To: bovik@k
Subject: kids' indoor playground
Date: Fri, 17 Feb 89 21:23:16 EST
Message-ID: <22272.603771796@H.GP.CS.CMU.EDU>
From: Ellen.Douglas@H.GP.CS.CMU.EDU


On a gray February day I posted a request for information about indoor
playgrounds where my two- and four-year-olds could run and play all they
wanted.  Most of the responses I got were for places not **exactly**
what I was looking for, but they're certainly excellent ideas for gray
weather diversion.

Here are some excerpts of replies I received:

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I think you'd like the Children's Museum. It's on the North Side, near Buhl
Science Center, PPT, etc. It costs something to get in, but the family
memberships are a reasonable deal, assuming you'll go there reasonably often.
We've been members for 2-3 years, and our kids just love going there (they are
now almost 4 and 6). They have lots of innovative play areas and activities for
the kids, and a good staff that supervises the play (they're not babysitters --
you can't just drop your kids off -- but you can relax, sit down, read a book,
or just watch your kids). I'd suggest you take your kids over for a couple of
hours, paying the regular admission fee, and if you like it, you can join as you
leave and your admission costs are deducted from the membership fee (something
like $35/yr).


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Try the Toy Library of Pittsburgh.  It's in the church that's on that big
corner at Baum, Centre, and whatever other streets are nearby.  Sorry I
can't be more specific.  My kids are 10 and 12 now and I don't remember the
details.  I know it's still there because friends have used it.  I'm pretty
sure it's in the phone book.  It saved my sanity about 8 winters ago.

*****************************

  Recently I took Christian to a birthday party at the McDonald's
	 in Robinson Twp.  This one has a very large play area
	 completely seperate from the eating area...it's got slides,
 	 merry-go-rounds, and even booths and tables where you can sit
	 and eat while the kids are playing.  I think you'll like it.
	 To get there, take the parkway towards the airport, then look
	 for the Route 60 exit (the Mobay Chemical plant is on your
	 left here).  Turn right off the exit, through one main
	 intersection, and you'll find McD's on the lefthand side.


*****************************


Try the JCC in Squirrel Hill.  They have all sorts of things for all
ages.

*****************************


    The Monroeville Mall has an indoor playground that is intended for
kids who's parents want to shop as in "life before kids".  The mall itself
also has an indoor railroad, a food court, and lots of room for kids to run 
around while you window shop.  The kids like it, and we never even buy
anything.

*****************************


In the Monroeville Mall is a "playground", which is really a baby-sitting
service for a fee.  It is very nice, though and we use it alot when we
shop.