Page 29 - Indulge June/July 2015
P. 29
s are always excited when register, gear up and watch a short downhill on their Big Wheels, bikes,
summer rolls around. School’s how-to video, so plan to spend at least wagons or sleds may make you cringe,
out, the days are long, warm an hour there. but it’s guaranteed to give them grins.
and full of potential and the Step 2: Just add water. Trips to the If they’re more interested in “Mario
livin’ is easy. beach are a summer ritual for many Kart” than pedal power, take it to the
That is, until the second week families, but you don’t need to go next level with a trip to a go-kart track.
of vacation, at which point there are “down the shore” for H20 happiness.
permanent, child-sized imprints in Freshwater fun abounds in the area: “We’re probably one of the few
the couch. Stale popcorn, Cheez-Its, Lake Minsi in Upper Mount Bethel activities that kids will ditch the video
candy wrappers and empty Red Bull Township; Lake Nockamixon in games for, because it’s the real thing.
cans are piled so high your home Nockamixon Township; Blue Marsh It’s very high energy and engaging,
insurance company requires a rider Lake northwest of Reading; Dutch so kids absolutely love it,” says Mike
against landslides. Your kids’ hands Springs in Hanover Township; the McCreary of Lehigh Valley Grand Prix.
are twisted so tightly around the game Lehigh and Delaware rivers — and It’s also an indoor facility, so this a
controller that you’ve talked to the that’s not even counting aqua parks perfect rainy-day activity.
pediatrician about surgical options. such as Wildwater Kingdom in South
It’s time for an intervention. Whitehall Township or Terry Hill Water Karts for adults — classified as 15
Here’s a five-step program to help. Park in Upper Macungie Township. years old and up — can hit 50 mph;
Step 1: Get your recalcitrant rascals kids’ karts (8 and up) are limited to 35
off the couch and away from the Dutch Spring’s 50-acre lake offers mph. Participants must be a minimum
video game console. While this may an especially unique set of aqua- of 48 inches tall.
seem a herculean task, the solution activities — and a place for your kids to
is actually quite simple: Entice channel their inner Laura Croft: There’s At Bear Rock Junction in Lynn
them with the promise of a real-life an inflatable water park that involves Township, the karts are limited to 20
adventure that will let them run, gun, plenty of splashing, climbing, jumping mph. There’s no minimum age, but
jump, climb, swing, splash, soar or and scrambling; a sky challenge that children must be 56 inches tall to drive.
speed. Believe it or not, the Lehigh combines climbing with a ropes course; Double carts are also available, so if your
Valley region is full of places where snorkeling; and, for those 10 and older child is at least 36 inches tall, you can
your kids can reenact the adventures with proper certification, scuba diving take your little speed demon for a spin
of Mario and Luigi, Laura Croft or with attractions up to 100 feet deep. (providing you have a driver’s license).
Master Chief. Bear Rock also offers train rides and
If your teen or tween is a fan of “Water attracts people, kids and adults mini golf, so you can make a day of it.
action games like the “Halo,” “Metal alike, during the summer,” says co-owner Step 4: Send ‘em packin.’ Summer was
Gear” or “Borderlands” series, laser Stuart Schooley. “I have tried to develop meant to spend time outside, and
tag is the way to go. on the property things that are unique” there’s no shortage of outdoor activities
“Parents always tell us that in our region. Start with short hikes
their kids are in front of the TV “I didn’t want to build just on the South Mountain trails above
playing video games too much,” another water park with concrete and Emmaus, then move on to places
says Paul Prekopa, president of macadam,” he says, explaining the such as Pulpit Rock near Hamburg;
Lehigh Valley Laser Tag in Allentown. rationale behind the floating attractions. the Appalachian Trail section that runs
“Unfortunately, it’s the way our “What I found after I put it in, is that through the Slate Belt; and Delaware
it is not easy — it’s not just walking Water Gap National Park. Take a
culture has progressed. However, it’s up steps and sliding down a slide. It’s backpacking trip, camp out under the
important that kids do things other exercise, there’s no doubt about it." stars, ride bikes on the area’s numerous
than sit on the couch and play video Step 3: Feed their need for speed. canal and rail trails, plant a garden or
games ... at Lehigh Valley Laser Tag, take them fishing.
we bring video games to life.” Let’s face it: Most kids like things
that go fast. Watching them careen Exploring the great outdoors is
Participants are outfitted with a a surefire way to fill your child with
gun that emits a signal and a vest wonder. In “Natural Learning,” authors
that picks up signals from opponents’ Robin C. Moore and Herb H. Wong
guns. Add sound effects, darkness, a wrote, “Children have a natural affinity
futuristic arena and about 150 game towards nature. Dirt, water, plants, and
options and your kid will think he’s the small animals attract and hold children’s
next Master Chief. Each three-game attention for hours, days, even a lifetime.”
session lasts about 40 minutes, but Step 5: Get crafty. Children love to create
participants need to allow time to things. You probably have some of
those creations hanging on your fridge.
