The Giggle Box, North Las Vegas

"If they make a mess, so what?" says Jennifer Martin. "That's what the place is for." Martin is the owner of The Giggle Box, the indoor playground she created to give kids a safe place to play and escape the searing desert heat. But her words are music to parents' ears as well. Here, kids' imaginations run wild as they cook in the kitchen play set, draw pictures on the big chalkboard, read books, and make arts and crafts, while moms and dads feel good knowing kids aren't wasting time doing sedentary things like watching TV or filling out college transcripts.