Alley Cats Entertainment: Your Source For Fun in Arlington

Kids bouncing off the walls? Been there! Alley Cats Entertainment knows the feeling. That's why they offer nonstop fun for kids of all ages! With locations in Arlington and Hurst, Alley Cats will keep your kids happy and active for hours. 

*This is a sponsored post, paid for by Alley Cats. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

My kids love arcades and fun centers. They love saving their quarters for a few weeks and then letting loose at an arcade with the hopes of winning big. My youngest is actually a pretty skilled arcade hustler, regularly hauling home stuffed animals from claw machines around town. It brings me back to my own youth and my own little brother, who was literally the king of claw machines in and around my home town. At one point he amassed hundreds of stuffed animals, skillfully acquired from local claw machines, truly without much effort. It was rare he would play and didn't win and a reason we spent a lot of time at arcades and fun centers around Chicagoland in the 90s. 

But truly, is there anything more fun than an arcade and fun center brimming with games and possibilities? It's such a great way to spend a rainy day or a blisteringly hot afternoon or any day when your kids need out of the house. It's a great place to meet up with friends or maybe even make new ones. And it's great for all ages! Everyone loves an arcade and fun center- from 5-year-olds to 15-year-olds, parents and even grandparents, everyone gets a kick out of an arcade.

Playing a fun arcade game at Alley Cats Arlington.

And, if you're local to the Arlington area, there is nothing like Alley Cats Entertainment. First off, it's the stuff local legend is made of! My husband, who grew up in Arlington, remembers playing at Alley Cats at about the age my kids are now. And I've been taking our girls there for more than a decade, dating back to when my youngest was just starting out in kindergarten, taking the free bowling lessons they offered after school one year. 

Alley Cats is the spot for local entertainment

We love Alley Cats because there is simply so much to do under one roof, and Alley Cats has a great location with lots of parking. Seriously! 

Check out all the things you can do at Alley Cats:

- play mini golf (9 or 18 holes)

- hit balls at the batting cages

- challenge friends to laser tag

- go bowling

- play billiards

- check out the new VR laser tag

- play all kinds of arcade games

- climb on the rock wall

- grab a bite to eat from the food area (or a drink at the bar)

So much to do under one roof! 

The new Limitless VR tag game at Alley Cats Arlington.

Alley Cats supports the community

I know you have choices when it comes to arcade entertainment around town. The mall has an arcade. The Highlands has an arcade- heck, they have two! Grand Prairie has an arcade... I could go on. The point is, I know you have choices.

But here's why Alley Cats is the best: Alley Cats supports the local community. Hosting an event for you school? Email them. They'll work with you! Having a fundraiser? I just hosted a silent auction for the Arlington Council of PTAs and they gave us play passes to include. And I know they've done this multiple times this year alone. They are hosting an educator night later this month so you can come check out their offerings. The point is- they support the kids in this community. That can't always be said of larger, more corporate locations.

Alley Cats also participates in the Kids Bowl Free program in the summer. Sign up for Kids Bowl Free and your kiddos can bowl two games per day, every day, all summer long. Rent shoes from Alley Cats or snag some here and head to Alley Cats as often as you can. Bowl two games, let your kiddo run wild with a $5 game card and then head home for lunchtime and nap and you've had hours of fun for literally $5! 

Alley Cats is affordable fun for everyone

If you've followed my shenanigans for a while, you know that I am, and always have been, a mom in search of a good deal. Heck- it was the whole reason EA was started! I'm the mom who clips coupons, shops the clearance rack, asks for freebies and will go anywhere I can find a deal. 

Y'all- Alley Cats is a great deal! Seriously. You can spend $35 for an all-day play pass and your kids can go hog wild. Unlimited mini golf, rock climbing, laser tag AND bowling (including shoe rental)? That's a steal of a deal. And have you seen the Spring Break specials? Half price on those passes before 12 pm every day. $17.50 for ALL of that ALL day? Definitely add Alley Cats to your Spring Break bucket list. 

Alley Cats Entertainment offers up great deals for Spring Break and beyond. 

Alley Cats isn't even just for kids. My teen loves to go here on Friday nights with a group of friends while I sit at the high top tables scrolling and hopping they'll be ready to leave soon (spoiler alert: they will never be ready to leave soon, they will be checking out the cute boys until Alley Cats turns out the lights!). Beyond even teens though, Alley Cats is a fun adult date night! I love heading there with my husband to bowl (someday, hopefully, maybe, I will beat him) or play a few arcade games (I love skeeball and find the games where you drop in the coin and it pushes a platform of coins onto a lower platform of coins in hopes of a big win fun to watch). 

The point is: Alley Cats is fun. For everyone. For the community. For kids. For adults. For birthday parties. For groups. For rainy days. For summer days. For any day! Support this awesome business because businesses such as Alley Cats make Arlington awesome. 

Winning a prize from the giant claw machine at Alley Cats Arlington.

Everything Arlington was Featured on Redfin!

Check out the Redfin article we were recently featured in:

Y'all ready to discover some fun facts about Dallas, TX? Whether you're a long-time resident, considering buying a new house, or renting an apartment in the Big D's bustling housing market, Dallas is full of surprises and fascinating history. From the invention of the frozen margarita machine to the birthplace of the world-famous Cowboys cheerleaders, Dallas is a city that never stops innovating and entertaining. So, sit back, grab a Dr Pepper, and get ready to learn more about living in Dallas, a unique and exciting city.

