XL Cover Story: Small Worlds

Kiddie Acres

Peter Pan Mini-Golf

Skate World

Dart Bowl

Kids bored again? Put down the gameboy and head to places where memories have been made for generations

In the constant search to entertain, parents knock themselves silly looking for ways to keep children happy. God knows, kids are easily bored. The quest inevitably takes parents to places with lights and noise, usually coming from a machine -- a money-gobbling machine.

They'll even try characters -- clowns and rats and dinos -- who entertain and scare at the same time. Ooooooooo. It's a struggle, looking for something that will grab the kids' attention, especially with multiple children and no unanimous choice.

But wait, what is that in a corral? A pony, you say? Excited children guardedly point because they are both intimidated and curious. And elsewhere, boys try to whack a golf ball into the tail of a giant T-Rex. They can't get the ball in the cup so they beat on the dino. And are those children jumping up and down ecstatically because they knocked over two pins with a bowling ball? And look at the big smiles on kids speeding in circles at a roller rink?

They are all having fun. Old school is cool.

Around Austin, unpretentious small worlds (OK, adults have fun there, too) that have stood the test of time continue to capture the imagination and warm the hearts of children.

Often, parents see more than enough of these spots on the birthday circuit, celebrating each special day for their children and their children's friends. They see more of Kiddie Acres than they ever dreamed. Before long, everyone graduates to Peter Pan Mini Golf or Dart Bowl as the kids get bigger and stronger. Then they will discover Skate World or another place for speed on wheels.

Let's go, then, where entertainment is simple, even affordable. Four Austin landmarks featuring: A merry-go-round. A little white ball. A big heavy ball. A slab of concrete begging for a pair of skates. Hang on.

-- click on the photos to read more about the activities

There are other small worlds to entertain children in the Austin area. Here is a sampling:

Austin Children's Museum. 201 Colorado St., 472-2499. www.austinkids.org. Hours: 10 a.m-5p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Price: $5.50, $3.50 for 12-23 months, younger than 12 months free; Wednesday 5-8 p.m. is admission by donation; birthday parties available.

Playland Skating Center. 8822 McCann Drive, 452-1901. www.playlandskatecenter.com. Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 2- to 8-hour skating sessions beginning at 2 p.m. Price: $4.75-$6; birthday parties available.

Austin Rock Gym. 8300 N. Lamar Blvd., 416-9299 and 4401 Freidrich Lane, 416-8655. www.austinrockgym.com. Hours: 10 a.m .-10 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday. Price: 17 and younger day pass $11, adults $13; shoes and harness rental $7.

Austin Zoo. 10807 Rawhide Trail, 288-1490. www.austinzoo.org. Hours: Open daily, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Price: Ages 2-12 $4, younger than 2 free, adults $6; birthday parties available.

Blazer Tag Adventure Center. 1701 Ben White Blvd., 462-0202. www.blazerlazer.com. Hours: Noon-midnight Monday-Thursday, extended hours weekends. Price: $7 per 20-minute game; birthday parties available.

Capital Gymnastics. four locations, 251-2439. www.capgym.com. Hours: Call ahead for public sessions. Price: $15-$20 for open sessions; birthday parties available.

Chaparral Ice Center. 14200 N. Interstate 35, 252-8500. www.chaparralice.com. Hours: Public skating 1-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 1-3:30 pm Saturday. Price: $9 includes skate rental for public skating; birthday parties available.