Things To Do In New Ulm

Fog floods the 6,000-square-foot arena as youngsters race behind glowing crates and walls to escape lasers, thus fulfilling the business's Active Play Active Kids philosophy of getting wee ones on their feet and keeping them moving. The laser maze's 30 crisscrossing beams put participants' coordination to the test as they navigate through, and the glowing Lightspace Play Floor accommodates up to four players trying to copy each others' dance moves. At the snack station, kids can recharge with pizza and nachos before challenging friends to air-hockey bouts in an arcade with more than 35 games.

The snow-dusted, icy lakes around Minneapolis sprawl like white deserts, indistinguishable from the shoreline beneath powdery blankets. With practiced eye and sure footsteps, Metro Lakes Fish House Rental, LLC's guides traverse the seemingly barren expanses, finding the spots most likely to conceal fish. They drill through the ice, erecting ready-made ice fishing cabins around themselves as the work. Their portable houses comfortably seat up to eight people, and come equipped with rods, bait, and portable TVs to keep guests entertained.

At Arlington Raceway, mud-caked vehicles roar around banked curves and fly down straightaways with the same vigor that has attracted spectators for more than 30 years. Seven different classes of wheeled racers compete every Saturday from May to September, from stock cars and sprint cars to motorized rollerbladers. After packing arms with salty popcorn (a $1 value) and frosty brews (a $2.50 value each) during a quick snack-bar run, spectators stake out general-admission seating (a $10 value each) before cheering on International Motor Contest Association–sanctioned drivers as they skid around the half-mile track. Set back speedway clocks on July 23, as vintage racers descend on the track for a symposium on antique derring-do and the impracticality of in-car Victrolas. On August 20, artful auto tamers create lifelike burnt-rubber sketches while speeding through intricate turns on Arlington Raceway's autocross course. Though not included in today’s Groupon, pit passes ($25) unlock access to the inner workings of the speedway, allowing spectators to take up-close ganders at precision autos or feed sugar cubes to their favorite drivers.

Action Packed Paintball Games takes pigment pumping seriously, hosting eight diverse playing fields packed with obstacles ranging from naturally occurring woods to manmade urban bunkers. Because this Groupon comes with all-day air, you'll be able to give them all a fighting chance, stopping only to stock up on additional paintballs after the Groupon-included 200 run out ($5 for 100 balls, $20 for 500 balls) or to carbo load in the on-site picnic and grilling areas.

Inside the family-owned Jumps & Downs, youngsters aged 1–10 tumble into a capacious ball pit, 5,000 balls strong—one of the many attractions that pepper the 3,600-square-foot facility. The indoor play center’s inflatables encourage airborne activities, building kids' motor skills every time they leap in one of the bounce houses, dive down the giant plush slide, or climb up the obstacle course. Groups of kids unleash cake-fueled manias on the playscape during birthday parties that come complete with all manner of festive accoutrements, including a private room, paper goods, invitations, and a copyright lawyer to make sure no scofflaw children sing "Happy Birthday" for free.