Things To Do With Kids Near Me

Things to Do With Kids Near Me - Try Sandbox VR

Sandbox VR offers fully immersive virtual reality experiences that are fun for the whole family. Learn more about how Sandbox VR adventures bring families together. Read on to see why Sandbox VR should be considered high on the list of options when you're looking for "things to do with kids near me".

Table of Contents

1. Why VR is a Unique Activity for Kids and Families

2. The Best Sandbox VR Experiences for Kids

3. Benefits of VR as a Family Activity

4. Planning Your Sandbox VR Visit With Kids

Why VR is a Unique Activity for Kids and Families

Whether for summer, Halloween, a birthday party, or the weekend, parents and families are often scouring the web and local listings for "things to do with kids near me." Most cities offer a selection of the usual entertainment, like movies, bowling, arcades, or mini golf. But if you're near a Sandbox VR, then you have a new option to consider: virtual reality adventures and games.

The fully immersive Sandbox VR experiences don't just keep kids active; they're interactive. From deep space to the high seas, take on starring roles in thrilling adventures. For a high-tech break from the norm, Sandbox VR offers an exciting vision of future-tech entertainment in the present.

And the VR experience is fun for the entire family. Kids often say the adventures are so much fun, with adventures designed for all abilities and ages. Grab your family, because kids, teens, parents, and grandparents can form multi-generational teams to stalk zombies, get a deep space sci-fi rush, or enter the Stranger Things universe.

If you're looking to switch up your weekend or for kid-friendly things that adults will enjoy just as much, check out Sandbox VR.

The Best Sandbox VR Experiences for Kids

Sandbox VR has many cinema-quality experiences for you to explore, but some of our adventures are more specifically targeted at family fun or kid-friendly appeal. Top experiences for kids include "Seekers of the Shard: Dragonfire," a quest through a fantasy world of magic and dragons. Or win Squid Game by conquering mini games for the whole family. And kids love "Curse of Davy Jones," where pirates hunt for treasure and battle spooky supernatural creatures on the high seas.

All our games and adventures are designed for groups of 2 to 6 players. Players compete within the context of the game, while the adventures encourage teamwork and creativity. Groups must learn to pool their strength and resources to succeed in their objectives.

For groups of more than 6, talk to staff at your preferred location to plan experiences that allow players to rotate into the gameplay.

Sandbox VR experiences are not strictly age-limited, and new experiences are being added regularly, with some designed for younger kids. Most of our experiences require guests to be at least 4 feet (1.2 meters) tall to be able to play. Guests should be able to comfortably wear a roughly 4-pound (1.8-kilogram) headset for about 30 minutes of activity. So we generally recommend our experiences for kids ages 8 and up.

For some experiences, like our zombie adventures, we recommend an age limit (15 and up for the zombies) because younger kids can find some of the content disturbing. For versions like these, we have filtered options that make them entirely kid-friendly. If you're unsure, our staff are always happy to recommend age-appropriate experiences. Some locations may also recommend special arrangements for groups of younger kids, so check in with your location if you're planning a party or school trip for kids. 

Lastly, we require that a parent or guardian be on-site to sign a waiver for minors participating in our experiences.

At all our locations, our staff are eager to guide and make kids comfortable with the Sandbox VR experience. Call ahead to discuss any concerns with staff at the location you plan to visit, and don't hesitate to ask for assistance or explanation when you're at the VR station.

Benefits of VR as a Family Activity

Our VR adventures are fun for kids and adults alike, but it's also a great option for bringing kids and adults together in a shared experience as family fun. As you explore our immersive VR worlds, you'll laugh together and share in thrilling victories. It's also a fun way to get everyone moving and thinking together.

At Sandbox VR, you'll be immersed in a cinema-quality world. Our partnership with Netflix lets us take you into the Stranger Things universe or go on an adventure in the sci-fi world of Rebel Moon. Or you can star in our pirate-themed adventure in "Curse of Davy Jones" or a fantasy quest experience in "Seekers of the Shard: Dragonfire." Whatever you choose to do, you'll be at the center of the story, not watching it passively on a screen. 

No matter the adventure, kids and parents are brought together in adventures that require constant movement, teamwork, and problem-solving. The quality of our motion capture and animation means you'll feel like you're starring in your own movie. This is a high-tech, high-quality, full-body immersive experience. You'll see and feel the world you're exploring in the highest definition.

For some families, the sheer novelty of the experience draws everyone together. There aren't many experiences that are entirely new to everyone in the family, from little kids to parents and grandparents. But VR adventures are still a pretty new concept for many people, so experience them together as a family.

The Sandbox VR experience is also a great spot for special events like birthdays, graduations, and other significant family occasions. It's a social activity that kids will enjoy doing with their parents, and it's especially appealing to older kids in the teenage age group.  

