Owl Creek Landing

New attraction alert! Tucked right behind the Virginia Aquarium, near the Oceanfront, Own Creek Landing has bragging rights to the longest steel slide in America. To get there, you'll head to the parking lot in the South Building of the Aquarium. (The smaller building) In the parking lot you'll see the signs to follow. Use the bathroom before you head back, as there are none in the park. You'll want to wear close toed shoes. You can bring coolers, but there are limited chairs and picnic tables. You'll also want to bring bug spray. 

The slide is only for ages 7 and up. You'll sit on a mat to ride down after climbing up the first spiral tower in America. Once you've mastered the slide, come back up to head across the 1/3 mile tree walk. You'll walk across hanging bridges throughout the park. We ended our time at the children's play area, which has two swings and a small zipline. 

The park is open Sunday-Thursday from 10-4 and Friday and Saturday from 10-6. Adults 14 and up are $28, youth ages 10-13 are $18, and youth 3-9 are $13. Children 2 and under are free. It was a nice way to spend a Sunday morning. 

Celebration Key:Carnival

Last week while sailing on the Carnival Vista, we got to visit Carnival's new private island, Celebration Key. Celebration Key is located on the Grand Bahama island.  It is divided into five portals; Paradise Plaza where you'll enter to live music or dancing, Lokono Cove which has shops to wander through, Calypso Lagoon, a freshwater lagoon featuring rentable cabanas and two swim up bars (including the longest in the world), Starfish Lagoon with a splash pad for kids, and Pearl Cove Beach Club which is an adults only private beach and infinity pool. 

You'll use your Sail and Sign card for everything. One meal per person is included or you can purchase a meal at a full service restaurant for 25% off. Kids eat free at the full service restaurant when they order the kids' meal.  Meal choices include seafood, burgers and fries, pizza, tacos, and more. There are sides, snacks, and ice cream available for purchase. There are free water stations around the island. Our group just got the included meals which ended up being too much to eat, plus one ice cream for the kids to split while we walked back to the ship. 

There are several shore excursions, or you can just hang on the island like we did. We did purchase the wristbands to allow access to the two big water slides. There are volleyball and basketball courts, ping pong tables,  as well as a music play area for kids. You'll want to check your events for the day for the parade. It was after lunch during our day there. If you need help walking, there is a tram that runs regularly through the entire area. 

Dinosaur Quest: Virginia Living Museum

Here now at the Virginia Living Museum, Dinosaur Quest is an interactive way to learn more about dinosaurs. With both indoor and outdoor components, visitors can view animatronic dinosaurs (one that spits water!) and then test your knowledge in a dinosaur maze, full of activities. 

You'll want to check the programing schedule for supplemental activities like their planetarium shows (you must purchase tickets), their Ambassador Animal Show, and their Super Science Show. Also be on the lookout for their T.Rex Trek where a walking dinosaur will make its way through the museum, and their Dino Discovery Family Camp In. 

As always at the Living Museum there is so much to see with indoor and outdoor components. This visit we found a butterfly house and a fairy garden play area which we had never seen before. If you have a dinosaur lover, be sure to head there before the exhibit leaves on September 7th! 

Just Birdies

New in Norfolk, Just Birdies is located in Lambert's Point and is perfect for a hot or rainy day. Book a bay for up to six people to play simulator sports and carnival games. Games include golf, zombie dodgeball, balloon pop, jewel match, bottle breaking, football, baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, lacrosse, cricket, bocce, and rugby. Many of the sports have several different games included. What we loved about it is that it isn't just playing video games where you're sitting still. In these bays, you'll be aiming at a screen but using real balls and physically working to play. It gets kids up and moving to burn off energy. The bays are $40 an hour. 

