Chris and I love taking the kids out to dinner, but sometimes it can sound more fun than it actually is. Trying to keep them quiet, in their seats, eating their food, all without disturbing other patrons is quite a task. I think it’s good for kids to be exposed to restaurant environments because it teaches them how to behave in public, but sometimes I think it’s good for them to be out somewhere that’s just for them. Somewhere where they don’t have to sit quietly or wait patiently for their food to come. Somewhere where they get pizza and gold tokens and prizes. Somewhere where they can bang the crap out of gophers with rubber mallets. Somewhere like Chuck E. Cheese’s. (cue host of angels singing)
What I noticed when we first got there was that there was a doorman who checked in our family. He had one of those little stamps with the invisible ink that is visible with a black light. He assigned our individual family with a specific number, and then stamped that same number on all of our hands. When it was time to leave, they checked each of our hands to confirm that we all had the same number. This way, no one could leave with a child that they didn’t come in with. I thought that was pretty brilliant, especially in a place where you might not necessarily be with your child the whole time. That was my favorite part of Chuck E. Cheese’s. Well, maybe my favorite part was the pizza… (so good!). Or maybe the clean tables and bathrooms… (I’m a sucker for a clean bathroom, friends). Bean’s favorite part were the coins.
He went all Ebenezer Scrooge on me and locked down the coins so that no one could have any. Until he spilled his cup o’ coins under the table, and I had to crawl under there and find all of them. That was the only time I was permitted to touch the coins.
I worried that maybe our kids were too little for Chuck E. Cheese’s, but they had a great time! Bean loved the tunnels to crawl through, and there were a lot of games that both of them could play.
Even Gracie had fun, though she was NOT a fan of Clifford the Big Red Dog. Too hairy, she said.
What was so fun about Chuck E. Cheese’s was that it took only slightly longer than a dinner out at a restaurant and didn’t cost any more than we would have spent for dinner out, but it was so much more than just dinner. It was fun and a great way to spend a night with the kids! Even Chris and I got in on the game action…
When it was time to go, Bean and I were not happy.
But then Chris reminded us about the best part of Chuck E. Cheese’s – PRIZES!!!!!
It took the kids twice as long to pick their prizes as it took them to win the tickets!
Needless to say, we will be going back again. And again. And again. Because there are tickets to be won, people. TICKETS TO BE WON!!!!!! And now, you and your family have a chance to win those tickets, too!
For more information, visit Chuck E. Cheese’s website and stay connected by liking Chuck E. Cheese’s page on Facebook.
Chuck E. Cheese’s is giving away a $100 gift card to one lucky Marriage Confessions winner! (And in case you didn’t know, $100 is roughly one bajillion coins… Bean will INSIST on coming with you.) Leave a comment telling me why your family loves Chuck E. Cheese’s or why you think they’d like it. The giveaway is open until September 28. GOOD LUCK!
Rules: No duplicate comments. You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods: a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post b) Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “”#SweepstakesEntry”"; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry. This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here. This sweepstakes runs from 9/4/2012-10/4/2012.
Be sure to visit the Chuck E. Cheese’s brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggersí reviews and find more chances to win!
