Moo Moo, Can You?

Historic Wagner Farms

Address: 1510 Wagner Road, Glenview

Hours: Monday - Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Sunday: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Admission: Free

YAY! YAY!

• Offers hands-on learning? Yes
• Engages an active toddler in play? No
• Provides interaction with other children? Yes
• Allows children room to play without long waits? No
• Is clean? No

A family favorite during the more temperate seasons, we thought we'd give it a try in the winter. The Farm has a nice indoor historic center where kids can learn hands-on about farming and farm life. Kids can milk a cow, collect eggs, feed the pigs, and shop at the local grocery store. My son just loves this historic 1930's grocery store, especially the old fashioned typewriter. I have to admit, it is pretty cool to take a step back in time. The historic center also has cow milking demonstrations, which we, of course, stayed for.

The Farm does not have a cafe (or even vending machines) so bring your own snacks. And while there are benches to sit and feed a baby, there isn't any privacy.

Overall, my two-year old had a good time, but there was only enough to occupy him for an hour or two. But an hour or two is pretty good when the admission is free!

Brr! It’s Cold Out There....

....There must be some activities in the atmosphere!

As I sit watching the snow fall and fall, I'm looking into family-friendly, indoor activities taking place this winter. Here’s what I found:

In January,

• Chicago Boat, RV, & Indoor Show - McCormick Place (January 12 - 16, 2011)
• Cirque Du Soleil - Sears Centre Arena (January 26 - 30, 2011)
• Disney on Ice: Toy Story 3 - Allstate Arena (January 26 -30, 2011)
• Star Wars Week - Legoland Discovery Center (January 28 - 30, 2011)

In February,

• Disney on Ice: Toy Story 3 - United Center (February 2 - 13, 2011)
• Chicago Auto Show - McCormick Place (February 11 - 20, 2011)
• International Kennel Club of Chicago - McCormick Place (February 24 - 27, 2011)

In March,

• Professional Bull Riders - Allstate Arena (March 5 & 6, 2011)
• Chicago Flower & Garden Show - Navy Pier (March 5 & 6, 2011)
• Monster Trucks - Sears Centre Arena (March 12, 2011)

Also, check out your local public library and local bookstores for storytime offerings.

Enjoy! And stay warm!

Tree's A Crowd

The TreeHouse

Address: 985 South Rand Road, Lake Zurich, IL

Hours: Sunday & Monday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Tuesday - Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Admission: $10 (ages 1 - 15); Free for 16+ with a child

YAY!

• Offers hands-on learning? No
• Engages an active toddler in play? Yes
• Provides interaction with other children? Yes
• Allows children room to play without long waits? Yes
• Is clean? No

A great venue for children ages 6 & up who need to burn off some energy. It features a large plastic tree that branches off into tunnels and slides, and offers lots of space to run around.

Unfortunately, it is not ideal for toddlers or younger because (1) it is really difficult to keep track of your child once he gets in the tree house, (2) the adult area is far too removed from the play space, (3) the changing tables in the bathroom butt right up against the sink so there isn’t any room to change your child/baby unless the bathroom is completely empty, and (4) it is worn out from lack of maintenance. I was shocked to learn it has only been open a year! Unlike Monkey Bizness, which is a similar venue also open a year, it is really tired.

Monkey Bizness, which I’ve already reviewed (see: “More Fun than a Barrel of Monkeys”) is far superior not only because it is well maintained, but also because it offers a variety of play structures, bouncy houses, slides, climbing wall, an art area, and a crawler area. The layout facilitates keeping track of multiple children easily. Overall, it just offers more for children 6 months & older.

At the TreeHouse, my normally fearless son was terrified. It was a bit overwhelming in size and scope, and it didn’t help that bigger kids kept mowing him down. After trying to make a go of the tree house and the basketball area, he ended up playing in the crawler area as did most children his age.

And this play area is not worth the drive or admission fee as we have more toys in our basement. The crawler area was pretty weak, and the few toys it offered were well chewed. It also had this weird prison-like vibe because of the black, mesh wrap-around fence & high gate. Not sure why crawlers need high fences. Are they known for prison runs?

The TreeHouse was a big disappointment. But now we know that Monkey Bizness is the best indoor playground for us.

A Novel Idea

Your Local Bookseller

Admission: Free

YAY! YAY!

• Offers hands-on learning? No
• Engages an active toddler in play? No
• Provides interaction with other children? Yes
• Allows children room to play without long waits? Yes
• Is clean? Yes

My little bookworm loves this one. And I love that it's a free, easy way to get us out of the house!

