Grown men - and some women - become little kids upon entering Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, a huge sporting goods store that is truly an outdoorsman's definition of heaven.

The store can also be an adventurous family outing, with plenty to do and see, even if you've never even picked up a fishing pole.

The main attraction is the giant aquarium surrounded by boulders and topped with elk, turkey, and other wildlife. And, every kid is entranced by the laser rifle arcade.

Shopping is also a sport here, with everything you need for almost any outdoor excursion. Fishing, hunting, camping, and water sports are all very well represented.

Dining is available at the Islamorada Fish Co. located inside the store.

Grown men - and some women - become little kids upon entering Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, a huge sporting goods store that is truly an outdoorsman's definition of heaven.

The store can also be an adventurous family outing, with plenty to do and see, even if you've never even picked up a fishing pole.

The main attraction is the giant aquarium surrounded by boulders and topped with elk, turkey, and other wildlife. And, every kid is entranced by the laser rifle arcade.

Shopping is also a sport here, with everything you need for almost any outdoor excursion. Fishing, hunting, camping, and water sports are all very well represented.

Dining is available at the Islamorada Fish Co. located inside the store.

Although parents might cringe when Chuck E. Cheese's comes up as a dinner suggestion, many kids we know just love visiting here (hmmm, could it be the crazy kiddie casino atmosphere, with tokens, tickets and prizes? The Chuck E. Cheese show? The rides?)

The food is passable, as fast food goes. Mainly pizza, with a small salute to salads, a short assortment of subs, and desserts like cotton candy and brownies. In short, it's all one big kids' menu.

The main attraction here is the Chuck E. Cheese birthday party, which does take a large portion of the agony out of party planning. Included in the package are a decorated table for 90 minutes, two slices of pizza with one topping per child, soft drink refills, a birthday cake (though you might prefer to bring your own), sixteen tokens for each child, a birthday show performed by Chuck E. Cheese (for the uninitiated, Chuck is a giant mouse) and his musical friends, a personal visit from Chuck E. Cheese, a host or hostess to personally serve you and your guests and assist with the party, and a Chuck E. Cheese souvenir cup, a special balloon, a birthday crown, and a bag of cotton candy for the birthday child. Prices vary by location; call for details and reservations.

Before heading out to the restaurant, check the website for coupons and specials. Also, birthday parties held during the week (Mon-Thu) receive unlimited party table time and extra game tokens for each guest.

Although parents might cringe when Chuck E. Cheese's comes up as a dinner suggestion, many kids we know just love visiting here (hmmm, could it be the crazy kiddie casino atmosphere, with tokens, tickets and prizes? The Chuck E. Cheese show? The rides?)

The food is passable, as fast food goes. Mainly pizza, with a small salute to salads, a short assortment of subs, and desserts like cotton candy and brownies. In short, it's all one big kids' menu.

The main attraction here is the Chuck E. Cheese birthday party, which does take a large portion of the agony out of party planning. Included in the package are a decorated table for 90 minutes, two slices of pizza with one topping per child, soft drink refills, a birthday cake (though you might prefer to bring your own), sixteen tokens for each child, a birthday show performed by Chuck E. Cheese (for the uninitiated, Chuck is a giant mouse) and his musical friends, a personal visit from Chuck E. Cheese, a host or hostess to personally serve you and your guests and assist with the party, and a Chuck E. Cheese souvenir cup, a special balloon, a birthday crown, and a bag of cotton candy for the birthday child. Prices vary by location; call for details and reservations.

Before heading out to the restaurant, check the website for coupons and specials. Also, birthday parties held during the week (Mon-Thu) receive unlimited party table time and extra game tokens for each guest.

Essentially an upscale, indoor carnival, Dave & Buster's has zillions of arcade games (older kids are drawn to the Million Dollar Midway) and redemption ticket games the little kids can play for prizes.

There is also a surprisingly terrific restaurant and bar to provide energy for those marathon gaming sessions. You'll find pinball machines, simulated race games, and virtual adventures.

Parties: Dave & Buster's has menu options, drinks, activities, and rooms of all sizes and can easily accommodate groups of up to 2,000. Contact D & B's special events department for details.

Incred-a-bowl is an indoor fun center that features bowling, mini-golf, and laser tag.

On Friday and Saturday nights, the bowling alley goes "cosmic" with black lights, glow-in-the-dark bowling pins, and a live DJ. Sessions do book-up, so reservations are recommended.

Incred-a-bowl offers ramps for special needs bowlers, and the mini-golf course is wheelchair accessible. Birthday packages also are available.

With more than 80,000 square feet of rides, laser tag, whirlyball, arcade games, bowling, go-karts, a toddler area, and cosmic golf, Power Play provides fun for even the most discerning entertainment consumer.

Power Play operates on a points card, and the rides and games really are priced reasonably enough to keep everyone entertained for a couple of hours within a budget. (For more deals, be sure and sign up for the email newsletter.)

A large all-you-can-eat buffet with pizza, tacos, nachos, and desserts (even an Icee machine!) is available for $5.99. Each buffet purchased comes with points on your card, too. Be aware that once you leave the buffet area for the games you can't return.

Birthday party packages start at $189.50.

Tunnel Town provides plenty of diversion when its either too hot or too cold to go outside. There's a three-story tunnel play area, a rock wall, a grip-it ropes course for ages six and up, a special toddler town, and more. Be sure and wear socks!

The Shooting Gallery restaurant inside Tunnel Town features sandwiches, pizza, and appetizers.

The winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the best indoor playspace/partyplace in Kansas City, Zonkers is an indoor theme park with a mix of amusement rides, built to scale for indoor use. Rides include a roller coaster, bumper cars, an airplane ride, and the Sky Maze, one of the largest soft play areas in the Kansas City area. Birthday party packages are also available.