North Park Village Nature Center
A fun Chicago-area park for nature lovers of all ages, the March Maple Syrup Festival is a local hit. The park is home to deer, birds, and other wildlife, and also has its own apiaries for bees. If youre looking for a great way to help kids get in touch with nature, you just found it. If you are in Chicago with kids, you are sure to have a treat at these retreat centers as they are designed to have a truly exotic experience and reconnect with nature.
Price: Free
Indoor Playgrounds In Lake County:
Run, climb, slide and play! Just like their favorite neighbhood park only inside and well padded.
701 N. Milwaukee Ave., Ste 360, Vernon Hills | 247-8000 This small indoor playground is perect for toddlers and preschoolers and free wi-fi means parents can work while the kids play! Maureen gives you a complete review of the Chick-fil-A playspace. Other locations include Kildeer and Gurnee.
Deerfield Park District Tree HouseJewett Park Community Center, 836 Jewett Park Drive, Deerfield | 945-0650If your kids are at least three years old and under four feet tall, they will love the climbing, sliding, imaginative fun thats on the upper level of the Jewett Park Community Center. Check the website for extra hours during school breaks.
Gurnee Mills6170 W. Grand Ave., GurneeChildren can live out their Godzilla fantasies as they climb over miniature versions of signature Chicago buildings. Enter at entrance B, its located in Center Court near Bed, Bath & Beyond.
Hawthorn Mall122 Hawthorn Center, Vernon Hills | 362-2600Renovated in 2014 this is best for toddlers and preschoolers with small and colorful structures for children to climb, slide, and sit on. There are seats surrounding the area for parents to watch. The play area is located on the lower level in front of JcPennys. Insider tip: You can play in the play area before the mall stores open if you have early rises.
Roller Coasters And Thrill Rides
Six Flags Great America offers a variety of rides for all ages. For thrill rides, the minimum height requirement ranges from 42-54 inches. Depending on the height, some rides require a minor to ride with an adult. Some of our favorite thrill rides include:
- Minimum height: 48 inches
- Location: Carousel Plaza
One of the newer rides at Six Flags Great America, Maxx Force is known to launch passengers from 0 to 78 mph in less than two seconds. Now thats fast!
- Minimum height: 54 inches
- Location: Southwest Territory
The worlds first hyper-twister roller coaster takes you on a ride like no other as you ride up 20 stories then plunge down into the first 65-degree drop.
- Minimum height: 48 inches
- Location: County Fair
When Goliath first opened, the ride broke three records as the fastest wooden coaster with the tallest and steepest drop.
- Minimum height: 54 inches, 78 inches max
- Location: County Fair
Youll feel like youre soaring through the sky where riders are swooped into different directions including an upside-down position.
For kids that cant make the height requirements for the thrill rides, Six Flags Great America offers rides for them. Some family rides include:
- Minimum height: None with adult
- Location: Carousel Park
When walking into Six Flags, its hard to miss the magical merry-go-round that will delight riders of all ages.
- Minimum height: None with adult
- Location: Southwest Territory
- Minimum height: None with adult
- Location: Yukon Territory
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Go On A Spree At Only Child Brewing Company
Editor’s Note: Photo taken from the establishment’s official social account
Well the holiday just about cleared is out of Double Dog Dare. Only a few cases left! Stop in today from 4-8pm to grab the last of it before itâs gone!
Posted by Only Child Brewing Company on Monday, December 27, 2021
Only Child Brewing Company is a family owned brewery that crafts a range of beers for sophisticated palates. Simply take a sip of it and let the flavors disperse into your taste buds, and you will say a hell of a beer! The laid back atmosphere and cool staffs make it a perfect place to chill and hang out. The tap room is where you can enjoy the beers to the max. The bartenders and brewers are completely knowledgeable and will fill you in with all you want to know about beers. With every sip, you get to taste the passion and enthusiasm of the owners and the brewers.
Only Child Brewing Company
Thorn Creek Nature Center & Preserve
The 600+ acre nature preserve offers an impressive mix of habitats, with a large number of species and a nature center housed in a converted church that was built in 1862. Throughout the year, the center hosts variety of educational programs for all ages. With one of the worlds largest natural reserves, Chicago children need not worry about their entertainment options.
Price: Free
When visiting the area, you must wear a face covering and practice social distancing. Its also recommended to have an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with you during your visit.
Tip: No dogs allowed in the park!
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Mitchell Museum Of The American Indian
This museum is home to a massive collection of pottery and artifacts from Native American and paleo-Indian cultures across the United States. A fun place for the whole family, kids can explore inside a real wigwam, make-and-take craft activities, and activity tables. Most of the fun takes place early in the day, so get there as early as possible. Ages 4 and up will love it.
Price: $
Roller Skating In Lake County:
Tell the kids youre going retro and lace up some roller skates for some old-school indoor fun.
