Suburb Activity: BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

Did you know there was a building this beautiful in Illinois? Just outside of Chicago?

We visited a Hindu Mandir (temple) in Bartlett, IL and were blown away by the beauty of the building inside and out. The staff at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is incredibly friendly and provides free tours (we booked ahead online, which I recommend).

The tour is great for adults and provides a great information on the buildings and culture within the Mandir and community. If traveling with younger children, the tour may not be necessary.  It was a bit long and we actually learned the perfect amount of information by asking questions of the staff in the gift shop (and walked away with a beautiful wooden elephant, which we learned symbolizes of wisdom)!

The community is very welcoming and we were able to participate in a religious ceremony. These happen frequently throughout the day, are roughly 8-10 minutes long, and all are welcome to attend.

As the time at the Mandir can be short, you can maximize your trip (if you traveling from the city), by adding another stop to your day. A few options nearby:

• Cosley Zoo (15 min away)
• K1 Speed - Indoor Go Karts (20 min away)
• Tom's Farm Market (30 min away)  <-- we chose this one

Noteworthy:

• Dress Code: Please be mindful of the attire restrictions to ensure access into the buildings (Mandir, Haveli, and exhibition).No Shorts, no sleeveless tops, dresses/skirts must be longer than knee length. Women can wear (provided) wraps if not dressed to code.
• Shoes: Shoes must be removed inside the Haveli and Mandir. Shoe racks are provided.
• Photo/Video Restrictions: Although everything inside you will scream to take a photo or video of the interiors of the building, please note it is prohibited.
• Snacks/Food: Save time to enjoy some good vegetarian, Indian dishes in their casual cafeteria-style area! 

Age Recommendations:
Can work for all ages, and can skip the tour for younger kids.

Location/Transportation:
Bartlett, IL (Chicago Suburb)
Free parking!

Kid's Jury: 4 stars
They didn't love the tour, but thought it was great to see the buildings and take part in the ceremony.

Suburb Activity: You Pick Strawberries

Our family ventured into the suburb of Huntley, IL to experience Tom's Farm Market for our first time picking strawberries together!

Our oldest (8 years old) loved picking strawberries, while our youngest found solace in the staff's shade tent and cold water supply. We had a great time, harvested our berries quickly (it was HOT), and celebrated our "hard" work with strawberry donuts and strawberry lemonade (both we all highly recommend).

While enjoying the fruits of our labor, we enjoyed perusing the gift shop to look at the gift items, baked goods, and fresh produce & desserts.

As the picking time can be short, you can maximize your trip (if you traveling from the city), by enjoying a snack or lunch at their cafe (indoor and outdoor) and adding another stop to your day. A few options nearby:

• Stingray Bay Family Aquatic Center (5-10 min away)
• Three Oaks Recreation Area (15-20 min away)
• BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (30 min away)  <-- we chose this one

Noteworthy:

• Tractor wagons can take you to/from the strawberry fields.
• While the fields are not too far away, the staff offers shade, water, and a portable toilet to help keep everyone comfortable if/when they need a break.
• With all the rain, the staff placed down hay along the rows so the field was not muddy where we stepped - which was an amazing touch for us -- no dirty shoes!
• You keep the buckets they provide, which is a nice way to keep the fruit protected on the drive home. (those that aren't eaten, of course).
• The gift shop has a lot of items: fresh produce, baked goods, fudge, donuts, and other little house decor/items.

Age Recommendations:
Walking age and up. Strollers are allowed, but tough to navigate on/off the tractor wagon and not good to have in the narrow rows of strawberries.

Location/Transportation:
Huntley, IL
Parking is free

Kid's Jury: 5 stars
Our youngest really perked up once the picking was done and thoroughly enjoyed the strawberry lemonade, strawberry donut, and shopping. Our oldest enjoyed it all! We had a great time and encourage friends to come over for strawberries while they last!

Suburb Activity: Haunted Trails

If you are like me, you may have thought Haunted Trails was something open during the Halloween Season. But we were wrong! It is a Family Entertainment Center and open year round!

This entertainment center houses go karts, mini golf, rides, an arcade, and batting cages. There is a walk up counter style restaurant with quick service pizza, tacos, etc.

