Parenting is costly. And tiring.
You might assume that taking the youngsters to a pizza-and-games spot such as Chuck E. Cheese would deliver a welcome distraction. But of course, they’re pestering you every few minutes for more tokens.
Not today, kids.
Enter the All You Can Play option (the true lifesaver of parental patience) available at participating Chuck E. Cheese locations across the country.
How Chuck E. Cheese All You Can Play Functions
For a single set price, children can enjoy unlimited games — no exceptions — for a chosen duration.
At the moment, unlimited play is offered in 30-minute blocks starting around $15 with any Chuck E. Cheese promotional purchase and is valid any day of the week. (Rates may differ by location.) Unlimited sessions are available in 30, 45, 60 and 120 minute options.
Save more by heading there on All You Can Play Wednesday. Mention “All You Can Play Wednesday” when checking out and you’ll secure an hour for $17.99. The chain claims kids can average about 100 gameplays per hour during All You Can Play across roughly 70 different games. Occasional promotions throughout the year provide additional opportunities for parents to cut costs.
Children use Play Passes or Play Bands, which let them load minutes or points with a tap. Play Passes are sold in three levels:
- $1 Play Pass
- $3 Play Pass with coil wristband
- $5 Rechargeable Play Band
Each option includes 3 Play Points or Minutes to start.
Some machines may still eject paper tickets, though Chuck E. Cheese has moved largely to e-tickets that are stored automatically on Play Passes. After playing, kids can trade their e-tickets at the prize counter.
Need a restroom or pizza pause? No worries. You’re allowed to pause play once during the play window. When time runs out, you can buy additional 30-minute increments.
Imagine: your kids might wear themselves out for under $20. Maybe.
Confirm that All You Can Play is offered at your Chuck E. Cheese location before heading out.
Chuck E. Cheese and Safety Measures
Kids love to touch everything, and at a place like Chuck E. Cheese those instincts run rampant.
To protect guests, Chuck E. Cheese has teamed up with Ecolab Science Certified, which researches how to maintain high standards of cleanliness. While that accreditation appears in other eateries, Chuck E. Cheese is the first “kid-focused family entertainment center” to collaborate with Ecolab and earn its Certified Seal. You’ll find hand-sanitizer stations, frequent surface sanitizing and touchless payment options, in addition to touchless Play Passes and bands.
For birthday celebrations, you can host the party in-restaurant or choose a Party Pack for at-home use via delivery or carryout. If you pick the at-home route, you’ll still receive play points and e-tickets to redeem on a future visit.
If you want a more spread-out party with social distancing, you can reserve an Early Access slot on Saturdays from 8–10 a.m. or Sundays from 9–11 a.m.
Chuck E. Cheese Rewards
If you find yourself visiting Chuck E. Cheese frequently to amuse the kids, check out their rewards system.
Install the restaurant’s app and scan the receipt barcode. You earn one point for every dollar spent, and different point totals unlock varied rewards.
- At 50 points, you can claim 15 minutes of play time, an order of Unicorn Churros, two Pepsi beverages or 500 e-tickets.
- With 100 points, you receive 30 minutes of play time, one personal 1-topping pizza or 1,000 e-tickets.
- At 200 points, you can pick up 60 minutes of play time, one large 1-topping pizza or 2,000 e-tickets.
When you download the app and enroll, you’ll be granted 500 complimentary e-tickets. You’ll also get a birthday surprise on your birthday and half-birthday. Refer a friend and you’ll earn a free personal pizza once they register.
Your child can also rack up Play Points at home. The restaurant provides downloadable Kids Activities, where you can award 10 Play Points for losing a tooth, finishing a reading challenge and other achievements.
Contributor Kara Matthews covers family finance and lifestyle topics for Savinly from her base in Utah. Chris Rivera is a former staff writer.
