No compensation was received for this post. We attended as a guest of Kaleidoscope.
My kids and I have absolutely loved exploring our city this summer, particularly because we’ve been introduced to a wide variety of off-the-beaten path adventures, many of which cost little to nothing! While my kids could literally spend the entire summer in the pool, I wanted to diversify their experiences by including art, culture, film and fun! If you’ve ever driven to or from San Diego on the 5 freeway, you’ve likely spotted the Kaleidoscope in Mission Viejo, California. This outdoor shopping and entertainment center is a GEM in Orange County, and all summer long they are hosting weekly free kids events!
In addition to offering families several kid-friendly dining and entertainment options, Kaleidoscope has a Regal Cinemas on-site. Every Tuesday and Wednesday, as part of the Regal Summer Movie Express, families can watch popular kid-flicks like Mr. Peabody and Sherman and Rio 2 for just $1! Two films are shown at 10 am and tickets can be purchased right at the box office, same-day and a portion of proceeds will go to the Will Rogers Institute.
After we spent the early part of our morning watching Madagascar 3 (Afro Circus, Afro Circus!), we headed over to the courtyard for an engaging Song Writing Session with one of the songwriters from American Idol! The kids really enjoyed rewriting the lyrics to Pharrell’s “Happy” and learned all about how to write a song from a professional. Each week, the type of event changes and can include dance, the arts, animal encounters or LEGOs.
Our dining experiences at Kaleidoscope have mostly included visits to Islands Restaurant, but given my kids’ relatively diverse palates, we decided to check out Riptide Rockin Sushi & Teppan Grills. My kids LOVE Japanese food and we’ve been to a number of Teppan Restaurants where the food is cooked table-side. The entire menu is diverse and includes a very comprehensive selection of Japanese foods including Sushi. However, if you’re spending the day at Kaleidoscope and you’re looking for a more leisurely lunch, I highly recommend sitting down for their Teppanyaki! A kids’ lunch costs $8-10 and includes soup or salad, a protein, rice, and vegetables and is so generous in size, you’ll likely have leftovers. Comparable adult meals cost between $10-14. If you sit down for Teppanyaki, expect to spend at least an hour dining at the restaurant. However, because the venue literally puts on a show during your meal, the excitement (and fire!) will keep your kids engaged while they proceed through the courses.
After some much needed downtime, we headed to Laser Quest which features multi-level arenas outfitted with special lighting, swirling fog, and hip music to create a very exciting and somewhat mysterious environment for laser tag. This was our very first time participating in laser tag and the experience was thrilling!
Playing is actually quite easy and most kids can pick it up with the briefing instructions provided before entering the maze. Once outfitted with a Laser Gun and Laser Pack, kids (and adults) can chase each other around to “tag” them. While kids of any age can play, I think it’s important to note that the Laser Packs are quite heavy and my daughter was not able to carry hers alone. We tag-teamed it (I held the pack, she carried the Laser Gun) and we still had a blast. At the end of the game, scores are tallied and each player receives a certificate which my kids loved! When my kids are just a tad bit older, I think Laser Quest would make the ideal birthday party location.
Admittedly, after Laser Tag I thought my kids would want to take a nap because of all the excitement. But when I proposed we get those last wiggles out at Jump ‘n Jammin, they could not get there fast enough. This place is like the ultimate indoor playground! Once inside, kids are free to climb, crawl, slide, swing, shoot, jump, and so much more. I can’t even begin to describe how engaging this place is for kids and the ONLY way I was able to get them out was to promise there would be Yogurtland at the end of our day. Admission is $12.95 per child (which includes 1 adult) and this includes unlimited play all day long. There is a small cafe inside the venue plus free WIFI available. As a parent, I appreciate their secure check-in/check-out procedures and combined with the fact that the entire venue is padded, I had so much peace of mind allowing my kids complete freedom to explore and play in a safe environment.
With just a few more weeks left of Summer, Kaleidoscope is the perfect venue to spend the day with your kids. And on August 26th, 2014 from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, the venue will host the Kaleidoscope Kids Summer Finale which will include inflatables, a game master, a juggler, a stilt walker, face painting and a ballon artist. Tickets for each activity are $1 each, six for $5 and 15 for $10. and all proceeds benefit Make-A-Wish If you bring in a new backpack or toy, you’ll receive 5 free activity tickets. For more information visit GoKaleidoscope.com.
Images: Rockin’ Mama unless noted.
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