Welcome to Texas, Y'all!

Read the full article here: 13 Fun Facts About Dallas, TX | Redfin

Spring Break Guide 2023: Adventure On, DFW!

There's no doubt about it- Dallas/Fort Worth is the place to be. Especially during Spring Break! From indoor waterparks to adventure playlands and more, DFW has something for everyone this March. 

I'm rolling out my annual Spring Break Guide today, so I've gone back through my old posts about places to go and things to do. Y'all- I'm constantly amazed at all the awesome offerings for families and kids of all ages all over the Metroplex. But this year... Guys. There are SO many new businesses (or awesome new offerings at some tried and true favorite businesses!) that have cropped up to keep your kids active and engaged this Spring Break (and beyond!). So, if travel isn't in the plan or budget this year, don't worry. Check out all these fantastic new spots in the greater DFW area and your kids won't have a chance to say "I'm bored!" 

New spots in DFW to check out for Spring Break 2023

Dallas Area

The Fowling Warehouse (Plano)- Nope, that's not a typo, that's a new thing you can check out in Plano! Fowling is a combination of two American favorites- football and bowling! So grab a bite (and maybe a beverage, if that's your thing!) and get fowling. Perfect for groups and all ages, this game will get you active and having fun. I can't wait to check it out! 

Two Bit Circus (Dallas- Northpark Mall area)- I featured this spot on my social channels over the holidays and we loved it so much! Two Bit Circus is brought to you by the son of the founder of Chuck E Cheese- so you know this family knows fun! Indulge in so many VR games or go a bit old school with the arcade games. There are light bites as well as drinks available. Trust me- this spot is a blast for kids of all ages!

Enjoying family time at the new Two Bit Circus in Dallas.

Game Show Battles (Dallas- Galleria area)- Grab your besties and duke it out, game show style! Choose between two different showdowns and then challenge your opponents to some crazy-fun competitions. Perfect if you have a big family and want to claim bragging rights or for going head-to-head with another family. Everyone will have a blast! 

Fort Worth Area

Sandbox VR (Fort Worth- Arts District)- Have a gamer at home? Actually, the answer is irrelevant... Sandbox VR is a seriously fun gaming and VR experience for the whole family or set of friends or whomever! We went a few months ago and haven't stopped talking about it. You put on VR headsets and embark on a journey based on which scene you select. We were pirates! Gaming really isn't even my jam and I would go back and do this many more times! Perfect for spring break fun. 

Family time at Sandbox VR in Fort Worth.

Bolder Adventure Park (Grand Prairie)- Adventure on, friends! This brand new spot at Epic Central in Grand Prairie is for the adventure seekers and the adventurous at heart. Rope courses, zip lines, ice skating, bumper cars, archery, adventure nets... You name it, this indoor facility has it. Your kids will be able to climb and play all day- when I take mine I plan to see them for little else than water breaks! 

Go Ape (Arlington)- I'm so excited that Arlington officially has its own outdoor adventure course! Located at River Legacy, this course is for thrill seekers. I visited the Plano location last year and conquered my fear of being high off the ground being help up by a single rope. It was actually a blast! There are minimum age requirements, though, so check that before you go. 

Favorite haunts with new attractions you won't want to miss

In addition to all of these exciting new attractions that have opened in the past year in DFW, let's not forget all the awesome spots that have made DFW the place to be for years now! Although you have probably visited several of these spots before, they each have recently opened new attractions that may make them feel fresh and fun again for you and your kids this Spring Break!

Six Flags Over Texas (Arlington)- Aquaman launches March 11! This ride is supposed to be one-of-a-kind, launching riders backward and forward and ending with a massive splashdown. While I could maybe give this one a miss (fine, I'll ride it once. Once! Simply to say I've ridden it), my kids would lose their minds for something this fun-sounding. 

Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark (Grand Prairie)- Our favorite indoor waterpark has a brand new slide to get excited about- Locura! With a 40-foot drop and a 360 degree horizontal loop, this ride sounds terrifying- I mean awesome! Seriously, we love Epic because there is so much for the kids and see and do. Perfect for the whole family, Epic is a great way to get excited about pool time this summer. 

Trader's Village (Grand Prairie)- If you are looking for affordable fun for the whole family, this is it! Trader's Village is open during the week for Spring Break and the rides area features a brand new coaster for kids to get excited about, the Prairie Screamer! The low height requirement means it will be fun for (almost) everyone in your party, and an all-day wristband for unlimited rides starts at $15. 

I could type another 2,000 words on all the fun things to do in area with kids. If you have little little ones, don't forget Play Street Museum in Mansfield or Project Play in Hurst. The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History is great for younger kids and the Perot Museum is wonderful for all ages. Jade Waters at the Hilton Anatole opens March 3 if you are willing to brave the cooler temps for outdoor water fun or you can check out Cove at the Lakefront in Little Elm for a less-expensive indoor waterpark option.  There is iFly and Alley Cats and Main Event and Urban Air and seriously guys I could ramble and ramble. If you're looking for fun for your kids in DFW this Spring Break and can't find it on this list, send me a message or shoot me an email. I'd love to help you navigate all the awesome offerings in the area. And if you own or offer one of the awesome offerings in this area, message me about coming and featuring your spot, too!