Monday, February 27, 2012
(2 review(s)) 
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Sky High Sports in Niles - Trampoline Power!
Ever since the first indoor trampoline play area in the Chicago area opened, my daughters have been begging to go. I just wasn't up for the drive to a far-reaching suburb so they could jump for an hour or two. Besides, the neighbors have a trampoline my kids are always using, so it's not like they're trampoline deprived. But then Sky High Sports opened in Niles, about 10 minutes away, so I finally relented.
On a Friday when school was out for a teacher's in-service day, I brought my girls and 3 neighbors (total of 3 girls and 2 boys, ranging from 8 - 12 years) for some jump time. The kids convinced me that 2 hours of jumping was what they needed. I agreed, and then experienced a little sticker shock when I found out it would be $22 per child. Weekends are more expensive since there are generally more people jumping, and the weekend rates kick in on Friday morning. Yikes! Oh well, it's a once in awhile treat, right?
The place is HUGE, well maintained and clean. The staff is very helpful, plentiful and friendly. The above photo shows the main court areas, with the "Main Court" and "Foam Pit" to the left and the "Dodgeball Court" and a "Birthday Party Court" to the right. Straight ahead is a party area and a comfy sitting area for moms like me to relax in while the kids play and jump.
The Foam Pit is a favorite. There are 3 lines, carefully managed by a staffer (guy in yellow shirt). Kids take turns jumping into the foam pit, and can literally bounce off the walls if they choose to. The staffer makes sure kids wait their turn, which is a nice safety feature, and that they get out of the foam pit pretty immediately so the kids in line don't have to wait too long.
The other favorite court is the Dodgeball Court. Two staffers manned this court, allowing only a certain number of kids in at a time and ensuring the sides were evenly split. They then blow a whistle to start the game, and act as referees so kids leave the game when they get hit by a ball. The boys especially loved this court. It's a lot of fun when there are enough kids, but for the last hour we were there, it was pretty empty and the dodgeball games became never-ending with noone ever having to leave. I guess that has it's advantages and disadvantages.
I took a walk around, and tried to visit the Kids Court, but it was closed. A staff member explained that they only open this area for kids 8 and under when there's a lot of people jumping. This wasn't an issue when we were there, since by the time we left there were only 3 other kids remaining. But it's nice that this is an option when it gets busy and you have younger kids who want to jump without worrying about the big kids getting in their way. The Kids Court is very segregated from the main jumping area, too,
The facility has 2 pool tables and a small arcade area, as well as vending machines with beverages and snacks. A bottle of water or other drink was $1.75, so when the kids got thirsty I sent them to the drinking fountain near the restrooms. It is quite a distance from the jumping area, and since kids aren't known for seeking out inconvenient anything, it's a good idea to remind them to get a drink once in awhile.
My favorite part of this big warehouse space was the cushy area for parents, with comfy leather couches and 4 flat screen tvs on the wall. I brought my book and iphone and chillaxed while the kids jumped their hearts out. After 1.5 hours, they were exhausted, hungry and thirsty and ready to leave. I couldn't believe it when all 5 told me they wanted to go. Since I had just doled out $22 per kid to jump for 2 hours, they were darned well going to jump for 2 hours! They all made several visits back to the couches during the last half hour, but they got their money's worth. Next time I will definitely only pay for one hour. Jumping expends a lot of energy, so I think for most kids 1 hour is plenty.
There are 2 courts reserved specifically for kids birthday parties, so the party attendees can jump without interference from others, which is really nice. The tables are in a public area, though, so that part of the party is not very private. I don't think that would bother the kids, though.
All in all, I was really impressed with Sky High Sports. It's a great kids indoor fun area and a way get great exercise at the same time. There's a small snack cafe, too, if you want a bite to eat. It is a little pricey, but a fun way for the kids to burn off energy and get some great exercise. Really, after an hour they'll be exhausted. If you're looking for more Chicago indoor play areas, check out kidwinks.com. And if your kids work up an appetite while they're jumping, I recommend the Kids Eat Free Calendar - just click on a day and you'll get a list of restaurants offering kids eat free deals for that day!
