Winter Activities for Kids in Bloomington, Indiana

White frosty mornings and blustery days means that winter is well on its way. With the warm summer weather behind us (sob, sob), it's time to find some indoor activities for the kids to do during the cold winter months. Bloomington is probably best known for its outdoor entertainment, with parks and whatnot, but it also has quite a few options when it comes to entertainment out of the weather. Here is a list of my top three.

Hoosier Heights Indoor Climbing Facility: To appeal to your child's adventurous side, spend some time at Hoosier Heights, located at 5100 S. Rogers Street. With over 12,000 square feet of climbing space, the facility offers many different walls with varying degrees of climbing difficulty. They also offer a rappel platform to practice your skills, as well as a party room if you want to host a birthday or other party. You can purchase a day pass for $22, a price that includes any gear that you need for climbing. If it's the first time you've been there, you may wish to have your kids attend the three-hour climbing workshop. Aimed toward beginning climbers, the workshop costs $45 for members and $55 for non-members. If your child is under the age of 18, you'll have to sign a waiver before he or she is able to climb. Contact them at (812)824-6414 for more information or visit their website here.

YMCA: Let your kids work off some energy at the Monroe County YMCA, located at 2125 S. Highland Avenue. Enroll your child in a class (they even have Youth Spanish) or a sport (karate, soccer, and basketball are all popular), or get ready for summer with swimming lessons. Offering everything from gymnastics and cheer to music and art to youth fitness and yoga, you're sure to find something to keep your child occupied. Age isn't an issue, since the YMCA offers classes for children as young as two years old. Prices vary depending upon the activity, and there is a discount if you are a member of the YMCA. For more information about classes and events, contact the Monroe County YMCA at (812)332-5555 or visit their website here.

Laser Lite: For a fun alternative to paintball, try laser tag. Laser Lite offers a themed arena with high-tech special effects, such as fog and laser beams. Players must be at least six years old to play. If you aren't up for the tag, but want to watch your kids, you can do so from the observation deck above the arena. After tag, check out the arcade, equipped with games like Skee Ball and Dance Dance Revolution. One game is $7, two games are $13, and three games are $17 per person. Free play Thursday gives you unlimited laser tag and arcade time for $20 per person. Friday nights from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. offers non-stop laser time for three hours for $18 per person. Located at 4505 E. 3^rd Street, they are open Thursday 4-9 p.m., Friday 4 p.m.-12 a.m., Saturday 12 p.m.-12 a.m., and Sunday 12 p.m.-6 p.m. For more information, contact them at (812)337-0456 or check out their website here.