Skate on Grand Roller Rink720 E Grand Ave., Fox Lake | 587-2350If your kiddos are just learning to roller skate, this is a great place to go! They have a learners mini rink where skaters can practice their new skills before heading out to the bigger floor. Skaters can also use roller skating aids for an additional fee. read Allis review of Skate on Grand.
Just for Fun 2 Roller Rink139 N. Seymour Ave., Mundelein | 949-7528 For an old-fashioned good time, lace on a pair of skates and take a whirl around the rink! This is indoor play that even moms and dads will enjoy!
While not a roller rink, there is one indoor skate park in Lake County that allows skates , BMX bikes and even scooters:
Asylum Skate Park29850 N. Skokie Hwy., Unit B, Lake Bluff | 578-5103Asylum Skate park was built in 2010 and is currently the only indoor skate park in Lake County. It looks like something straight out of a Tony Hawk video game, and is a great place for your tween or teen to go on a rainy day to learn how to master that kick-flip.You can skateboard for FREE on your birthday and girls skateboard for FREE on Wednesdays and at a discount on other days of the week.
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Enormous List Of Indoor Play Places In Lake County
This story contains affiliate links.
When the weather turns frightful but your kids are still begging to do something fun, move the play inside! Weve been creating and tweaking this ENOURMOUS list of Indoor Play Places in lake County for over five-years. Just from compiling these awesome places, I, myself, have added some must visits to my kids winter bucket lists. Lake County, we have some FUN things to do out there! Say goodbye to boredom!
Creative Play In Lake County:
Leave the mess far from home and take your budding artists to explore creative fun out on the town. Call ahead to confirm drop-in times and in most cases, return home with a mini-masterpiece to cherish for years to come.
253 Peterson Rd., Libertyville | 816-4865If youre in a creative mood, stop into Artist @ Heart and let your imagination soar. Pick a project and take as long as your need to perfect your creation. . Choose from ceramics to pottery, to painting and so much more! They also have a weekly Artsy Tots drop-in class for younger children.
Clay Monet532 W. Route 22, #130, Lake Zurich | 540-7772Drop-in anytime to paint pre-fired bisque pottery, or try your hand at clay sculpting as a walk-in . Walk-in sculpting does not include instruction previous clay experience is required and projects must be left to dry for seven to ten days before they can be fired.
Painted Penguin122 Hawthorn Center, Vernon Hills | 764-0891Yes, its back Painted Penguin at Hawthorn Mall has reopened, but now its located on the lower level of the mall. Painted Penguin offers plaster and bisque painting projects that can be taken home the same day. In addition, you will find canvas painting, beading projects and archaeological digs here! Register online for the kids club and receive special offers.
Worth the Tip: iFly
Lakes Bowl601 Railroad Avenue, Round Lake | 546-2800 Lakes has been fully renovated and the welcoming staff makes you feel as though you bowl here every week.
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Go As High As You Can At Jump America
Editor’s Note: Photo taken from the establishment’s official social account
BRING YOUR GROUP TO LAUNCH! Come create awesome memories! #LivingtheLaunchLife #LaunchEntertainment #Thingstodo
Posted by Launch Trampoline Park Gurnee on Tuesday, July 27, 2021
This place is a paradise for jumping. With a ton of trampolines, you are able to jump as crazy as you want in a safe environment. Suitable for kids and adults aged 3 and above, there is a kids zone and a foam jumping pit for both kids and adults. Jumping will never be boring here, as you can play dodge ball and bouncy basketball while jumping. So go crazy and invent all kinds of jumping styles as long as it is safe.
Jump America
Six Flags Great America General Admission Info For 2022 Season
This year, all visitors will have to make a reservation online before visiting. Six Flags Great Americas 2022 season began April 15. Park hours and dates vary. Visit its website to see the park operating scheduling.
Regular one-day tickets begin at $34.99 on selected dates. Season passes and memberships are also available. The park is located at 1 Great America Parkway, Gurnee. Parking is available at an additional fee you can purchase your daily parking in advance online for $30.
Whats new at Six Flags for 2022
Six Flags Great America guests can look forward to a few attractions and experiences this season:
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Best Things To Do In Gurnee
Just west of Waukegan on the North Shore, Gurnee is well known across Chicagoland for its outstanding visitor attractions.
The biggest of these is Six Flags Great America, one of the most visited amusement parks in the country, full of record-breaking roller coasters and sitting right beside Hurricane Harbor water park.
Also vast, Gurnee Mills is a combined shopping mall and outlet mall, close to 200 stores, as well as two food courts and slew of attractions, from a cinema to an ice arena.
Theres plenty of nature too, at the various Lake County forest preserves all around, as well as Illinois Beach State Park, just 15 minutes away.
Frank Lloyd Wrights Robie House Tour
An ideal outing for older kids with artistic personalities, the Robie House is a local cultural icon. Arm your older kids, preteens, and teens with digital cameras and let them loose. At the end of the day, share your photos for a unique look into the way your child sees the world.
