Dads have a lot of important jobs: mowing the lawn; killing spiders; bribing the principal. But when three Boston-area dads put their heads together in 2012, they discovered a new paternal duty: creating a 9,000-square-foot entertainment facility where families can retreat for good, old-fashioned fun. Set beside the banks of the Shawsheen River, Merrimack Valley Pavilion's "Tiki Island" miniature golf course weaves putters through a paradise complete with palm trees, bamboo huts, a cave waterfall, and geysers that spray higher than a caddy jumps when spooked by his own shadow. Inside, a multi-level laser tag arena pulses with light as players navigate its tricky jungle setup, the Vines ropes obstacle course (available April–October) challenges kids 4-12 years old, and an on-site sports café lets visitors load up on pizza, frozen yogurt, and 25 different flavors of ice cream.