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Crawl, slide, wiggle, swing, and jump around the adventure play area. 

Xplore Family Fun Center in Commack boasts a groovy scene upon entry, with a blacklight glow all around. The flickering lights from its vast arcade space were an immediate draw for our group, which ranged in age from 10-13.

The glo-kart track at this Long Island indoor playground itself is thrillingly lit by black lights. I had to sit the glo-karting out, but I enjoyed watching the kiddos whiz around the track, goading each other along the way. The track offers helmets for safety, and sessions were 5 minutes long. Although our group was made up of tweens, Xplore is the first venue on Long Island with mini electric go-karts, and it's obvious the business thought about the "littles" in its planning. Three of the mini go-karts are aimed at ages 4-9, while five mid-sized go-karts are available for ages 9-14. 

Our group enjoyed plenty of other fun at this indoor playground, starting with arcade games and an old-school, four-player version of Pong. From driving to sport-themed games, you can definitely spend a decent amount of time in the arcade. Plus, there is a point prize redemption center for all the tchotchkes your kids dream of.

RELATED: Awesome Arcades for Long Island Kids

Get your blood pumping in the 5,500-square-foot laser tag arena as you take on the opposing team.

Kids can then test their Mission Impossible skills and channel their inner Tom Cruise in the laser maze. Fun involving lasers continues in the laser-tag room, which consists of a two-level course. There are hideouts in every corner and places to recharge, so just when you think you're toast, you can get back in on the action. This activity was quite the cardio workout, and my gang definitely worked off its Ring Pop prizes from the arcade!

RELATED: 8 Laser Tag Places for Kids on Long Island

Toddlers have their own designated ninja-inspired play area at this supersized indoor playground on Long Island. 

After working up a sweat duck-diving and zapping away in the laser tag area, we walked down the corridor to the open and airy place space. The Ninja Toddler Zone was perfect for crawlers and walkers to hang out. Soft foam gym equipment dotted the floors, while foam blocks and other manipulatives were ripe for the stacking—and knocking down. Tiny guests pay a lower entrance fee to enter the indoor playground, too! 

RELATED: Go-Kart and Slot Car Racing Destinations for LI Kids

Climb through tunnels in the obstacle course in the two-tier indoor playground. 

We jumped into Funkytown next, enjoying a partially enclosed dance bouncer that also had a disco light inside. Then we were off to a bouncy obstacle course and tall inflatable slide. While it took some contorting of the body, we then conquered a two-tier, soft, enclosed climbing playground. There were courses for balancing, hanging, swinging, and more. You could climb down or take the corkscrew slide (I opted to give my achy joints a break and climb down). 

If you plan to drop in for a play session, be sure to bring socks. Xplore sells them if you happen to forget. If your kids are really into this indoor playground, Xplore offers memberships. The birthday party packages pack a punch, and there are three separate party rooms for your group to celebrate with catered food, decorations, and more.

Xplore Family Fun Center's Commack location has two sister spots: Safari Adventure in Riverhead and Xplore Family Fun Center in Port Jefferson, which just added climbing walls. Bonus: Memberships and arcade cards are good at all three locations.

Photos by the author