by Carol Anne Pagliotti

The holidays are over, the weather’s cold and the kids have watched too much TV. Local play centers, bowling alleys and skating rinks offer a healthy alternative to the couch. There, kids can climb, play, skate, bowl and even play video games. Here is a guide to area indoor fun.

Indoor Play Centers
It’s a good idea to call ahead for times as the centers also offer birthday parties and some or all attractions might be closed to the public.

Mid Atlantic Grand Prix, 4060 N. DuPont Hwy., New Castle, DE 19720. 877-656-7223, www.midatlanticgrandprix.com. Indoor kart track offers jr. karts for kids age 8 and older and a game area with the latest in racing games.

Xbos Family Fun Center, 456 W. Glenwood Ave., Smyrna, DE 19977.
302-653-1800, www.xbos.com. Center offers bowling and a soft play area as well as arcade and midway games.

Bowling
Ask for bumpers at the counter when checking in. Bumpers block the gutters so kids have a better opportunity to hit the pins. At most alleys rates are lower weekday mornings and afternoons.

AMF Fun Zone, Price Lanes, 3215 Kirkwood Hwy., Wilmington, DE 19808. 302-998-8806, www.amf.com

Bowlerama, 3031 New Castle Ave., New Castle, DE 19720. 302-654-0263, www.bowlerama.us

Brunswick Zone, Locations throughout PA, NJ & DE. www.bowlbrunswick.com

Mid County Lanes, 875 N. Broad St., Middletown, DE 19709. 302-378-0677, www.midcountylanes.com

Skating
Call ahead to check public skating hours, which often change from day to day. Most rinks offer open skating weekday mornings or afternoons, and often, weekend evenings.

Christiana Skating Center (roller skating), 801 Christiana Rd., Newark, DE 19713.
302-366-0473, www.christianaskatingcenter.biz

Dover Skate Center (roller skating), 2201 S. DuPont Hwy., Dover, DE 19901. 302-697-3218, www.doverskatecenter. com

Ice World, 1300 Governor Ct., Abingdon, MD 21009. 410-612-1000, www.iceworld.com

Milford Skating Center (roller skating), 1 Park Ave., Milford, DE 19963.302-422-3700.

Pond Ice Arena, The, 101 John F. Campbell Dr., Newark, DE 19711. 302-266-0777, www.thepondicearena.com

Skating Club of Wilmington, 1301 Carruthers Lane, Wilmington, DE 19803. 302-656-5005, www.skatewilm.com

University of Delaware Ice Arenas, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716.
302-831-2868, www.udel.edu/icearena

Carol Anne Pagliotti is resources editor of MetroKids.