Here is my problem, I have been telling my son all week that if he is good, we will go to It's Playtime when we visit Ft. Wayne this weekend. He has been talking about it 50 times a day how much fun we will have there. He has been several times and loves it! So I just got an e-mail that they are closing, and Zach is still going on about going! Are there any similar places in Ft. Wayne? Here we have places with huge inflatables called "Pump It Up" and "The Bounce House" is there anything like that in Ft. Wayne? Anyplaces with indoor slides? I need to think of something just as fun to divert his attention... Any suggestions? I'm thinking maybe the zoo but not sure about if the weather is not good... Is Science Central appropriate for a 3 year old or only for older kids?
Thank you all for all the wonderful info!! We found that "Crazy Pinz" place that someone mentioned and are planning to go this weekend. As soon as we move there we plan to join the zoo and the Y! I don't understand how the stuff from "It's Playtime" will fit in a bookstore... I have never been to the one mentioned but is it big enough for those huge slides?? If so, I'll be ecstatic because I think our house will be right near Covington. Or Coventry... I'm getting confused. I will definitely be e-mailing some of you after our move. I grew up in Ft. Wayne but have been gone for 15 years so have no idea about living there as an adult, or with kids! And I grew up on the other side of town so I'm not familiar with the south side at all. Thanks again for all the advice and help! I'll also be sure to check out some of those spray parks! Sounds like Ft. Wayne will be a great place to raise my boys. :)
E.
Ithink that Science Central would probably be just fine. I have only been there once on a field trip with my daughters 3rd grade class, but I know that they do have an indoor slide. If it is nice out the Ft. Wayne Children's Zoo is wonderful! From what I have heard it is one of the best children's zoos around.
Hello! I think there is a place in Warsaw, IN called Joy Jungle for children. I've heard it is amazing place for little ones, indoors and full of fun climbing and jumping areas for kids.
Hope this helps!
B.
I have lived in Ft. Wayne all my life. I am an Administrative Assistant at a small private classical education academy. I have a DS 11 and a DD 9. The Zoo is GREAT even if not the greatest weather, there are lots of "indoor" things to see too. Science Central is good for kids of all ages, and they have a special "water/bubble/climb around" area for young ones. Please feel free to contact me if you need any other info on the area.
____@____.com
I'm sure this won't be the same as It's Play Time, but there is also a Chucky Cheese? It has little rides and games and area to climb on with a decent size slide? And of course the children's zoo is GREAT! Just another idea.
On a side note, once the weather stays nice there are many many great parks with nice equipment. There are also a few really neat "spray grounds" for kids to run around and get wet. (FREE!) Here is a great website with info on the parks and "spray grounds" http://www.fortwayneparks.org/index.php?option=com_conten...
Hope this helps and welcome to Fort Wayne!
Hi E.,
I feel your pain. We recently moved to Ft. Wayne from FL where we had all kinds of indoor activities for kids. I just received the e-mail as well about It's Playtime and my kids (8,6,3) were devasted. The zoo is definitely your best bet but if the weather is bad I would recommend Crazy Pins on Lima Rd. They have an indoor jungle gym and they have little kids bowling which my 3 yr old loves. They bowl with little balls and little pins. It's kinda cool. Anyway, hope that helps. Also, I wanted to give you my personal e-mail in case you have any other questions aobut Ft. Wayne. It is ____@____.com free to e-mail anytime. Not sure if you are church goers but a great church in the area is Pine Hills Church on Coldwater Rd. web site is www.pinehillschurch.com. We'll talk to you soon and good luck this weekend....L.
I got this email which states what is happening with It's playtime...I am enclosing it so you know where the new location will be.
During the two years we have been open, we have not found a way to make It's Playtime! support itself. Accepting this truth has been a tremendous struggle for me. On a personal level, the smiles on children's faces and the relationships that have developed have been very rewarding. However, on a practical, business-oriented level, this simply has not helped to make ends meet. We will continue to try to find ways to restructure our business or continue it in another form. But for now, closing is the only option.
We have worked out a reciprocal agreement with Mitchell Books located in Covington Plaza. The first licensed It's Playtime! center will open sometime this spring within the Mitchell Books location. Mitchell Books has agreed to honor all of our existing memberships, multi-passes, gift certificates and birthday party reservations. We would personally like to thank Mitchell Books for honoring our commitments to our customers.
We will continue to maintain our website as well as our weekly newsletter. Through these avenues we will provide updates on the status of the licensed location. Please accept my personal apologies for our abrupt closure and know that this has been a very difficult decision. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me through the website.
We truly appreciate your past support.
I don't think there is anything else like It's Playtime in Fort Wayne. The zoo is great for toddlers though. The petting zoo and pony rides are lots of fun. I've never been to Science Central, but I would think it would be ok for a child your sons age. I would call them just to make sure though. The Botanical Gardens has a butterfly exhibit, but I don't know when it ends. They have lots of little activities for kids too.
I don't think there is anything else like playtime. Science central does have a slide but it has a height restriction and I don't think a three year old will be tall enough. They do have a smaller child area but it is not a running around. The zoo is great.
T.