1) jessica: The pizza is the best! (09.05.2012 06:53am)
2) Brad: The best gift my daughter got for her birthday was 100 tokens from her aunt. We have gone 7-8 times, had a blast and still have tokens left. (09.05.2012 07:36am)
3) kirsten: The best part about Chuck E. Cheese is that all the games only cost 1 coin to play! (09.05.2012 08:11am)
4) Ellen: My boyfriend loves taking his niece and nephews, and I love the pizza! (09.05.2012 08:36am)
5) Summer: Ive been wanting to take my 19 month old there but like you was afraid he was too young. Glad to know that he's not! Now we'll have to plan a trip!! Thank you! (09.05.2012 08:41am)
6) Anna in Ohio: Oh my goodness, I can't believe I haven't even thought to take my 20 month old! He would totally Ebeneezer the coins too! After recently having a VERY frustrating experience at Red Lobster with the kiddo, it would be amazing to have a night where he doesn't have to be on his best behavior at all times! (09.05.2012 08:46am)
7) ANdrea: AJ would love the games, he's really getting into them now and Ryan would love the noise, she's a noisy girl!!! And they both love pizza, of course! (09.05.2012 08:47am)
8) Kristin: My kids LOVE Chuck E. Cheese, because, that's the place where you can get "THE COOLEST TOYS EVER and MOM! they only cost 750 tickets!!!" LOL!! (09.05.2012 08:52am)
9) Melissa in RI: My 3 year old has been asking to go, but I wasn't sure if the baby is old enough to enjoy it. Your post has convinced me! (09.05.2012 09:10am)
10) Stacy: Our boys were born days apart, and I was thinking he was too young for CEC, glad to know otherwise! Can't wait to try it out soon! (09.05.2012 09:16am)
11) emily m: my kids would love it! (09.05.2012 09:32am)
12) Kandace C: I love the games. Me and my husband had a date night there just to play the games...so fun (09.05.2012 09:37am)
13) RachelC: This is a place I LOVE to take my nephew because it gives my husband and I a chance to hang out with him AND keep him entertained (unlike at our house where we have zero toys). Would love to win this and take him away for a night to give his parents a date night! (09.05.2012 10:02am)
14) laurenbtrain: Love places that entertain AND wear out the kiddos!!! ...their pizza is delish too! (09.05.2012 10:19am)
15) Leslie: We have never been to Chuck E. Cheese, but this post makes me want to go. My kids would love the games and pizza. (09.05.2012 10:19am)
16) jenny: what's not to love? pizza! games! a giant mouse! (09.05.2012 10:30am)
17) Candice: I haven't been to a Chuck E. Cheese since I was a kid but have been thinking about taking my son there now (he's two) for the exact reasons you mention: it's dinner out BUT it's totally appropriate for little kids. No stress about keeping them still and quiet. (09.05.2012 10:36am)
18) Jodi Scott: Great family fun for both our 9-year-old and our 16-year-old! (09.05.2012 10:43am)
19) Diurla: Best pizza and DUH, only place my kid can run around without me feeling like the whole world is staring me down for my wild child ;) (09.05.2012 11:01am)
20) Karen: I used to love the place as a kid, but haven't taken my daughter yet--I bet she'll love it! Looks like a great way to get some energy out--and get some awesome pizza, too! (09.05.2012 11:08am)
21) Stephanie @ Our Marriage Adventure: I don't want to win so don't pick me but omg I hate that place. LOL I'm sorry I just can't handle it. I will say though, I'm pretty impressed with their check point for leaving with kids. That is darn smart of them! (09.05.2012 11:16am)
22) El: My son will love the games. We have been to other places with games, and he loves them! Plus being able to let the kids be loud would be different from the places we normally go. (09.05.2012 11:21am)
23) Heather D: The games, of course! (09.05.2012 11:52am)
24) Nikki: I know that I will be taking my Son there as soon as he is old enough. When it's 102 degrees outside (like today) it will be a great place to let out some energy..for all of us! (09.05.2012 12:02pm)
25) Amy S.: I'd love to be able to take my nephews! I know they love it already. Lots of activities and PIZZA! (09.05.2012 12:19pm)
