Activity: Garfield Park Conservatory

updated: March 17, 2018

The Garfield Park Conservatory is a great indoor/outdoor conservatory offering a large variety of plants and environments; warm desert to lush tropical plants.  They are constantly expanding and hosting special art exhibits to complement the plant life; so every visit feels a little unique.

There is a nice children's play area - don't miss the fish with legs in the pond!

Their website is fantastic.  Check out the tour options as well!

Noteworthy:

• If taking children, younger kids tend to be "done" after visiting the Children's Area, so keep this in consideration.
• If visiting during cool or cold months, leave your coats in the car if you don't mind a quick run to the entrance as it is very warm in the conservatory.  

Cost Savings:
Free Parking and Free Entry (donations accepted and welcomed) with maps and tours available.

Location & Notes Summary:
East Garfield Park

• Transit: Green Line stops just a block from the conservatory,       but we usually park in the free lot adjacent to it. 
• Savings: Suggested donation for entry and free parking

Kid's Jury: 5 stars
We always enjoy it - especially in the winter when we need to get out of the house.

Our most recent visit was thrilling for our 7 year old, as he was excited to read all the names and point out from where each plant originates.  Our 5 year old loved seeing the waterfalls, fish, ants, and bees.  And both loved the children's slide.

Playground: Dvorak Park

Another submission in our "not new adventure, but family favorite" is Dvorak Park.

This park was renovated recently and went from a sleepy park to an immediate favorite. It offers a lot, including shade: Slides of varying heights and difficultly, climbing structures, swings, tunnels, and more!

As a parent in charge of putting on and retaining sunscreen coverage, we like to avoid the argument of whether they can go through water features (thus having to re-apply).  So having a park where the playground is fully separated from the outdoor public pool is a dream!  Win-Win for this parent.

Spider-Man would love this park

Noteworthy:

• The playground is next to a field and fieldhouse which hosts CPD classes and community activities.  And bathrooms.  
• Has a zipline glider for kids!

Cost Savings:
Free!
Neighborhood parking is free, but sometimes hard to find.

Location/Transportation:
Pilsen
Street parking only and depending on the activities at the fieldhouse or time of day may be more difficult to find, though we have never had to "leave" from not finding a spot.


Kid's Jury: 5 stars
Technically, my son gave this 10 stars.  I reminded him it was on a 5 star scale and he would still like to make 10 stars his final answer.

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...)

Playground: Maggie Daley Park

Some may be wondering why on earth we haven't hit up some of the most noteworthy aspects of Chicago: Maggie Daley Park; The Shedd Aquarium; and much much more.

Many of these we have visited and loved, and below is the first of the "Been There; Loved That" series of our favorite haunts:




Quite possibly the best park I have every been to in my life is Maggie Daley Park.

Do you like slides? Bridges? Boats? Water Features? Turtle Swings (not sure if this is the actual name or just what we call them)? (Rock) climbing? Lake view? Open areas of grass? Ice Skating?  Gardens? Tennis? Private Party Rooms? Picnics?

Check.

It is the greatest bribe we have at our fingertips.

Location & Notes Summary:
Loop

• Parking: We use SpotHero to find parking. You can also take public transit with a little walking.  Some street parking available if you find it (try the Parknav App)
• Savings: The best way to enjoy the ice rink (seasonally) - own skates.  This reduces cost and helps sidestep what can be a long, long queue for skate rental.
• Media: The park has a twitter handle: @MaggieDaleyPark - Of course it does.

Kid's Jury: 5 stars

My 5 year old suggested 100 stars.  So, yea, 5 stars.

Road Trip: Washington Park Zoo (Michigan City, IN)

Word of mouth and a friend recommendation led us to the Washington Park Zoo.  It was a picturesque area and the grounds were easy to navigate.  Though the zoo was quaint (which is a sweet way to say small), it carried the key aspects for young families: Train, Petting Zoo, Tigers, Reptiles, and Monkeys.

We could get really close to animals, though a few of the animals were not let out as the evenings are still too chilly for them.  The kids had a great time and the size of the park was perfect for them -- we were able to see all the animals without pushing the youngest to his pre-nap limit.

