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.

More Fun than a Barrel of Monkeys

The Little Monkey Bizness

Address: Gilbert Avenue, Western Springs

Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Admission: $7.50 for 12 months+; $5.00 for crawlers under the age of 12 months; parents & infants are free

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

We have been going to Monkey Bizness since my son started crawling. It is one of our favorites, and continues to be as it offers a safe place for him to play as he grows. In my opinion, it is what Gymboree should be.

Like Gymboree, it is a chain. At the Western Springs location, they have an area for little ones learning to crawl and/or walk, which is gated off from the bigger kids play area. The little crawler area has soft blocks and objects for little ones to play with and climb on as well as benches for parents. The older kids (toddler - kindergartner) have the surrounding area complete with a bounce house, a variety of plastic playhouses, and elaborate slides and tunnels. It is utter chaos, but a lot of fun.

Plus, they have a nice dining area where parents can enjoy coffee and pasteries while keeping an eye on their child or children. And, of course, I like it because it is clean.

All in all, a family favorite.

Wild Child

Kohl's Children's Museum

Address: 2100 Patriot Blvd, Glenview

Hours: Monday: 9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.; Tuesday - Saturday: 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Sunday 12 - 5 p.m.

Admission: $8.50; free for children under 12 months & members

YAY!

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

It pains me to give Kohl's Children's Museum even one "YAY," especially after visiting the Indianapolis Children's Museum. It is such a disappointment every time I go.

Kohl's boasts seventeen hands-on children's exhibits; however, the place is so overrun you have to wait for almost every one. It is a good lesson in patience of which toddlers have so much...

The children run amok, and older children simply mow down the little ones. I feel so badly for my son because he wants to explore the exhibits, but the other children constantly shove him out of the way. I know this is how children behave, but I would like him to experience this a little later and not when I am paying an admission fee...

We do enjoy the waterways play area even though my son ends up drenched by the older kids. And the musical area is great for little boys who love to make noise!

While my son seems to enjoy it, I find it dirty, crowded, and pretty miserable. It is a little much to ask a toddler to wait in line to play. And once you get your turn, everything is filthy.

The museum does have a Cosi attached so you can get a bite to eat. But it does not offer much privacy for feeding a baby. The nursing stations are a joke.

Not a mom favorite, but the kids seem to enjoy. Just bring plenty of hand sanitizer and a lot of patience.

Monkey See. Monkey Do.

The Exploritorium - Skokie's Imagination Playground

Location: 4701 Oakton, Skokie

Hours: Monday, Tuesday, & Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Wednesday: 12 - 5 p.m.; Saturday: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Admission: $5 (Non-Resident) $3 (Resident)

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

The Exploritorium had a great deal to offer: waterways play area, toddler playhouse, climbing wall, musical instruments, an elaborate treehouse made up of tunnels and slides, and a theatrical stage. I was surprised to learn it was built in 1985 as it felt very clean and new. It certainly doesn't have the run down look & feel of other children's play areas.

My son was completely obsessed with the model trains as were most of the boys. He played with them for a good half an hour before he even noticed the drums or slides. Then he was off! Sadly the play theater (complete with costumes) couldn't have interested him less. It was a really neat little area for any budding thespian!

The overhead structure of tunnels looked amazing, albeit a little too old for my son. While we were there, a boy did get stuck & it turned into a bit of a search and rescue mission for his father. Everything worked out ok, and his father pulled him out. But I was surprised that none of the staff offered any help. So I guess if you go, go prepared....

The Exploritorium has a little eating area and some vending machines. It also looked like you could find some privacy upstairs to feed a baby, but not in the play area.

I did find it a little on the small side so it could become overwhelming with too many kiddos. But fortunately, we had the place pretty much to ourselves from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.

We will definitely head back on a snow day for some indoor fun.