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May 2013 - GAME ON! From the storefront, Fair Game appears as any other retail environment for the average shopper to purchase a new board game, but once inside you quickly get engulfed in the interactive gaming world of sitting around a table with a group of friends to play a competitive game of Word on the Street, Wits & Wagers, or Zombie Dice. Since my girls are all about the latest craze of just about anything as scene on T.V., this is the perfect place to test out new games before you buy them. The store is filled with hundreds and hundreds of games for all ages, from as young as 18 months to adults. Yes – I did say 18 months! Shelves of open boxes of cards, dice, and table top games plus extremely knowledgeable staff members make playing a new game fun and easy. I just loved not having to read line by line instructions and taking the lazy route of having someone else setup the board and just tell us how to play. With this simple luxury and walls lined with a wide variety of games - I wanted to play them all! The store was filled with people of all ages from a father and his 5 year old son who sat engrossed for hours on end, to groups of teenagers playing cards, to my girls and grandma enjoying a day off of school. My mom is typically great about going to the usual bounce towns and other over stimulating kid zones but this quiet environment of playing board games was a really nice change for us all. You can pretty much stop in any time the store is open to play a game, but Saturday evenings from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. are dedicated to Open Gaming and ensure plenty of tables and chairs for all your friends and family members. Other days are filled with tournaments, leagues, and meet-up groups, so the store is always active. Their goal is to help everyone re-discover the joy and wonder one experiences when interacting with other people over a simple game. In our world of iPhones, X-Boxes and Wii Systems, it’s the perfect time to refocus and engage with one another. And when you find that new favorite game – you can buy it right then and there! Located in downtown Downers Grove, there are plenty of restaurants and ice cream shops nearby to make a day or night of it. Food, friends, family, and fun come together fairly easily on this adventure! OVERVIEW A retail store offering the latest and greatest board and dice games while also offering ongoing tournaments, open gaming, leagues, and meet-up gaming groups. Location: Fair Game, 5147 Main Street, Downers Grove, IL 60515 Phone: 630-963-0640 Website: www.fairgamestore.com Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday; Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday Prices: Open Gaming is free. #GlancerMagazine #KristenKucharski #MomsLittleBlackBook #MBBMiscellaneousFun #May2013 #FeaturedBlogger #FeaturedBlog #KidsTeens

August 2012 - WHITE WATER TUBING It’s August and the thrill of the pool has worn off but it’s hotter than heck and you are still looking for some cool action fun for the kids. Look no further than heading to the Marge Cline Whitewater Course in Yorkville and renting a tube or raft from the Geneva Kayak Center in Yorkville. The raft is probably the best option for parents taking younger kids, while the tube would suit kids ages 8 and older who want more independence. This is no lazy river but rather 1100 feet of turns, twists, dips, and thrills as the natural movement of the river takes your tube or raft down the course to a pebble beach. The dips are thrilling and will likely dump you right out of your tube so be prepared to swim shore side and catch your tube at the pebbled beach. The raft is the more conservative option but will still provide the thrills of a white water rafting experience while keeping you on board. You can rent the tube plus a helmet and life jacket for two hours for $10/person or you can rent a raft for up to six people for $30 for a two hour period. During your rental period you take as many laps as you would like. Once you hit the pebbled beach, you walk your tube or raft back up the concrete sidewalk to the beginning, so I would highly recommend water shoes. Remember, this is the Fox River and not a staffed lazy river. There are no lifeguards or staff on duty for your adventure. Geneva Kayak Center staff members provide great guidance tips and offer rentals of all kinds including kayaks, canoes, tubes, rafts, etc. but once you rent, you are on your own unless you pay additional for lessons or a guided tour. All rentals require a reservation so be sure to call first and ensure the equipment you want is available for the day you are arriving. There is a limited supply of children’s helmets and lifejackets but you are welcome to bring your own bike helmet or U.S. Coast Guard Approved life jacket to ensure a proper fit. This is one adventure I would highly recommend as it is out of the ordinary and will keep you cool in the heat of summer! Geneva Kayak Center is located at 301 E. Hydraulic Avenue in Yorkville. Phone is 630-882-9211. Website is www.genevakayak.com. #GlancerMagazine #KristenKucharski #MomsLittleBlackBook #MBBPerfectForTweensTeens #MBBSportsRecreation #MBBOutdoorAdventures #MBBHikingNature #FeaturedBlogger #FeaturedBlog #KidsTeens #August2012

