Joshua Upshaw concentrates on scoring a goal during a game of air hockey in the Funsville arcade. Funsville also has go-carts, mini go-carts for young children, batting cages and miniature golf. (Mike Adams/Special)
It's easy to find a place to play
"He loves it," said Ms. Mills, of Aiken. "We do something different. We try to keep him away from the TV."
About twice a month, Cody, 10, visits from Columbia, and when he stays with his grandmother, she finds a variety of activities for him.
They stay until the money runs out, she said.
One weekend might be spent at Funsville riding go-carts, playing in the arcade or riding the bumper boats. On a recent visit, he played Laser Tag with his uncle at Planet Extreme on Wylds Road.
Other weekends have been spent playing miniature golf, riding bumper boats or playing arcade games at Putt-Putt Golf and Games on Washington Road or Hole-N-One Miniature Golf and Games on Whiskey Road in Aiken.
"It's great fun for the kids," Ms. Mills said.
While she tries to add variety, Cody has his favorite activity.
Funsville has three different types of go-carts: the mini go-carts for children ages 5 to 9, regular go-carts on a scorpion track road course, and a bullet track for pro carts with drivers 16 and older, said Rick Wentzky, Funsville's general manager.
"The most popular activity is the go-carts," he said.
Mr. Wentzky said the family park has activities for all ages.
For small children, there are kiddie rides such as a roller coaster, a carousel and an airplane ride.
FUN SPOTS
- Funsville: 4350 Wheeler Road, Martinez; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, noon to 10 p.m. Sunday; go-carts, bumper boats, mini golf, mini go-carts, seven kiddie rides, batting cages, arcade, snacks; $1.50 for each ticket; 863-3087.
- Hole-N-One Miniature Golf and Games: 3197 Whiskey Road, just south of Aiken Mall; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 1-7 p.m. Sunday; 18 holes of miniature golf, baseball and softball batting cages, snack bar, video arcade games; (803) 648-1715.
- Planet Extreme: 2809 Wylds Road at Augusta Mall; closed Mondays and Tuesdays, 2-9 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 2 p.m. to midnight Fridays, 10 a.m. to midnight Saturdays, noon to 7 p.m. Sundays; laser tag and arcade games; 733-1048.
- Putt-Putt Golf & Games: 3763 Martinez Blvd., Martinez; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday; miniature golf, arcade, food, ice cream, batting cages and more; $5 for 18 holes of golf or $7.50 for 36 holes, $4 for bumper boats, $3 for two hours of TotalPlay, $1 for 16 pitches at batting cage and $5 for six tokens, $1 for four Gameroom tokens and $5 for 25; group rates are available; 868-0083.
