Valley children are living their best lives as Mesa and Scottsdale each recently welcomed a family-friendly attraction that moms and dads will want to add to their must-do list during the upcoming winter break. 

 

Jake’s Unlimited

Formerly Amazing Jake’s, Jake’s Unlimited is now open in Mesa after completing a $5-million renovation that makes it a super-fun destination for every member of the family.  

Jake’s Unlimited is home to a dual-level laser tag arena featuring hand-painted murals; VIP bowling suites; bumper cars; more than 170 arcade and midway games; and an expanded kids’ zone with a carousel and thrill rides. (Jake’s Unlimited with soon welcome mini bowling, too.) To redeem prize tickets, the entertainment destination has a store where children when take their time perusing the merchandise and then bring the goods to the counter. (No more lingering at the counter and holding up the line, a la Chuck E. Cheese’s.)

Offering one of the largest event spaces in the East Valley, Jake’s Unlimited offers 9,400 square feet of event space for birthday parties, corporate meetings, family gatherings—any group of 10 to 3,000. There is a space to meet just about any need.

Plus, Jake’s Unlimited now has two full bars with an assortment of wine, draft beer and specialty cocktails. The all-you-can-eat buffet features pizza, pasta, salads, cookies and much more to keep families fulfilled between arcade games and rounds of bowling.

 

Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs

Calling all dino nerds: Pangaea Land of the Dinosaurs made its debut at OdySea in the Desert in Scottsdale.  

Land of the Dinos not only offers plenty for kids of all ages to see and do, but it provides an educational look at prehistoric times in a way kids have likely only seen in books and movies. Time at Land of the Dinos starts with a walk through the colorful, lifelike habitats that are filled with 50 robotic dinosaurs, as well as bugs, birds and more, which move and make noise. A helpful tour guide teaches guests about each dinosaur along the way. (Kids adore the giant T-Rex!)

Kiddos also get to enjoy digging for fossils, etching dinosaur art, taking a spin on ride-on creatures, getting dino-inspired face painting, airbrush tattooing and more interactive experiences.

Pangea Land of the Dinosaurs is open Sunday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.