What’s new for kids at The Empire Mall

Kids can ride an oversized stuffed animal, hop on an electric scooter and return to seeing the Easter Bunny at The Empire Mall.

Animal Rides opened near the Sanford Children’s play area recently.

It offers the chance to climb aboard plush animals and ride around a designated track within the mall.

Is an electric motorized scooter more your speed? They have those too.

Rides last from five to 40 minutes and start at $5.

Some people have already come from six hours away to take a ride, franchisee Michele Kumar said.

“We’re just so excited that people are having so much fun that we have so many repeat customers,” she said.

“It’s such a joy to see so many people laughing and smiling, so happy, riding and taking pictures of each other.”

The rides hold up to 300 pounds, so older siblings or parents can ride with little ones or walk alongside them.

Animal Rides also is offering parties with an hour of riding and personalized plush toys for each guest.

It’s busier on the weekends, so the parties are offered Monday through Thursday.

Kumar and her kids moved to Sioux Falls from Atlanta to start the year after looking for somewhere with less heat. Her 15-year-old daughter decided this was where they should move – part of the appeal was that she could drive, of course.

But their business is going great – they’re already opening another one this summer in Indianapolis.

“It’s such a fun job to have,” Kumar said. “We couldn’t be happier.”

The Empire Mall also has brought back the Easter Bunny.

The bunny is available for socially distanced visits through April 3 from noon to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Reservations are strongly encouraged here. Kids won’t be getting close to the Easter Bunny, and he’ll be wearing a face mask underneath the costume.