WELL-BEING

Ann Marie Kennon • annmarie@lhtxdigest.com Adventure Exercise! Why Play is a Growth Industry

by Ann Marie Kennon

It is common knowledge that playing is great for children's health and growth, but gone are the days when kids could explore or ride their bikes around the neighborhood, or the town, all day until the streetlights come on. Parents may also be at a loss when Texas weather feels like the Inferno's front porch. Both of these paradigms mean commercial play has greater appeal for after school, weekends, and birthday parties. The $658 million in domestic revenue at indoor play parks, even in pandemic-stricken 2021, seems to confirm their growing popularity. Industry trends indicate that number will continue to grow as the economy continues to reopen and families have discretionary income again.

Indoor play areas allow children to stay active and entertained in safety and air conditioning, plus many supply snacks and drinks in-house, all of which are a bonus for parents as well.

BENEFITS

In a time when electronics are so attractive to most kids, indoor play parks have great diversity in type and style of activity. Multiple trampolines, zip lines, and rock walls are not practical in a typical suburban home, but large converted commercial buildings allow for all of these things in one place, at one price. Additionally, business establishments are legally required to provide supervision and a superlative level of safety. Children are free to experiment and attempt to master new skills without fear of injury.

Socially, children are faced with situations and challenges when they bond and interact with other children, which helps them develop imagination. With an indoor play area, they have the freedom to explore and develop their creativity while interacting with friends they might not otherwise have met in their school or neighborhood. Play also encourages children to socialize and understand particular social behaviors, but with supervisory staff or coaches who are actively watching. With parents also nearby, indoor play enables many layers of safety for children to learn new things via trial and error.

Crawling, climbing, balancing, stepping, running, and jumping provide support for gross and fine motor development, and experts agree that children who engage with physical activity regularly are healthier both mentally and physically. For neuro-atypical children, medical experts add that swinging, spinning, and pushing are a great way for your child to 're-boot' the brain and provide focus. As a result, all of our children are more likely to want to face tasks and challenges head on, which is a great attitude for indoor soft play.

ALL THINGS KIDS is a favorite for kids of all ages who visit Georgetown. Founded in 2011, the battery-free store is run by Karen and Christian Soeffker and their son Carl. Their selection of toys and activity sets represent the best in imaginative play and are a perfect complement to snow cones, a decadent selection of 400 kinds of candy, an old-fashioned soda fountain, and 48 flavors of premium hand-scooped ice cream. Relax and indulge in their cozy book niche with your choice of sweets and all your favorite children's classics.

The store is open seven days a week, but you don’t need to go to Georgetown to enjoy the fun. The SCOOPS ICE CREAM TRUCK is available to rent for events.

703 S MAIN ST • GEORGETOWN • 512-868-2659

With a heart for kids, KIDS’ ZONE LEARNING CENTER is committed to offering Christ-centered education for children 0-12 years at four locations across Jarrell and Georgetown. Kids’ Zone is Texas Rising Star certified and teaches FrogStreet, ABC Jesus Loves Me, and ABEKA curricula. Children enjoy a family atmosphere, Christian character building; and experienced, award-winning teachers along with a low student-teacher ratio. Private school classes include Gifted & Talented, ESL certification, Phonics, and STEM, which are designed to meet all TEKS so students easily integrate into public school.

Kids’ Zone offers private schooling from Kindergarten through 3rd grade as well as an after-school program and child care at the following locations: Jarrell: 104 Copper Lane, 512-746-2333 Jarrell West: 105 Western Sky Trail, 512-598-3900 Jarrell Downtown: 107 S. 7th Street, 512-746-4144 Georgetown: 4802 Moreland Drive, 512-868-8300