Launch Trampoline Park, Columbia, MD

Do you want to make your kids “Hoppy?” Perhaps a trip to Launch Trampoline Park is in order. Housing a 16,000 square foot trampoline with horizontal and vertical trampolines, your children can literally bounce off the walls!!!! But this place does not just offer a place to bounce, they also have a trampoline dodgeball court,  and a launch pad (large air bag for jumping). They also have three basketball hoops of varying sizes on the trampolines, so you can practice shooting and springing to massive slam dunks if that is more your style. They have great music, and periodically have black lights come on.

Not interested in the trampoline features? Well then try your luck at “Meltdown!” Meltdown is a piece of equipment with long beams sticking out. Each child stands on a pod, and as the beams start to spin, the children have to survive by staying on their pod. . The one left standing is the winner, and then the kids can play again. In order to do Meltdown, just let a staff member know that you would like this operating, and they can come over and help you out. If this doesn’t get you jumping for joy, check out the “Adrenalator,” a ninja course where you can race your friends through different obstacles.

If these activities are not enough, and you want to try your hand at something less active, they also have an arcade as well as gaming pods for those who want to play Xbox or Playstation!. In addition to the actual activities, they also do birthday parties, group events, and special glow nights! We went to the Rockville location, but due to its closure, the closest location is in Columbia, MD

Rates:

1/2 hour jump   $12.00 

1 hour jump       $16.00 

1.5 hour jump   $22.00 

2 hour jump       $26.00

Hours:

Hours vary in the summer, but general hours are:

TODDLER TIME

FRI: Toddler Time 9:30 - 11am

SAT: Toddler Time 8:30 - 10am

OPEN JUMP

MON: 4:00pm – 8:00pm

TUE: 4:00pm – 8:00pm

WED: 4:00pm – 8:00pm

THU: 4:00pm – 8:00pm

FRI: 4:00pm – 8:00pm

SAT: 11:00am – 9:00pm

SUN: 11:00am – 7:00am

GLOW JUMP

FRI: 8:00pm - 10:00pm

SAT: 9:00pm - 11:00pm

Website: http://launchcolumbia.com/

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This location has since shut down.

Museum of the Bible, Washington DC

Opened only one year ago, the Museum of the Bible is an excellent addition to the museums in DC. This museum is a beautiful blend of antiquities and cutting edge technology that could take several hours if you want to see everything. With six floors plus a basement, it is definitely worthwhile to use their website to research what you want to see before going. The museum itself is beautiful, and they do a great job of labeling what is in each area so that if you just want to focus on the Old Testament, or just on the New Testament, you can plan your trip accordingly. Additionally, the museum does a good job of not coming off as preachy, and more from a historical perspective, so whether you are looking for a religious or non-religious experience, this museum seems to offer something for everyone.

 In addition to the museum’s permanent collection, they also have several exhibits that are not permanent. General admission to the museum is suggested donation as their entry fee, so you can either pay the suggested $19.95 for adults and $9.95 for children 12 and under, or pay what you want based on your level of comfort. The museum operates solely on the donations. You can walk up and get tickets at the museum or order your tickets online. Some of the changing exhibits require an extra ticket for timed entry, and some also carry an additional fee, while others are free, but you need the timed ticket.

During our visit, we focused on the Old Testament. Below is a breakdown of what is on each floor.

First Floor: Vatican Library and Museum, Couragous Pages (Kids area), Gift Shop, and a small bistro.

Second Floor: Impact of the Bible: Bible in America, Bible in the World, Bible Now, and Washington Revelations.

Third Floor: Stories of the Bible: The Hebrew Bible Experience (need separate tickets) (click menu, visit, attractions to get your ticket for this part), World of Jesus of Nazareth, and The New Testament Theater (need separate tickets) (click menu, visit, attractions to get your ticket for this part).

Fourth Floor: The History of the Bible: The History of the Bible Artifacts, Drive Through History of the Bible Theater, Bible Reading Room, and illumiNations.

Fifth Floor: World Stage Theater and The People of the Land: History and Archaeology of Ancient Israel.

Sixth Floor: DC Views, a restaurant, and a garden area.

Basement Level: Stations of the Cross.

Our favorite parts of this museum were the add on ticket for The Hebrew Bible experience which is a 30 minute multi-sensory experience of the Old Testament, the kids area where my kids enjoyed playing the games, and seeing the scribe who they brought in from Israel to give demonstrations on how the Old Testament is written. My children enjoyed asking him questions as he wrote the parchment scrolls which were projected on a screen behind him.

Additionally, our whole family marveled at the videos that we saw, the number of scrolls on display, and the area that showed a massive amount of bibles each one written in a different language. From the artistry to the technology, this museum was great for kids ages 7 and up.

