Activity: Codeverse

Photo credit: from the Codeverse website

With desire of my boys to play video games every moment they are awake, it was a natural step to test out their interest in coding -- to program the back end of a video game and create their own characters, apps, and games.

Enter Codeverse.

My 7 year old took a trial class and had such a great time. In the 70-minute class he was able to code his own astronaut and create a way to duplicate him and move him around. The staff then texted his project to my phone, where he can play and show off the game he created!

Noteworthy:

• The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful.
• The space is inviting and comfortable with a variety of seating options ranging from bean bags, cushions, tables, and the largest futon-y couch I wanted to nestle in. Even a few astronaut helmets for kids to wear!
• New children are given "space buddies" to ensure they have someone to show them around and help them become comfortable in the space.
• Members receive the website links/information that they can continue to work on at home and much more - check the site for details!

Age Recommendations:
6-13 years old

Cost:
This is a membership driven organization, where a monthly fee (depending on the plan) will allow for a certain number of classes per month and an allotted number of "Kids Night Out" sessions. Check here for details*.

*The price on the website was too expensive for us, given we live on the south side and this is located in Lincoln Park (New City area near North/Clybourn), but on the phone they provided a lower tier option - it's worth a call to find out more.

Kids are welcome to take a free trial class! Details here.

Location/Transportation:
Current Locations are Lincoln Park, Wilmette, and Naperville

Lincoln Park: 819 W Eastman
On the same block as Pump it Up (I feel like all of us have been here), next to New City.

Driving: There is street parking (often limited) and several garages in the area.
Public: The North/Clybourn Red Line Station is only a ~5 minute walk.

Kid's Jury: 5 stars
Our son had a great time and was so excited to show off his work!

Activity: Magic Tree House Musical

With CPS giving students the day off, I had the opportunity to take my boys to a musical at Apollo Theater in Lincoln Park: Magic Tree House: Showtime with Shakespeare. 

While the boys have had a taste of performances in the past through Broadway (in Chicago) and Cirque, I was excited for this, as it is based on one of the Magic Tree House books by Mary Pope Osborne: Stage Fright on a Summer Night. 

Our family loves these books - the wild adventures of Jack and Annie, while learning about various people and places throughout history.

We weren't disappointed! 

The boys were thrilled to be in a theater and enjoyed the full Hamilton-influenced performance from beginning to end (runs about an hour). 

You better snag tickets now!  The show only runs through Feb 25, 2018!

Noteworthy:

• Was glad to have read the book prior to seeing the musical, to understand a few elements prior: who is Shakespeare; what play was he showcasing, etc.
• Had a kids program, where we could play a Jack and Annie version of Mad Libs.  Loved it.
• The show was packed with families and students on field trips, ranging from 5-12 years old.
• After the play, the actors interacted with the audience by asking questions based on the story and let the kids ask questions of the cast.  The kids loved it (and had great questions).
• There are a few dining options near the theater, we really enjoyed the tacos and environment at Broken English Taco Pub.

Cost Savings:
There are discounts with field trips and larger groups.

Location/Transportation:

• Apollo Theater in Lincoln Park
• We found $3 parking right across from the theater for the full afternoon (Spot Hero).
• El stops and bus stops are nearby as well.

Kid's Jury: 5 stars
Kids had a great time, and I love to see them enjoy theater and great stories with themes to which they can related.

"Mad Libs" while you wait?  Yes, please!

Activity: The Kids' Table

We had the opportunity to enjoy a night at The Kids' Table, and had a great time! The Kids' Table is a cooking school with hands on experience specifically for kids and families, complete with kid-sized cheese graters, choppers, and whisks!  Who doesn't love mini cooking utensils?

All the kids (ages 4-8) were engaged and took part in prepping three aspects of our meal: stuffed pasta shells, pasta sauce, garlic bread, and strawberry pie.

This was our second visit and it is so fun to witness the children's' independence and participation in cooking.

To sign up for a class, visit their website to view availability and associated menu. They collect dietary restrictions as well, should this be a need!

Noteworthy:

• You can bring wine to enjoy during your time (the venue will supply glasses).
• The venue focuses on healthy cooking, so make sure you like the menu (especially for picky eaters)
• As a part of meal prep, the kids are asked to clean the table and cutting board - was great to see them put to work!
• The food wasn't loved by (most of) the kids this time -- but maybe that was the fault of the cooks and my kids are not the most refined eaters... :)

Cost:
We do the Family Dinner option (there are other options) and prices are very reasonable.  When we compare the cost per person, it is less than paying for a sitter, so it is a guilt-free night out with family & friends!

Check the site for specific price information.

Location/Transportation:

• There are two locations (as of Feb 2017): Wicker Park and Lincoln Park
• Contact Information
• We go to the Wicker Park location, and have driven / used street parking (typically free)

Kid's Jury: 5 stars
We will definitely do it again!!

Activity: Happy Play

Happy Play is unlike any play space we have been to. It is separated into 5 distinct areas, and while the biggest draw is the bunnies and parakeets, the owners still paid special attention to details in the other three spaces.

Please note: Am sad to share this venue is permanently closed :(

Space Summary:

1. Parakeets: It is safe to say there are over 20 parakeets in a decent sized space, so it can entertain a good number of people at once. Each child receives a seed stick and lots of bird attention - photo evidence above. 
2. Bunnies: This area requires a more calm demeanor as the bunnies are more skittish and require more care. And they are adoptable! 
3. Toddler Area: Full of soft blocks, wedges and more, forming a baby gymnasium. Complete with a mini ball pit!
4. Tiny Town: This area has an assortment of child-sized homes (and a teepee) with adorable rain clouds as lighting.
5. Train Room: Blown away. The train tables were spanned across a huge area and the kids can swap out the tracks, bridges, and pieces with any of the extras in the large buckets on the side. Another bonus: the walls have a variety of ball-rolling ramps if the tracks are busy.

Noteworthy:

• There is an area next to each section with nice chairs for parents (photo below)
• A small room in the back allows for a cozy birthday party or gathering.
• Recommend a 1:1 adult-child ratio when one wants to stay (forever) with the birds and the other has (definitely) had enough.
• The birds are loud and can be intimidating for first timers. We spent time with the bunnies first to give the kids time to acclimate to the noise level.
• It is located near a cute yogurt shop Yoberri and the popular Eleven City Diner -- we tested both!
• My kids didn't appropriately appreciate my walk down memory lane where I shared all about when I lived in that area and what I used to do there. 

Cost Savings:  N/A

Location/Transportation:
Lincoln Park
15 min walk from Fullerton Red Line. Bus routes in the area.
Street parking (for fee)

Kid's Jury: 4.5 stars
We plan to go back to spend more time in each area!

There is still plenty to play with if your child is afraid of the birds

Playground: Oz Park

Today's adventure had two goals accomplished: a new train line and new park!

I picked them up early from school and whisked them to the blue line on our way to Oz Park.  While we did get in the first car, with a bonus wave and chat with the driver, this may not have been my best call on transit options.  Because once we were done with the train, we boarded the Halsted bus for 12 stops.  Which may not sound like a lot, but when in the heart of rush hour, and realizing this fact seconds before boarding the bus, my heart sank a little.

And then more as the boys asked every 5 seconds: "is this the stop??"

However, when we did arrive, the boys had a great time!  Oz Park is expansive with a huge grassy hill, the playground, and areas for baseball, basketball, tennis, soccer, and football.

Noteworthy:
The park is great for the imagination and climbers.  The unique aspect is that most of the playground is wood.  There are three different areas and all have a mini-castle feel where they loved climbing through each one to figure out how to get to the top.

There was a much larger contingency of older kids at the playground (guessing high school age, but I am admittedly terrible at guessing ages).  However, they were careful around the younger kids and seemed to be a spill-over from the baseball practice that had just finished.

Cost Savings:
Free!  Not too shabby.

Location/Transportation:
Lincoln Park Neighborhood
Took Blue Line to Halsted 8 Bus; then determined that wasn't ideal and took the Red Line back (much faster for us)

Kid's Jury: 4 stars
Asked the 5 year old, what do you wish they had at the park? 5yo: "a two-wheeled bike and a real motorcycle." So aside from unrealistic expectations, they had a good time.
When asked if this was in his top 5 favorite parks, he thought a moment and said "I liked that park and would place it in my top ten."  Not sure if we have been to a total of 10 parks yet, so...
It had a unique feel and I liked the concept, but could see them potentially getting bored there after a longer stint.

Activity: Kid's Island

I woke up excited.  Today was the day to introduce the kids to ADVENTURE DAY!

Where would we go?  What would we do? 

To kick off the new tradition, the weather outside made one aspect very clear: 

It would be something inside.

Man it was wet and cold out there.

No worries.

When Mother Nature refuses to let us go outdoors, you find a playspace that brings the outside IN!

Today's Adventure: Kid's Island & Moe's Southwest Grill
This is an indoor play space with an indoor sandbox and other little areas (market, etc).

The sandbox was decent size and the plethora of toys were in great condition.  They had a lot of trucks, shovels, kitchen items, and even a slide!

It was a cute space and the boys had it almost entirely to themselves as it was the last hour of play.

Moe's is nearby and has parking, not to mention it is Mexican food, so it was a no brainer for dinner.

Location/Transportation:
Southport / Webster
Closest El stop: Fullerton, then a 15 min walk (3/4 of a mile) for adults...with those little legs we would never make it, so took the car.

Noteworthy: 

The playspace can provide "supervised play," giving adults the chance to enjoy the attached coffee shop (Julius Meinl) or Wellness Nail Spa. Must call well in advance for this option.

Cost Savings: 

We arrived with only an hour left to play, which equates to a discounted rate per child (saved us $5/kid)

Lucked out with the nearby mexican cantina having a kids' eat free night!

Kid's Jury: 5 stars

The kids weren't ready to leave and requested to visit again.