August 2013 - VROOM, BANG, BOOM I vividly remember watching Happy Days and Fonzie’s girlfriend and fellow motorcyclist, Pinky Tuscadero desire to participate in demolition derby races. I can easily recall the heart pumping episodes where the cars crashed into each other, spurring on my personal desire to one day join a Powder Puff Demolition Derby race when I was old enough. The summer after college graduation, a group of friends and I often went to the races in Joliet and I loved the thrill of the speeds and the sheer power of the cars. Although I never made it on the track, the memories of the races still make me smile. Wanting to share this traditionally male dominated sport with my girls, we headed to Sycamore Speedway in Maple Park. With online coupons, this adventure was a cheap summer night thrill. We each picked out a favorite – mine of course was a pink and white car which reminded me of the infamous Pinky herself, Tessa selected anything with the number 3 on it, and Marisa cheered on the Care Bear inspired station wagon. It was loud – it was wild – and it was fun! Friday nights are demolition night but the demolition portion is not held until the very end, so be prepared for a late night as the banging and booming does not begin until after 10 p.m. But given the slippery track the night we attended, we actually saw a few hit the concrete walls during time trials earlier in the evening. Outside of the race track, the kids have the opportunity to meet racers and take a seat in the driver’s seat of their famed cars. Special kid events, such as Free Hayrides and a Poster Contest on August 3rd, are held throughout the season as well. I was surprised at how overall kid friendly the racetrack can be and how most attendees were families with children. The parking lot fills quickly, so I recommend arriving sooner than later, and be careful not to position your car to get sandwiched in (as we were lucky enough to do). When we arrived at 7ish, the lines were manageable, but as the time got closer to 8 p.m., the lines extended about 35 people deep. The bleachers were filled, the energy was high, and the adventure left two little girls asking, “Would you let us do that?!” OVERVIEW Entertainment for all ages including demolition derby races and stock car racing including late models, super late models, powder puffs, spectator and compact racing, Figure 8, and one on one drags. Also special kid events hosted throughout the season. Location: Sycamore Speedway, 50W086 Old State Road, Maple Park, IL 60151 Phone: 815-895-5454 Website: www.sycamorespeedway.com Hours: Fridays and Saturdays; Gates Open 6 p.m.; Time Trials 7:15 p.m.; Races 8 p.m. Prices: Cash Only. Free Ages Under 6; $5 Ages 6-13; $12 Ages 14 & Up #GlancerMagazine #KristenKucharski #MomsLittleBlackBook #MBBOutdoorAdventures #August2013 #FeaturedBlogger #FeaturedBlog #KidsTeens #MBBSportsRecreation

December 2012 - TWINKLE TWINKLE LITTLE STAR I can vividly recall the looks on the playgroup moms faces when I told them I booked an outing for us to take our twenty toddlers and preschoolers to the local planetarium for a family showing of George & Oatmeal Save Santa. I have seen the look many times over the years when I suggest new adventures for our group. The look that needs no words but clearly says, “Have you lost your mind!” I was certain that a group of educators who are trained to work with children would not let me down. We proceeded to file into our theater seats, in the rounded dome at Waubonsie Valley High School, with our rambunctious and energetic children and waited for the show to begin. As soon as the lights went dark and the dome above us filled with stars, it was silent for the next 30 minutes as the kids watched Santa being saved! This is one of the 7 monthly Family Nights offered at the school’s planetarium. The events run from October through April and offer a different theme night each month. October was Early Manned Space flights, November was Planets, and December offers a holiday show for the seasons with George & Oatmeal Saving Santa. November brings Native American Sky Stories of images and stories created out of stars, while February shares the Curiosity of Mars. In March you can go Constellation Hopping and April hosts Summer Stargazing inside for the first hour and a telescope party afterwards outside. Enjoy an experience like no other using telescopes setup by the Naperville Astronomical Association (weather permitting). Every event is geared to a family atmosphere and is first-come, first serve. Although yes, these are educational and perhaps less active adventures than I typically write about – the glow of the bright stars in the dark planetarium engage your senses and the music and audio enhance the visual experience for everyone – even those little tikes that usually have trouble sitting still. At $2 per seat, even the largest family can enjoy the evening out. Each session typically lasts approximately one hour from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., except for the April event which begins at 7 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m. if you choose to attend the telescope party as well. Events are not just for families – everyone is welcome to attend any show. - Kristen Kucharski OVERVIEW The WVHS Planetarium 2590 Ogden Avenue Aurora, IL 60504 630-375-3247 planetarium.ipsd.org Hours: 7 p.m. Showtime Prices: $2 per seat, Small children on laps are free Description: Family nights are a monthly program at the high school planetarium with varying theme nights. You will never see the same program twice! #GlancerMagazine #KristenKucharski #MomsLittleBlackBook #MBBMiscellaneousFun #FeaturedBlogger #FeaturedBlog #December2012 #KidsTeens

