After being graced with one of the hottest summers on record, we could all be forgiven for feeling like the shorter days came a bit too soon this winter. Personally, I don’t mind the darker days – I just need a good book and a fresh mug of coffee and I’m sorted. But when you have children with endless amounts of energy to burn, regardless of the season, you make it a priority to find some good indoor activity centres where the kids can burn off calories, preferably while you spectate with a good book and a fresh mug of coffee. Aberdeen has plenty to choose from.
One of the oldest names in the city for children’s entertainment, Codona’s has a brand new attraction at their beach-based fun park that will wear out children and adults alike. Battle Royale is an enormous multi-level laser tag arena that has been carefully designed to incorporate the best parts of laser tag games from across the UK and US. If you have not participated for a while, you might be surprised to see how the technology has moved forward. Holding up to 24 people, Battle Royale showcases a full light show, a hand-built customized sound system, state-of-the-art lasers and it even incorporates a membership system, which allows you to accumulate points for use in future matches.
Just across the road, Transition Extreme houses a massive indoor skatepark for all the adrenaline junkies among us. Here, you can pop, shred and grind to your heart’s content in the custom-built course which includes plenty of eye-watering drops and a selection of obstacles that simulate street skating. All wheeled thrill-seekers are welcome, whether on skateboard, BMX or inline skates. In addition to daily sessions, there are numerous special events that take place throughout the year and TX, as it is known to locals, is also proud to offer some of the best Youth Outreach programmes in the area.
If being stuck in the house has your kids climbing the walls, why not let them try climbing someone else’s? Transition Extreme does have a climbing area, but for a change of scenery, why not try The Climbing Zone at RGU Sport at Garthdee? This fantastic facility has an expansive and uniquely realistic surface, as well as a bouldering room, and offers training courses, refresher sessions, family sessions and even a Kids Club.
There is no escaping the fact that winter days are going to be a bit darker and a bit shorter than we would like. But with a little planning, you can still give your children a great day out, whatever the weather.