Planning Your Sandbox VR Visit With Kids

A fun day at Sandbox VR starts with our simple online booking process. Walk-ins are accepted at most locations, but booking in advance is recommended to avoid disappointment if there is no availability. Once on our website, browse locations, check opening hours and nearby eateries, and choose your preferred date and time. 

All of our experiences have online trailers you can watch to get a better feel for the game. Pick the one that best suits you and your family, and book your visit.

As you prepare to visit Sandbox VR, remember that you can call the location to speak to our staff about any questions or concerns. It's worth noting that our staff can also advise you on the availability of private event spaces and special arrangements for large groups, birthday parties, and other special occasions. 

Our experiences are designed to keep you physically and mentally active for 30–40 minutes of gameplay. Dress comfortably with clothes that don't restrict your movement, and remember that our gear includes sensors strapped to your ankles and wrists, as well as a haptic vest, which is the key to the full-body immersive experience. With our haptic vests, you'll feel the recoil of your weapon or the jolt from a distant explosion. 

Guests must be physically capable of staying active for an hour-long session while carrying about 20 pounds of gear (ranging from the headset to the haptic vest and your weapon of choice). We don't recommend Sandbox VR for anyone who is pregnant or has a heart condition. If you have any concerns about the physical or age requirements for Sandbox VR, call your preferred location, and staff will be happy to provide more detailed guidance. 

Once you're booked and are confident you're physically ready for the games, all that's left is the adventure itself. We recommend you arrive about 10–15 minutes before your scheduled time so you can complete the check-in process without eating into your session.

After checking in, it's time to gear up. Then, you'll watch a short tutorial that explains everything you need to know to enjoy your upcoming experience. All our experiences are beginner-friendly: the tutorial is all you need to get started. 

Finally, there's a 10-minute after-game session where you can check out your personalized digital highlight reel. Families could easily spend hours reliving their highlights, and you'll get social-media-friendly video clips and pics from your adventure to post and share with friends. Our staff will also be happy to help you snap those before-and-after group pics, with and without your gear.

We hope to see you soon! Book your Sandbox VR adventure today for family fun.

Give Your Family the Sandbox VR Experience

Whether you're looking for a weekend activity or the centerpiece of a fun day of celebration, book Sandbox VR for you and your family. The high-tech, full-body immersive experience brings kids and adults together to solve problems, overcome challenges, and build unforgettable memories. 

Whether you want to roam the high seas as a pirate in search of treasure, defend our planet from alien invasion, or explore a world of dragons and mystic spells, there's an adventure waiting for you. Explore Sandbox VR today!

FAQs 

What ages are allowed to play at Sandbox VR?

Most of our Sandbox VR experiences are designed for kids aged 8 and up. That isn't a strict age limit but is based on the typical height and physical requirements for participating in our experiences. Our adventures generally have a minimum height requirement of 4 feet (1.2 meters), and guests need to be able to carry around 20 pounds (9 kilograms) of gear for 30–40 minutes of active gameplay. Generally, the minimum height and physical requirements mean players are at least 8 years old.

Specific experiences designed for younger kids may have different height and physical requirements. And some of our more adult-themed experiences (like our zombie adventures) are recommended for older kids, 15 and up.

Check with your local Sandbox VR location if you have any questions or concerns about booking our experiences for kids.

Is Sandbox VR safe for kids?

Absolutely. Sandbox VR games are all played in a safe, controlled environment. Our tutorials provide all the information required to play our games safely and without incident. Staff monitor groups and gameplay to ensure everyone has a comfortable experience. Our trained staff supervise all equipment, and all gear is cleaned and disinfected after every use. 

How long does a Sandbox VR session last?

A typical Sandbox VR session lasts about 45–60 minutes. The session is divided into four basic phases:

Check-in: We recommend arriving about 15 minutes before your scheduled booking time to complete check-in early.

Tutorial and gear fitting: For every experience, you need to use our gear, including a headset, a haptic vest, and wrist and ankle sensors. It takes about 10–15 minutes to put on your gear and complete the virtual tutorial that walks you through how to play the game.

Gameplay: The fully immersive VR experience usually runs for 30–40 minutes.

Post-game: Finally, allow about 10 minutes to take off your gear and look through the videos and pics from your experience.

Can Sandbox VR be used for kids’ birthday parties or group outings?

Yes. Sandbox VR is a great pick for birthdays and other special events. In addition to the unforgettable VR experience, many of our locations have spaces available for private events. This means you can have cake-cutting and gift-giving events on-site after the VR experience. Call your preferred location to discuss private event options with our staff. We also offer deals for groups, like our Gold Package, which includes 2 VR experiences, snacks, and drinks for up to 6 people at a discounted rate.

Additionally, our Sandbox VR experiences all include photos and videos of your group's gameplay. These make fantastic keepsakes for birthdays and kids' parties.