As we continue through winter, many of us have kids who need an outlet for their energy. Having fun at the park is often challenging with the rain and cold. We are lucky to have some good options in Salem for exciting and energetic indoor activities that can engage the kids or the whole family. From a trampoline park to rock climbing or roller skating, there are places to tire those kids out, even during the winter!
Get Air Trampoline Park
3910 Rickey Street SE, Salem
For any kid or adult who likes jumping and trampolines, the Get Air Trampoline Park is a can’t-miss stop. The main room has a giant floor made entirely of trampolines, and some people just jump from one to the other the entire visit. The main room also includes a Ninja Warrior course, foam pits to swing, fall, or jump into, and basketball hoops and balls. A balance beam is also the site of heated battles as two people try to hit each other with foam pallets and be the last one standing.
In addition to the main room, there’s a dodgeball court with visitors cycling in and out as they are hit and a room specifically for smaller kids. Get Air is a popular birthday spot and often crowded on the weekends, but it’s fun whenever you make it there. The website offers discounts, and pricing fluctuates, so check before you go, as it’s often cheaper to purchase one of the online deals. Remember that you will need special trampoline socks, which you can buy at the front desk.
The Kroc Center
1865 Bill Frey Drive, Salem
The Kroc Center is an excellent bet for families. The complex includes a regulation-sized pool and a shallower pool with a lazy river, a towering slide, and a very shallow area for toddler-friendly splashing. The center has public swims for many hours at a time, so it’s easy to find a slot that works for you.
The rock wall is another popular stop. With a choice of seven possible routes from beginner to advanced, the wall attracts everyone from preschoolers on up. Children three and over can climb (the staff helps with harnesses and safety requirements). Staff change the position of the holds weekly so the walls stay fresh, even for those who come often.
Basketball attracts many teenagers and adults, and leagues and pick-up games bring in many people, both members and non-members. Those who are members have access to the many classes at the Kroc, from Zumba and other fitness classes to kids’ martial arts. It’s hard to beat a trip to the Kroc Center for a rainy afternoon with squirmy kids. Day passes for kids are $12, and for adults, they are $16.
Athletic Edge Adventure Park
1379 Madison Street NE, Salem
The Athletic Edge Adventure Park and its associated gymnastics center next door are a hub for Salem families. The star of the show is the three-story play structure, with all kinds of tunnels, slides, mazes, and ball pits aimed at kids under ten. Most children will want to spend a lot of time in the play structure, but when they get tired of it, there’s a small mini-golf course at the back and fun games like air hockey available.
To help you stay even longer, there’s a full-service cafe that even serves beer and wine for those family members who aren’t interested in the play structure or games. In addition to their regular hours, there are often cool events around holidays like Easter, Halloween, and Christmas that involve games, play, and candy. Registration for those events often fills up quickly. The adventure park is open for walk-ins Monday through Friday, but Saturdays and Sundays are so popular that reservations are required. Special socks are required and can be purchased at the front desk.
The Rock Boxx
3895 Cascadia Canyon Avenue SE, Salem
The Rock Boxx is the fabulous bouldering gym in Salem, just past the airport. Bouldering is a type of rock climbing that happens without a harness and rope — it’s just individuals climbing up XXX feet and then climbing back down. In addition to the central gym, there’s a kid’s area where children can climb up a wall and exit down a slide. Day passes for adults are $19, teens are $17, and children are $12, all including shoes.
The Mad House
1335 Madison Street NE, Salem
Even though we don’t have a dedicated skating rink open all the time, The Mad House, home to Salem’s Cherry City Roller Derby, hosts weekend public skate sessions throughout the winter. The floor is softer and more forgiving than traditional wooden floors. Falling doesn’t hurt as much as you might remember, but it’s also not quite as fast as a regular floor.
For beginners, there are supports on wheels for rent so that kids, in particular, can get around the rink without too much trouble. It’s a family-friendly environment, and the lights and DJ make it a festive event. Anyone can rent skates and skate for two hours – with your own skates, it’s $10, and an additional $5 for a skate rental.
Salem boasts a fantastic selection of indoor activities to keep kiddos and families entertained during the colder months. So grab your crew and get ready to create some unforgettable memories, even when the weather is terrible outside!
