Summer break has only just begun, and we’re already into our first heat wave of the year.
With temperatures rising into the 90s this week and topping out at 102 degrees by Friday, according to the National Weather Service, officials are urging Bucks County residents to find places to cool off, stay out of the direct sun and hydrate.
So, for those of you looking for ways to entertain your kids over the next few days, while keeping everyone cool and comfortable, here are a some fun indoor places to check out:
Playpad Bucks, Langhorne
This indoor play space, including climbing equipment, slides, a sensory room, toddler area and "my town" imagination center, is open daily. "Our toys and town are custom built and curated to offer a unique play experience," reads the website.
Daily admission between $12 and $16. There are also memberships.
Go: 860 Town Center Drive, Langhorne
Bucks County Children’s Museum, New Hope
Designed for children 12 months to 7 years old, the museum features education-based interactive exhibits, where kids can learn through imaginative play, including building a racetrack, digging for fossils, working in a general store and more. For those with special needs, Sensory Backpacks are available for check-out at the ticket booth.
Daily admission is $9 a person and advanced ticketing is strongly recommended.
Go:500 Union Square Dr. in New Hope; 215-693-1290;buckskids.org
All In Adventures Escape Rooms, Bensalem
Work as a team to search for clues and solve puzzles, all in a quest to get out before time runs out. All In Adventures has nine different escape rooms to choose from, with varying themes and difficulty levels to appeal to every skill and ages 6 and up.
Book ahead online with prices starting at $29.99 a person.
Go:Located in the Neshaminy Mall in Bensalem; 267-227-1101;mysteryroom.com/locations/bensalem-pa
The Gravity Forge Gymnastics and Ninja Warrior Training Center, Hatboro
Bring out your inner ninja by visiting the training center during open gym, where you can try obstacles designed to test your abilities. Adults and kids, age 6 and up, can participate in open gym which takes place from 7 to 9 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays, and 4:30–6:30 p.m. on Sundays. Sneakers are required.
Admission is $20 per person.
Go:2920 Turnpike Dr. in Hatboro; 215-938-0900;thegravityforge.com
Giggleberry Fair, Lahaska
This family fun center at Peddler’s Village includes Giggles Discover, an imaginative play area for toddlers and preschoolers; Giggleberry Mountain, a large three-story, six-level obstacle course for kids 12 and under; a game room; and a beautifully restored 1922 carousel. Family-friendly foods are available at the on-site eatery, The Painted Pony Café.
Admission prices vary.
Go:Located in Peddler’s Village at 167 Carousel Lane in Lahaska; 215-794-4047;giggleberryfair.com
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Mr. B’s PlayZone, Souderton
The two-story indoor playground, designed for children up to 54 inches tall, features colorful tubes and slides. Socks are required. There are also plenty of tables to enjoy lunch when your kids are ready for a break. Outside food may be brought in and vending options are available.
Admission is free.
Go:Located inside Calvary Church at 820 Souderton Road in Souderton; 215-723-0963;calvary-church.com/mrbs
Doylestown Rock Gym, Doylestown
From beginners to advanced rock climbers of all ages and abilities, this gym offers over 12,000 square feet of indoor rock climbing surfaces, including overhangs, boulders, aretes, chimneys, caves, cracks and lead walls.
Daily rates and packages vary.
Go:3853 Old Easton Road in Doylestown; 215-230-9085;doylestownrockgym.com
Sky Zone Trampoline Park, Chalfont
Enjoy a variety of attractions at this indoor trampoline park. Test your dunking skills, jump into a giant foam pit, climb the rock wall or safely explore the toddler zone — there is something for all ages. Refreshments are available for purchase at the café.
Tickets are available online and prices can vary. Check online for special discount offers.
Go:145 Liberty Lane in Chalfont; 215-642-8777;skyzone.com/chalfont
Penn’s Little Village at the Langhorne Library, Langhorne
Penn's Little Village is a space where toddlers and preschoolers can explore miniature versions of a camper, a service station, a market, a library, a firehouse, and a school. The baby garden is open to infants and children who are not yet walking.
Admission is free.
Go:Located inside the Bucks County Free Library’s Langhorne branch, 301 S. Pine St. in Langhorne; 215-757-2510;buckslib.org/penns-little-village
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Career Corner at the Yardley-Makefield Library, Yardley
Toddlers and preschoolers can role play different careers by exploring miniature versions of a family diner, pet salon and construction site.
Admission is free.
Go:Located inside the Bucks County Free Library’s Yardley-Makefield branch, 1080 Edgewood Rd. in Yardley; 215-493-9020;buckslib.org/penns-little-village
The Game is Afoot Arcade, Warrington
The Game is Afoot is a retro '80s arcade with enough classic arcade games and pinball machines to keep you occupied for a couple hours. No quarters, tokens or card swiping; simply pre-pay for the amount of time you’d like, and the games are unlimited.
An all-day pass is also available for $40 a person.
Go:114 Easton Road in Warrington; 267-400-5984;thegameisafootarcade.com
T6 Gamelink, Silverdale
This youth-focused Esports center recently opened last fall to provide a relaxing, welcoming space for families and kids of all ages to enjoy. T6 has a variety modern and retro gaming consoles, a retro arcade area, tabletop games like foosball, air hockey, pool, shuffleboard and ping pong, and a variety of board games, including Monopoly, Sorry and Chess.
Day passes are $10 on weekdays and $20 on weekends. Monthly memberships are also available.
Go:102 W. Main St., Silverdale (behind Pino’s Pizza); 267-810-2804;t6gaming.com
Bowling Alleys in Bucks County
Bowling is a fun and challenging activity that adults and kids of any age can easily enjoy together. Here are some local bowling alleys to check out:
- Penndel Bowling Center:449 W. Lincoln Hwy., Penndel;penndelbowling.com.
- Pike Lanes:121 Second Street Pike, Southampton;pikelanes.com.
- Thunderbird Lanes:1475 West Street Rd., Warminster;thunderbirdlanes.com.
- Earl-Bowl Lanes:251N. West End Blvd., Quakertown;earlbowllanes.com.
- Morrisville Lanes:625 Nolan Ave, Morrisville;mlanespa.com.
Skating Rinks in and around Bucks County
Another great way to stay active and indoors as a family is by heading over to one of the many ice or roller rinks in the area:
- Grundy Ice Arena:475 Beaver St., Bristol;grundyarena.com.
- Hatfield Ice:350 County Line Road, Colmar;hatfieldice.com.
- Inline309:2117 Bethlehem Pike, Hatfield;inline309.org.
- The Revolution Ice Gardens:1621 Mearns Road, Warminster;revolutionicegardens.com/public-skating.
- Bucks County Ice:1185 York Road, Warminster;revolutionicegardens.com/public-skating.
- Frenchtown Roller Rink: 2998 Daniel Bray Highway in Frenchtown; 908-996-6313;frenchtownrollerrink.com.
Reporter Michele Haddon covers local news, small business, economic development, community revitalization, art and culture for The Intelligencer and Bucks County Courier Times at PhillyBurbs.com. Please considering supporting local journalism with a subscription.