26) Anna D: My 18 month little boy is in a banging things phase so I am sure he would LOVE the whack a mole!! I used to love Chuckee Cheese when I was a kid... my grandmother would always take me there and then to toy's r us... it was our special date! (09.05.2012 12:25pm)
27) Colleen M: It's a great place to take our 3-year old grandson--he has such a good time, and we all love the pizza. (09.05.2012 12:56pm)
28) Andrea: Looks like a fun outing! Our kids are about the same age as yours, and I have thought they were too young for Chuck E.Cheese. So glad you posted this, can't wait to take the kids this weekend (09.05.2012 01:10pm)
29) Sarah@Crazy Love Gamble-Style: Oooh that could make for a fun family date night! (09.05.2012 01:12pm)
30) Kim: We love Chuck E. Cheeses because it's just so darn fun! Competition, prizes, great new pizza, playing with your kids, getting to talk to other grown ups while your kids safely play...the list goes on and on! (09.05.2012 02:28pm)
31) BeccaK: The best part of Chuck E. Cheese? THE GOPHER SMASHING GAME. Forget giving the coins to my kiddo; I'm hoarding a significant number for myself. To beat the bejeezus out of some gophers. (09.05.2012 03:51pm)
32) Meghan: The best part about Chuck E. Cheese is that my son can have fun interaction with other kids, have fun playing the games and I get to enjoy the time with him! I also love the security that you talked about as well, it makes me feel much more secure about taking him when I can't always see him running around inside. (09.05.2012 03:57pm)
33) LindsayL.: I love Chuck E. Cheese!! (09.05.2012 04:01pm)
34) Katherine: We took my son to Chuck E Cheese for the first time at age 3. He is almost 9 and still loves to go! It is a cheap and fun time! (09.05.2012 04:01pm)
35) Judy B.: Great pizza and fun for the kids (09.05.2012 04:06pm)
36) Katherine: My tweet can be found https://twitter.com/kdolphins7/status/243439922667737088 (09.05.2012 04:06pm)
37) Judy B.: tweet https://twitter.com/BBirdie2/status/243439518894653440 thanks! (09.05.2012 04:07pm)
38) Andrea: We went for the first time around my son's 2nd birthday. A little overwhelming at first, but had a great time. Chuck E. was actually there and gave away free tickets! Was pleasantly surprised by the good pizza. (09.05.2012 04:39pm)
39) Abby @ I Used To Have A Brain: We take the kids a few times every year! We love the pizza and the kids favorite part is when Chuck E Cheese comes out and meets the kids! (09.05.2012 04:45pm)
40) Katrina: My kids are the same ages as yours, so I am sure they would love chuck-e-cheese! My husband has been dying to take them there, but money is always an issue! This would be a great treat for them! (09.05.2012 05:04pm)
41) Josh w: I loved going there as a kid! I think my 3 year old son would love it too! (09.05.2012 05:06pm)
42) HollyT: My favorite part is watching my kids have an absolutely fantastic time! (My oldest wants his birthday party there next month and a gift certificate would be AWESOME!!!) (09.05.2012 05:21pm)
43) Christy: Gracie talks?! Big girl! Maybe I could take my cousin-in-laws there. They are age 4 and 9 and they would have a blast. I've been to the big kids' Chuckie Cheese in Jacksonville-Dave & Busters. Big kids are expensive though! (09.05.2012 06:16pm)
44) Elena: We love Chuck E Cheese because it's a fun place to play games and celebrate birthdays! (09.05.2012 06:29pm)
45) Elena: https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/243476206614347776 (09.05.2012 06:31pm)
46) Megan: So excited to take my little girl Harper to Chuck E. Cheese for the first time! She's just a bit older than Gracie, so it will be fun to see her in action :) A gift card would be great!! (09.05.2012 07:30pm)
47) Katie L: Haven't played skee-ball since I was a kid, can't wait to go back with my son! (09.05.2012 07:39pm)
48) Courtney: My son actually loved the Clifford ride when I took him for the first (and only) time over a year ago. I'd love to take him back again! (09.05.2012 07:41pm)
49) Melissa: My boys love winning tickets and then cashing in for prizes! We haven't been to Chuck E. Cheese yet, but I see it in the near future. (09.05.2012 08:18pm)