Noteworthy:

• There is a beautiful observatory tower you can climb, boasting views of the lake and lighthouse below.
• There are free range peacocks which actually stick around the Peacock cafe.  They are gorgeous!
• The entry line takes a long time as there is only one person taking money/providing tickets.  Although we were only the 10th family in line, it took about 15 minutes to get through the gate.  However, once inside you feel like it is a private tour as there are not too many crowds.
• The train does a tight circle and though I was concerned the kids would be disappointed, it was a needless worry -- they were all smiles and had buttons to push on each car.
• You can make a full day out of it as Washington Park also contains a beach, lighthouse museum, parks, playgrounds, and a water feature.  More details here.

Cost Savings:
The zoo is definitely worth the cost of admission.  It is very low cost - check out the site for details!

Location/Transportation:
Michigan City, IN (one hour outside Chicago)
We drove and there was a parking lot adjacent to the zoo.

Kid's Jury: 4 stars
They really enjoyed the day and the weather was fantastic!  We were glad to experience this hidden gem.

Purpose of this photo: evidence
that we brought both children.

Yes, I know he needs a haircut.

Activity: Kids Science Labs

My neighborhood is lucky to house one of the raved about Kids Science Labs facilities.  On their site, the core of their purpose and value can be summarized as "exploring the fundamental questions they ask parents everyday (Why is the sky blue? How does TV work?). Every class starts with a question to explore and....focus(es) on guiding kids to find answers using...hands-on science."

I had heard a lot of positive things, but wasn't sure if my kids would like it; would be able to focus; or at what age it would be best.  But you can sign up for a free trail class. 

And if you know me at all, you know I am immediately drawn to the word free.  So I signed those boys right up.

When picking up the boys and announcing it was an ADvenTURE DaY! (this is meant to be sung, which is hard to translate on a blog, so just try to imagine, but I am not a good singer so that should be taken into consideration) they were excited and asked the usual: Where are we going? What are we doing?

I excitedly told them "We are going to Kids Science Labs!"
Their energy didn't match mine, so I forged ahead: "you will get to do some sort of experiment!  Maybe even with lava (lava is more important to them than candy).
While this perked up my oldest, my youngest was less than thrilled to learn I didn't get to take the class with them.

Regardless, moments after entering the class, they were paying rapt attention to the instructor and focused on their projects.  Both came out asking to come back.

Noteworthy:

• This is a drop off class. That's right. For one hour and 15 minutes you are free to live your life with reckless abandon; without children.
• There is a great waiting area with legos and magna tiles for the kids to play with before class.
• The lab has a bright, industrial feel (see photos above)

Cost Savings:
I mentioned they have a trail class for free, right?  It's a great way to see if the kids will like it.
Warning: They will

Location/Transportation:
South Loop / There are two locations downtown, we went to the South Loop
While public transit isn't ideal, you do receive a seasonal parking pass (free) to park in a nearby lot. Which is great as street parking there is brutal.

Kid's Jury: 5 stars
While I would love to take our kids to all the classes/sports possible, it just can't logistically happen, and when my older son is willing to give up a sport to start attending Kids Science Labs!  I love their enthusiasm and can't wait to get them enrolled!

Playground: Mt. Greenwood Park

Spurred by the beautiful weather and a new favorite park suggested by Chicago Parent, we checked out Mt. Greenwood Park.

It was worth the drive!  The park was very popular (yet would guess each and every park or grassy surface was equally packed today) -- ages ranging from babies to grade school.  There were a lot of climbing areas and there is an emphasis on music with some drums and oversized bells / gongs scattered throughout (photos below).  We could have definitely made a full day of this location.

Cost Savings:
Free, easy parking!  Large lot adjacent to the park.

Location/Transportation:
Mt. Greenwood
We drove about 25 min from the South Loop. The trip was slowed by two train crossings; though it was a bonus for the kids. The area is beautiful with a lot of older, stately buildings and a lot of tree-lined streets.


Noteworthy:

• Two great features new to our family: a metal tunnel slide (middle photo in top collage) and sway fun (collage: far right).  The sway seating was a huge self-propelled teeter-totter. This was a crowd favorite and many kids would rotate to help with keeping it moving and sitting to enjoy the ride.
• There is a huge park near the play ground I was eyeing for a perfect area to practice my son's new training-wheel-free bicycling!
• Has an indoor/outdoor pool, as well as a water feature (wasn't on yet).
• Cute cafe across the street.

Kid's Jury: 5 stars
The kids had to be dragged from the park and really enjoyed their time there.  This is also on the heels of my youngest screaming and angry that he was forced to go outside at all. A Skittle bribe got him out the door and into a better frame of mind. Should have probably brought some skittles to get them out of the park.