If my toddler is doing laps in destructor mode, we will sometimes make a quick escape to a local Borders or Barnes & Noble*. They all have children's areas filled with books and toys. And I find that it's always hopping with moms & kids, reading, playing with toys, or climbing the book shelves.

Most bookstores offer story time for toddlers and preschoolers so be sure to ask at your next visit. And we'd love to hear what your local bookstore has to offer. Just drop us a note below...

*If Barnes & Noble is your spot, then you'll be happy to hear that it plans to offer to an expanded educational toy department and playroom for children.

1 + 1 Could be Fun

Mathnasium

Address: 2650 Valor Drive, Glenview

Hours: Monday - Thursday: 12:00 - 7:00 p.m.; Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

• Offers hands-on learning? No
• Engages an active toddler in play? No
• Provides interaction with other children? No
• Allows children room to play without long waits? No
• Is clean? Yes

Well, this was a lesson in doing my homework ahead of time. I was told Mathnasium was a gymnasium for math where kids could have fun & learn about math. So I envisioned a math-based exploratorium, which seemed like such great way to introduce kids to math. Yeah, not so much.

Mathnasium is a math tutoring center for children grades 2 & up. Not quite what we're looking for right now. Although, I still think the idea of a math-based exploratorium would be fantastic. Anyone want to make that happen? We'll be your first customers!

Lesson learned: Next time, I will do my homework before heading out. On the plus side, Make-A-Messterpiece is across the street so we ended up having a great time not learning about math.

Here Comes The Sun

Adler Planetarium

Address: 1300 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago

Hours: Monday - Friday: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.; Saturday - Sunday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Admission: $10 (adults); $6 (3 - 11); free for children under 3

YAY! YAY! YAY! YAY!

• Offers hands-on learning? Yes
• Engages an active toddler in play? Yes
• Provides interaction with other children? Yes
• Allows children room to play without long waits? Yes
• Is clean? Yes

I hate to be cornball, but this place was out of this world. Adler offers so much to engage children ages 1 - 8.

We began our visit at "Planet Explorers," which is a new and pretty well publicized interactive exhibit. It's great for ages 8 and below. My son loved exploring Planet X, which is a fictitious planet kids can discover. They had life size rovers to drive around with a hand crank, remote control vehicles the drive over the planet's surface, tunnels to explore under Planet X, a slide, and building blocks & tubes. There were gears and buttons galore so my son was totally enthralled until lunch time.

We enjoyed lunch in Galileo's Cafe, the planetarium's cafeteria. I would gush about the wall-to-wall windows where you enjoy an unobstructed view of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan, but I have to gush about the service. One of the staffers went out of her way to help me with both boys. She got my son in a high chair and moved the tables so I could fit the stroller next to my seat. It was just above and beyond, and very much appreciated.

Overall, the staff was amazingly friendly and helpful. They took the time to explain the narrative of Planet Explorers and walk us through the entire exhibit. They even engaged my toddler so I could feed the baby while he safely played. A lovelier group of staff people I have never met.

After lunch, we checked out the "One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure." It's only 25 minutes, and features Big Bird, Elmo, and a Chinese muppet, Hu Hu Zhu. Children learn about the sun, moon, stars, and Chinese language and culture. Because it is designed for children, they can be as raucous and unruly as they like, which takes a lot of stress off mom. The theater completely surrounds you and the seats recline so little heads were going everywhere. It was too much fun! The show does double your admission price, however.

As with all institutions on the Museum Campus, you do pay extra for parking and it is outside. But the walk to Adler is short from the back lot.

All in all, I was blown away by Adler Planetarium. The helpful, friendly staff made our visit even more enjoyable. We will certainly be back!

Addendum: My son has been asking to return since we left ("Big Bird Elmo Moon, please") so I can safely say this was a big hit!

You Can Judge A Book By Its Cover

Glenview Public Library

Address: 1930 Glenview Road, Glenview

Hours: Monday - Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.; Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Sunday: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Admission: Free

YAY! YAY!

• Offers hands-on learning? No
• Engages an active toddler in play? No
• Provides interaction with other children? Yes
• Allows children room to play without long waits? Yes
• Is clean? Yes

This is a great, free option on the north shore.

I was really excited to check out the newly finished library, which celebrated its grand opening October 2010, and it did not disappoint. It is clean and spacious with plenty of room for a toddler to sit and read or run around. The youth area is in the back of the library so kids can run free without disturbing other library patrons.