Website: https://www.museumofthebible.org/

Hours: 10am-5pm

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Hyper Kidz!, Columbia, MD

This place was the true embodiment of its name! It's a small warehouse, filled to the brim with children running around and climbing on various inflatables and obstacles courses. They have three areas that are broken up by age. The smaller areas are the “Mini Zone” in the back where kids ages 0-2 can explore, and the “Kid Zone”, which is an area for 2-7 year olds in the front that has slides and spinning equipment.  However, the main attraction was the “Big Kid Zone,” a huge 4-story climbing course that is geared towards 3-13 year olds that spanned the entire length of the room.  Due to the wide age range of the “Big Kid Zone”, little children may need a bit of adult help as it got a bit confusing which direction to turn at times, but older kids can climb safely by themselves.

The place itself was very clean, and the bright colored equipment was very visually appealing to both children and parents, making this a place that allowed for hours of fun. There is a small cafe area in the front to have a snack or sit and watch your kids. It can be very crowded at times, so check the website first to make your reservation as it often fills up quickly. Additionally, once you are there, make sure you have a plan with your kids for where you will be sitting or come prepared to climb with them due to how crowded it can get! We also appreciated that they will stamp your hand and let you sit outside to eat, before coming back in to continue climbing. We had a great time and would recommend this when you need an activity that is indoors.

Rates:

FREE Infants (0-12 mos) with paid sibling

$7 Infants (0-12 mos) w/o sibling (Mon-Thurs)

$9 ages 1-2 (Mon-Thurs)

$11 ages 3-13 (Mon-Thurs)

$12 Infants (0-12 mos) w/o sibling (Fri-Sun*)

$14 ages 1-2 (Fri-Sun*)

$16 ages 3-13 (Fri-Sun*)

Adults are always FREE (w/ paid child’s admission; 3rd adult will be $5)

UNLIMITED Open Play 7 days a week!

Hours:

Monday - Thursday: 10am - 8pm

Friday - Saturday: 10am - 9pm

Sunday: 11am - 7pm

Website: https://www.hyperkidzplay.com/

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Calvert Cliffs State Park, Lusby MD

Located on the Chesapeake Bay in Calvert County Maryland, Calvert Cliffs State Park is a beautiful beach with great options to hike and enjoy the nature that surrounds the cliffs. If your family loves archaeology and sea life, the beaches contain the remains of a variety of prehistoric species including sharks, whales and rays. Our children loved looking for (and finding) fossils and shark teeth! However, please read all of the signs in the area as it is important to enjoy the actual cliffs from a distance, as erosion has made it unsafe to climb in that area. You can also go swimming in the Bay, but please be aware that there are no lifeguards, so swimming is at your own risk.

When you get tired of swimming and collecting fossils, there is also a great playground made out of tires that kids enjoyed climbing.  There are also a variety of trails to follow throughout the park depending on the amount of time you have, and the rangers were at the entrance to the park to answer any questions. These trails included dirt paths and small boardwalk areas. Our kids had a great time and we would definitely go back again.  Although, it is about 1.5 hours from the Silver Spring area, so it definitely needs to be on a day where we have a large chunk of time to block off, as well as good weather.

Website: http://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/pages/southern/calvertcliffs.aspx

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Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens, Washington, DC

Just over the MD/DC border, Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens is a quaint little park that is filled with small pools of water lilies and other beautiful flowers. There is a nice dirt path that is about 1/2 mile long, with many small paths to walk in between the many pools of water. This is not a large park, but the fact that it is not in the center of downtown and that it has lots of free parking available make this a nice activity.

Known for its annual Lotus and Water Lily festival, the park also has a long boardwalk area with observation benches along the way. Although much of the vegetation was pretty dried out when I went, there were also several spots where the greenery was quite lush. There is also a separate path that you can walk which is less than a mile until you get to the Anacostia River. All in all, this is a nice small activity, but I wouldn't plan for more than an hour or two here.

Website: https://www.nps.gov/keaq/index.htm

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Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum, St. Leonard, MD

For the past few years, I have been meaning to take my kids out to the Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum. I was finally able to do so at the start of this summer, and was truly happy we were able to make the 1.15 hour drive. During the months of May and June, they offer a wonderful free archaeology program, which is what we made reservations to do. Make sure to check the calendar and make your reservations before going. Certain days are field days where you can dig, while others are lab days where you help to clean and catalogue the finds from the field.

When we first arrived, we went into the visitors center which was clean, and had a small discovery room and a gift shop to look at. The focus of this visitors center and the entire park focuses on life on the Chesapeake Bay. After the visitors shop, we went down to the lab area, and met up with our guide, who took us down to the field site. 

