Theme & Amusement Parks in Los Gatos

Though the birth of a child changes the lives of all parents, it doesn’t usually spark inspiration for a new business. But for the Soon family, the arrival of son Jordan Alexander highlighted the need for a place where little ones can explore, learn, and socialize through interactive play. So the parents created Diddalidoo to fill this void.

The Soon family's playground welcomes kids aged 0–4 to play with toys and solve puzzles within its colorful confines. Separate areas cater to different age groups, with a baby area perfect for honing sensory skills and discussing the rising costs of rattles. A two-level playground looms over the toddler play area and creates laughs with its bright-yellow racing slides. Granting breaks from playtime, a quiet room caters to nursing mothers, a boutique shop sells gifts, and an onsite café serves up health-focused snacks and food for hungry teddy bears.

GoKart Racer safely curbs the need for speed with its fleet of Sodi RX 7 European racing karts, which come equipped with hydraulic brakes, a four-point racing harness, and a 9-horsepower Honda engine that can reach up to 35 miles per hour. The speedsters weave through the facility's three indoor European-style road courses, including the 3/8-mile SuperTrack, which has more than 20 turns, an elevation change, and the occasional hotshot, road-jumping frog.

Before the green flag waves, the staff members equip racers with a racing suit, a helmet, and a brief rundown of the kart's abilities and dietary regulations. They tailor races to different age groups by offering kids’ karts, a driving school for minors, and racing leagues for experienced drivers, and they augment traditional racing with a laser maze. The facility also welcomely opens its doors for birthday parties and other events.

From Dance Dance Revolution Extreme and Mario Kart to skeeball, the more than 100 video and redemption games housed at Nickel City only cost one nickel per play. Additionally, more 30 arcade classics are playable for free—such as Pac-Man, Mortal Kombat, and Street Fighter—during which gamers battle evildoers trying to prevent them from repaving the road. Once players accrue enough tickets, they can swap their stubs at the redemption counter for prizes such as army men, stuffed animals, and electronics. In between the virtual action, guests can reenergize with a bite from the snack bar or join friends for celebrations in the party room.

A referee stands guard over the designated trampoline dodge-ball court as teams soar through the air in graceful arcs and rebound off the walls. The fast-paced game reflects Great Jump Sports' mission to refresh workout routines. In doing so, the staff keeps upbeat music pouring out of the sound system and welcomes fitness clubs to hold classes in the arena.

Though the arena fosters a jovial environment, safety is paramount. Padding covers all hard surfaces, and vertical walls and netting prevent spills. Staffers keep the vast arena well ventilated and air-conditioned, and use all-natural, scent-free disinfectants. They also supply all jumpers with skid-free socks for safe landings.

Once patrons have expended energy reserves and perfected their meteor impersonations, they can head to the arcade or settle in at Great Jump Sports' café, where chefs bake pizzas in a brick oven and arrange fruit and veggie platters for up to 12 people.