The area also has a large bay of windows so children can watch the commuter trains come in and out of the station. And since the library is still under construction, children can also watch the big diggers and cranes hard at work. A captivating scene for a two year old boy!

If you’re looking for activities, the library offers a number of programs, including toddler story time, preschooler story time, arts & crafts (ages 3 & up), and entertainment (movies & plays). You can find all the information on their website (www.glenviewpl.org).

There are a couple downsides: (1) too few toys and (2) limited parking. Parking is a bit of a hike, and I can tell you that it feels like a million miles when it’s absolutely freezing. But you can warm up by the roaring fire that greets you at the entrance.

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Chicago Botanic Garden

Wonderland Express

Address: 1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe

Hours: Open Daily: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Admission: $10 adults; $8 children (3-11); plus $20 parking

YAY! YAY! YAY! YAY!

• Offers hands-on learning? Yes
• Engages an active toddler in play? No
• Provides interaction with other children? Yes
• Allows children room to play without long waits? Yes
• Is clean? Yes

This is a must-see for the whole family. But it’s only around until Sunday, January 2nd. So head out the door!

Children will love watching the 11 trains travel through bridges, towns, and waterfalls. And adults will marvel at the 80 mini-replicas of Chicago landmarks and architecture. The Botanic Gardens team has recreated our city from the skyline to the Blackhawks Stanley Cup celebration; they even have a model of Obama’s Kenwood home since he is the first president from Chicago. To complete the experience, “snow” falls from the sky. And although it’s just water, my son thought it was pretty neat to see snow falling indoors.

It’s really quite magical, and my son was in heaven! There were benches where I could feed the baby and still keep an eye on him. And, of course, it is all in the Regenstein greenhouse so you can keep toasty warm when it’s sub-zero outside.

It seemed like the same docents from the Model Railroad Garden who are always so nice & friendly. I don’t know how they keep their patience with all the kiddos trying to grab the trains, but they certainly make the experience stress-free.

I highly recommend it. The only problem we encountered was ice; a lot of ice. So proceed with caution.

It's Ok To Cheat...

If you don't have time to read through all the reviews, here's a little cheat sheet for you. As a reminder, four "YAYs" is the highest rating and one is the lowest.

YAY! YAY! YAY! YAY!

• Adler Planetarium - 1300 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
• Chicago Botanic Garden: Wonderland Express - 1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe
• Legoland Discovery Center - 601 N. Martingale Road, Schaumburg
• Little Beans Cafe - 1809 W. Webster, Cbicago
• The Little Monkey Bizness - 4700 Gilbert Avenue, Western Springs
• Make-a-Messterpiece - 2050 Tower Drive, Glenview
• The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum - 2430 North Cannon Drive, Chicago
• Shedd Aquarium - Polar Play Zone - 1200 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago

YAY! YAY! YAY!

• Chicago Children's Museum - Navy Pier, Chicago
• DuPage Children's Museum - 301 N. Washington Street, Naperville
• The Exploritorium - Skokie’s Imagination Playground - 4701 Oakton, Skokie
• The Family Room at The Art Institute of Chicago - 111 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago
• The Farm at The Lincoln Park Zoo - 2001 N. Clark St, Chicago
• Jammin' Jungle - 636 Ridge Road, Highland Park
• Nibbles Play Cafe - 13 Huntington Lane, Wheeling

YAY! YAY!

• Glenview Public Library - 1930 Glenview Road, Glenview
• Historic Wagner Farms - 1510 Wagner Road, Glenview
• Pump It Up - 1857 Elmdale Avenue, Glenview

YAY!

• Chicago History Museum - 1601 N. Clark, Chicago
• Fantasy Kingdom - 1422 N. Kingsbury Street, Chicago
• The Field Museum's Crown Play Lab - 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
• Kohl’s Children’s Museum - 2100 Patriot Boulevard, Glenview
• The Museum of Science & Industry - 57th & Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
• The TreeHouse - 985 South Rand Road, Lake Zurich
• Treehouse at Northbrook Court - 2171 Northbrook Court, Northbrook

Popular Science

The Museum of Science & Industry

Address: 57th & Lake Shore Drive, Chicago

Hours: Monday - Friday: 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday: 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Admission: $15 adults; $10 children 3 - 11; Children under 3 are free. Admission is reduced slightly for Chicago residents

YAY!

• Offers hands-on learning? No
• Engages an active toddler in play? No
• Provides interaction with other children? Yes
• Allows children room to play without long waits? No
• Is clean? No

I had high hopes this would be a four "YAY" destination mainly because it has underground parking. But alas, it is not for little ones. It does seem very popular for school field trips, however.

