Melissa Radkov knows what it's like this time of year: cold temperatures, short days — restless children.
It's why she and her husband, Ross Radkov, opened Sylvania Playland in September of 2009.
“We had two little kids at the time, so we were looking for something for them to do in the winter,” she recalled. “So that's kind of how we got started.”
For young children with energy to burn — and fewer options to do so in the cold, dark days of January — a venue like hers can be a godsend. It's one of a handful of local businesses offering indoor family-friendly entertainment in the area. Funagin's in Sylvania is also home to an indoor playground, among other attractions.
Sylvania Playland: 3620 Centennial Rd., Sylvania. Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $7 to $20. Info: sylvaniaplayland.com.
Funigan’s: 5340 Centennial Rd., Sylvania. Hours: 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, and 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. Admission is $12.99 to $26.99.
Mrs. Radkov said the playland is particularly popular this time of year.
“It’s more for the physical activity," Mrs. Radkov said. "When we first opened there was nothing there, you know, the Sky Zones had not opened, there was no trampoline park, nothing like that. So we wanted somewhere where kids could burn energy in the winter.”
That's not to say Sylvania Playland doesn't still have steady business in the summer and spring, especially when the weather is too hot or rainy to play outside.
“We've done everything we can in our building,” Mrs. Radkov said. “We started off with just the indoor playground, with the inflatables and the swing sets. We added on over the years, and we've added in an arcade, food area, and then we also have indoor mini golf.”
Its glow-in-the-dark mini golf course is a hit among locals; it’s hand-painted and features black lights to light up the neon statues and themed murals. But overall, Mrs. Radkov said the biggest draw is the indoor playground and themed inflatables.
“We have a big inflatable slide that's Cars themed, like the cartoon [movie] Cars, and that one is definitely our most popular inflatable,” Mrs. Radkov said.
Funagin's offers a variety of indoor entertainment in addition to the playgrounds, including laser tag, a roller skating rink, and an arcade.
Each venue also hosts events and birthday parties.
Jenna Forgett spent a recent afternoon at Sylvania Playland with her 3-year-old. For the local mom, it's an easy and inexpensive way for him to stay active and meet other kids his age in a safe environment.
“He comes out once a week,” Ms. Forgett said. “It’s a little bit more directed towards little kids, so I don’t have to worry about big kids running him over or anything like that. For a 3-year-old, there is a lot of variety; there’s always kids that he can play with. I like that there are different sections, and it will teach him not to have fear to go up and down on the playground.”
Children ages 1 to 3 can play for $8 an hour, or $11 for an unlimited pass; children ages 4 to 12 can play for $11 an hour, or $15 for an unlimited pass. Mini golf is $7 for one round and $10 for unlimited rounds. Combination packages are also available.
So “it’s affordable," said Lila Johnson, employee at Sylvania Playland for over a year and a half.
"It’s been around for years; I used to go here when I was little,” she said. “I think it’s a very family friendly place to come to. Even the birthday parties I feel like are an affordable price.”
Ms. Forgett spoke similarly.
“Honestly, it's so cheap. It’s like $8 to play and they even have an ice cream shop. It’s a good location,” she said.
First Published January 12, 2023, 1:00 p.m.
