At Screen Sanity, we spend a lot of time helping families navigate gaming meltdowns, dopamine hits, and the never-ending design of today’s video games. So it may surprise you to hear this: I love the arcade at the new Andretti Indoor Karting in Overland Park. And I’ve already taken my 5th grader multiple times…in the first week they’ve been open.
Here’s why.
A Sensory Circus…that Brings People Together
Yes, it’s loud and flashy — a full-on dopamine carnival. Neurotherapist Susan Dunaway, who joined us on the Screen Sanity podcast, talks often about how kids’ brains aren’t built for the constant dopamine spikes modern games deliver. But in this case, something refreshing happens inside those lights: kids actually play side-by-side. They cheer each other on. They negotiate which game to play next. They collaborate and compete in real life — not through a headset, not isolated in bedrooms.
The Games Are Physical and Skill-Building
Instead of sitting and tapping buttons, kids are moving. We threw balls in Pixel Cube, yanked levers in the Icee game, and rowed paddles on the white-water raft ride. These games require coordination, laughter, grit, and mastery. They actually end — which is something rare in modern gaming, where “one more level” can stretch infinitely.
Ending Points = Less Conflict
Most modern games are designed without natural stopping cues, making transitions incredibly hard. Arcade games? They last 60–90 seconds. You play, you finish, you move on. It’s a built-in relief valve for kids’ nervous systems — and for parents.
A “Device Zone” That Stays a Zone
At home, we value device-free spaces like bedrooms, tables, and cars. At Andretti, the opposite is true — but this actually helps. When you leave, the screens stay there. No begging for more. No negotiating. No sneaking. The arcade experience ends when you walk out the door.
Natural Limits Teach Regulation
Instead of timers and battles, your card’s credits decide how long you play. Kids naturally learn budgeting, trade-offs, and delayed gratification. You’re not the bad guy — the card is.
A Taste of “Captivated by Life”
Despite the noise, kids at Andretti are laughing, bonding, moving, learning, and practicing real-world skills. They’re fully present. And that’s something worth celebrating — even in an arcade.
Should every family rush there? Not necessarily. But my experience was a good reminder that not all screen experiences are created equal. Some disconnect us. Others bring us together. And intention makes all the difference.