The museum itself is quite impressive from its 19th century architecture to its expansive array of exhibitions. It houses nearly 30 exhibits as well as a five-story omnimax theater. It also showcases special exhibits, including a traveling show from the Smithsonian.

Now through January 23rd, the museum is hosting the Jim Henson exhibit ($5/ person). I thought this would be a big hit with my son where he could see his beloved Cookie Monster & Ernie puppets. But he couldn't interact with them so it didn't hold much interest him; and to be honest, he probably would prefer watching them move & talk on television.

I really enjoyed it as I've always admired Henson's talent, but it is not geared towards children. They do offer an interactive puppet show that is pretty cute.

He did enjoy the train & airplane exhibits in the Transportation Gallery. The model trains are amazing and visitors can push buttons to load the freight, raise & lower bridges, and make the trains go. In addition, children can walk through a real train & a real 727 United jetliner. You do have to wait in line, but my son really seemed to enjoy exploring both, and pressing all the buttons, of course. And since it is the holidays, he liked walking through the Christmas tree display (Christmas Around the World and Holiday of Lights). I'm sure he would have enjoyed the Farm Tech display where he could steer a real John Deere tractor, but we didn't make it that far...

It is not a good place for a baby. Finding a place to feed was a bit of a nightmare. The food court was overflowing so I was forced to feed him in the stairwell where random strangers kept trying to touch him. Not ideal...

While I'm disappointed this wasn't a better fit for us, I know it will be a great destination when my son is ten and has had at least one science lesson. Right now, it is simply too advanced for his age.

The museum does offer free days so be sure to check their website before you go.

Whale Isn't that Something?

The John G. Shedd Aquarium

Address: 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago

Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Admission: Shedd pass: $26.95; $19.95 kids

YAY! YAY! YAY! YAY!

• Offers hands-on learning? Yes
• Engages an active toddler in play? Yes
• Provides interaction with other children? Yes
• Allows children room to play without long waits? Yes
• Is clean? Yes

Even though it is an expensive option, I would argue it is totally worth the admission price. The new children's area, Polar Play Zone, was added in the beluga & dolphin underwater viewing areas. They have a made the area completely kid friendly and interactive. Who wouldn't love sliding into a waddle of penguins? Playing in a submarine as belugas swim by? Or touching a feeling sea creatures in a tide pool?

It is the most visited cultural institution in Chicago so it can be crowded, especially when children are out of school. But we try to get there right when it opens when school is in session.

Our favorite exhibit, outside the play area, is the Wild Reef. As I push the strolled through, sharks swim overhead and sting rays underneath. And we always try to catch the new Fantasea show, featuring the dolphins, whales, penguins, and even a hawk. I wasn't sure my son would enjoy it, but he is simply enraptured. The aquarium worked with Cirque du Soleil on this show so it is highly entertaining as well as educational. It does cost an additional $2.

In addition, the aquarium has a large cafeteria and private areas for changing and feeding babies.

All in all, a very educational and entertaining experience. Sure to make you forget the snow & cold outside.

I Heart Art

Make-a-Messterpiece

Address: 2050 Tower Drive, Glenview

Hours: Tuesday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sunday: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Closed Monday

Admission: $10 kids & adults; $2 children under 2. Plus, $5 fee per activity

YAY! YAY! YAY! YAY!

• Offers hands-on learning? Yes
• Engages an active toddler in play? Yes
• Provides interaction with other children? Yes
• Allows children room to play without long waits? Yes
• Is clean? Yes

Initially, I thought this was going to be better suited to older children. I could not have been more wrong. It is quite a find & so much fun. I would have given it a four "YAY" rating, but I do think it's a tad pricey.

It has 5 creative stations where children can do arts & crafts. But were not talking about cutting craft paper or tracing your hand on paper, we are talking about drumming on drums filled with paint (a.k.a. DrumRoll).

Bubble'ology was another favorite. There are stations of paint bubble tubes where you push a button and colored bubbles splatter on your paper. The end result was quite beautiful.

They also have rows of paint tables and easels for more traditional art projects. And if your little ones tire of art, they can play in the play area with big, soft blocks, a playhouse, and slide. Make-a-Messterpiece also sells art supplies so you can continue the fun at home.

It challenged everything I ever thought about arts & crafts. Perfect for any little messy marvin!

Addendum: I noticed a mom working on her laptop today, and realized this is a great place for working moms. You can supervise your children as they do their art projects in a contained, safe environment and you do your work. They even have free wi-fi.