Theme & Amusement Parks in Homewood

Cheerful battle cries carom off winding fortresses and across Stratagem Laser Missions' 10,000 square feet of playing space. In the two-story facility, sharpshooters hone their skills with eight styles of play, which urge them to capture the flag, eliminate opponents, and protect the Xerox machine. From hiding places atop plastic barrels, behind cardboard boxes, and within stacks of spare tires, warriors fire one of four radio-frequency guns. A marshal patrols the area to enforce safety and rules about fair play and point out plot holes in Civil War reenactments. Players of all ages romp through the twisting hallways, and groups gather to celebrate birthdays and other special occasions in adrenaline-steeped style.

In 1976, busy California mother Joan Barnes wanted nothing more than to find a play place where she and her kids could enjoy age-appropriate, educational activities. Finding none, she developed her own innovative play environment within a developmental-based program structure now known as Gymboree Play & Music. Today, kids tumble and learn in more than 650 locations in 33 countries around the world, engaging in open play and classes designed to build cognitive and motor skills. As parents participate in their children's development, their kids learn to paint, play music, and interact socially outside of their preschool knitting circles.