This blog reviews playgrounds in Cleveland and beyond. Guest bloggers can chime in with their own opinions and experiences. When possible, maps and/or directions provided. If our kids had fun, maybe yours will too.
Seattle is renown for chilly, rainy weather. Exactly the kind of weather that causes parents to tell their children “I think we should stay inside today” when they look out the window. While this is largely a lie that we tell people from California so they don't move here, there are enough rainy days for it to be a consideration. So on our first trip to the zoo I was happy to find, of all things, the “Zoomazium” - an INDOOR playground and activity center! Dave loves the Zoo like any four year old, and we have a membership and try to go every weekend that we are together. Woodland Park is pretty good about making sure that they have covered areas to view as many animals as possible, and by providing an indoor play space they truly make going to the zoo a year-round activity.
The Zoomazium is a large (Approx. 150’ by 100’) building with high ceilings and plenty of natural light. Alongside the usual adult size door is a child-size entrance. Off to a good start.
Inside, there are three distinct areas. The entire left side of the large, open design is taken up with an arts and crafts area, and space for zookeepers to bring in small animals for “show and tell” opportunities. Very cool, but all of the action takes place on the right.
Closer to the door is an area for children under four, enclosed by a two foot high fence. Inside are a variety of age appropriate climbing and crawling spaces, 
as well as stuffed animals, puzzles, and a foam-rubber “Dinosaur Egg” from which parents can help their child "hatch". Holy Kodak Moment, Batman!
The Big Kahuna, as far as Dave is concerned, is the four to eight year old play area at the rear right of the building. This is made up a natural-looking rock climbing structure complete with a rope bridge, sliding board, and caves to crawl through. This is where Dave spends most of his time and is ideal for very active, creative play.
In the right rear corner is the “Treehouse”, a two story enclosed climber with a spiral slide appropriate for five to twelve year olds. Dave has tried the Treehouse but gets stuck on the spiral climbing pole and I have had to squeeze in and help him down a few times. He ends up wanting to be bigger, and I want to be smaller. At least Dave will eventually get what he wants.
The floor of the play space is made up of fairy thick rubber padding the texture of a wrestling mat. The rocks, however, appear to be cast concrete. This is my only concern with the Zoomasium, and it is minor if you supervise your child and know their limits.
Woodland Park Zoo’s Zoomazium is a great place to take your kids rain or shine. There are enough activities that Dave is usually good to go for up to two hours, and he almost always sleeps the entire drive/ferry ride home.
I have never understood parents who let a little snow prohibit their attempts to utilize public playgrounds. The fact is, kids don't care, and their brains need the fresh air. Nothing nips cabin fever in the bud than a good swing and a climb. This past Thursday was cold (30 degrees) but sunny and no wind, so I loaded the girls up for a jazz around Bexley, or as we call it, Sleeping Beauty park (the castle is determinative). We had the entire place to ourselves (which I expected, and which the girls found disappointing) and after an hour we were ready to head home. However, the sleep was deep that night, and they were clearly happier for having had the time outside. While I am always on the lookout for new playgrounds, in this climate, sometimes local and familiar will get the job done in a winter's pinch.
