BigMikeH77 0 #1 October 2, 2015 I've seen it more times than I personally think I should. Kids at the dropzone, bored to tears but still soldiering through it. Usually they're just glued to an electronic device, plugged into the wall. Sometimes they're playing with whomever will give them the time of day. Other times a Jumper might bring the wife/girlfriend/S.O. and there's just not a lot to really do. Now obviously I'm not thinking about anything ridiculously elaborate, but are there any dropzones with a reputation for being a place that spectators and family members have more to do than watch and wait? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,545 #2 October 2, 2015 Well, Jumptown in Massachusetts has a playground around back. I think Spaceland does, too (at least it did at one time). Skydive Chicago has a good enough restaurant that people actually go there just to eat. That said, dZ's tend to be kind of skydiving-focused. Maybe bring some board games and import a friend or two for your kids. Wendy P.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigMikeH77 0 #3 October 2, 2015 Yeah... My kids always manage. My daughter likes helping pack and then comes out to the landing area to see if it worked. It's the visitors that I see on a weekly basis... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #4 October 2, 2015 Yeah, most of them aren't well set up for guests. If there's a reasonable cafe/bar with seating (outdoor with a view of the landing area is a bonus), that can keep people comfortable for some of the time, but given that many of us get there early in the day and stay till after sunset, that can get to be a bit much for anyone who's not involved in the operation directly. Places like Eloy or Perris that have pools are good choices on warm enough days, though depending on the age of the kids you'll probably still need supervision. My parents have only come out once and that was when we all met up in Florida for a couple days around Christmas. They came out with us to ZHills for the day - we made it a relatively short day (easier in the winter since they're not that long anyway) - started late morning, left mid-afternoon, did 3 jumps or so, and left before anyone got too bored. But ZHills has a good setup with the big deck with lots of chairs overlooking the landing area, decent bathrooms, and a cafe to pick up lunch. So no one was too uncomfortable."There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #5 October 2, 2015 I've noticed how few strip clubs come with McDonald's style play grounds. What's up with that?quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kawisixer01 0 #6 October 2, 2015 My home DZ, a (three) Cessna DZ, is very family friendly. It's very common to see non-skydiving spouses and SO's hanging out cooking and playing outdoor games with each other, all the while lot's of jumpers kids all running around playing and having fun hanging out together. The kids are usually very well behaved and stay out of things they shouldn't be. Nobody is uptight about any person (worker or up-jumper) at the DZ disciplining their kid while they are up if it comes to it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 16 #7 October 2, 2015 Our old Kapowsin, WA DZ was very family friendly. There were forests and frog ponds and neighbor kids and a giant wood pile to build forts in. The DZOs themselves were raising their children there as well. The new Kapowsin is Shelton, WA is still kid-friendly, but doesn't have the play areas like the old. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
virgin-burner 1 #9 October 3, 2015 quadeI've noticed how few strip clubs come with McDonald's style play grounds. What's up with that? that bothers me a lot too!“Some may never live, but the crazy never die.” -Hunter S. Thompson "No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try." -Yoda Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FlyingRhenquest 1 #10 October 3, 2015 quadeI've noticed how few strip clubs come with McDonald's style play grounds. What's up with that? No kidding. The strippers would love it. It would give their kids a place to play while mommy (and occasionally daddy) are working. *Edit* Wow... that got dark...I'm trying to teach myself how to set things on fire with my mind. Hey... is it hot in here? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 226 #11 October 3, 2015 quade I've noticed how few strip clubs come with McDonald's style play grounds. What's up with that? Are you quoting a website?I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gowlerk 2,251 #12 October 3, 2015 quadeI've noticed how few strip clubs come with McDonald's style play grounds. What's up with that? Made me laugh. But not that many people go hang out at the strip club 9 am till sunset all weekend long. (I hope)Always remember the brave children who died defending your right to bear arms. Freedom is not free. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 226 #13 October 3, 2015 gowlerk ***I've noticed how few strip clubs come with McDonald's style play grounds. What's up with that? Made me laugh. But not that many people go hang out at the strip club 9 am till sunset all weekend long. (I hope) I remember a drop zone in Georgia that had a bouncy houseI'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 34 #14 October 5, 2015 turtlespeed ******I've noticed how few strip clubs come with McDonald's style play grounds. What's up with that? Made me laugh. But not that many people go hang out at the strip club 9 am till sunset all weekend long. (I hope) I remember a drop zone in Georgia that had a bouncy houseAnd you didn't dare go in it the day after festivities (sticky) "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #15 October 5, 2015 DeLand is family friendly, there are always kids running around there. There's a playground right by the landing area, a big deck to watch everyone's landings and a full restaurant.She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
muff528 3 #16 October 5, 2015 For the first 6 or 7 years of his life, my kid thought Skydive City was his other home. He thought that hanging out with a bunch of scroungy people who dressed funny was normal. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyjumpenfool 2 #17 October 6, 2015 I made a skydive this weekend with my daughter and my son who proposed to his skydiving girlfriend. Yep, DZ's are no place to raise a kid.... Birdshit & Fools Productions "Son, only two things fall from the sky." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
