Fall is here, and for parents, that means a chance to make memories with their children through visits to area pumpkin farms, apple orchards, and other autumn destinations. Jam-packed schedules, though, mean precious little time for researching all Chicagoland has to offer – dozens of pumpkin farms and apple orchards, and hundreds of fall events & activities. In this economy, budget constraints are also a reality parents must wrestle with.
Kidwinks.com, a website developed by Nina Taluc and Jean Lemke, two moms from Park Ridge, IL, offers a quick way for busy parents to easily plan fun family outings this fall – even if “free” is the only price that fits the family’s budget. Their Chicago with Kids Fall Fun Guide is an interactive online directory stocked with hundreds of the area’s best fall activities: all accessible with the click of a mouse. Today, Jean and Nina are here to share some of those activities with us.
Kids should grow up understanding that apples come from trees, not the grocery store. Your kids will never taste a sweeter apple than one they picked themselves, so head to an orchard and see how much fun they have picking their healthy snack from where it grows. The Chicago area is blessed with orchards of all types, from small intimate orchards to large, commercial orchards that host petting zoos, mazes, bouncy houses and more during the picking season.
Jonamac Orchard gets top ratings from kidwinks’ members. It boasts over 7,000 trees and a huge 10-acre corn maze with over 3 miles of pathways and 2 bridges! The kids will love the Barn Yard activity area with a huge bale pile, peddle tractors, sand pile, corn bin, play barn, bunny barn, mazes, tube slides and other fun activities. Animal lovers can enjoy the Petting Zoo and on Sundays take a pony ride. On weekends the Apple Train will be running and you can show off your marksmanship skills with the Apple Launcher and Apple Cannon. If you’re also looking for a pumpkin farm to visit, Jonamac has that too!A popular event here is the Haunted Corn Maze, which will be held Oct. 9; 14 and 15; 21 and 22; 28 and 29. It begins at Dark and ends at 10:30 p.m. Flashlights will not be allowed in the Haunted Maze, only glow sticks or pen lights.
Where: Jonamac Orchard, 19412 Shabbona Road, Malta, IL
When:
· Apple Picking 7 days a week when in season – consult website
· Regular Corn Maze hours: Fridays and Saturday 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Sundays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The maze will also be open Columbus Day.
Cost:
· Pick your own apple prices are $10.00 for 1/2 peck (5 lbs), $17.00 for a peck (10 lbs) and $30.00 for a 1/2 bushel (20 lbs).
· Corn Maze Admission is $5 per person; kids 2 and under are free with paid adult.
· Haunted Corn Maze admission is $10.00 for adults, $8.00 for kids 6 to 12.
Ages: All ages, though the Haunted Corn Maze is more suitable for older children.
Chicago area parents grew up visiting Santa’s Village in East Dundee, and many are not aware that it has been reopened. The Park has kiddie rides, including a few favorites from Kiddieland, and has added animals to the mix. Children can enjoy a petting zoo, reptiles, turtles, reindeer and unlimited pony rides with their admission. The Harvest Fest is a chance for parents to bring their kids to this iconic park to enjoy, in addition to the animals and rides, special activities like haunted hayrides, rubber duck races, face painting, caramel apples and more. The weekend before Halloween will also feature costume contests, trick or treating and pumpkin carving.
Where: 601 Dundee Avenue, East Dundee, ILWhen: Saturdays 11am – 8pm; Sundays & Holidays 11am – 6pm
Cost: $16.50 PER PERSON (adults and children 3 years and up); $13.50 for Seniors (65 and up);
2 and under free. $2 off coupon found on kidwinks.com.
2 and under free. $2 off coupon found on kidwinks.com.
The AZoosment Park proudly supports the brave men and women in the US armed forces. Active Military with a valid ID are free with 1 paid child’s general admission.
Ages: All ages
Where do pumpkins come from, and how do they grow? Give your kids the chance to find out by taking them to one of the many pumpkin farms in the area. Choose your favorite experience: a more natural, “day on the farm” setting or a larger, commercialized farm with exotic animals, camel rides, bouncy houses and more.
The Children’s Farm at The Center gets a unanimous 5-wink rating from all kidwinks members who have reviewed it. It is a working farm where families can come on the weekends and tour at their leisure, visiting animal pens to learn about them from the informed guides. Kids can enjoy hands-on interaction with the Farm’s animals: cows, sheep, donkeys, horses, pigs, goats, chickens, rabbits, ducks, and geese.
During Pumpkin Days in October, the farm’s pick-your-own pumpkin patch is open, and complimentary hayrides to the patch are offered. Wear a costume on October 30 & 31 for some surprises.
Where: The Center, 12700 Southwest Hwy, Palos Park, IL
When: The animal barns are open to visitors from 10 am to 4 pm, on Saturdays, Sundays, and Columbus Day.
Cost: Admission to the animal barns is $4.50 per person. Children under 2 years of age are free.
Ages: All ages.
Quick Links to Chicago Fall Family Fun:
ABOUT KIDWINKS.COM
Kidwinks.com is a boutique website that caters to today’s generation of parents who are time-crunched, socially conscious and internet reliant. Kidwinks provides one-stop access to information about kid-friendly events, activities, restaurants, shops and services in the Chicago area. There is no charge to use kidwinks and membership is also free. Members enjoy additional benefits including the ability to enter contests for great prizes, email reminders and the ability to sort search results by distance from their home. Developed by two Park Ridge, IL moms, kidwinks has grown to thousands of members. For more information, please visit www.kidwinks.com.
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