50) Kelly D: My kids love the rides and games, and we all love the pizza and cake. (09.05.2012 08:29pm)
51) Kelly D: tweet https://twitter.com/Kellydpa/status/243506253488353280 (09.05.2012 08:31pm)
52) Stephanie: I know our little one, who is 16 months, would have so much fun running around Chuck E. Cheese! He has never been, so the gift card would be great for his first time! I loved it as a kid and I can't wait to take him for the first time :) (09.05.2012 08:51pm)
53) Amy S: Oh Katie, I loved and enjoyed CEC for many years. My baby is 9 now, so we don't go as much. Here are my thoughts......LOVE the ID stamps, but just always remember that. I met a friend there once after my oldest had been at her house playing. Her family was having a little melt down, so they left earlier than we did. When I got to the door, it was like an act of Congress to get my own kids out of the place because he had been stamped with HER number. Always remember to get your own children re-stamped with YOUR number :) Also, those tubes are super fun, but I recommend you or Chris make a run through them each time you go.......more than once I discovered that someone little one had decided that those tubes made a great place to go potty---gross!!!! As your kids get older and you let them venture out on their own, just give them two tokens at a time; they can't lose too much money that way and it keeps them coming back to check in with you every few minutes. Which saved me a lot of time walking around trying to find them to make sure they were ok. (09.05.2012 10:04pm)
54) Jill: I love going there with my grand kids just to have fun and spend time with them. It has become date night for us. (09.06.2012 12:00am)
55) Brianna: My husband loves skeeball! (09.06.2012 12:44am)
56) Melissa: I haven't been to Chuck E. Cheese since I was a teenager (with younger family members). But now I have two kids who are almost 4 and almost 2- they would probably love it! We have been to an arcade before, but this would probably be better for my small kids. (09.06.2012 01:02am)
57) Katy: I don't know now...my son's Gracie's age... But I always loved skee ball! (09.06.2012 08:46am)
58) MamaGames: We love to go to Chuck E Cheese during the school year - we are homeschoolers and find Chuck E Cheese delightfully empty during the weekdays! The kids love it for a little weekday treat. (09.06.2012 09:16am)
59) Angie: My nephews would LOVE $100 to spend there! I would be favorite aunt :) (09.06.2012 09:44am)
60) Merrsidotes: My kid loves it because of all the lights and noise and no being quiet rules. I love it because I can send him and his dad there while I sit quietly and read a book at home! (09.06.2012 11:22am)
61) Lindsay: We've never taken Patrick to Chuck E Cheese, but now you have me all excited to go! :) I think P would love the games! (09.06.2012 11:38am)
62) Erin: We took Jake for his 5th birthday & he loved it & wishes he could go back!! (09.06.2012 04:58pm)
63) Chloe: I don't want the prize but I just wanted to comment, this post was so cute. It looks like so much fun! (09.06.2012 05:04pm)
64) Jessie: My niece and nephew love Chuck E. Cheese. They are always asking to go. (09.06.2012 05:10pm)
65) Mariya: I think my little Annie would love the tunnels, the lights, the pizza, and all the games. (09.06.2012 05:24pm)
66) Tiffany: My two older kids love Chuck E Cheese's. Katie hasn't been yet but I bet she would love it too. Looks like Bean and Gracie had a ball!!! (09.06.2012 06:24pm)
67) Amanda E.: My kids can spend hours at Chuck E. Cheese. They love the games. If they had $100 worth of coins we might have to move into Chuck E. Cheese! (09.06.2012 09:51pm)
68) cassandra: There is pizza, games, and prizes? We need to be there. :) (09.06.2012 09:54pm)
69) Dessi: I tried to go to CEC several per-baby years ago just for the pizza and they wouldn't let me in...lol. Now that I have my little man, we can go! Yay! And I love the invisible numbers you were talking about! Genious! (09.06.2012 10:05pm)
70) Cindy: Of course with 3 kids at home my family loves some Chuck E Cheese. They hoard the coins too and love to get all the prizes!! (09.06.2012 10:08pm)