On a Friday when school was out for a teacher's in-service day, I brought my girls and 3 neighbors (total of 3 girls and 2 boys, ranging from 8 - 12 years) for some jump time. The kids convinced me that 2 hours of jumping was what they needed. I agreed, and then experienced a little sticker shock when I found out it would be $22 per child. Weekends are more expensive since there are generally more people jumping, and the weekend rates kick in on Friday morning. Yikes! Oh well, it's a once in awhile treat, right?
The Foam Pit is a favorite. There are 3 lines, carefully managed by a staffer (guy in yellow shirt). Kids take turns jumping into the foam pit, and can literally bounce off the walls if they choose to. The staffer makes sure kids wait their turn, which is a nice safety feature, and that they get out of the foam pit pretty immediately so the kids in line don't have to wait too long.
The facility has 2 pool tables and a small arcade area, as well as vending machines with beverages and snacks. A bottle of water or other drink was $1.75, so when the kids got thirsty I sent them to the drinking fountain near the restrooms. It is quite a distance from the jumping area, and since kids aren't known for seeking out inconvenient anything, it's a good idea to remind them to get a drink once in awhile.
There are 2 courts reserved specifically for kids birthday parties, so the party attendees can jump without interference from others, which is really nice. The tables are in a public area, though, so that part of the party is not very private. I don't think that would bother the kids, though.
All in all, I was really impressed with Sky High Sports. It's a great kids indoor fun area and a way get great exercise at the same time. There's a small snack cafe, too, if you want a bite to eat. It is a little pricey, but a fun way for the kids to burn off energy and get some great exercise. Really, after an hour they'll be exhausted. If you're looking for more Chicago indoor play areas, check out kidwinks.com. And if your kids work up an appetite while they're jumping, I recommend the Kids Eat Free Calendar - just click on a day and you'll get a list of restaurants offering kids eat free deals for that day!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Winter Fun for Chicago area Kids - Brookfield Zoo
Last Friday the family (well only me) wanted to get out and do something. I love spending the day at one of the Chicago museums but that was just not in the cards for us. We tried to get a museum pass for the Museum of Science & Industry but they were all checked out. Then we decided to head to the place we figured no one else would go on a snowy winter day... The Brookfield Zoo, boy were we right! We planned on using the Macy's Adventure pass but unfortunately it only allows free admission for 2 people - not enough for our family. I also made sure to check the free admission days to the zoo and area museums to make sure I wasn't going to run into a huge crowd. Luckily a member of our family has a Chicago library card so we were able to use the Kraft Free Museum Pass which allows free admission to the Brookfield Zoo for 4 but you still have to pay for parking. We pulled into the parking lot and were one of 6 cars parked there. It was really very beautiful walking into the zoo with the snow gently falling and not a soul in sight. It wasn't too cold out so that made it all the better. The kids had a great time running around and playing tag as we walked from exhibit to exhibit. My first destination was the bear cages but once we got there we read the signs that the bears had moved into a new exhibit - Great Bear Wilderness. So while we worked our way to the other side of the zoo to see the bears we stopped off to see the Big Cats, another favorite of mine.
We stopped into many of the other exhibits to warm up along our way such Tropic World where 2 of my favorite animals live the, Tree Sloth and the pigmy hippo. We watched 5 dolphins playing in the water with a toy bat in the Seven Seas and checked out the seals at Pinniped Point. We headed into another indoor exhibit the Fragile Desert where we saw the oh so cute Meerkats, and a 
tiny fox with huge ears (the smallest of the canine family).
The wolves were enjoying the snow and were easy to spot and see close up - I guess is was close to lunch time and they thought I was delivering the food.
Unfortunately, by the time we made our way to the bears it was almost time to leave, our 4 hours were up and we had to head home. I still wanted to stop in to see the wambat and the bats in the Australia House but there was not enough time. During the time that we were at the zoo we saw about 4 other families, definitely no waiting in line to see anything for us that day. Friday, February 3, 2012
Mitchell Museum of the American Indian - Chicago Museums and kid-friendly dining at Ezo's
It may make me a bad mother or a good mother (I like to think great) but once a year I take my kids out of school, individually, and we have a museum day. It is nice to be able to spend as much time or as little time at each exhibit in a museum. A couple of years ago my older son (about 9 years old) and I went to the Museum of Science and Industry. At the time he was really into WWII and anything having to do with battles. We spend almost 3 hours looking, reading, and talking about the U-505 Submarine, he was fascinated!