They do book parties, and they have a weekly golf league. Check their events page for their live music schedule. They offer a summer play pass, good from now until August 31 with daily play for 2 hours on Monday-Friday from 11-5,  and Saturday and Sunday from 10-2. The pass works for a group of up to six and you'll also get 10 percent off of food and nonalcoholic drinks. I'm already planning our next trip! 

Bogey's 757

Located in the Chelsea district of Norfolk, Bogey's offers 18 courses to putt, plus a practice green outside. What really sets Bogey's apart is the level of interaction on their holes. You'll be playing games like foosball against the other people in your group, zipping on  zipline, bouncing your ball for pong, or spinning giant propellers while you putt. My favorite part was that the holes were all handmade by the owner, and they are locally themed. You can truly tell that a lot of love went into this place. 

Bogey's is open Wednesday through Friday from 3-9 and Saturdays and Sundays from 12-9.  Head to Bogey's, then stop next door at Smartmouth and grab dinner from a food drink plus drinks while the kids play one of their many games. It's a perfect afternoon/evening combo. 

General admission for the putt putt and outdoor putting green is $14 for adults and $12 for kids under ten. You can add an additional round for $8. On site they have a golf simulator for $30-$50 per hour. They also do birthday parties where you can rent a private room. 

TREX Playland

We finally made it out to TREX Playland, Norfolk's newest indoor play area.  The Playland is made up of a huge multi-level indoor jungle gym and activity center, five inflatables, an arcade, a concession stand, and an area just for toddlers. The center is locally owned and opperated and is located on Military Highway in Norfolk across from Military Circle Mall. 

Grippy socks are required, but you can bring your own or purchase a pair for $3.00. We loved that you could bring your own and not have to purchase ones specific for this venue. They are open Tuesday through Thursday from 2-7, Fridays from 2-8, Saturdays from 10-8, and Sundays from 11-7. Admission price is based on height. Guests under 36 inches are $13.20 for the toddler area, and guests 36 inches to 5 feet are $22.00 to play everywhere else. There is no charge for adults. Reentry is allowed. There are also monthly membership packages. 

The concession stand offers prepackaged snacks as well as pizza. The place felt clean, organized, and appropriately staffed. We look forward to returning. 

The Fun Box

We crossed the water over Spring Break to check out "The Fun Box," located outside of Patrick Henry Mall. The Fun Box will spend the spring there and then travel back to Virginia Beach this fall. The Fun Box was created by the oldest sibling of ten from the foster care system and wants to give families a place to play. What's cool about this place is that adults are invited and encouraged to play, too. We did... and not only did we laugh the whole time, but our watches told us that our hearts were racing. 

Their location is open Fridays at 4:30- 6:45, and Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30- 6:45. Tickets are sold in 75 minute blocks and then they close down to clean in between sessions. Our favorite thing about this park was the staff. Not only was there staff around every corner, but they were engaged with the kids and enforcing the rules to keep everybody safe. Snowcones and water are available for purchase on site.

 

Painting With A Twist

I've been putting in more of an effort to spend one-on-one time with my kids recently, so my oldest and I checked out "Painting With A Twist" in Hampton on Sunday. On Sunday afternoons, they offer family days, where an artist sketches out the painting for you to make it a little easier, and then instructs you on how to fill it in. We chose to each paint an otter in such a way that they were holding hands, but there are lots of offerings on upcoming dates. Paintings are between $27-$29 depending on the size canvas you'd like. This includes a snack and a non-alcoholic drink, also. Our class was 1.5 hours. It was a great experience for us, because it's something new that we hadn't done together. We want to go back and check out the "Paint Your Pet" night next! 

Ringling Brothers Circus

The Ringing Brothers are back with a brand new show that promises to thrill everyone from toddlers to grandparents. Their show delivers a mix of new adventures with old nostalgia. The Ringling Brothers was started by five American brothers during the late 19th century. They closed in 2017 after operating for 146 years year, but is back, and I'm thrilled to say that as times have changed, they are not animal free, and incorporating all kinds of new acts. 