For the Go Karts, there are two levels (based on child's height) - one is a small kart the younger kids can drive (the 5-8 year olds we were with took about 534 turns around those tracks) and a larger kart and track for kids 54" or taller (or they can ride along with an adult).

This is a nice 18-hole course with a few fun experiences - of course with a haunted house theme.

The kids went a few times on the Small Roller Coaster and Crazy Cups ride (think of those spinning and turning rides that make you sick? Yep, same). Don't recommend letting them go on the Cups two times in a row, unless you want them pale and puke-y.

We wanted to maximize our time outside, so didn't spend time at the arcade or lazer room. While we didn't have time to try the batting cages, it looked like the variety of pitching speeds would have worked well for our 8 year old, but the slowest setting would have still been a bit too fast for our 6 year old.

Noteworthy:

• As we live on the South Side, this was an easy drive to the Burbank location.
• Good facility, service staff is friendly!
• Go Karts was definitely the biggest draw for us.
• Both moms got ill on the Crazy Cups. 

Age Recommendations: 5 years old+
The batting cages, mini golf, and go karts are a fit for all ages!

Cost Savings:
They sell packages/person which we took advantage of and have coupon deals on their site!

Location/Transportation:
Located in three suburbs: Burbank, Joliet, and Lombard (Enchanted Castle in this location)

At the Burbank location, there is a small parking area for cars.

Kid's Jury: 5 stars
We went with a group of kids and everyone had a great time!  (again, go karts were definitely the favorite among them)

Suburb Activity: Blackberry Farm

Blackberry Farm -- which is not a location for berry picking -- is a living history museum of pioneer life with a lot fun activities for the kids.

We had a great time exploring our way through hands-on learning at the One-Room School House, Blacksmith Shop, and Early Streets Museum (the boys asked a lot of questions, which was fun to see). Then we took several trips through the pony, steam train, and carousel rides.  Several.

A big bonus of the park is the admission price covers everything, so you can ride that steam train 8,561 times if the kids want! 

After lunch at the Concession area (quick service with hot dogs and burgers), we hit up Adventure Playground (this was a big highlight -- a maze of houses with passageways - many parents were wandering through, looking for their children), saw farm animals at Discovery Barn, and mom enjoyed a well deserved rest on the Wagon Ride after working her legs for three people on the paddle boats.

The park is absolutely beautiful and pristine, making it so peaceful spending time there.

Noteworthy:

• The venue only has a few of the interactive pioneer stations open each day (my guess is to provide a reason for returning).
• While we there (about 4 hours), we waited in 1 line.  One.
• They have refillable water bottle stations!  Bring a refillable container and enjoy being environmental!
• Fox Valley Park District, where the farm is located, is adorable and probably a great way to spend a day or weekend, including: 
• 48 miles of trails for biking and walking
• Splash Country Water Park (across from Blackberry Farm) 
• Red Oak Nature Center, Golf, Disc Golf, etc... 

Age Recommendations: Infant - 12 years old
Based on the crowd, the average age was between 6-8 years old.

Cost Savings:
The affordable admission covers everything in the park, which is such a wonderful perk.

Location/Transportation: Aurora, IL
About a 60 minute trip from downtown with plenty of free parking.

Kid's Jury: 5 stars
The boys each had a blast at the learning areas - both boys would let me know throughout the day when they could hear the blacksmith hammering her tool and our 8 year old wants to return to see the the one-room school house again!

They each loved the Adventure Playground and the train, and our 6 year old rode each and every pony available (real and carousel variety).

Hands-on Learning:

Suburb Activity: Roller Skating

Apologies for the fuzzy photos - there was a smudge on my lens the whole day...

We took a trip (waaay) back in time to my childhood when visiting Fleetwood Roller Rink.  It has everything you hope for and expect: roller skate themed carpet, gaudy twinkle lights, bold paint colors, and top-40 tunes (intermixed with classics like TLC's No Scrubs).

Even one of these!

We really lucked out with the staff while there - the man working the rink took time to teach each child the basics of skating (and getting back up), and even circled back to show our oldest how to skate backward once he (sort of) mastered forward movement.

The man helping mentioned this was not officially part of his job, he just enjoyed it. A success story:

Kiefer skate from Tracy & Kevin Carlson on Vimeo.

Noteworthy:

• Training skates are provided for young skaters, which slows the turning speed of the wheels.
• Group and Private Lessons are offered at a very low rate, click here for info.
• Bring quarters if you would like to use their lockers, as bags, purses, and phones are not allowed on the rink (we learned this the hard way - but managed to get some photos first).
• If you arrive right when they open, you will have a nearly private rink experience (which is great for new skaters....and parents who have not donned skates for 20+ years).
• Food is available in their snack shop (ICEEs, Pizza, etc..)
• Remember to bring long socks for comfort!

Age Recommendation: All Ages!
If this is your child's first time, I recommend the lessons, and with the basics, they can pick it up pretty quickly.

Cost Savings:
Affordable outing, current price details and upcoming events found here.

Location/Transportation
The drive is only 20-30 minutes from downtown and there is plenty of (free) parking available.

Kid's Jury: 5 stars
Both kids loved it and want to return.  Our oldest wants to take lessons, so we'll definitely make another trip back!

Road Trip: Six Flags Great America (Gurnee, IL)

Our family had a great experience at our first (family) trip to Six Flags!

Rides are restricted by height, so ensure your shortest family member is a min of 36" or you will be paying a lot of money for very little to do.

Main Height Breakdowns:
36" Height - Access to:

• All the kiddie rides (think sitting in a car that follows a pre-set path; planes that circle).
• Located in County Fair Kidzopolis & Hometown Square
• 2 roller coasters: The Whizzer and Little Dipper (our small guy loved both)
• Roaring Rapids & Yankee Clipper/Log Rides

42" Height - Access to all of the above and:

• Justice League - 4D Laser Game
• Demon - upside down roller coaster
• The Dark Knight - completely dark indoor coaster (note: scared my 6yo and a nearby older child)

48" Height - All of the above and:

• 12 additional coasters/water rides, including The Joker, Goliath, and Giant Drop

54" Height - Everything, including:

• Batman
• X flight
• Superman

Noteworthy:

• The park opens earlier than stated on the website, so arrive early for great parking and faster admittance.
• Upon entry, beeline for the rides you most want to experience - no line; no wait! Most likely you will be able to ride it a few times without a wait.
• We arrived when the park opened, and made it until 6pm before we tired out. Didn't even make it to Hurricane Harbor.
• We came dressed in our swim suits, as there are splash pads and water rides in the normal park. We were glad we did.  Our kids did not enjoy roaring rapids or the yankee clipper (which was sad for the parents).
• Food in the park is expensive, and many smart folks leave the park and eat in their car.

Look at this smart family!!

Cost Savings:
There are typically ways to save on ticket prices, so make sure to check online.

Kid's Jury: 4 stars
Had a great time. Would like it more if costs were lower for kids that can't do many of the rides :) Only complaint.

Suburb Activity: Northbrook Court Pop-ups

During the holidays, we trekked to Northbrook to see a few pop-up activities taking place: Age of the Dinosaurs and The Painted Penguin.

We had a blast! Northbrook is a great little mall with shopping (though we just browsed the LEGO store), movie theater, children's play area, and these two great pop-up stores!

Age of Dinosaurs was small in comparison to the Rosemont Discover the Dinosaurs event. However, it is brighter and more inviting. My younger son did not do well at the larger and darker Rosemont event, but was very comfortable at Age of the Dinosaurs -- there were little dinosaur themed activities and 6 types of dinosaurs, each one moved and the kids loved the dino babies.

The Painted Penguin is a pop-up painting activity - you select an item to paint (from small penguins or letters to medium-sized canvases. They provided all the materials, even a finishing glaze!

Noteworthy:

• Age of Dinosaurs: can climb a triceratops and put your head in the T-Rex's mouth
• Mall App: GGP Mall - provides locations of shops, events, and parking recommendations.

Cost Savings:

• Each activity was inexpensive.
• Dinosaurs: $6/ticket
• Penguin: Varies based on item painted

Location/Transportation:

• Northbrook
• Driving is recommended 

Kid's Jury: 5 stars
Kids had a good time.
I just wished for better food court style options for lunch.  Drive wasn't too bad!