I take them out of school because I am trying to avoid the crowds that can be found on weekends or school holidays. I always check the Free Museum Days Guide to make sure I am not planning our day when admission is free to everyone in Illinois. That doesn't mean that I need to pay full price for admission. There is always the Kraft Great Kids Free Museum Passes at the Chicago Public Libraries, the Macy's Adventure Passes at the suburban libraries, and the Bank of America Museum on Us Program.
This year my 10 year old and I headed to the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian in Evanston. 
I used the Macy's Adventure Pass for the 1st time. Very nice! All I had to do was go into my local library, show my library card, and tell them which museum I wanted to visit. The cool part is not only is admission free for 4 but that they print out the pass and there is nothing to return to the library. The printed pass is good for 7 days. I only wish they would include some of the Chicago museums but who's complaining. They do have the Brookfield Zoo and the Morton Arboretum 2 great places to take the kids. It is small but they pack a lot of items into the museum. Because we were able to use the Museum Adventure Pass so it didn't cost a cent. 
There was a glass case containing several different types of moccasins highlighting that the materials used to make the moccasins varied by tribe and where the tribe lived. The moccasins on the far right in the picture above are made out of dried grass which I have never seen before, pretty neat but it makes sense. 
It may be hard to tell in the photo and it was not even apparent at first in real life but the wigwam in the photo on the right is made out of branches and bark. The large brown sheets laying over the large branches are actually large sheets of birch bark. In this same area they have a lot of other items that can be touched and felt such as a beaver skin, dried skin, and snow shoes. 
We were near the wigwam at the same time a 1st grade class was getting a tour so we were able to sit in with them and learn a bit more. They do have a book in this room that explaines all of the items, what they are made of and what they were used for. We managed to spend about 3.5 hours looking around. I think this would be a nice tour for a scouting or school group. Personally, I prefer the American Indian exhibit at the Field Museum although when you take into account travel and cost this was a nice, easy, inexpensive outing. 
They have a library with a large collection of books. We spent about 45 minutes looking at the different photographs of American Indians through the centuries. My son had to drag me out of there because I was content to spend another couple of hours just looking at the photographs. Very cool.
Of course all that museuming makes one hungry so we headed to
I have to admit I am a burger girl but these days a good burger is hard to find but I keep on searching. We arrived a bit before noon and avoided the lunch rush. 
My son had the kid's meal - burger, fries, and a drink for $4.89 (they do have other options). The burger was their 1/4lb. grilled burger (great that it is not char. broiled as he never would have eaten it). I had the 8oz. char. burger - it was nice and juicy and messy and tasty. I also ordered the garlic fries which too were very tasty but to "spicy" for my son. While we were waiting for the food my son pointed out that 1/3 of the items on the menu are french fries done in different ways. I wish I could have ordered a "french fry flight" :) The staff was on their toes and friendly. 
If you are looking for other kid-friendly restaurants check out our Family Friendly Dining Guide. Looking for a Kids Eat Free Deal check out the one and only Chicago Kids Eat Free Calendar.Places for Birthday Party for Kids - Yu Kids Island - Birthday Parties - Chicago with kids
Yu Kids Island is a sparkling new and unique walk-in indoor children's playground and party facility. Yu Kids Island's facility also features two party rooms where kids can celebrate their birthdays and other parties with their friends and family!
Yu Kids Island is happy to offer our space as a venue to celebrate your children's birthdays, baby showers, and any other special occasions. We offer the space and clean-up leaving you to enjoy your time.
Yu Kids Island is located in beautiful Woodfield Shopping mall, which allows us to be open and available for play 7 days a week, all day long. Kids and their parents can come and play any time they want, rain or shine !!!
If you are looking for other places for birthday party for kids then check out the Birthday Party Guide on kidwinks.com.
Not celebrating a birthday but just looking for a fun indoor play area - check out our Chicago with kids Indoor Play Guide.
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