Offering bowling for all ages, the AMF Country Lanes is a great place to spend a night with the kids.

Children are invited to join the Nickelodeon Bowling Club, which includes the choice of a fun prizes.

Other special events at the center include Xtreme Bowling with fluorescent bowling pins and loud party music, and community parties and lock-ins. Birthday parties are also popular and include bowling, bowling shoes, party supplies, and food and beverages for all party-goers.

Before you go - check out the website for special offers.

Offering bowling for all ages, the AMF Ponderosa Lanes is a great place to spend a night with the kids.

Children are invited to join the Nickelodeon Bowling Club, which includes the choice of a fun prizes.

Other special events at the center include Xtreme Bowling with fluorescent bowling pins and loud party music, and community parties and lock-ins. Birthday parties are also popular and include bowling, bowling shoes, party supplies, and food and beverages for all party-goers.

Before you go - check out the website for special offers.

Offering bowling for all ages, the AMF Wonder Lanes is a great place to spend a night with the kids.

Children are invited to join the Nickelodeon Bowling Club, which includes the choice of a fun prizes.

Other special events at the center include Xtreme Bowling with fluorescent bowling pins and loud party music, and community parties and lock-ins. Birthday parties are also popular and include bowling, bowling shoes, party supplies, and food and beverages for all party-goers.

Before you go - check out the website for special offers.

The winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the best artsy class for little kids in San Antonio, Artworks classes are based on a theme or art concept and always include literature. Classes are available for children as young as two (with accompanying adult).

Birthday parties at Artworks include materials (choose from a number of art centers) and staff. Families may bring their own food and cake. The Nacogdoches locations has indoor and outdoor facilities; the Mainland location has an indoor party room.

Summer and school vacation art camps are also available.

The winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the best artsy class for little kids in San Antonio, Artworks classes are based on a theme or art concept and always include literature. Classes are available for children as young as two (with accompanying adult).

Birthday parties at Artworks include materials (choose from a number of art centers) and staff. Families may bring their own food and cake. The Nacogdoches locations has indoor and outdoor facilities; the Mainland location has an indoor party room.

Summer and school vacation art camps are also available.

The winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the best artsy class for little kids in San Antonio, Artworks classes are based on a theme or art concept and always include literature. Classes are available for children as young as two (with accompanying adult).

Birthday parties at Artworks include materials (choose from a number of art centers) and staff. Families may bring their own food and cake. The Nacogdoches locations has indoor and outdoor facilities; the Mainland location has an indoor party room.

Summer and school vacation art camps are also available.

The Barshop Jewish Community Center hosts a wide variety of classes and camps for families and kids. It also houses a preschool and daycare for infants and toddlers, and offers party space and programs for children.

Youth sports and fitness classes include fencing, tennis, indoor soccer, karate, volleyball, basketball, floor hockey, and flag football. The center also offers dance and theater classes - plus free parenting classes for families with kids up to four years old.

Facilities include a full-service fitness center, youth fitness center, a double gymnasium, and an on-site cafe.

The JCC Aquatics Facility consists of a heated 25-meter eight lane lap swimming pool, an outdoor recreational pool with beach front entry, an instructional pool, a Jacuzzi, and an outdoor basketball court. Swim classes and programs are available year 'round.

It's all about down-home American cooking at Black-Eyed Pea restaurants. You'll find typical burger and sandwich fare on the menu, but the chain's real claim to fame is its home-style Southern US cuisine including pot roast, fried catfish, chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, fried okra, broccoli and rice casserole, corn bread, and rolls. Main entrees usually come with a choice of two vegetables.

The Kids' Menu is also full of comfort food, such as pot roast, mac and cheese, Mom's meat loaf, and grilled cheese, as well as the requisite cheese pizza. Kids eat free on Tuesday evenings after 5pm. Visit the website for additional information.