March 2012 - BUILD AND GROW With home improvements on the forefront this month, our next adventure took us to the local home improvement stores for some free and fun activities. Area home improvements stores offer free clinics for kids to learn tool safety, teach children do-it- yourself skills, while building self-esteem and confidence. This is one activity that can be done locally or across the country at Grandma’s house, because it is available at both stores, nationwide. The Kids Workshop at Home Depot offers free clinics the first Saturday of every month and is open to children ages 5-12 years old, between the hours of 9 a.m. and Noon. All kids receive an apron, a certificate of completion, and commemorative pin. Each child will receive a Do It Yourself kit for the featured project of the week and will take their finished project home at the end of the workshop. Projects for the past few months have included, Making a Savings Shed, and building a Keepsake Box. For complete details about Kids Workshops, visit http://www.homeimproverclub.com/kidsworkshops.aspx. We recently participated in the Build and Grow Clinic at Lowe’s. Each child is also given an apron and certification, as well as goggles and a completion patch that can be sewn onto the apron similar to earning scouting patches. The wooden project kits are available for all children. They do not have an age limit but recommend their projects for children in 1st through 5th grades. Hammering the nails was slightly challenging for my 9 and 10 year daughters but with persistence, they completed the projects independently. They each made a Science Lab Kit and brought home three test tubes and index cards with a variety of easy science projects. It was great to have the activity keep going for weeks to come with new science projects each day and the personal pride of knowing they built the stand themselves. Lowe’s Build and Grow clinics are offered two Saturdays per month at 10 a.m. and complete details can be found at www.lowesbuildandgrow.com. Recent projects included Build-a-Saurus and Build-a-Castle. There is high demand for these workshops, so I would recommend registering early for the convenience of participating at your nearest home improvement store. Happy building! – Kristen Kucharski #GlancerMagazine #KristenKucharski #MomsLittleBlackBook #MBBMiscellaneousFun #FeaturedBlogger #FeaturedBlog #KidsTeens #March2012

June 2013 - FREEDOM OF FLIGHT A few months ago, I wrote about the sky being the limit when it comes to adventures with our kids. But with our most recent escapade, I discovered that if you are going to make the sky your limit, you might as well fly! And thanks to Naperville resident, Judy Teske, we got a hint of just where to go! Whooohooo! If you have the kind of kids that literally climb the walls, swing from the chandeliers, and are upside down more than they are right side up – Trapeze School was made for you! Open to kids as young as 6 years old, this is fantastic family fun and an incredible adrenaline rush! It is also open year round. So, in the doldrums of the winter months you can head to the indoor location on Broadway; yet in the beauty of the summer months, you can fly at the outdoor location near the lakefront! Our fearless leader Tessa ran up the ladder, proceeded to attempt double back flips, and was ready for just about anything that involved defying the natural boundaries of gravity. Marissa on the other hand was not so sure after climbing just 4 steps of the ladder. But, many thanks to a staff that is obviously use to not only working with children, but also working with those that may be afraid of heights, Marissa not only made it to the top but soared in the air and kept coming back for more, earning herself the Most Improved Award. The class slowly increases your difficulty from flying independently to catch and releases with a trainer on the opposite trapeze. That millisecond that you are flying freely in the air before the trainer confidently grabs your arms is AMAZING! There is also a staff photographer available to capture every facial expression and heart pounding moment of your graceful (or perhaps not so graceful) journey throughout trapeze school. The two hour morning class left us feeling on top of this world and with Groupon and Living Social Deals, this adventure can be affordable. In addition, if take a morning class and include a day in the city of visiting other free Chicago attractions like Millennium Park, Buckingham Fountain, Lincoln Park Zoo, and Oak Street Beach – this makes for a perfect summer weekend activity! - Kristen Kucharski OVERVIEW Indoor and Outdoor trapeze training for ages 6 to adult. Flying trapeze options include classes for all levels (first-timers and beginners welcome) as well as intensive multi-session workshops for more advanced flyers. Location: Outdoor - Belmont Harbor in Lincoln Park, N. Lake Shore Drive at W. