Activity: Cat & Mouse Games

If you haven't yet visited Cat & Mouse Games in the West Loop, you are missing out! This toy and game store is fantastic! It is incredibly well organized, with toys and games for every age. We actually went there to see their Beyblade options (and found the exact one we wanted!!) and were quickly sucked in to the full store experience.

What sets it apart from all other toy stores is their:

• unmatched selection of games 
• game library rental program (<- WHA??)
• craft, game, and activity area
• puzzles, so many puzzles!

Game Selection:
The store has dozens and dozens of shelves filled with games and organized by type (Best Sellers, Cooperation, Mystery, etc...). They also have a monthly list of Top Ten Games sold. Not sure what game is good for your family? Check out their game rental!

Game Rental:
I was blown away by the game rental - such a great idea. You can rent a game for two nights, with the fee based on a percentage cost of the game. And if you love it, the rental cost will be put toward the purchase!

Craft and Game Area:
The store hosts many events throughout the month, listed on their website. Included in their events are Game Night, Craft Drop In, Story time, and more.

Puzzles:
Living in Chicago, we rely on puzzles to get us through the winter and rainy weather days. Their selection of puzzles is robust. Not only do they carry our favorite brand (why yes, you can have a favorite puzzle brand), Ravensburger, but they have every "level" - 

Age Recommendations:
All. Who doesn't love board games?

Cost Savings:
Opportunities to test a game in the store or at home before you purchase!

Location/Transportation:
West Loop - 1112 W. Madison
Train - Green Line Morgan stop (3 blocks away); Blue Line Racine (5 blocks) or Street Parking

Bonus: You will be close to Big Monster Toys and can get a quick shot of yourself / the family in front of their monster-sized door.

Kid's Jury: 5 stars
We plan to go back again for rentals and game nights!

Activity: Brooklyn Boulders (Indoor Rock Climbing)

As the weather cools, it is great to have a place for kids to burn off energy...inside.

Brooklyn Boulders is a large indoor rock climbing facility with a variety of climbing options: bouldering, auto-belay, top-roping, and lead climbing. The facility also includes a workout area, yoga classes, and private party space (with private climbing wall).

First timer tips:

• The routes on the wall are graded and color-coded. 
• Bouldering starts at V0 and difficultly increases from there (V1, V2, etc). 
• Climbing with belays start at 5.7 and get harder the higher the number (5.8, 5.9, 5.10, etc)

I only took our 6 year old, but saw kids of all ages scurring up the walls like little squirrels. My son loved it, but didn't last too long.

Noteworthy:

• About 5 auto-belay options -- one is very easy, so a great starting point for new climbers.
• They offer classes, packages, and membership options.
• Highly recommend completing the online waiver before arriving at the venue.
• Have locker rooms, free wifi, and cubbies for guests.
• Received an email after our visit for a chance to return for $19/person (including gear!).

Cost Savings:

• $36 includes daily pass ($25/person -- no child discount), plus gear ($11).
• If climbing during off-peak hours, the daily pass price is reduced to $20/person.
• See last bullet under noteworthy.
• Would love to see a discount for kids pricing or a half-day pass rate to make pricing more accessible.

Location/Transportation:
West Loop
While there are a few public transportation options available, we drove and were able to find free street parking pretty easily (there is not a parking area attached to the venue).

Kid's Jury: 5 stars
Loved it and would love to go back, if we find discounted rate options.

Playground: Skinner Park

As expected, when visiting one of the top Chicago schools, their playground is top notch. There are two large climbing and slide areas, a toddler area, a water feature, community gardens, picnic tables, AND a sandbox. The park itself sprawls for 2 blocks and includes basketball, tennis, and baseball areas.

Both boys found a lot to do, though I was unimpressed with the sandbox. It was small and the only "toys" in the sand where wrappers and other trash people left behind. I threw them away and would like to preemptively apologize to those hoping to use the chip bags as a shovel. It also had a lot of rocks, which the kids actually really liked (photo evidence below)...until they stepped on them.

SandRocks

Noteworthy:

• Cool climbing structures, especially the red hoops
• Dragon - don't worry, it's not real - was a surprise hit (photo above).
• No bathrooms on site.

Cost Savings:
Free!