Ringling Brothers will be at the Hampton Coliseum March 14-16 and at Norfolk Scope March 21-23. The acts are full of talent, and we left so impressed. Don't miss it while it's here! 

Smithsonian Visit

We were in the DC area a few weeks ago for a show, so we headed to two Smithsonian museums during the day. We always park outside the city and ride the metro in, which is not only easier, but our kids enjoyed. The concert we went to was in Silver Springs, so we parked at that station. Parking was $3 and we were there for about 6 hours. You'll need to purchase a metro card if you don't have one for $2 and then add money to it, or use your apple or google wallet.

We got off at the Smithsonian stop which is on the blue and orange lines. From there it is about a 3 minute walk to both the Natural History Museum and the American History Museum. We were there just after lunch and had no lines at either museum. You will go through metal detectors and have your bags searched. You can't bring in food, but you'll want to keep a water bottle on you. We found no regular water fountains, just bottle refill stations. 

Inside the Natural History Museum you'll find dinosaurs, all kinds of animal exhibits, exhibits on light, cell phones, stones and gems, exhibits on Ancient Mali and Egypt, and more. You could spend days at this museum. In the American History Museum, our favorite exhibits were the transportation and entertainment nation. We wanted to see the Wegman's Wonderplace which is for kids, but it is only open 10-4 Wednesday through Saturday. 

Most of the museums are open from 10:00-5:30 with a few exceptions. The American Art Museum, Portrait Gallery,  and Archives of Art Museum are open from 11:30-7:00 pm. The American Indian and Anacostia Community museums are open 10:00-5:00. The zoo is open from 8:00-6:00 in spring and summer and 8:00-4:00 otherwise. The museums are free, but you will need reserved passes to get into the American American History and Culture Museum, Air and Space DC Museum, and the National Zoo. 

Norfolk Admirals

Last weekend we headed down to Scope to see the Norfolk Admirals play. We hadn't been since my oldest was very small, and the youngest had never been, so it was a perfect time to see them play. This season the team is doing really well, and I was excited to see that they had a great crowd. 

Some things I learned about discounts on tickets: 

• Teachers, first responders, military, and college students receive $5 off tickets. 
• Season tickets go on sale in February, and offer a 30% discount per ticket. Their unused ticket policy is similar to the Tides, where you can trade in any unused tickets for current games. 
  
• Groups of ten or more can save using their group ticket sales 
• Flex Vouchers offer savings when you purchase six or more vouchers which can be traded in for tickets. 

Also, a note that Sunday and Wednesday nights have a happy hour special which offers discounts on drinks and food. 

The boys enjoyed the game and are already asking to return! 

Places to Play while you work

With winter in full swing, you may be dealing with school closures or delays while you try to work from home, or you may be dealing with young kids who are looking to get some energy out outside of your home. Here is a round up of a few places where kids can play while you work. 

Town Square Play Cafe: Located in Deep Creek, this play cafe is great for ages 0-8. With a combination of gross and fine motor skills, kids can use imaginative play while you sit at the tables outside of the play area and drink a coffee or work. Although the name says cafe, they don’t sell hot food (just prepackaged snacks) but you can bring your own. We have ordered pizza from the place a few stores down and eaten right in the cafe. We have spent about 4 hours here.

Persnickety Crane Cafe: Should you find yourself at a meeting all the way in Yorktown, checkout this play cafe which is a full service restaurant and play area. 

The Play Spot: Also in Chesapeake, The Play Spot is great for older and younger kids, ages 10 and under. You’ll purchase your daily ticket for adults and children, and head inside. There isn’t an official spot to work, and you can’t bring in food, but you can sit outside the play area while kids play. These are timed tickets, so you’ll need to select your tickets ahead of time. There is a variety of things to play with, with several rotating areas, which means you’ll be able to visit more than once without getting bored. 

