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| Extreme Play at Carolina Mall in Concord NC © Katrena |
Carolina Mall in Concord, North Carolina hosts a great kid-friendly spot called Extreme Play. As soon as my kids saw this area from the hallway, they were ready to head that way! This place proves that exercise can be quite fun.
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| Fun Indoor Activity for Kids in Concord NC © Katrena |
Extreme Play offers huge inflatables and indoor games for children. Before entering the area, the staff will go over basic safety rules and place armbands on the kids and adults. These armbands have matching numbers for security reasons. Make sure that the kids are wearing socks because they are required to wear them while playing here.
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| Indoor Games at Extreme Play at Carolina Mall © Katrena |
Parents are invited to walk around with the kids or they may choose to relax in the lounge area that features a large television and couch. Picnic tables are also available for those who wish to sit or enjoy a snack from the snack bar. Several games, such as a huge checkers/chess set, are on tables for those who need to rest or want to play games while seated. This can be very helpful if you have children of varying ages and interests.
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| Indoor Jumping Castle at Carolina Mall © Katrena |
My kids were all about trying out the inflatables! The front two play items are reserved for kids aged three and younger. My youngest is four years-old, and I think this is one of the few times in her life that she actually wanted to be younger because she was really wanting to jump in that jumping castle!
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| Inflatable Playground for Small Kids |
The younger kids' area also has a fun inflatable with penguins, tropical trees, and a sort of maze on the inside. This is a real eye-catcher from the hallway, and to tell the truth, all of my kids looked a bit wistfully at this one reserved for the little ones. I saw several younger children playing in that area, and they looked to be all smiles. They also have a few play items on the floor that look similar to rocking horses for the smaller kids who might not be sure about going into an inflatable.
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| Indoor Sports at Extreme Play © Katrena |
Just behind the smaller kids area is an inflatable with two basketball goals and several small basketballs that roll back to the front after you shoot. I saw one guy shooting basket after basket. Smaller kids may need some help getting the balls because a net holds them in at the front. This area will probably attract those who love sports.
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| Fun Kids Activities in Concord © Katrena |
The next inflatable is to the right. It offers an huge obstacle course that runs more than half the length of the room. My kids like to try to race as they would climb, squeeze, and slide through the course. Several areas on the side of the obstacle course have mesh so that you can see the kids and they can see you if they aren't sure where to go next or just need a little encouragement. The obstacle course ends in a slide where the kids can head back to the beginning of the course or enjoy the two inflatables in the center.
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| Fun Things to do at Extreme Play © Katrena |
A shorter obstacle course is in the middle. My kids seemed to be drawn to this one in particular. I think it was the fun slide at the end. My second oldest loved to hold up her feet so that the slide would deposit her onto the floor, while my youngest would laugh and giggle every time she would finish this particular inflatable.
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| Huge Slides at Extreme Play in Concord NC © Katrena |
The other center inflatable featured a huge slide. Climb up the ladder on the left, have a seat and prepare for a super fast ride on this one. Even the kids that screamed as they slid would quickly return to the slide for another ride.
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| Fun Indoor Exercise Opportunities Near Charlotte NC © Katrena |
The inflatable on the opposite side of the room combined an obstacle course with another large slide. This is a nice one for adults who are watching because a bench is positioned right in front of it. The entrance on this one is fun as the kids climb through a circle.
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| Foosball at Extreme at Mall in Concord © Katrena |
Extreme Play also has coin-operated arcade games, computer-based games, and several small rides. They also have a dance station, foosball, and air hockey game. Several coin operated machines have balls, toys, candy, and more. Everything is quite colorful in this indoor playground.
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| Mr. Potato Head Ride at Carolina Mall © Katrena |
We visited Extreme Play in July, when the heat in North Carolina can be rather relentless. Sometimes the temperatures reach triple digits this time of year! Air conditioned indoor play areas can be quite nice when you don't want to melt outside. My kids played hard for two hours almost non-stop! The four-year-old actually fell asleep on the way home and ended up taking about a two-hour nap. She usually vetoes any mention of a nap. Even my climber had red cheeks when we were ready to head home.
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| Party Room at Extreme Play © Katrena |
If the kids in your life enjoy climbing, sliding, and jumping on inflatables, they will be enthralled by Extreme Play. This indoor playground also offers options for parent who wish to shop while the kids play. Party rooms and group rates are also available. Check the
Extreme Play web site for current rate information and additional offers.
If you are in the Concord area, you might also want to stop by
Village Park in Kannapolis or the
Carolina Raptor Center in Huntersville. Find more family-friendly indoor, outdoor, free, and fee-based travel destinations in North Carolina at my
Travel NC With Kids site map.