Once at the field site, our guide was kind and patient with the kids, and explained about life on the plantation. He then told us what we would be digging for, and got us started. The kids were very excited to find a piece of an old pipe, as well as lots of pieces of brick, old nails, etc...They also learned quite a bit about the history of the house, the family that lived there, and how do be an archaelogist!

While they were tired after a few hours, there were certainly several other hikes and trails in the area, as well as an "Indian Village" that was created about 10 years ago in honor of John Smith's exploration of the Chesapeake Bay. This could definitely be a 1/2 day or full day trip depending on what you want to do. Always check their calendar of events to see what is coming up in the future.

Website: http://www.jefpat.org/index.html

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Earth Treks, Rockville, MD

Located in a massive building in Rockville, Earth Treks is the premier climbing facility in the Maryland area. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and patient, and they all seem to have a strong passion for climbing. Upon arrival (and after waivers were completed), they showed us how to use the harnesses, and gave a run down on how to be safe. They provided the staff to belay, and were encouraging as kids made their way up the wall. They had a wonderful balance of being sensitive and validating of their fears, while kindly giving them the guidance that they needed to push themselves out of their comfort zone.

This facility offers a wide array of classes so that climbers can learn more of the technical skills, but it also has certain hours that are open sessions, where you can pay per climb. Additionally, they are available for large groups such as for birthday parties, corporate events, etc… There are many large walls with which to choose, so that every level of climber from beginner to advanced can find a place to climb comfortably and confidently. There are also several areas that allow climbers to try their hand at bouldering.  All in all, this was a fun activity that everyone really enjoyed.

Website: https://www.earthtreksclimbing.com/

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Urban Evolution, Alexandria, Va

Perhaps you’ve heard the word “Parkour” shouted before seeing someone attempt something daring outside. The odds are that you had no idea what they were talking about. Well let me tell you, today we had a great experience at a Parkour training gym called Urban Evolution which gave us a true understanding of parkour. With two Virginia locations, Urban Evolution helps train people in how to move from place to place within their environment in a safe and exciting manner.

 

       

Upon entering the gym, my kids were first greeted by an incredibly friendly staff member who helped us to sign our waivers. Once completed, we got to go into the gym which brought immediate reactions of “Dad, this place is awesome!” With walls covered with graffiti, cars to climb over and through, warped walls, poles to swing from, and wooden boxes to jump from (and over), this gym was the “it” place to be for my children. When speaking to the owner, he shared that they have worked with kids as young as 4 and people into their 80’s.

Once we started, it was immediately evident that our instructor was patient and that he put safety above everything else. He also helped my kids to understand that although it looks fun to do, speed takes a backseat to concentration and consistency. It was great to see my kids learning the proper ways to leap up, down, and over different obstacles. We also learned how difficult it was to balance and walk across metal pipes. 

After completing our balancing and jumping, we got to move onto how to roll without using our heads. The techniques were always well explained, and the kids really enjoyed learning the different strategies that they could employ to move safely from one place to another. Piecing together all of the different skills that we learned in an hour, everyone came away with a smile on their face, feeling a great sense of accomplishment. 

Urban Evolution is open for classes, private lessons, and camps. They offer class choices such as Parkour, Aerial Silks, Breakdancing, and UrbanFit. This is definitely not your run of the mill place. You will get a workout, and be more aware of how to interact with your surroundings.  While it is fun to play at a playground, why not make the world your playground after getting lessons from Urban Evolution? 

Website: https://urbanevo.com/

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Topgolf, Alexandria, VA

Topgolf in Alexandria makes driving ranges fun for everyone with their cutting edge technology! Gone are the days when you have to be a skilled golfer to truly enjoy hitting a bucket of golf balls. Now, even kids can play golf in the form of a game, without ever stepping foot on a course.

As I am sure you are aware, the purpose of a driving range is to improve your game. This driving range can still do that by providing the same thing as any other driving range.......balls, clubs, a tee, and a fairway. However, this is where the similarities end. When you arrive at the clubhouse (which is very clean and modern), you can either purchase a long term membership or a 30 day pass for $5 for adults and $3 for kids 12 and under. At that point you can purchase games, which on weekdays costs $5.50 per game from opening-3pm, and  $8 per game from 3pm-closing. On weekends it is $5.50 per game from opening-noon and $8 from noon-closing. Once you have purchased the number of games that you would like to play, they will give you an empty ball bucket and add those games to your membership card which has your name on it. You then bring your empty bucket to a ball machine and swipe your card which will unload your balls into your cart. Each ball has an electronic chip in it which has your name on the chip inside. Find your spot, and you are ready to go.