Funville: Plan to spend the full day here with kids playing on this large indoor playground. Here kids will get a full day of gross motor skills. There is a large entrance fee, and you can’t bring food in, so plan accordingly. They have a full restaurant on site with pizza, cheese sticks, and more. 

Jungle Jamz Play Cafe: Located in Suffolk, this play cafe is for ages 0-7 and their guardians.

Sage Kitchen: While not a play cafe, Sage Kitchen is a restaurant where you could sit and order food and drinks and work while they play. Their food is fresh and healthy, and they sell coffee and fresh-pressed juices. Kids can play on their outdoor play area, their soccer pool table, or purchase tickets to putt putt or use their arcade, all on site. It’s worth the drive to Pungo to check it out. And it's got great gardening shopping.

5 Coffee Shops to Visit With Kids

Firehouse 1881: Stop in this Hampton coffee shop to get some work done while kids play. While not a play area, the coffee house is located in an old fire station, and there is a whole wall of firefighter toys. They sell ice cream by the scoop. 

Apelu Island Cafe: Located very close to our neighborhood in The Little Creek Square, stop by this coffee shop with a small play area for small kids, and lots of cards and games for big kids. 

Coaster Coffee: Directly across the street from Northside Park you’ll find Coaster Coffee, which has a few games and toys for kids. Let them sit on the stage and play with these during your next zoom meeting or reading your next book. 

Cova: Located in East Beach, spend a nice weather day where kids can play outside. They have a large sandbox, but my kids also love to bring a football and pass while the parents sit and relax. (A note, Cova no longer does Mini Mondays)

Sawdust Road: Another outdoor option, Sawdust Road is located in Pungo and has a playground, picnic tables, and a few play houses. They have baked goods on site as well as a variety of drinks made to order.

Design, Build, Sail at Nauticus

Nauticus is currently in the middle of a $21.5 million campaign to increase STEM- focused programing and relevant and compelling interactive exhibits, and explore real-world jobs. They previously opened Aquaticus, an indoor play area for kids that we love, and Norfolk In Time which explores the history of Norfolk and allows visitors to think about the future of our area. 

The newest exhibit, Design, Build, Sail is located on the third floor and overlooks the Elizabeth River. This exhibit is full of STEM principles (lots of Virginia SOLs hit here!) that engages kids in interactive fine and gross motor activities. Learn about push and pull, hydrodynamics, aerodynamics, buoyancy, and play with several different simple machines. 

The next exhibits to come include "Our Port" and "Heart of the Navy" which will both open on November 9th. Also upcoming for Nauticus is their Winterfest event which takes place on and inside the Battleship Wisconsin. 

UPDATED Indoor Places to Play

When it comes to getting the energy out on rainy days, sometimes it pays to head to an indoor place to play. Here's a roundup of the ones in Hampton Roads.

Virginia Beach:

Checkout Funville, the biggest indoor playground on this list, with a second location in Chesapeake. 

Great for littles, Polkdot Play is relatively new on the scene. 

The Tot Lot is located inside of Lynnhaven Mall. The playground is free to enter, but does have a height limit. 

Haygood Skating Rink has a great indoor playground in the back. 

Norfolk:

Located in the Janaf shopping center, The Pink Roller is an indoor play yard for kids. They are undergoing some changes currently after moving from Military Circle Mall. Be on the lookout for updates. 

The largest of the free playgrounds, MacArthur Mall has a large play area for young kids. While you're there, head downstairs and checkout the kids club room. There are games to play and things to do! If you park at the mall, there is a fee. 

Chesapeake:

Chesapeake's Funville is in the perfect spot for those living in both Chesapeake and Portsmouth. 

Newport News: 

Although not a playground, the Mariner's Museum has a play ship located in the front of the museum. Admission is only $1.00 per person. 

Other locations: 

Several Chick-Fil-A playgrounds are open, 

Looking for more? Checkout the indoor tag on our site, and find lots of other indoor activities!