All Hands on Deck

There’s nothing more frustrating to a little one than being able to look at something cool and not be able to touch it or play with it. When you spend time in the Chicago Southland, you’ll find places where kids can get in and enjoy what’s in front of them rather than watching from the sidelines.

At Sand Ridge Nature Center in South Holland, the Kid’s Corner has hands-on activities that kids can enjoy before taking a stroll through the butterfly garden and learning about animal habitats. They can also use their imaginations while checking out the log cabin. Or visit during one of the annual events, like Settler’s Day in November to go inside a wigwam or do a period craft.

If your kids watch baseball on television and wish they could be out on the field, you can take them to a Windy City ThunderBolts in Crestwood home game, where kids can run the bases after each game. Also, check the White Sox schedule for family days, when kids are also invited on the field after game time to make their way around the infield.

Watching big people do all the driving can be tiresome when you’re not old enough to touch the pedals on a real car. But…kids can do the driving in a go-kart at Haunted Trails Family Entertainment Center in Burbank in their fun junior carts for ages 4-9 (and minimum 42-inch height, maximum 53-inch height). They can also play golf like the grown-ups on an 18-hole mini golf course and find lots of arcade games where they can push buttons. There’s plenty more hands-on fun to be had at In the Game, Hollywood Park in Crestwood, including an indoor laser maze, indoor bumper cars and a rock wall. 

And hey, don’t let the kids have all the fun…grown-ups can get in on the action at Dave & Busters in Orland Park, an arcade for everyone that includes cocktails, sports viewing and a more sophisticated menu than you’ll find at your standard arcade.

Let your kids experience what it’s like to be a farmer by visiting Bultema’s Farmstand and Greenhouse in Lynwood where different varieties of u-pick vegetables are available for picking and then purchased by the pound, half bushel or bushel.