Kids (and adults) can stuff, stitch, name, and dress cuddly bears, ponies, frogs, dogs, bunnies, kitties, seasonal critters, and more in bustling Build-A-Bear "factory" stores that also sell a mind-boggling array of clothing, accessories, and deluxe add-ons and for the creations.

Pricing for in-store stuffed animal-making parties starts at about $10/person. Visit the store locator for a workshop near you.

Kids (and adults) can stuff, stitch, name, and dress cuddly bears, ponies, frogs, dogs, bunnies, kitties, seasonal critters, and more in bustling Build-A-Bear "factory" stores that also sell a mind-boggling array of clothing, accessories, and deluxe add-ons and for the creations.

Pricing for in-store stuffed animal-making parties starts at about $10/person. Visit the store locator for a workshop near you.

Who wouldn't get excited upon hearing that they're about to embark on a "space mission"? For space enthusiasts, the Challenger Learning Center provides
hands-on, realistic, simulated space missions for people ages six and up (public missions are geared towards
those 11 and up). The activities here are unique in that they encourage participants to work together and perform activities similar to astronauts, scientists and engineers.

Reservations are required for all public missions, which are held intermittently throughout the year - check the website for schedules. Missions can also be booked for school and scout groups, birthday parties, and corporate team-building sessions.

In the summer, the center's one-week and two-week day camps allow children to engage in all sorts of space themed activities, including hands-on workshops, simulated missions, and field trips. The camps are open to kids between third and eighth grades.

Clay Casa, a "paint your own" pottery studio, offers hundreds of ceramic bisque pieces (bowls, plates, mugs, vases, and banks) - pick a piece, choose some colors, paint away, and then leave it for glazing.

Children's birthday parties run 90 minutes, and include a piece for each child to paint and a party host to help kids with their work. Parents supply cake and paper goods; pizza can be ordered in.

Who doesn't love a Blizzard?

Because the majority of Dairy Queen restaurants are individually owned and operated franchises, quality, hours, and offerings vary greatly - you probably know what you like (or don't) about your local store.

What we like is DQ's take on the ubiquitous children's meal concept. In most stores, not only can parents substitute applesauce for French fries (if they're lucky), but the meals come with a coupon for a free treat (small Dilly bar, ice cream sandwich, or $.49 off a Blizzard) so the dessert part of the meal can stay cool, and out of reach, until the "healthy" part of the meal has been consumed.

Of course, the chain's ice cream cakes are practically required equipment for some kids' parties, and some stores offer discounts on birthday parties held on site.

Most Dairy Queen restaurants nationwide participate in annual (and more frequent) fundraisers for Children's Miracle Network. Eat up.

Essentially an upscale, indoor carnival, Dave & Buster's has it all, from zillions of arcade games (older kids are drawn to the Million Dollar Midway), to redemption ticket games smaller kids can play for prizes. There are also a couple restaurants to provide energy for those marathon gaming sessions.

You'll find pinball machines, simulated race games, virtual adventures, batting cages, and laser tag. Kids can even sign up for billiards tournaments and shuffleboard!

Locally-owned Dough is San Antonio?s only authentic Neapolitan pizzeria.

Eisenhower Park's 317 acres feature five miles of well-marked hiking trails, including two wheelchair-accessible trails (Cedar Flats & Yucca trails). The park is for pedestrians only - no bicycles, rollerblades, skateboards, or scooters are permitted.

Picnic tables and barbeque grills, restrooms, and a playground also dot the landscape. Several pavilions and some primitive campsites may also be reserved. Call 210.207.3120 for reservations and availability.

The thing that sets Eisenhower apart from other state parks is its wooden observation tower, which offers a view of the surrounding landscape, including - on a clear day - the San Antonio skylinek.

Embassy Miniature Golf features not only mini golf, but also Water Wars, a water balloon battle game.

Party packages include 18 holes of mini golf, invitations, one hour in the party room, and more. Pizza, hot dogs, and water wars are available for an additional charge.

Funtastic Playland is an indoor children's playground for ages 1-9. They are available for Open Play and Parties.

