@YosemiteSam : While I appreciate your attempt to help, despite the snarkiness included in your response, you may notice that the 2 places you offered are definitely NOT geared towards teens and pre-teens. The trip buzz link does give an extensive list... but there are problems with that list. 1) Many of the things are for the under 10 crowd of kids. 2) It lists places that are closed. 3) It lists places that are in Sugar Land and Friendswood or farther. 4) It lists city parks. 5) It lists places that are intended for long term commitments (i.e. Dance Academy).
I have looked. Extensively. We have lived here 5 years. My boys use Centennial and other parks to play basketball with friends. They have also used the Rec Center and YMCA. They go to the movies with friends. Used to go to the Putt Putt place and the bowling alley. Those places are now closed. Jumping Zaxx opened up at BW 8 near Hwy 35. There is also a skating rink back there. We also got an Urban Air. So, at least now I don't have to make the 45 minute trek over to Webster for Jumping World. What we don't have is a video arcade, paintball place, Putt Putt, bowling alley, go-kart track, etc. Places the older children can go to just hang out and have fun with their friends for a few hours. I see all this growth and development going up, but it seems to be geared to either adults or young kids. The teens get lost in the shuffle. But it's ok. I'll just keep shuttling them to Houston, Sugar Land, Webster and other areas. And I'll keep spending my money there rather than in our local economy since Pearland can't seem to attract businesses that cater to this age group.