Photos courtesy of Dutch Springs, Color Me Mine and Shutterstock. Numerous studies have shown that
— continued on page 30 —
summer rolls around. School’s how-to video, so plan to spend at least wagons or sleds may make you cringe,
out, the days are long, warm an hour there. but it’s guaranteed to give them grins.
and full of potential and the Step 2: Just add water. Trips to the If they’re more interested in “Mario
livin’ is easy. beach are a summer ritual for many Kart” than pedal power, take it to the
That is, until the second week families, but you don’t need to go next level with a trip to a go-kart track.
of vacation, at which point there are “down the shore” for H20 happiness.
permanent, child-sized imprints in Freshwater fun abounds in the area: “We’re probably one of the few
the couch. Stale popcorn, Cheez-Its, Lake Minsi in Upper Mount Bethel activities that kids will ditch the video
candy wrappers and empty Red Bull Township; Lake Nockamixon in games for, because it’s the real thing.
cans are piled so high your home Nockamixon Township; Blue Marsh It’s very high energy and engaging,
insurance company requires a rider Lake northwest of Reading; Dutch so kids absolutely love it,” says Mike
against landslides. Your kids’ hands Springs in Hanover Township; the McCreary of Lehigh Valley Grand Prix.
are twisted so tightly around the game Lehigh and Delaware rivers — and It’s also an indoor facility, so this a
controller that you’ve talked to the that’s not even counting aqua parks perfect rainy-day activity.
pediatrician about surgical options. such as Wildwater Kingdom in South
It’s time for an intervention. Whitehall Township or Terry Hill Water Karts for adults — classified as 15
Here’s a five-step program to help. Park in Upper Macungie Township. years old and up — can hit 50 mph;
Step 1: Get your recalcitrant rascals kids’ karts (8 and up) are limited to 35
off the couch and away from the Dutch Spring’s 50-acre lake offers mph. Participants must be a minimum
video game console. While this may an especially unique set of aqua- of 48 inches tall.
seem a herculean task, the solution activities — and a place for your kids to
is actually quite simple: Entice channel their inner Laura Croft: There’s At Bear Rock Junction in Lynn
them with the promise of a real-life an inflatable water park that involves Township, the karts are limited to 20
adventure that will let them run, gun, plenty of splashing, climbing, jumping mph. There’s no minimum age, but
jump, climb, swing, splash, soar or and scrambling; a sky challenge that children must be 56 inches tall to drive.
speed. Believe it or not, the Lehigh combines climbing with a ropes course; Double carts are also available, so if your
Valley region is full of places where snorkeling; and, for those 10 and older child is at least 36 inches tall, you can
your kids can reenact the adventures with proper certification, scuba diving take your little speed demon for a spin
of Mario and Luigi, Laura Croft or with attractions up to 100 feet deep. (providing you have a driver’s license).
Master Chief. Bear Rock also offers train rides and
If your teen or tween is a fan of “Water attracts people, kids and adults mini golf, so you can make a day of it.
action games like the “Halo,” “Metal alike, during the summer,” says co-owner Step 4: Send ‘em packin.’ Summer was
Gear” or “Borderlands” series, laser Stuart Schooley. “I have tried to develop meant to spend time outside, and
tag is the way to go. on the property things that are unique” there’s no shortage of outdoor activities
“Parents always tell us that in our region. Start with short hikes
their kids are in front of the TV “I didn’t want to build just on the South Mountain trails above
playing video games too much,” another water park with concrete and Emmaus, then move on to places
says Paul Prekopa, president of macadam,” he says, explaining the such as Pulpit Rock near Hamburg;
Lehigh Valley Laser Tag in Allentown. rationale behind the floating attractions. the Appalachian Trail section that runs
“Unfortunately, it’s the way our “What I found after I put it in, is that through the Slate Belt; and Delaware
it is not easy — it’s not just walking Water Gap National Park. Take a
culture has progressed. However, it’s up steps and sliding down a slide. It’s backpacking trip, camp out under the
important that kids do things other exercise, there’s no doubt about it." stars, ride bikes on the area’s numerous
than sit on the couch and play video Step 3: Feed their need for speed. canal and rail trails, plant a garden or
games ... at Lehigh Valley Laser Tag, take them fishing.
we bring video games to life.” Let’s face it: Most kids like things
that go fast. Watching them careen Exploring the great outdoors is
Participants are outfitted with a a surefire way to fill your child with
gun that emits a signal and a vest wonder. In “Natural Learning,” authors
that picks up signals from opponents’ Robin C. Moore and Herb H. Wong
guns. Add sound effects, darkness, a wrote, “Children have a natural affinity
futuristic arena and about 150 game towards nature. Dirt, water, plants, and
options and your kid will think he’s the small animals attract and hold children’s
next Master Chief. Each three-game attention for hours, days, even a lifetime.”
session lasts about 40 minutes, but Step 5: Get crafty. Children love to create
participants need to allow time to things. You probably have some of
those creations hanging on your fridge.
Photos courtesy of Dutch Springs, Color Me Mine and Shutterstock. Numerous studies have shown that
— continued on page 30 —
