Family Fun Places for this WINTERS

Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Starting in late 2009, we Muggles will have a chance to enter the magical world of Harry Potter. Universal Orlando is building a new themed island in Islands of Adventure, a multi-attraction "theme park within a theme park" called "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter".

Indoor Flying

Okay, now you really can fly... and zoom up 30 feet high, and roll and flip in the air; and so can your kids over three years old, thanks to the magic of a couple of giant electric fans in a wind tunnel. Check out iFLY, near Universal Studios Hollywood in southern California.

Blue Man Group

Blue Man Group performances are an indescribable mix of mime, percussion, and antics involving the audience: teens and tweens will find them hilarious, and attending a show can add a lot of fun to a trip to New York City (or London, or Chicago, or elsewhere...) New in 2007, families can see Blue Man Group at Universal Orlando.

American Girl Place

"American Girl" not only makes unique dolls, it also has extrardinary stores (in LA, Chicago, NYC). Extraordinary, how? Well, guests might: eat at the "American Girl Cafe", with "Treat Seats" for doll guests; or visit the on-site Theater. Print out an itinerary! Also, check for packages with hotels that include American Girl goodies in your room.

Swim With Dolphins, and Other Dolphin Encounters

Swim With Dolphins, and other types of dolphin encounters, are very appealing for families. Yet ethical issues surround these programs, especially when using dolphins in captivity.

"Ron Jon" is a legendary name in surf stores, and now the company's launched the Ron Jon Surfpark on International Drive. Three surf pools offer different levels of wave-riding. Beginners can learn to surf in perfect, controlled conditions. Got skills? The Pro Pool's got waves up to 8 feet high, and a ride that lasts 100 yards.

MagiQuest : fantasy attraction at Myrtle Beach SC

Kids who love fantasy-type computer games can step right into a fantasy world. MagiQuest is a live-action adventure game, played in a 20,000 sq. ft. area packed with special effects that get activated by the player's prize possession: the Wand. Think: fantasy video game meets laser-tag play-space, sort of.

Build-A-Bear Workshop®

Build-A-Bear Workshop® is at once an innovative retailer and an entertainment venue: a place where kids have fun creating customized furry friends. New York City has the flagship store but there are hundreds of locations. "Guests" create their own stuffed animals through an eight-step process, with the assistance of "master Bear Builder associates".

Family Fun Centers

A Family Fun Center is typically an outdoor entertainment zone with go-karts, mini-golf, and various other kid-pleasers. There are countless such places across the US; the link above, at TravelingUSA.com, has a clickable map that you can search by state. For more choices, try searching at Google.com for "Family Fun Center [city name]".

Find Family Fun in a City You're Visiting

So you're visiting Seattle, or Phoenix, or Boston, and you want to know about family fun: no problem.

Family Fun: Children's Festivals

Many cities have Children's Festivals, usually during the month of May.

World's Largest Indoor Water Park

Where's the world's largest indoor water park? You might be forgiven for answering "Wisconsin Dells", a small town that's a giant for indoor waterparks. But the world's largest is in the Seagaia resort complex in Japan; and second-biggest is at the giant fun-plus-shopping palace, West Edmonton Mall in Alberta Canada.

Snow Domes! Indoor Skiing Parks

What'll they think of next? You may have to go to Europe to find indoor skiing-- but mega-projects in North America are in the works. See a list of snowdomes around the world.

Source: http://travelwithkids.about.com/od/familyfunplaces/Family_Fun_Places.htm