Funtown Splashtown USA

Funtown Splashtown USA is about an hour and a half from the city of Boston, in Saco, Maine, just off of 95 and is a good sized amusement park for children.  It is another, bigger option to Canobie Lake.  There are two sides to the park, identifiable by the bracelets one purchases upon entering.  (The entry fees are confusing, after speaking to two representatives and having friends have completely different experiences purchasing their bands, I couldn't explain it).  Splashtown houses about twenty water slides and pools for various heights and ages.  If you read the height requirements however, it will reduce the number of water slides and rides to a lot fewer available to a given group of people.  Funtown has rides for all sizes and at varying speeds also.  There are several "family" rides, such as antique cars on a track, kiddie rides including airplanes and bumper boats, and much faster rides, for older children or more daring folk.  Park hours begin sporadically in late May, and pick up in June.  The park closes again in September.  During the summer, the parks open at 10:00 on a daily basis and Splashtown closes at 6:00, Funtown at 9:00.

Food is available in the park, but you are also allowed to bring food in, just no glass containers.  There is some shopping and various other park activities, such as arcades and games.  Often during the week in the summer, camp groups will go, so weekends aren't that much busier comparatively.

A family of four would probably spend between $100-150 for a day at the park, with admission and purchasing food.  Children under 38 inches ride for free, so it is a good option for little ones!

Click here for link to FuntownSplashtown, USA

Watertown Indoor Playground

For an indoor play space with lots of room to run, Watertown Indoor Playground has a good amount of space and equipment.  It is geared to children from age 0-5 (2-5 being on the more appropriate end of the scale).  There is one large, open room with another room for quieter, less movement oriented play.
The equipment includes two bouncy houses, ride on toys, climbing areas, a kitchen set, ball pit, and exercise area.  There is much more beyond the options mentioned above.  Kids are required to take off shoes and socks and it is fairly clean (a little weird to visit the bathroom shoeless, but I guess everyone does it).  Upon entering, there is a seating area to have and buy snacks, but you can bring in your own food.  Earlier in the day, it is fairly empty, and can be quiet.
Hours are less restrictive than other indoor playgrounds that we have visited and are less booked for events and birthday parties.

Monday to Saturday 9- 8pm
Sunday 10- 8pm

Pricing differs slightly, the winter being a couple of dollars more, but kids are generally $10 for the first child and $8 for each additional child, and the first adult is free.  There are rocking chairs and Wifi for adults.  The parking is around the back of the facility, as is the door to enter.  Further information and birthday party info is at the link below.

Worth a trip for those cold days of cabin fever!

 Watertown Indoor Playground

Edaville: A Day with Out With Thomas

For anyone with Thomas the Train obsessed toddlers and preschoolers, Edaville, in Carver, Ma, holds a Day Out with Thomas twice a year.  Thomas and Sir Topham visit in June and October.  The park is open to the usual public, but you can also buy train tickets to ride "Thomas" separately.  The tickets can be bought ahead of time online and mailed to you, for particular departure times.  If you arrive when the park opens, at 9:00 on Thomas days, the crowd is minimal.  The park is also fairly extensive for the little guys, various rides other than the train, a shady playground area, a small pond to walk around, and tents that host musicians and storytellers.  There are food vendors, but the park allows picnics to be brought in also.

                  Park play area that tends to be less crowded and quiet.

Edaville: A Day Out with Thomas