Hi, all. I live in the far west burbs, and my church's singles ministry has a sort of big brother big sister program in the works for kids of single moms. Unfortunately, the two people that do most of the planning have only been in the Chicago area for 2 and 3 years, and don't know alot about the area. And neither of them has kids!!! I've been asked (as one of the single "moms") to help come up with some ideas, but I can only think of the zoos and wildlife centers here in the far west burbs.
So my question to you is, what do you know of that is either free or "cheap", as they've stated? They normally have a group of about 10 kids and 5 or 6 adults. It can be all over the burbs, doesn't matter, they're willing to drive.
Thanks!!!
Thank you so much for all of the responses! I know they're going to have a summer full of fun with so many places to go! Some of them I'm very familiar with (I live about 5 minutes from Cosley, and we go frequently!), but some I'd never heard of, and some had just slipped my mind (Cantigny - again, practically in my own back yard!). And thank you so much for the websites for other resources!
I neglected to mention that they take the kids out once a month, on a Saturday for about 6 hours at a time. But so many of your suggestions sound great! I've started compiling a list of all that will work for them. Can't wait to hear their responses! Thank you so much again for your help!!
Morton Arboretum in Lisle. Wednesdays is reduced admission day. The children's garden is amazing and the kids will have a blast.
The DuPage County Fair is coming up the end of July. I always take my two grandkids. Parking is free but there is an entrance fee. They loved the pig races! E.
Lord's Park in Elgin is cool. There are many areas with playsets and also a museum (check on the hours and days before going) and an area with deer and elk. Also Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Wheaton, ###-###-####. It's just across from the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn. Also Klein Creek Farm (a working historical farm) in Winfield just south of Route 64 on County Farm Road. All these things are freebies. An inexpensive one would be Pottowatamie Park in St. Charles. It's along the east side of the river, just north of the downtown area. They have swimming, also many play areas, lots of huge trees and picnic tables, and you can walk along the river. Our favorite thing to do there is mini-golf. They have a really fun course right on the river.
Fermi Lab has a herd of buffalo and some prairie paths that that, security conditions permitting, are free for the public to view. It's kind of a neat thing to see. You can find visitor information here: http://www.fnal.gov/pub/visiting/tours/index.html
There's also Cantigny park. It's the grounds of the McCormick estate but they have a military museum (1st Division Museum) that is really well done and some tanks ooutside that kids like to climb, a picnic area, idea gardens, fomal gardens, and outdoor concerts. There is a per-car parking fee but admission is free. You can find more inforation at http://www.cantigny.org/
There's also the Springbrook Nature Center in Itasca. They have a visitor's center, a raptor aviary and hiking trails. You can find more information here: http://www.itascanaturecenter.com/managex/?x=127&y=12...
The children's museum in Naperville is REALLY nice - all hands on for the kids - when we went we spent about 5 hours there! Randall Oaks Petting Zoo is nice too. . .There's a park area in Elgin near the casino - don't know the name - but it's right across the street from the restaurant/Brewery, Prairie Rock - it has these "fountain" like things that shoot up from the ground and the kids run through them - of course you need to bring your swimsuits & towels - but there's bathrooms and a changing area and some seating - it's right next to the river. And it's FREE! My 2 kids LOVE IT! Have fun!
Hi B., check out what we do for Mothers & More (the dupage county chapter) our programming folks are always coming up with great ideas. They post our calendar on-line every month. Good luck!
dupagemothersandmore.org
The Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium and all the museums down town each have a free days. For Field museum it's 2nd Monday of each month. You can check all the other museums on their web sites.
Hi, I am helping raise grandchildren, too; ages 3 & 4.
I suppose you know about Spring Valley Nature Center in Schaumburg?? It is open to the public and free daily. They have nature trails, a nature center with small displays; also, an old homestead complete with a house, out buildings, barn and animals. This Sunday, June 22 is "Mow and MOO!" from 1-4 (I believe.) For $2/person, they are giving demos, milking the cows and making ice cream. For more info on other activities are planned, contact the center.
Hi B.,
Over by you there is also the Cosley Zoo off of Gary Ave. and that's free. You can look at your park district, they usually have ideas. And of course, all the festivals going on in most towns. I live in Aurora and they do a festival in the downtown area every Friday called Downtown Alive. Hope this helps a little.
Colsey Zoo is very nice my children loved it. Also in Aurora is Phillip's Zoo and park. They have a reptile house and a very large play area with tables for lunch. They are both free. Good luck.
V.
WOW You got so many great ideas. Cantigney park is awesome. I have taken my kids there severaltimes and they just love it, expecially the boys.
There is also McCullum park in Doweners grove on 75th and main. They have a great park, inexpensive mini golf and a concession stand.
Ty Warner park in westmont is beautiful. Yhey to have a nice park, a great sand area for the little ones and a water area to play in(bring your suits). Ithink to getinto the water area is about $2.00 or $3.00. It just had areas where water shoots out, again that's more for smaller children but they love it.
You may also want to check some neighborhood stores or even call the bowlingalley as I have gotton many FREE BOWLING passes at several neighborhood stores for Suburbanite bowl in Westmont.
