Extreme Sports and More Thrilling Activities for Kids in Philly: Go Karts, Axe Throwing, and More!

Put your skills to the test on the obstacle course at Urban Air. Photo courtesy of Urban Air
Put your skills to the test on the obstacle course at Urban Air. Photo courtesy of Urban Air
8/11/23 - By Alyce Wilson

Extreme sports are a perfect way to keep up with extremely energetic kids. Wear them out by trying some high-octane fun and giving them a completely new experience! As an added bonus, extreme sports like go karts, archery, and even axe-throwing can be fun for the entire family! 

Looking for more extreme fun? Check out our list of Ninja Warrior Gyms, Obstacle Courses, and Parkour in Philly for Kids. For additional high-energy fun, visit our Play Gyms and Sports Centers Guide.

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Extreme Sports and More Thrilling Activities for Kids in Philly:Ultimate Archery
Battle it out with bows and arrows at Ultimate Archery. Photo by Cait Sumner

Ultimate Archery — Maple Shade, New Jersey
Permanently Closed

Only about 30 minutes from Center City Philadelphia, Ultimate Archery takes dodgeball to an extreme level. Teams of archers, ages 7 and up, battle it out with bows and foam-tipped arrows from opposite sides of the gym. While the game is physical, it's also very safe. Players receive training before every match. Archers wear head gear at all times, and the arrows are specially designed not to leave any bruises or marks. You'll play lots of different kinds of games in your hour-long session. Ultimate Archery is open by appointment only, so reach out to book your group in advance.

What we love: A unique experience that will have families giggling while getting in an intense workout! Great for a large group.

Xtreme Zone  — New Castle, Delaware

Xtreme Zone, just south of Wilmington, Delaware, offers a variety of high-octane fun: axe throwing, an airsoft shooting gallery, and VR racing simulators, in addition to go karts. Racers ages 8 to 15 would qualify as junior racers, and would be in a smaller, adjustable car. Anyone older than 15 rides in an adult go kart. Or try out the virtual reality racing simulator, choosing from hundreds of tracks and vehicles. Axe throwing is available for ages 4 and up. Aim at digtally-projected targets or play a game of axe tic-tac-toe!

What we love: There are a variety of fun options at this sports center. Plus, kids as young as 4 can even try axe throwing!

Callowhill Archery — Philadelphia 

Family members ages 11 and up can try their hand at archery in Philadelphia's indoor archery range, Callowhill Archery. All participants first take a base course, which are offered two times a day from Wednesday through Sunday, with an extra time on Saturdays. Then, you can book an open range, either renting equipment or bringing your own. Callowhill Archery also has special holiday events, and you can book parties.

What we love: Perfect for those who want to try to perfect a new skill.

Extreme Sports and More Thrilling Activities for Kids in Philly: K1 Speed.
Enjoy the thrill of the chase at K1 Speed. Photo courtesy of K1 Speed

K1 Speed — Horsham

If your kid has a need for speed, head for K1 Speed, formerly Speed Raceway, where they can race on indoor go karts. These all-electric karts outperform gas-powered versions and are better for the environment. Kids have to be taller than 48 inches to drive the junior karts, while adult carts are for those 4'10" or taller. No reservations are required to drive as a family, but birthday parties can be organized in advance, with a themed party room for two hours, a dedicated event host, arcade time, and medals for the top three finishers.

What we love: All-electric karts provide a unique experience while also being better for the environment!

Arnold's Family Fun Center — Oaks

Come for the go karts, stay for the mix of other activities available at Arnold's Family Fun Center. The main track is reserved for ages 12 and older, while the Junior Track is for racers aged 6 to 12, and the Kiddie Kars are for ages 3 to 6. In addition, Arnold's provides two different Laser Tag arenas for up to 16 players, bumper cars and other small rides, an indoor ropes course and rock wall, black light mini golf, a carousel, and more than 100 arcade games.

What we love: So much to do at this family fun center that you could enjoy a full day of activities.

Extreme Sports and More Thrilling Activities for Kids in Philly: Funzilla
Funzilla has loads of activities, like the challenging ninja obstacle course. Photo courtesy of Funzilla

Funzilla — Fairless Hills

Funzilla contains a wealth of activities in an all-ages indoor adventure park. The electric go karts require a driver at least 54" tall, but passengers can be anywhere from 36" to 53". So a teenage or adult family member can chauffeur the little ones. Other activities include a freestyle trampoline court, trampoline dodgeball and dunk lanes, air bag jump lanes, a ninja obstacles course, a three-level playground and a separate toddler zone, and over 50 arcade games.

What we love: Trampoline dodgeball and ninja obstacle course make this a truly unique adventure park.

Extreme Sports and More Thrilling Activities for Kids in Philly: The Funplex
Catch a thrill on the outdoor water slides at The Funplex. Photo courtesy of the Funplex 

The Funplex — Mt. Laurel, New Jersey

An indoor-outdoor complex with tons of activities, the Mount Laurel location of Funplex requires go kart drivers to be at least 54" tall for 14 years old to drive a double kart, or be at least 36" high to ride as a passenger. Bumper cars could be an option for tweens who want to control their own ride, with a minimum height of 48" tall to be a driver. Done with driving? Try out six different game versions of laser tag. Or engage in an interactive battle with foam balls fired with air cannons and air blasters. There's also bowling, indoor rides including a multi-sensory 4D dark ride, and an arcade, not to mention the waterpark outside.

What we love: Indoor rides and go karts as well as an arcade and bowling, PLUS outdoor water rides.

iCORE Fitness — West Chester

iCORE Fitness means "Intensive Cardio through Obstacles to Gain Results and Endurance," and with that in mind, try out the full-scale ninja warrior course, or visit the parkour/tumbling section, which includes foam floors, trampolines, foam pits, high bars and more. There's also a rock-climbing wall.

What we love: Kids can feel like real life American Ninja Warriors. iCORE also offers homeschool days!

Lehigh Valley Grand Prix — Allentown

It's all about speed at Lehigh Valley Grand Prix, where the vehicles can reach speeds of up to 45 mph on an indoor quarter-mile course. Racers under the age of 15 must race in a junior heat. Kids must be at least 8 to race. Online reservations are encouraged. Family members aged 15 and over can try out their lumberjack skills with the Go!Axe experience, throwing real axes at real wood with digital games projected onto the targets.

What we love: More than just go karts. Try real life axe throwing with a fun digital aspect!

Urban Air — Trexlertown

Many families already know Urban Air for its trampolines, rock walls, ropes course, warrior course, and more. But at the Trexlertown location (just an hour north of Philly in Lehigh County), kids can drive mini-karts while adults can use high-performance racing karts to challenge their skills. This location also has a tubes playground, arcade, and Skyrider, plus a DropZone where jumpers can land on a giant, inflatable airbag.

What we love: This is an Urban Air location with all the extras. You can do more than jump here including go karts!

Extreme Sports and More Thrilling Activities for Kids in Philly: TreetopQuest
Take to the trees at TreetopQuest aerial adventure park. Photo courtesy of TreetopQuest

TreetopQuest — Philadelphia

For a physical and mental challenge, try out Treetop Quest Philly's aerial adventure park, located in Fairmount Park. The beginner course is open to ages 6 and up, with three more levels providing increasingly more difficult challenges. Participants aged 12 and older are weighed upon check-in, with weight details kept confidential. Closed-toe shoes are required. Every participant is outfitted with a harness and gloves and given a practice session before beginning their 2.5-hour adventure. Advanced reservations are required.

What we love: Courses for all skill levels are available.

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