22 places to take kids on dull winter days

So, it’s January. It’s been winter for about a year. And winter will last for, oh, at least another two years. At least that’s how it feels to me right now, especially as the mother of a toddler.

Winter around here is tough. Kids need activities. They need to run and jump and play. But when it’s raining buckets, the playground doesn’t sound very appealing.

So for those days when you don’t want to brave the elements, here are some fun places in Snohomish County where you can take your kids to run off energy or to try something new.

Pump It Up

Where: 18027 Highway 99, Lynnwood, 425-774-2297, www.pumpitupparty.com/wa/lynnwood/home-p1q147.htm
What: Bouncy and inflatable toys.
When: 9:30 a.m. to noon Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Ages 6 and under only. Check online calendar for a few other times.
Cost: $6.50 first child, $4.50 siblings.

Jump Rattle &Roll

Where: 17631 147th St. SE. Suite 6, Monroe; 425-381-5490; jumprattleroll.com.
What: Bouncy and inflatable toys.
When: Open jump times change weekly. Check website.
Cost: Ages 2 to 17, $6; 1 to 2, $3; kids under 1 and parents are free.

Absolute Air Park

Where: 18802 67th Ave. NE, Arlington; 855-788-5867; absoluteairpark.com.
What: An indoor trampoline facility. Includes Wild Child Alley, an area for kids from walking age to 5 years old. Parents can use the main facility while their kids play.
When: Various times, check website.
Cost: Open jump time: Mondays to Thursdays: $10 for first hour, $7 for each hour after that. Fridays to Sundays: $11 for first hour, $8 after that. Wild Child Alley: Mondays to Thursdays, $5 per hour; Fridays to Sundays, $6 per hour.

Reptile Zoo

Where: 22715-B U.S. 2, a mile east of Monroe; 360-805-5300; www.reptileman.com.
What: A collection of reptiles, insects and spiders. Kids can hold 10 different types of snakes.
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Cost: $6 adults, $5 kids.

Imagine Children’s Museum

Where: 502 Wall St. Everett; 425-258-1006; www.imaginecm.org.
What: A variety of exhibits. Also has an outdoor playground on the roof with musical toys and a dinosaur dig area.
When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays; 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Thursdays to Saturdays; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays.
Cost: $9 for children and adults; kids 12 months and younger are free; admission is half price from 3 to 5 p.m. Thursdays; annual memberships available.

Flying Heritage Collection

Where: 3407 109th St. SW, Everett; 877-342-3404; www.flyingheritage.com.
What: A collection of historic planes, lovingly restored to fly again.
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Open 7 days a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Cost: $8 kids, $12 adults, $10 seniors/military, kids 5 and under free.

Alderwood mall play area

Where: 3000 184th St. SW, Lynnwood; 425-771-1121.
What: Indoor play area in the mall.
When: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays.
Cost: Free.

Everett Skate Deck

Where: 9700 19th Ave. SE, Everett; 425-337-0202; www.everettskatedeck.com.
What: Indoor skate rink, also has bouncy toys and slides.
When: Hours vary. Check website.
Cost: Prices vary, but start at $5 for those with their own skates and $6 with a skate rental.

Comcast Ice Rink

Where: 2000 Hewitt Ave., Everett; 425-322-2653; www.comcastarenaeverett.com.
What: Ice skating on a regulation hockey-size rink.
When: Various times. Check website.
Cost: Varies. Starts at $3.50 for younger kids. Generally $5 or $6 for older kids and adults. Skate rental $2 to $3.

Forest Park pool

Where: 802 E. Mukilteo Blvd.; Everett; 425-257-8309; www.ci.everett.wa.us/default.aspx?ID=1083.
What: Indoor swimming pool with diving tank and rope swing. Inflatable toys on Fridays.
When: Check website for schedule.
Cost: $3 for kids, $3.50 for adults, $8 for family swim.

Mountlake Terrace indoor pool

Where: 5303 228th St. SW, Mountlake Terrace; 425-776-9173.
What: Indoor swimming pool with lazy river, shallow area for very young kids, spray toys and other toys.
When: Check website for schedule.
Cost: Various rates, starting at $3.50. $2 happy hour is offered several times a week.

Lynnwood Recreation Center indoor pool

Where: 18900 44th Ave. W., Lynnwood; 425-670-5732; http://www.ci.lynnwood.wa.us/PlayLynnwood/RecCenter.htm.
What: Indoor swimming pool with lazy river, shallow play area, waterslides, family hot tub and more.
When: Check website for schedule.
Cost: under age 2 free; 2 to 12 $4; 13 to 17 $4.50; adults $5; family $15.

Creation Station

Where: 19511 64th Ave. W., Lynnwood; 425-775-7959.
What: Arts-and-craft store that offers space and material for creating art on a drop-in basis. Recommended for ages 4 and up, but parents may decide for themselves. Reservations needed for groups of 5 or more.
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays; noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Closed Sundays from Father’s Day to September.
Cost: $6.95 for 2 hours.

Chuck E. Cheese

Where: 3717 196th St. SW, Lynnwood; 425-771-1195; www.chuckecheese.com.
What: Games, rides and toys. Also includes a restaurant.
When: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays to Thursdays; 10 a.m to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Cost: Free entry. Need to buy tokens for rides and games.

Parents Morning Out

Where: 2800 SW 196th St. SW, Lynnwood; 425-775-1320; www.wholefoodsmarket.com.
What: Morning gathering for parents and kids. Activities and snacks available along with free coffee for adults.
When: 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Thursdays.
Cost: Free.

Traxx Racing

Where: 4329 Chennault Beach Road, Mukilteo; 425-493-8729; www.traxxracing.com
What: Go-kart racing, video games, bouncy house, climbing wall, velcro wall, pool and air hockey.
When: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sundays to Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays
Cost: Varies. Call or check website.

Playdate Cafe

Where: 4114 198th St. SW, Suite 3, Lynnwood; 425-582-7007; www.playdatecafe.biz.
What: Indoor play area with toys, bouncy house, slides, costumes and more.
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Cost: $8 for first child, $6 for sibling or crawler; $1 off for 8 or more unrelated kids. Discounted passed for multiples visits are available. Adults and non-crawling infants are free.

Family Fun Center

Where: 7212 SW 220th St., Edmonds; 425-774-4263; www.fun-center.com/public/edmonds.
What: Entertainment center with attractions such as go-carts, bumper cars and miniature golf.
When: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays; 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays; 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays.
Cost: Varies. Call or check website.

Other ideas

Public transit: It’s a cheap and fun way to keep your kids entertained, especially if they’re fascinated with buses or trains.
Ferries: Take a ferry ride or just watch the big boats come and go.
Libraries: Most local libraries have story times and a place for kids to play, with toys for younger kids. Various programs are also offered. Check www.sno-isle.org/ or www.epls.org to see what’s coming up.
Pet stores: It’s fun to admire the animals and some stores will let you visit animals up for adoption.
Restaurants: Some fast-food restaurants have free play areas attached to their dining rooms.