Good Luck
Philips Park in Aurora is free and has a small zoo and nice play areas. Red Oak nature center is also in Aurora and is free-it's offered thru the Fox Valley Park District.
Phillips Park Zoo in Aurora is Free and Totally redone. It is very nice and they have a new information center that you can go into that have reptiles and a guide. They also have other animals and a good size park and picnic area. I dont have their number but look it up and call them. Im sure if you call them they will give you a personal guide for the time you are their...btw it is free...
Have you heard of the Oaklee's Guide? You can get them at the library and they list activities by date for all the Chicagoland areas - some free, some run by park district, festivals, kids eat free nights at restaurants. I read it constantly to see what's going on. You can also access it on-line at www.oakleesguide.com
I hope this helps!
Maybe pack a picnic and head to the LakeFront? The fountains at Millenium Park are kind of cool if the kids haven't seen them before. Street parking might be tough, so they may have to pay to park but the attractions at the park are free. (Occasionally they have a photo exhibit, there's the foundtains and of course, the bean.) Lunch would round out the day nicely and there are grassy spots by the fountains that provide great people watching and entertainment of other kids enjoying the splash area.
Otherwise, maybe call around to some area attractions and see if you can get discounted rates of admission - to a park district water park or something along those lines.
You can problably take then to "Chucky-Cheeses".It's not expensive actually you pay about $20,and they give you these things called tockens and they have tones of games.You insert a coupone and you can play a game.And for some games they give you tickets.Now after you have finished all your coupones,they have a matean that you inseart all your tickets and that will count your tickets.and it gives you a littel receit that says how many tickets you have.And after you do that then you take it to the counter and a worker will tell you wat you can get(you can get candy,toys,stufed animals,excetera)lots of things.Its very fun and cheep.
Here's one that has not been mentioned yet: Bartlett Nature Center. It's located on Stearns Road just west of Route 59.
Nice trails and a little petting zoo area inside along with exhibits to see. Completely free.
Check out Classic Cinemas... They have theaters in Downers and Naperville and it's only $3 (I think) for a movie. There's also Nova 8 on Rt 59.
Also, What about visiting some of the local parks for a bbq?
Hi B.,
I'm in Arlington Height, but I know of a few things that are free, although kind of scattered.
Of course the Lincoln Park Zoo and conservatory in the city are free, but you probably know those already. All the museums/aquarium/art institute, etc. have free days, although they may be to limited parts of the buildings. You can look those up on the internet - I think they're traditionally Tuesdays. The Museum of Science and Industry is celebrating its 75th anniversary and everyone is free until Monday and all kids under 12 are free until September. If you want to go as far as Elgin they just rebuilt their city center and it's really nice. There is a big spray park with a great playground next to it - all free. I take my daughter to the library a LOT, especially in the summer. The Harold Washington library downtown is gorgeous, and always free and air-conditioned in the summer! That's all I can think of off the top of my head...
Good luck!
Mary-Claire
I will say check the various suburbs park district's websites because during the summer there are a lot of family activities offered by the park districts. For example, there are free movies and/or concerts in the parks at Westmont and Hinsdale, or there is a car show in Burr Ridge. Some parks have firework show throughout the month of July. I hear the Kane County Cougar games are kid friendly and not that expensive. If you want to venture downtown, the children's museum at Navy Pier is free on Thursdays from 5 - 9pm or free every first Monday of ea. month (all day). The Shedd aquarium is free all this week (well until tomorrow the 20th...sorry). But my point is, I've found that the park districts and forest preserves of the western suburbs offer plenty of activities during the summer but you would have to go the their respective websites to find out more info. If I see anything more, I'll send you the info. Good luck!
Hi B.! I am also a grandmother who raised her grandson. There's lots of places to go in Chicago area. Check MetraMix and see what's going on. There's lots of street fests, towns will be having 4th of July festivals and they usually have a period of day on Saturday of fest where you can buy ride tickets, unlimited use for about 4 hours and they usually cost about $5/10. There are farms in outlying areas that have petting farms, etc. You can also check with boat rides in Chicago to see if you can get a group fare. Also, try putting keywords of free attractions in Chicago area and you should get a bunch of things. Have a good summer!
Hi B.,
Barnes and Noble Bookstores have story time every Tuesday and Thursday at most locations. We usually go to the Downtown Naperville location at 10:30. They read a few stories and have a coloring page to do afterwards. Check out their websites to find a location and time near you. (Free of charge) Also in Westmont there is a little splash park (Part of their park district). Ty Park is located on Ogden Avenue and Cass Avenue (Behind the grocery store..I'm not sure it it is a Jewel or Dominicks). The cost for the splash area is $2 for residents and $4 for nonresidents, adults are free, there is also a nice park with covered seating, great for picnics, near the splash area. Wheaton had a "free zoo" called Cosley here is the web site. http://www.wheatonparkdistrict.com/pgs/parks/cosley/visit...
Good luck with your summer adventures!!
L.
Cantigny in West Chicago has beautiful gardens, a tour of McCormicks Mansion and a war museum. I think you only pay for parking