Location/Transportation:
West Loop
Free street parking along the park area

Kid's Jury: 4.5 stars
My youngest loved the rope web he climbed in; my son liked "the whole park". I had to dock it half a star because of the sandbox.

Playground: Union Park

This park was so handy to get to, being across the street from a train station! The park has a pool, playground with a small (and very popular) water feature, and a lot of unique playground features.

Noteworthy:

• The main slide structure has all kinds of unique features, from rock climbing throughout, little plastic hammocks, to angled monkey bars. 
• Climbing is abundant: the huge rope dome and neighboring rope "course" has bridges, ladders (you guessed it, made of rope), and different layers to climb throughout.
• 1 out of my 2 kids loved the bucket spinner. The other lost his mind because it was going really fast and when his mom wasn't there to stop it, he (understandably) freaked out.
• Bathrooms in the fieldhouse.

Showcasing a few special touches incorporated in the main play structure.

Cost Savings:
Free! Especially when a random person holds open the CTA gate to have you walk through.  Who am I to say no?

First time on Pink
AND Green Lines!

Location/Transportation:
West Loop
Incredibly easy access off the Ashland Train Stop via Green or Pink Line - literally across the street.

Kid's Jury: 4.5 stars
The park is great and has a lot of options: playground, swings, green space, tennis, pool, and water feature. My 3 year old didn't have as much to play on, as it was geared to older ages - my 5 year had a great time.

L-R: Open field; bucket spinner (with the one who liked it); pool

Playground: Mary Bartelme Park

Mary Bartelme Park is an oasis for the neighborhood whether you have kids, dogs, or none of the above.  The park takes up a full city block and includes a robust playground, artwork doubling as misters, dog park (not pictured), and plenty of grass for picnics & ball.

The playground is fenced in, which is great until they figure out how to get out. Truthfully, my husband couldn't figure out how to get in, so our 5 year old showed him how.

The park is located near a Starbucks, and it seemed each family had made a pit-stop there on their walk over. Wishbone restaurant is walking distance or you can head a few blocks over to Greek town for a myriad of (greek) options. Another bonus option: A pop-up juice stand is frequently spotted there, and food trucks seem to meander past from time to time.






Noteworthy:

• There are a lot of climbing structures, with a unique feature of rubber mats to climb and jump around (top collage, middle photo).
• Toddler area has 2 slides and a few teeny hammocks (we think, not quite sure their function).
• Two rope areas - the web is pictured below; and the other is a series of ropes to climb through.
• There is some picnic seating within the playground or you can BYO blanket to sit in the grass.
• No bathrooms, which may also explain all the Starbucks fans / "visits."
• What is behind the name Mary Bartelme? First Illinois judge and much more.

Cost Savings:
Free!...unless you don't luck out with the parking.

Location/Transportation:
West Loop
Green Line Morgan Station is a 10 min walk, though we typically drive.
Parking: We haven't had issues - some streets are free; others zoned or metered.

Kid's Jury: 5 stars
We love this park because we love to climb and use our scooters and bikes on the pathways.

Activity: Firehouse Tour - Engine Co. 103

Today we whisked to a firehouse for a tour and to pat a Dalmatian.

After reading a great article on Red Tricycle about local firehouses that offer tours, we picked the Engine Co. 103.

It was a quick tour, as it is a small firehouse (1 fire engine) and they had just waxed the second story, so we couldn't go up there. But we were able to give treats to Freckles (we brought our own) and sit in the engine and try a hand pump.

Noteworthy:

• Call.  Call Again.  Even though I had called the day prior and was told Wednesday would be great, it is important to call again.  As you may arrive while they are eating dinner and it is less than ideal.  For everyone. Regardless, the fire fighter was friendly and fought through his hunger to show us around the fire engine.
• The Dalmatian is older and sweet.  And barks a lot while the firemen get to the door.  It freaked out my 3 yo so his body didn't touch the floor while we were in the house.  After he greets you, he retires to his cage, so if you want a photo with him, get it fast!

Cost Savings:
Free!  well, there was a $4 cost to the beggin' strips we brought.

Location/Transportation:
West Loop
We drove and were able to find street parking (free) easily.

Kid's Jury: 3.5 stars
Would have loved to have a more lively tour and should have called ahead to ensure timing was ideal. Would have liked to see the second floor, taken a trip down the pole, and maybe put on a pair of boots (but no idea if that ever happens...)