nats have a great playground for kids to take a break at in section 131 as well as coloring stations and large sized yard games. 

07. Sunday is base run day. Kids ages 5-12 are able to run the bases after each game. 

08. The scoreboard pavillion section is out in the outfield and has picnic tables and grass to sit on. You can bring a blanket, and if you bring your glove kids might even catch a foul ball. 

09. Purchase your parking online a head of time or ride the green line to the metro stop Navy Yard. It drops you off right at the gates. 

Laser Made

 I'm challenging myself to get out of my comfort zone, and I love doing things that push me. When I saw Laser Made, I thought it was something my husband would enjoy, but I wasn't sure how I felt about going there or about taking my kids. I'm guilty of having assumptions about what types of people go to shooting ranges, and even though this is a laser simulation range, I wasn't sure. We headed in last Saturday and I really had a great time chatting about shooting and the liberation that a lot of women are feeling from doing this. 

    

Laser Made is a simulation range, which means that you pay a flat fee vs. paying for ammo. (I had no idea how expensive ammo is.) You'll rent a bay for 1-4 people and can choose from tons of games, some more life like, and others fun carnival style games or zombies. 

• Bay Rental for 1-4 people, $35 or $40 with advanced weapons 
• Interactive Target Bay: screen free, light up targets 30 minute sessions: $25-$35
• Private events:  1 hour (20 people)- $200, each additional hour $180
• Membership options available 
• Hours open: Thursday 2-8, Friday 3-9, Saturday 11-8, Sunday-Wednesday closed for instruction and private rentals only 
• Address: 5660 Indian River Rd, Suite 111. Virginia Beach, VA 

National Zoo

While in D.C. we took the boys to the National Zoo for the first time. The National Zoo is part of the Smithsonian system, and it is the only place in the United States where you can see giant pandas for free. The zoo also has a baby elephant who was born in February. It's got tons of animals, so you'll want to plan a full morning or 3/4 of the day for this activity! 

Tips: 

01. Entry to the zoo is free, but you do need to sign up for a pass. Super easy to do, but they like you to do it in advance.

02. Parking is $30 online, or more day of if there are spots left. It's very limited. You can also take the red line into the city. You'll want to get off at Cleveland Park and back on at Woodley Park to avoid walking uphill. 

03. It's hilly. Pace yourself. Take breaks. We spent about 4 hours at the zoo and didn't see everything. It's HOT in the summer in DC. Take fans and cooling towel. Take advantage of the indoor houses, misting systems outside, and the splash area by the sea lions. 

04. You can bring in both food and drinks, and they have lots of options there at the zoo. 

05. Go early in the morning. The zoo has different hours than the other Smithsonians, and during the summer opens as early as 8 am. The earlier you go, the cooler it will be, and the more animals you'll be able to see.