1. Cook Park Library and Aspen Drive Library
This is an all season place to go to not only get books, but hear storytimes, do crafts, and participate in special events.
Cost
Free!
Location
Cook Memorial Library - 413 N. Milwaukee (not sure why this is listed as the address. It's really on Brainerd Ave between Cook Ave and W. Church st.)
Aspen Drive Library - 701 Aspen Drive (off of Townline Road)
Ages
If you have little kids, I highly recommend Cook Library over Aspen Drive. The Aspen Drive library is all open, so if you have more than one kid, they can easily wander off and get lost anywhere in the library. (Not sure WHY they would not section off a children's section. The architect clearly has never watched little kids!)
Link
http://www.cooklib.org/
2. West Ridge Center - Jammin' Jungle Playroom
This former school, converted to a rec center for Highland Park, has an indoor playroom for young kids. The room is small and the play structure is not fancy, but it is a nice place to come and let kids run around, climb, and burn energy when it is too cold to go outside and you don't have money to burn on the fancier places.
Jammin' Jungle Hours(Effective September 8-June 7)
Mon/Wed, 3:00-5:00pm
Tue/Thu, 9:00-11:00am & 6:00-8:00pm
Sat,9:00-11:00am
Cost
Free!
Location
636 Ridge Road, Highland Park
Ages
I would say age 1 - 6. Kids older than 6 would probably get bored.
Link
http://www.pdhp.org/index.cfm/fa/parks.facility_detail/object_id/1f80a91f-9ed1-4719-a22d-da5cea0d5324
3. Lambs Farm
In the spring, summer, and fall, Lambs Farm is a fun and close place to view farm animals - horses, pigs, a cow, donkeys, sheep, goats, roosters, hens, a peacock, bunnies, etc. There is also a merry-go-round and a small-children outdoor playground. There is a mini train ride around the property. There is also a pet barn where you can go see dogs, cats, fish, parrots, etc.
They also have special events.
Cost
Farmyard Admission - $5/person Train Ride - $3/person Day Pass - $12/person You can also purchase a season membership. The cost goes toward maintaining the buildings and grounds, as well as supporting the people with disabilities that work there. Yes - it can get pricey, but it supports a good cause!
Location
14245 Rockland Rd, Libertyville
Ages
Infant - age 8
Link
http://www.lambsfarm.com/index.html
4. Independence Grove
This is a very large forest preserve/nature park. It has miles and miles of bicycle/jogging/walking trails. There is a large outdoor playground, a 115 acre lake with boat and canoe rentals, and a beach. There are bathroom facilities and there is a cafe. It is a great place to bring little kids with the stroller or wagon, or bigger kids with bicycles. We like to go there for picnics, walks, and playtime at the playground. The kids also love the beach.
Cost
Entrance is free if you are a lake county resident. You do have to pay for beach access and boat rentals. Check the website for times and prices.
Location
16400 W Buckley Rd
Libertyville, IL 600485133
847-968-3499 (phone)
AgesAll ages
Link
http://www.lcfpd.org/preserves/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.view&object_id=194
5. Elawa Farm and Wildlife Discovery Center
There is a small reptile center at Elawa farm in Lake Forest. They have 2 or 3 rooms with snakes, turtles, little crocodiles, iguanas, etc. It is attached to the Middlefork Savanna nature preserve that boasts beautiful prairie trails for scenic walks or bike rides. There are train tracks within view and trains pass often, so if you have a train-lover, it's a great place to walk and watch the trains go by. There is also a large playground and covered shelter for picnicing.
Cost
Entrance is free!
Location
1401 MiddleFork Road Lake Forest. You enter Elawa farm off of Waukegan road. Turn west onto Middlefork and go all the way down to the parking lot at the end of the street. The farm buildings, Wildlife center, and playground are right there.
Links
Elawa Farm
Wildlife Discovery Center
6. Playgrounds
Map of the playgrounds/parks in Libertyville --> MAP
Map of the playgrounds/parks in Vernon Hills --> MAP
List of parks in Lake Bluff --> List
7. C&A Robot Factory/Lego play Center
Children of all ages can come and play with a variety of Duplo LEGOs, LEGO bricks and trains, accompanied by an adult.
LEGO fans ages 6 and older can create, explore and have fun building with thousands of small bricks.
Cost
Cost for day play is only $5.00 per child. There is no charge for infants.
Location
326 Peterson Road
Libertyville, IL 60048
(137 West off Milwaukee, next to the DMV)
Libertyville, IL 60048
(137 West off Milwaukee, next to the DMV)
Free Play Hours
Sunday: 11am-5pm
Mon: 3:30pm-7pm
Tue: Closed
Wed: 3:30pm-7pm
Thur: 3:30pm-7pm
Fri: 10am-4:30pm
Sat: 9am-1:30pm
http://carobotfactory.com/day-play.html
Sunday: 11am-5pm
Mon: 3:30pm-7pm
Tue: Closed
Wed: 3:30pm-7pm
Thur: 3:30pm-7pm
Fri: 10am-4:30pm
Sat: 9am-1:30pm
http://carobotfactory.com/day-play.html
9. The TreeHouse Indoor Playhouse
This place has an indoor climbing structure with slides, swinging bridges, etc. The kids are able to burn off a lot of energy climbing and playing. They also have an infant area sectioned off.
Cost
$10 per child, Adults free. (Yes - it is a little pricey if you have more than one child, but you can get your hands stamped, take the kids home for naps and then come back. )
Location
985 S. Rand Rd in Lake Zurich
(847) 438-8887
Ages
Infant - age 10
Link
http://www.thechicagotreehouse.com/index.html
10. JumpZone
This center has several inflatable jump houses where kids can jump, climb, and slide. My kids ages 2 - 5 had a BLAST! They have more "open play" times than Pump-it-up (which seems more for birthday parties), so you have more chances to go.
Open Play calendar
Cost
The cost varies from $8 - $10 per child (adults free), depending on when you go. They sometimes have deals/coupons, so keep your eye out.
Location
1465 Busch Parkway
Buffalo Grove
(847 929-9396
Ages
They have an infant area for smaller babies, but it's not sectioned off from the main area. I would say it is best for ages 2 - 10.
Link
http://www.jumpzoneparty.com/JumpZone_Home.php?jzpcity=Buffalo%20Grove&jzpid=024
11. Bass Pro Shop/Outdoor World
This enormous store has tons for kids of all ages to look at. There is a huge aquarium tank with a waterfall and very large catfish,
bass, and other fish. There are a ton of taxidermy animals - bears, moose, dear, bears, etc to see. They also have ATVs, tents the
kids can crawl in, etc.
Cost
Free
Location
6112 W. Grand Avenue
Gurnee, IL 60031
Phone: 847-856-1229
Ages
Good for all ages
Link
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CFPageC?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&appID=94&storeID=19
12. Local Pet shops
We like to visit pet shops to view the animals. It's much closer than Lincoln Park Zoo, and parking and admission are free. Yes - you are seeing just a few pets and not big, exciting animals, but for little kids, they seem just as excited about these animals than the "big ones".
Cost
Free!
Location
Petco - 555 B East Townline Road, Vernon Hills, IL (It's just down from Toys R Us on Milwaukee).
You can see fish, ferrets, mice, birds, guinea pigs, & turtles here.
PetSmart - 701 N. Milwaukee Vernon Hills, IL (It's in the shopping center with BestBuy, Michaels, etc.)
You can see fish, birds, guinea pigs, and cats-for-adoption here. You can go in and pet the cats, which is fun for the kids.
Ages
Good for ages 1 1/2 - age 8ish
