Jan 4, 9:37 PM

Fun, games fill 'Attic'

Hurricane damage couldn't dampen center's fun

BY KATHY HAGOOD
FOR FLORIDA TODAY

Fun Attic in Melbourne attained national recognition during Hurricane Frances in early September as footage of its damaged facade was broadcast repeatedly on the Weather Channel.

While the 9,000-square-foot facility still awaits final repairs to its exterior, the entertainment center has reopened. Because of the temporary silver skin over part of the center's facade, passersby sometimes mistakenly assume the facility is closed, so it's less crowded these days.

Fun Attic houses two playgrounds: a two-story assembly of interconnected tunnels for children 3 and older and a smaller area featuring ball pits for toddlers. The brightly colored play areas feature safe materials frequently cleaned and disinfected.

Playground admission is $7.50 for children 3 and older; $5 for children 2 and younger.

Adults can play with their children for free in soft-play areas, and can climb in sock-covered feet through tunnels with older children. Kneepads are available for purchase.

Just outside the first level is a miniature golf course scaled down to suit even the tiniest golfer. The greens, which were damaged by Frances, are soon to be repaired.

Upstairs in the "attic" are pool tables, air-hockey machines, video games and skee-ball. Playground admission is not required for children and adults who just wish to pay-and-play arcade games.

After burning calories in Fun Attic's play areas, you'll likely get hungry. The center's concession area features pizza, hotdogs, hamburgers, chicken strips, snow cones, ice cream, drinks and other snacks.

While helpful Fun Attic staff members are on hand, children 16 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. The exception is the first Saturday night of each month, when parents can drop children off for supervised play from 6 to 10 p.m. Cost is $15 per child.

Friday night features family specials with $10 admission for the immediate family members only. For an additional $10, families receive a large pizza and large pitcher of soda.

Fun Attic also has three plans for birthday parties and is available for "fun raisers."

If you go