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Fun Indoor Places to Take the Grandkids

When it’s cold outside, have fun inside. Region has wide variety of options

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

 

The MOST Museum offers a wide variety of activities for children and their family.

If the cold has you down, round up the grandkids for an adventure indoors. Central New York offers plenty of hotspots for fun for children through teens.

 

• Try rock climbing at Central Rock Gym in Syracuse. The facility offers auto belays, top rope, lead, bouldering, fitness, and yoga — plenty to keep the kids active. Note the minimum age requirements for the various activities before heading out and review the facility’s safety rules on the website.

More info: https://centralrockgym.com/syracuse

 

Billy Beez in Syracuse gives children (even infants!) a fun and safe parkour type of experience with plenty of obstacles and climbing equipment to explore. The arcade, ball pit, slides, trampoline and imaginative play area offer something to pique the interest of every child. Since most of the activities are pint-sized, Billy Beez provides plenty of seating for adults. It’s inside Destiny USA, so you could “tag team” with another adult to keep an eye on the kids (and hear the cries of “Grandma! Look at me!”) and get a little shopping done.

More info: https://billybeezus.com

 

Skate-A-While Longer in Rome delivers a traditional family skating experience, with an arcade, pizza and of course, skating. If you plan to visit often, the Kids Skate Free Club offers children 10 and younger two free skating times weekly for a $4.99 annual membership.

More info: https://skateawhile.com

 

Get Air in Syracuse is a trampoline park that includes foam pits, dodgeball, slamball, ninja obstacles and more. The facility offers separate areas for very small children. Special socks (available at the admission desk) are required to prevent slipping. Admission is free for anyone not jumping. Check out the massage chairs while you watch the kids bounce.

More info: https://getairsports.com/syracuse

 

WonderWorks in Syracuse includes high ropes, laser tag, 4D theater and Wonder Zones, which are sensory-boggling, brain teasing areas. For example, feel confounded by the optical illusions of the Wonder Art Gallery. Or test your endurance in the Extreme Weather Zone’s Hurricane Shack.

More info: www.wonderworksonline.com/destiny

 

Zero Latency, also at Destiny, plunges guests into a wireless, virtual reality world in a 2,000 square-foot arena. The facility includes Kiss My Axe, virtual reality axe-throwing area, where guests can “throw” virtual objects onto physical targets.

More info: https://zerolatencyvr.com

 

• Another Destiny attraction, 5 Wits is a group of themed escape rooms to challenge preteens and teens. Use the clues hidden throughout the room to solve the puzzles and progress to the next room and solve the overall mystery. Prebooking online is recommended.

More info: https://5-wits.com/syracuse

 

The Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology (The MOST) in Syracuse isn’t a stuffy, keep-you-hands-to-yourself type of museum. In fact, the innumerable hands-on, interactive exhibits invite kids to dig in and explore STEM topics. Plan to spend the day together.

More info: www.most.org

 

The Everson Museum of Art features ever-changing exhibits of American art to enjoy. Ask the children about what you view. What is happening in this painting? Why do you think that the artist chose red for this portrait? Dine at the Louise Café before you go.

More info: https://everson.org

 

• The Oswego Children’s Museum (https://cmoo.org) in Oswego encourages children to experiment and learn through play in a pint-sized town, soft foam playground, water table and more. The museum promotes science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) concepts.

 

Check out the offerings at your local library branch. Many provide story time for young children, craft events and more. Or just get lost among the stacks. Most libraries offer free discard bins which can help children build their personal library.

When taking the grandkids to any of these venues, check the website for any discounts or coupons available. Many points of interest offer senior and veteran discounts or allow infants free admission. Some allow free admission for adults with paid children’s admission.