Standard-Examiner correspondent?

OGDEN — The new Kangaroo Zoo play? and party center will cater to children ages 12 and under, giving them a healthy alternative to couch potato activities, the owner says.?

“Most entertainment venues are geared toward teenagers,” Chad George said. “I wanted to create a venue for the kids 12 and under where they can have a great time and be safe while being rambunctious and letting go of all their energy.”?Ogden’s Kangaroo Zoo, at 184 20th St., is the third such center in the state. Housed in an existing building George renovated, the center, which held its grand opening Friday, includes 12 inflatable toys featuring bounce houses, obstacle courses and slides that provide nonstop opportunities for children to get adequate exercise while having fun.?”There are no arcade games here at all,” George said. “It’s all about getting activity and exercise and shaking loose from other distractions like video games and television.”?The walls of the building are painted white with animal-print accents along the way. In addition, three themed party rooms are available.?”We hired painters to do murals in all of the rooms. We wanted each party room to be unforgettable,” George said. ?The princess/floral room has a fairy-tale castle mural with a big chair for the birthday guest. ?

The room is equipped with pink and green tables and chairs. ?Other party rooms include a balloon room and the Cosmos room. All of the rooms have different colors and electrical lights for a magical effect. Bubble machines go off when “Happy Birthday” is sung to the guest of honor.?Kangaroo Zoo isn’t for children only, however.?Comfortable couches and chairs fill the center for parents to relax and visit while their children are playing, George said. If they wish, they can even join in on the fun with their kids, he said. ?”It’s really a family-oriented?atmosphere,” said Kevin Carlson, general manager. “It’s just as inviting to parents as it is to the children. We also plan to partner with the schools for fundraising events and field trips.”?Carlson said family passes and birthday packages are available. General admission for toddlers (ages 2 and under) is $5. For those 3 years and older, the cost runs between $7.99 and $8.99. ?”It’s very affordable,” Carlson said. “And you can come in and stay as long as you wish. If you want to stay here one hour or several hours, that’s up to you. In fact, it’s so much fun here that we’ve had children just bawling when it’s time to leave.”?And that couldn’t make George happier.?”If our guests aren’t begging our hosts to go home with them by the end of the day, we haven’t done our job,” he said. ?”We’ve made Kangaroo Zoo a very memorable place. It’s not just four walls with a bunch of games. It’s stylish. It’s not hard on the eyes. It’s a place where even parents can come and participate or relax and a place where kids can stay healthy.”?Kangaroo Zoo in Ogden is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. It is closed on Sundays. ?For more information, call 801-622-1000