Things to Do in Gainesville

Inside CooCoos, a spacious, color-splashed play area accommodates pintsize patrons with full-size servings of fun. Stretched across more than 20,000 square feet, the recently opened facility buzzes with the giggles and squeals emitted from kids as they scramble and spite gravity during birthday parties, field trips, and open-play sessions held Monday through Friday. A lineup of unique zones, such as those with UFO, jungle-course, and alligator themes, whisks adventurers to far-away worlds, and 3-D carpeting and black-light sections enable youngsters to accurately mimic their favorite Grateful Dead–concert moments. For an extra dose of amusement, guests can visit on Friday Night Fun Night, when 3-D glasses help to transform playtime into a multidimensional experience.

Sports stars and memorabilia exhibitors blitz through the doors at Show Business Studios during Gameday Connexion's three-day Gameday FanFest. A still-growing lineup of current and former professional athletes, legends, and Hall of Famers will be on hand throughout the weekend, including Dallas Cowboys icons Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin, and Kevin Williams. Instead of continuing to fill their mantels with caps worn by high-profile tackling dummies, attendees can build up memorabilia portfolios while browsing the trading cards, collectibles, and team attire showcased by more than 80 vendors. Official authenticators will be in attendance to oversee autograph sessions, which will be squeezed into each day's packed agenda of scheduled events.

JumpStreet's vast trampoline arena delights jumpers of all ages with a room covered top to bottom in springy surfaces and safe padding, cultivating a fun way to unleash pent-up energy and engage in physical activity. In addition to the bounce-inducing ground, tilted trampolines stretch midway up the wall for extended propulsion possibilities and airborne orations of the Gettysburg Address. Visitors aged 8 or older can gravitate toward the dodge-ball courts, where they strategize, aim, and propel soft orbs at opponents while undulating on an unstable surface. With fun passes, older kids can also cling to a bucking mechanical bull as it threatens to toss them onto the foam.

Sudsy brews slosh in clink-ready cups at the third annual North Texas Beer and Wine Festival, which takes up residence at the new Irving Convention Center on Saturday, May 12. Once the doors open to the general public at 2 p.m., imbibers can snack on high-end eats from the likes of Velvet Taco and The Ranch in Las Colinas, and sample the wares of local and international brewers from Imperial and Franconia. These brewmasters sling samples of hundreds of different beers, from classic signature brews to new, experimental creations. Just one of several enriching presentations on the schedule, Kelly Harris of Homebrew Headquarters edifies entrepreneurs and enthusiasts at 2:45 p.m. with an introductory course to home brewing. In a sprawling beer garden, live music from The Superkings and Dallas All Stars Blues Jam serenades sippers in the afternoon hours, easing eardrums into the VIP-only event featuring Band of Brothers and Zionaura.

Customization is the name of the game at Creative Events Photo and Video Booths. Before staffers show up to set up and man the booth, the Creative Events team teams up with customers to personalize each photo-booth package, choosing custom layouts or adding extras such as props or custom logos. On the day of the event, the portrait palace lets up to 10 guests at a time pose for unlimited black-and-white and color snapshots or attempt to break the record for most bunny ears on one bride. Other a la carte add-ons include video greetings from guests and keepsake photo guest books.

The staff at Kids-N-Art come from many backgrounds, but all share degrees in arts or education and buckets of enthusiasm. Summer camps introduce projects such as throwing clay on a pottery wheel or rehearsing a musical to be performed at the end of the session. Kids’ classes develop skills in painting, mixed media, and cartooning, and events such as Parents’ Night Out let kids take a break from nagging their moms and dads to clean their rooms and relax with some pizza and games.