In addition to very popular waterparks, another outdoor family tradition is visiting amusement parks. However, in the dead of Northern winters, or in the soaring summer temperatures of the Southwest, families can enjoy the thrill of roller coasters, log flumes and much more indoors, in comfortable 70°F/21°C temperatures. Unlike the water theme parks, which are concentrated in Wisconsin, indoor amusement parks are in various geographic locations throughout North America -- many of them shopping malls -- including Minnesota, Las Vegas, and Edmonton. Expect to pay about $25-$30/day per adult and half that for children. Age and height restrictions apply. 

A study conducted by the National Park Service found that the Mall of America (60 East Broadway, Bloomington  55425, 952/883-8800) in Minneapolis, Minnesota is the most visited domestic destination for US travelers. To keep up with its growing audience, the Mall redid its original Camp Snoopy for preschoolers and has come up with the thrilling Nickelodeon Universe (952/883-8600).  Located on seven acres are more than 30 rides and attractions (including kiddie rides, family favorites and thrill rides such as SpongBob SquarePants Rock Bottom Plunge), entertainment stages, restaurants and retail shops. Your kids will beam at the character "Meet and Greets."

Once again, Alberta, Canada's West Edmonton Mall claims a number of "world's largest" titles at its Galaxyland Amusement Park (780/444-5300). At 400,000 sq.ft. (43,100 m²), Galaxyland is the world's largest indoor amusement park with over 29 rides and attractions. The theme park features Mindbender, the world's largest indoor triple loop roller coaster, and Galaxy Kids, four stories of space-themed area for younger children. Additionally, the mall features other such family-friendly adventure areas as a lagoon, which is home to three bottlenose dolphins; an interactive marine life touch pool; four submarine voyages in the world's largest indoor lake; and Professor Wem's Adventure Golf Course. 

The West Edmonton Mall also has KidTropolis, Canada's first and largest "indoor city" created for ages 5-13. Modeled on Mexico City's delightful City of Children, the 50,000-square-foot KidTropolis has a city hall, police station, fire station, bank, sports arena, hospital, park and an arts district where children can interact with each other and their environment. Visitors can wander or hop into a battery-operated car to explore the 31 movie-style sets, and use costumes and props to role play. More than 50 careers options are offered, ranging from newscasting (kids can tape and listen to their voices in a functional radio station) to medicine (practice surgical skills in an operating room), all under the supervision of Fun Bosses. Parents and caregivers may accompany their children, relax in the Parents' Lounge which overlooks each area, or shop in the mall knowing their children are safe. Children are provided with security wristbands and there is extensive security monitoring throughout the facility. Sounds great -- but inconvenient? KidTropolis plans to open additional locations in 2008-2009 at Lac Mirabel, just north of Montreal, and in Toronto. 

Decorated with a Grand Canyon motif, the Adventuredome (702/794-3939, 866/456/8894) located at Circus Circus Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada allows visitors to escape the extreme summer temperatures and enjoy the typically outdoor pleasures of a theme park. Circus Circus' elevated, indoor, five-acre park features the world's only indoor double-loop, double-corkscrew roller coaster, the Canyon Blaster. While the park has a number of attractions suitable for older children -- such as Rim Runner water flume ride featuring a 60-foot (18.5 m) plunge -- it also has many activities geared towards younger children such as a carousel, bumper cars, and clown shows.

Wannado City (954/838-7100) is located in South Florida’s Sawgrass Mills, the state’s largest mall and the number two tourist destination in Florida. This elaborate indoor 140,000-square-feet facility was conceived as a play space to introduce kids to the world of work and adulthood, and is the size of three football fields. Don't be surprised when you see all the familiar brand names seared in kids' brains from TV and billboards. Areas of interest to toddlers and preschoolers include a baby nursery, set in Wannado City’s "Plantation General Hospital" where kids can take on a variety of roles including pediatric nurse, surgeon and emergency room physician. In addition to ample adult seating and the mall's many other facilities, there is a kitchen for chefs to play in, a Spirit Airlines plane to pilot, supermarket to stock groceries, a play and gym area, circus zone, CNN TV studio to broadcast from, as well as plenty of consutruction sites to rebuild. 

What's indoors, part water park, and very amusing? An indoor snowpark. While Japan's amazing SkiDome SSAWS in Funabashi was the mother of all indoor faux environments (it closed in 2004), the oil-rich and very hot emirates of the Middle East have taken up the challenge. In April 2006, Dubai's giant new, 12-acre Mall of the Emirates welcomed Ski Dubai, (961/20 790 02988) the world's third largest indoor ski resort. It comes complete with tow-and chair-lifts, five ski slopes presenting varying degrees of challenge, as well as the world's largest indoor snow park. Ski Dubai is 25 stories high, 250-feet-wide and covered with real snow year round. Non-skiers can soak up the Alpine atmosphere in an array of restaurants overlooking the ski runs or at the classy Kempinski Hotel. The Mall also offers families a 14-screen movie theater, Magic Planet -- a large indoor family entertainment center with rides, simulators and children's rides -- and several other dining options.

A few summers ago, my daughter was so excited when we, clad in our shorts, had a snow ball fight as we came across a mound of snow while hiking in Alaska. Recalling this unseasonal pleasure, I can only imagine how fun and unusual it would be for kids to ski during the summer!

Cruise specialist Luisa Frey Gaynor, regular contributor to Carlson Wagonlit's Postcards, Cruise Reports, Cruise Travel, Cruise & Vacation Views and assistant editor of Candyce Stapen's "Cruise Vacations with Kids," is the mother of two, who are always up for any fun- indoors or out.