Once you have your tee, there is a small black bin (as shown behind me in the picture). Drop your ball into the hole and it will pop back out. There is a screen behind you which will now show that your ball has been scanned in, and is ready to be hit. As shown in the picture, there are large pods throughout the fairway. If you hit your ball into the pods, you will earn points, which will show up on the tv screen in your golf bay. If you are there with friends, you can use the range simply as a driving range, or you can compete to see who gets the most points.

There are several different games that you could play, but the most basic game rewards you for hitting into the pods, with bonus points for hitting in the center and/or for hitting it in the same pod consistently. Going with a friend who was not a golfer, we were both able to enjoy the game, as he got his points for hitting it into close pods, while I sometimes hit a great shot straight and far, but didn't hit it into a pod. This leveled the playing field for us as we could both work towards different goals, but still have fun on an outing together.

This venue also had climate controlled bays for all year use, free wifi, and waiters who served from a full menu of options for those interested. Additionally, they had tech guys on hand if there was ever a problem with the ball scanners or with the scoring screens. While there were a few small technological glitches while we were there, everyone was incredibly friendly and responsive, fixing the problems immediately. We really enjoyed this place, and will definitely be coming back again soon.

Note: They also have a location in Ashburn, VA.

Website: https://topgolf.com/us/alexandria/

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The Board and Brew, College Park MD

If you're bored and looking to brew up some fun, have no fear. Board and Brew is a great place to go with kids or on a date night. Board and Brew, located in College Park MD, has over 600 board games to choose from. If you want to play a game that you are familiar with, this makes for a great environment to enjoy one of your favorite games. Additionally, on weekends and week nights, they also have a “game guru” on hand to help you out if you want to try a new game. When we went, the game guru told us that he knew how to play 380 of the 600 games, and would be happy to help us pick out a new game and teach us how to play. He asked us questions to figure out what type of game we were looking for (team, every person for themselves, players against the game, etc…), and was willing to sit with us until we felt comfortable. The game guru told us that on days when they are not busy, he would even learn a new game with us (one of the 220 he hadn’t learned yet).

Since this is a college town, the store is mostly filled with college students. You can come for a variety of different brews (coffee and/or beer) as well as small pastries. The store is incredibly clean, and also has some outdoor seating. If you are planning on going with younger children, mornings are probably much less hectic. Keep in mind that the game guru would be there on weekends, but not on weekday mornings. There is also a parking lot in the rear of the strip, with inexpensive parking. If you just want to play a game, the cost is $5 per person for unlimited gaming. If you are planning on adding drinks, Monday and Tuesday nights they run specials where if you spend $12 in food and drinks, your games are free. They also have Wine night Wednesday which coincides with Magic the Gathering night, and Trivia Thursday.

We had a great time at Board and Brew, and would definitely go back. 

Wheel Chair accessible: Yes

Website: http://www.theboardandbrew.com/

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Dave and Busters, Silver Spring MD

With three locations in Maryland (Capitol Heights, Hanover, and Silver Spring), there are plenty of options for arcade fun. Whichever one you choose will definitely have more games than most other arcades. The places are kept very clean and they do a good job of making the games spread far enough apart to be wheelchair accessible. With a wide variety of game choices, kids and adults 5 and older can find something that will pique their interest. The game cards that can be purchased are easy to reload, and all games with a green light by the card swipe are ticket bearing games, while blue lights are games just for fun. Games range from classics like Skeeball and Super Shot Basketball to newer games like Candy Crush, Angry Birds, and Fishbowl Frenzy. 

Once you have finished playing, they have a relatively large prize shop, where you can cash in your tickets for treats or toys. You can also have them put your tickets on your power card so that you can save up for something bigger. Our favorite time to go is on ½ priced Wednesdays, where you can really get twice as much bang for your buck. They also have a restaurant and a sports bar area. The Silver Spring location has three public parking garages nearby, and the location in Hanover has lots of free parking as it is in Arundel Mills Mall.

 Hours:

Sun - Thu 10:00am - Midnight
Fri - Sat 10:00am - 2:00am

(301) 273-2700

Pricing:

$10 = 48 chips ⇒ +$2 (+12 chips)

$20 = 100 chips ⇒ +$3 (+25 chips)

$25 = 135 chips ⇒ +$4 (+35 chips)

$35 = 200 chips ⇒ +$5 (+50 chips)

$50 = 300 chips ⇒ +$6 (+75 chips)

mega chips $75 = 550  or  $100 = 750/PER CARD

4 Player Pack (includes FREE supercharge)

$25 cards = 170
 chips each

$35 cards = 250 chips each

$50 cards = 375 chips each

$5=24 chips available. Power Cards are rechargeable. New Power Cards have a $2 activation fee & include 10 chips.

 

Website: http://www.daveandbusters.com/

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