GameWorks is the arcade of your child's (and possibly your) dreams. This huge facility offers the latest in virtual reality games, in addition to such standards as racing and battle games. There's also a large section of the more traditional arcade games where you win tickets towards prizes.

Reusable cards are purchased for variable monetary or time amounts when you arrive.

The big reality games such as the roller coaster, Jurassic Park, or Sky Pirates are more expensive (the roller coaster is $5 per ride) so if that's your group's interest it's better to buy a time card. Time cards cost $27 for 3 hours and are sold Mon through Thu before 10pm only. During the first 2 hours after opening and the last 2 hours before closing, the 3 hour ticket is discounted to $25. The only drawback to the time card is that it does not work for the traditional arcade games for prizes.

The smaller arcade games are less expensive, and purchasing a dollar amount card is more practical if you want to play for prizes.

The GameWorks Restaurant has a kid's menu offering grilled cheese, hot dog, cheeseburger, chicken tenders, spaghetti & meatballs, and cheese pizza. Prices range from $2.95 to $3.95 and include soda in a souvenir cup. Adults can choose from a large menu including salads, lasagna, roast chicken, quesadilla, and fish & chips. Within the facility there is a traditional restaurant, and 2 casual bars (one upstairs and one downstairs) where food is served.

Birthday parties: For $25 per person (10 guest minimum) kids can birthday party down at GameWorks. Parties include a 2 hour game card for each child, a reserved area in the GameWorks restaurant and server for 2 hours, choice of cheese or pepperoni pizza, drinks, and chocolate or vanilla cake, and discounts on other game cards during the party time.

For an additional $10 per person, the skybox (a large party room on the second floor) can be used. Menu changes can be made, but the price per person may change depending on the selection.

Home Court America is a fitness center designed with the whole family in mind; opportunities for kids (and adults!) include a rock climbing wall, circuit training, resistance training, aerobics, treadmills, elliptical equipment, hockey, basketball, volleyball, badminton, indoor soccer, indoor tennis, and more.

Home Court members can also take advantage of the Kids Court program, which offers supervision for kids while parents work out.

Birthday party packages, starting at $189, include packages include a T-shirt for the birthday child, invitations, cups with ice, plates, napkins, forks, spoons, three 2-liter soft drinks, and a coach to lead the activities.

Home Court America is a fitness center designed with the whole family in mind; opportunities for kids (and adults!) include a rock climbing wall, circuit training, resistance training, aerobics, treadmills, elliptical equipment, hockey, basketball, volleyball, badminton, indoor soccer, indoor tennis, and more.

Home Court members can also take advantage of the Kids Court program, which offers supervision for kids while parents work out.

Birthday party packages, starting at $189, include packages include a T-shirt for the birthday child, invitations, cups with ice, plates, napkins, forks, spoons, three 2-liter soft drinks, and a coach to lead the activities.

The Ice & Golf Center at Northwoods is a great place for family fun. With two 18-hole miniature golf courses to challenge your putting ability and a full-size ice rink, there's something for the athlete in most everyone.

The Ice & Golf Center also offers a full-service pro-shop, sports bar, six party rooms, and arcade. Birthday party packages are available.

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The Ice & Golf Center at Northwoods is a great place for family fun. With two 18-hole miniature golf courses to challenge your putting ability and a full-size ice rink, there's something for the athlete in most everyone.

The Ice & Golf Center also offers a full-service pro-shop, sports bar, six party rooms, and arcade. Birthday party packages are available.

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The Imaginarium of South Texas features a variety of bilingual, hands-on activities and workshops that encourage creativity, imagination, and an exploration of science, art, and other subjects.

Birthday party packages are also available.

RiverCenter's IMAX Theatre screens movies on a king-sized screen.

Birthday parties at the theater include admission to see IMAX feature of your choice; popcorn and soft drinks; paper good and cutlery; balloons; use of a decorated party room for 1 hour and 15 minutes; reserved seating in the theater; recognition of the birthday child at that start of the show; and a party host to assist with party set-up, games, gift list and clean up. Party bookings require a minimum of 15 guests, and a maximum of 36. Call to reserve at least two weeks in advance.

The winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the best party/playspace for big kids in San Antonio, the Incredible Pizza Co. features loads of food and fun. With an all-you-can-eat buffet, you can choose to eat in the sporty Gymnasium, the cool Drive-In Room, the retro 50s Diner, or the quiet Family Room. The buffet includes pizza, pasta, a baked potato bar, salad bar, soups, and desserts.

Then, hop into some fun at the Fairgrounds, where you find indoor go-kart races (with real trophies!), bumper cars, Route 66 mini-golf, an arcade where you can redeem tickets for prizes, adult and junior bowling, and an indoor play area for the little ones to climb and enjoy.

Birthday party packages include a private party room, your own party entertainer, invitations, thank-you notes, buffet and drinks, and more. Reserve at least a month in advance, as dates fill up quickly.

Inflatable Wonderland is an 18,000-square-foot indoor inflatable play land where children can climb, bounce, and slide down huge, air-filled play structures.

Birthday party packages start at $139 and include two hours of reserved party area and playtime (with supervision, party guests may stay and play all day). Food packages (more expensive) include a choice of hot dogs or pizza, fountain drinks, and ice cream cups.

While kids play, parents can sit in a viewing area equipped with wireless internet access.

Jump and Bounce offers 11,000 square-feet of indoor play space including private party rooms, play areas grouped by age, and a gift shop.

Kate's Frosting offers cupcakes and small cookies, decorating parties for adults and kids, and housewares including cake plates and aprons. The signature item is the Ruby Slipper Cupcake made with red velvet cake. There's also a kids' play area - a good place for a playdate and the opportunity to work off some of that sugar from the amazing baked goods. Parents can keep watch from above while enjoying their own treats.

High-tech fun is waiting at Laser Quest, where players can go solo or join teams in laser tag. Housed in a large, multi-level arena with specialty lighting, it's also a great place for birthday parties, which include laser tag games and a private party room. Memberships are also available.

The suggested minimum age is seven years old, based on average size. Laser Quest is closed on Mondays, but is available for private group events.

High-tech fun is waiting at Laser Quest, where players can go solo or join teams in laser tag. Housed in a large, multi-level arena with specialty lighting, it's also a great place for birthday parties, which include laser tag games and a private party room. Memberships are also available.

The suggested minimum age is seven years old, based on average size. Laser Quest is closed on Mondays, but is available for private group events.

Batting cages, a state-of-the-art gameroom, bumper boats, miniature golf, go karts, and, of course, the opportunity to race custom-built 3/4 scale indy style race cars around a twisting, turning 1/2-mile track.

Birthday Party packages start at $11.99 per child, including game tokens, mini-golf, pizza, ice cream, invitations, and set up.

Batting cages, a state-of-the-art gameroom, bumper boats, miniature golf, go karts, and, of course, the opportunity to race custom-built 3/4 scale indy style race cars around a twisting, turning 1/2-mile track.

Birthday Party packages start at $11.99 per child, including game tokens, mini-golf, pizza, ice cream, invitations, and set up.

Mateo Camargo Park is a mass picnic facility popular for a great place to have festivals and fund-raisers. The park features two pavilions, a playscape, a bandstand, and ample parking. Facilities may be reserved in advance online.

Even though it's located adjacent to the San Antonio International Airport, McAllister Park lays claim to being San Antonio's largest and most popular city park.

It features an extensive network of over 25 miles of trails, some of which are paved and wheelchair-accessible. Other activities include picnicking, birding, and organized sports on the dozens of athletic fields for baseball and soccer.

The park's pavilions are available by reservation. Call if you'd like to schedule an outdoor birthday party.

Over 18,000 square feet of hands-on exhibits are featured at McKenna Children's Museum, allowing children to have fun learning about arts and crafts, historical explorations, and sciences. A variety of educational programs are also available.