Price: $$
Tours are limited to eight people and must be scheduled in advance. Social distancing and face masks are required. Store purchases are credit card only.
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Emily Oaks Nature Center
A thirteen-acre break from urbanity, Emily Oaks Nature Center is home to coyotes, flying squirrels, water snakes, and other animals that can seem like living myths to little kids. The three-acre pond is a perfect place to rest and enjoy the scene. The Woodland Wander Inn is a great spot in the park to help kids learn about the surrounding environment.
Price: Free
The visitors center and restrooms are only open to program participants and rental groups. The trail is only open from Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m until sunset and on Sundays from 10 a.m. until sunset. Gate closes at sunset daily.
Tip: This is a great place for birthday parties in summer and early fall!
Royal Oak Farm Orchard
Kids of all ages can have a great time at this Christian farm, where apple and pumpkin picking are the main attractions, but the free entertainment area comes in a close second. They close for a few months every year, but in summer and fall, this place is packed. The onsite restaurant serves delicious, fresh-from-the-farm food, and the farmers markets almost always offer delicious fare to take home.
Price: Free-$$
Face masks and social distancing are likely to be required again for the 2021 season.
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Only Child Brewing Company
Source:
This family-run craft brewery was founded in 2013 and moved into its current, 4,000-square-foot warehouse two years later.
At the taproom, open seven days a week, you can witness firsthand the passion that goes into Only Childs beers. This space is both child and dog friendly, and has a long list of small-batch beers on tap.
Some of the 12 available at the time of writing were a Mexican lager , German Pils , Sour Red Ale fermented in Pinot Noir barrels , a Hazy IPA , a DIPA and a citrusy Berliner Weisse . If youre not sure what to go for, you can always order a flight.
Santas Village Amusement & Water Park
Summer in East Dundee means an obligatory visit to Santas Village Amusement & Water Park!As a theme park, water park, and zoo all in one, this extraordinary destination brings together the best Santa-themed rides, slides, and animals for kids to enjoy.
Little ones can take advantage of kiddie attractions like the original 1959 Santas Tree House Slide. Meanwhile, older kids can trythrilling rides like The Blizard, a pendulum that swings over 40-feet in the air! Cool down from the heat with water rides, from the Peppermint Twist to the Caribbean Curl, two massive slides. Lighthouse Harbor features zero-depth entry to a 10,000 square foot, 8-inch-deep wading pool with a two-story interactive water play structure. Finally, dont forget about the petting zoo and barn and game alley, showcasing arcade and carnival games.
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River Trail Nature Center
If your little kids act like animals, give them the chance to do so for real. At River Trail Nature Center, they can crawl in an eagles nest or a foxs den. Other fun onsite activities include making nature puppets or exploring one of this nature centers many trails. In the mood for something sweet? The sugar maples here are a pretty sight in summer and fall, and the annual maple syrup festival is a treat for all ages. Your trip to Chicago with kids just got a whole lot happening.
Price: Free
The grounds, trail, and bathrooms are open every day from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. The exhibit buildings are closed, and drinking fountains are not available. Youll need to bring your own water bottle. Parking is limited to 50% and visitors are expected to wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines during their visit.
Best Resorts In Illinois For A Family Getaway
Once youve discovered the best places to visit in Northern Illinois for families, its time to decide where to stay. Families visiting Chicago will adore kid-friendly hotels with a pool, including Palmer House, A Hilton Hotel, The Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, The Langham, Chicago, and The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago. Or, stay somewhere with an indoor water park, like the Great Wolf Lodge in Gurnee.
In Galena, stay at the Chestnut Mountain Resort to kill two birds with one stone, since a lot of activities are available there anyway. Or, book a room at the Worldmark Galena Resort, featuring an indoor pool, sauna, and game room. Finally, dont miss Cypress Resort & Marine, nestled on Petite Lake.
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Lake County Discovery Museum
The Lake County Discovery Museum is loaded with history, art, and adventure. Exhibits range from hands-on and interactive experiences for younger kids to the Vortex Roller Coaster Theater and worlds largest public collection of postcards. Outside, there are hiking, biking, and horse trails, as well as playgrounds, picnic shelters, and fishing ponds.
Price: $-$$
Advanced ticket purchase required. Face masks and social distancing required. Virtual events available.
Tip: Get a discount on admission when you buy your tickets on the museums website.
Get Curious About Food On Local Chicago Farms And Orchards
In the area surrounding Chicago, there are plenty of local farms and orchards to explore. Help your kids learn about where their food comes from wile picking pumpkins, apples, corn, and other produce, and enjoying a lots of fun activities. From hayrides to a World War 2 museum, theres more to area farms than you might expect!
For insurance reasons, the majority of Chicago area farms wont let you bring your pets along. Leave your four-footed companions at home to avoid making a long trip home instead of spending a fun day on the farm.
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