Kids fun things to do > Brentwood, Ca > birthday parties

Our favorite pick: Brentwood, CA children’s activities, fun things to do and birthday parties.

*John’s Incredible Pizza in Stockton is only a 42 minute drive from Brentwood.  Remember, you will easily spend half a day at John’s all-you-can-eat buffet and fun.
John’s Incredible Pizza Company

4555 N. Pershing
Stockton, CA 95207
p. (209) 954-1111

California brings difficult weather conditions. Excessive heat sums it up for the most part in the Summer months with some California cities easily reaching temperatures over 100 degrees.  Other seasons bring wind, rain, cold weather and fires.

During the Summer months the air quality can be so poor that it’s not even considered safe to be outside for long periods of time. These restrictions affect all of us including our kids.  When school starts things change a bit but weather is still a huge factor.

Kid’s don’t care if it’s raining, hot, windy or smoky they still want activities to keep them busy when they get home from school or on the weekends. Many of these activities will need to be indoors. You may think that your options are limited and they may be to a certain extent but it’s really more a product of two things.

First, be prepared for kids activities within your own home.

Children’s arts and crafts are a fantastic place to start. There are hundreds of ideas you can acquire just by searching the web.  Keep these arts and craft idea links and refer to them when needed. Be sure to pick up lots of supplies from your local retail box outlet (Wal-Mart or similar) or visit a specialty store like Lakeshore learning. You’ll find everything you need so stock up and be prepared.

Computer time (within reason) and done with a parent can really be a fantastic opportunity to bond with your children. Recently our kids and all of their friends have taken to the webkinz pet craze. Webkinz pets are stuffed toys you can purchase at a local specialty shop. These toys have a special code that you take and enter in to the webkinz site. The kids interact with their pets, play games and even interact with other kids who are currently logged in to the site. Webkinz for all intents and purposes is really a social network for kids but there is no free-hand communication. This means any comments back and forth between members are “canned” so you have to select from a list of comments and do it that way. Our kids love it and it’s a great way to eat up a little indoor play time.

Look for more board games or dust off the ones you already have. Families aren’t traveling this year due to the economy and high cost of gas so the time at home this year is going to be much greater than years past, particularly over Labor Day weekend.

Second, have a short list of indoor play places and keep it on the refrigerator. Kids getting bored at home is guaranteed to happen at some point, typically at the most inopportune time so be ready with a few activity options.

One of the favorites on our short list would best be described as a giant indoor playground for kids, although it’s actually fun for parents too.

We first learned of John’s Incredible Pizza when we were invited to a birthday party there. I’ve never seen a setup like this. John’s has an all you can eat buffet (a really great buffet), particularly if you’re a pizza lover. They have every topping imaginable. If you don’t like pizza they offer a giant pasta and salad bar and even dessert. You won’t leave this place hungry!

You won’t leave thirsty either because they also offer all you can drink beverages. For parents needing to relax they offer beer and wine at an additional charge but there is a two-drink limit.

Another neat part about John’s is the multiple themed rooms, which are big enough to be their own stand-alone restaurant. The themes range from sports to a more quiet cabin feel so whatever mood you’re in, you’ll be accommodated.

But the real attraction of John’s Incredible Pizza is the rides and games plus the fact that they are 100% indoor. We’ve been to several locations and the rides vary a bit but they range from an indoor roller coaster and bumper cars to one called the twister. The twister ride spins you around the center of the playground area while also giving you the opportunity to spin your individual car. If you get dizzy easily, watch your step when getting off this one!

This Summer remember to load up the house with arts and crafts activities and other games. Keep your short list of other indoor activity places on the refrigerator so you are prepared.

At the top of our list for kids activities and fun indoor places:

John’s Incredible Pizza Company

4555 N. Pershing
Stockton, CA 95207
p. (209) 954-1111

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