71) Katie: I absolutely understand if I cannot win...but I still want to. I may be an adult, but I LOVE Chuck E. Cheese as well. :) Similar places for adults are far more expensive, and often filled with drunk people. Chuck E. Cheese is fun! I wanted to go there for my birthday this year, but no one would go with me. If I won this, I would go by myself anyways and celebrate! :) (09.06.2012 10:48pm)
72) Julie: I will always love Chuck E Cheese because my Mom had all our birthday parties there growing up. I mean from 1-18! She passed away almost 5 years ago but we still go to Chuck E Cheese for our birthday. (09.06.2012 11:17pm)
73) Heidi M: Skeeball!!! I'm sure the children like something, too... (09.07.2012 12:59am)
74) Angie E: I'm a new mom, and can't wait to go to Chuck E. Cheese when they're older! (09.07.2012 02:34pm)
75) Amy Tong: We love Chuck E Cheese because kids can be kids and as a Mom, I enjoy the fun games with them as well. amy [at] utry [dot] it (09.07.2012 04:21pm)
76) Amy Tong: tweeted: https://twitter.com/uTry_it/status/244168823064891392 amy [at] utry [dot] it (09.07.2012 04:23pm)
77) Mellen: SKEE BALL! I also love that my kids can actually do things there, instead of just watch everyone else have fun! (09.07.2012 09:56pm)
78) Kate: Oh my gosh, my daughter has been asking to go to Chuck E Cheese's every day for the past 4 months! We went to one of her little friend's birthday parties there and she thought that it was the absolute coolest place ever invented! So glad you and your family enjoyed it also. (09.08.2012 12:24am)
79) Amy Kathryn: We had my daughter's 2nd birthday party there and she LOVED it! Plus, it had enough activities to entertain both the toddlers and the older kids. She'd love to go again! :) (09.08.2012 08:21am)
80) Kelly Massman: Great for a fun time any time--love to take our younger nephews/cousins!!!!! thanks thanks for a chance to win kmassman gmail (09.08.2012 07:17pm)
81) Michelle: We love Chuck E Cheese because of the smiles and wonder that we see on my 2yr old's face the entire time we are there. (09.09.2012 12:59am)
82) Alyssa: I actually visited Chuck E Cheese for the frist time a few months ago with my 3 year old and my 1 year old and I was so surprised at how clean it was and how much fun we all had. Even my 1 year old understood the concept of games :) We even had healthy food choices. We will be visiting this place a lot! (09.09.2012 09:12pm)
83) april in tx: I love that the kids have fun! (09.09.2012 10:27pm)
84) Meredith C.: The kids love the pizza and prizes. (09.09.2012 11:33pm)
85) Jessie C.: We love it because it's a great fun place to enjoy family time with kids without breaking the bank. tcarolinep at gmail dot com (09.10.2012 01:17am)
86) Jessie C.: https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/245028114789437440 (09.10.2012 01:18am)
87) Stephanie: we love the games! (09.10.2012 09:50am)
88) Stephanie: tweet: https://twitter.com/akronugurl/status/245157192506945536 . (09.10.2012 09:51am)
89) Gina M: I love that it is a fun environment for kids of all ages! Thanks for the chance to win! gina.m.maddox (at) gmail (dot) com (09.10.2012 10:44am)
90) Gina M: tweet--https://twitter.com/CrazyItalian0/status/245171388757987328 gina.m.maddox (at) gmail (dot) com (09.10.2012 10:47am)
91) Natalie: Skeeball is definitely my favorite and was all through growing up. I'm looking forward to an excuse to go more often as an adult with our first due in Feb :) (09.12.2012 12:59pm)
92) Brandy: Pizza and fun games!!! (09.12.2012 10:55pm)
93) Jaymie Welch: Best surprise ever is when we went to chuck e cheese on a Monday night and the kids didn't know. What our family loves about chuck e cheese is that t turns an ordinary dinner out into a party and a night to remember. Seriously we got the same reaction as if we were taking them to Disney! (09.13.2012 07:24pm)
94) Danielle Meek: My boys love the games and I love that we get to spend time having fun as a family! (09.14.2012 08:46am)
95) Amanda Sakovitz: We love playing all the games for prizes! I love your pictures, so cute! pokergrl8 at gmail.com (09.15.2012 03:41pm)
96) Amanda Sakovitz: https://twitter.com/aes529/status/247057550166601728 (09.15.2012 03:41pm)
97) nannypanpan: my son loves their pizza, their tunnel climber and skeeball nannypanpan@gmail.com (09.15.2012 10:50pm)
98) Tina M: we love their games and foods (09.17.2012 10:00am)
99) Tina M: https://twitter.com/HappyTina0115/status/247696884532129792 (09.17.2012 10:02am)
100) Melinda: Games, Food and Fun - What's not to love? (09.18.2012 02:20pm)
101) Melinda: tweeted https://twitter.com/MelindaJoy926/status/248126483204288514 (09.18.2012 02:29pm)
102) Sean: It's such a fun place to go, especially on rainy days. Kids can play in a contained area, and adults can hang out. (09.18.2012 02:29pm)
103) Nicole Larsen: We love Chuck E Cheese because of all the awesome games and prizes! (09.18.2012 08:45pm)
104) Nicole Larsen: tweeted https://twitter.com/pittsy82/status/248221765434757120 (09.18.2012 08:47pm)
105) Danielle Ferguson: My kids loving playing games and running around at Chuck E Cheese and mom loves the games and winning tickets too! (09.19.2012 03:58pm)
106) Danielle Ferguson: https://twitter.com/jdjrferg4/status/248569585215889409 (09.19.2012 07:50pm)
107) Angela in KY: We love Chuck E. Cheese! But don't get to go very often.....would love to win! (09.20.2012 06:46pm)
108) Harmony b: We like chuck e cheese because the kids can have fun and we dont have to worry, plus the food is good too (09.21.2012 05:32am)
109) Harmony b: tweet https://twitter.com/hburmeister/status/249079367672668161 (09.21.2012 05:35am)
110) Tiffany Winner: we like that we can all have fun playing games together thismomwins@gmail.com (09.21.2012 01:01pm)
111) Tiffany Winner: tweet https://twitter.com/thismomwins/status/249190301950959616 thismomwins@gmail.com (09.21.2012 01:01pm)
112) Lee: We love Chuck E. Cheese because of the great pizza! (09.22.2012 06:04am)
113) Thomas Murphy: We love the environment and we all have a blast playing the games! rounder9834 at yahoo dot com (09.22.2012 08:14pm)
114) Thomas Murphy: https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/249662945540317185 (09.22.2012 08:14pm)
115) Janice Cooper: The games and pizza (09.23.2012 11:51am)
116) Janice Cooper: Tweeted https://twitter.com/disneyfan40/status/249899370256932864 (09.23.2012 11:54am)
117) Karen Medlin: Perfect place to have a weekday party for preschoolers, and good food There are plenty of games for the older and younger kids, all the games are age-appropriate! karenmed409 at comcast dot net (09.24.2012 05:54pm)
118) BETH B: love love love the prizes ... I love when they go around throwing them for the kids. My kids drive on the floor for them LOL (09.24.2012 09:27pm)
119) Rebecca Graham: We like the tokens and the tickets. (09.29.2012 04:12am)
120) maria cantu: The kids like to go there a lot and I like the pizza. (09.30.2012 12:25am)
121) Eugenie: We love Chuck E. Cheese because everyone has a good time! (09.30.2012 05:18pm)
122) Sarah L: I've never been to Chucky Cheese (gasp!) I'm winning this as a present for some friends. Thanks for the contest. (10.03.2012 03:09am)
123) Sarah L: blogged: http://slehan.blogspot.com/2012/10/win-100-chuck-e-cheese-gc-from-blogher.html (10.03.2012 03:10am)
124) courtney b: we love all the fun rides! (10.03.2012 10:23am)
125) courtney b: tweet https://twitter.com/MeandBells/status/253500444922482688 (10.03.2012 10:24am)
126) amy pugmire: we love chuck e cheese because its fun, entertaining, they have good food and its great bonding time with the family. (10.03.2012 02:02pm)
127) amy pugmire: tweeted https://twitter.com/1amypugmire/status/253555748833984513 (10.03.2012 02:03pm)
128) Jammie: we love all the games and yummy pizza! sweepmorey at gmail dot com (10.03.2012 07:11pm)
129) Jammie: tweeted https://twitter.com/mommysdizzy/status/253633213082238976 (10.03.2012 07:11pm)
130) Tabathia B: They love earning tokens playing games for prizes tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com (10.04.2012 01:18am)
131) Tabathia B: tweet https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/253726121177268224 tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com (10.04.2012 01:20am)
132) anash: my kids love the pizza and fries! thks for this giveaway (10.04.2012 10:55pm)