laser tag

When one of my friends suggested that we take our kids (ages 5 through 8) roller skating, I thought it would be really fun until I realized I might find myself on skates.  Here was my Facebook status from that day, “I’m on roller skates. Someone alert the nearest ER and get them ready.”

We got to the Fun Warehouse in Surfside Beach, on 544 just east of the Wal-Mart, at about 10:30 a.m.  Skating was $6.25 per person and skate rental was $1.50 per person.  They also had these really cool “trainers”, which looked like PVC pipe connected in a “V” with wheels on the bottom.  It acted almost as a walker for beginner skaters.  I had two rookies, so we rented one for each of them for $2 per hour, per trainer.  My day was getting a little expensive, but the little insurance policy of the trainers felt worth it.

Now I don’t want to brag, but I was quite the rollerskater when I was a kid.  I lived on a cul-de-sac and the day the city repaved it was joyous for my friends and me.  While I had a healthy fear of injury, I was confident(ish).  My children, on the other hand, freaked out.  My younger one, especially.  She put the skates on and fumbled a bit, but once her little feet hit the slippery wood of the rink, she went nuts.  I’d say we got about 15 feet away from the entrance and she started to cry!  The lesson I was taught by my friend is that the carpeted area outside the rink is MUCH easier to learn on than the wood floor.  There is more friction.  Remember that when you take your little ones for the first time.

The music was a fantastic mix of the soundtrack of my youth and today’s Top 40.  There was nothing with inappropriate lyrics, for which I was thankful.  As you’d expect, there was cool lighting and disco balls.  The gal in the booth not only played the role of DJ, but also maintained order on the floor.  There were a few older boys who were great skaters but semi-wreckless.  She made sure they weren’t being dangerous with routine reminders, again, which I was thankful for.

We ended up skating for about two hours.  By this time, my kids were begging for food.  Bringing your own into the rink is forbidden.  Drinks aren’t allowed either, so we headed over to the snack bar.  Let me skim over this with a few key words.  A little pricey, loooong wait, “eh” quality.  This was one of those times where I thought to myself that sometimes you can really tell when something is someone’s secondary business.  Yet still, it was convenient to have food right there.  I hear on the weekends they have Chick-Fil-A sandwiches.  It’s also quite possible the service is a bit better when there are more people there.

Overall, we had a fantastic time and I can’t wait to go back.  When I do it again, I’m hoping to do a girls’ night with my friends.  My back hurt from leaning over, assisting the shorter members of my family.  Still, I had so much fun!

But wait…there’s more.  The Fun Warehouse has laser tag, inflatables, and an arcade!  Seriously, we could have spent the entire day there.  We didn’t get the chance to partake, but laser tag really looked fun.  Maybe next time…and believe me, there will be one.  Soon!

For more information, check out their website here, or give them a call at (843) 748-0302.  You can also find them on Facebook here.

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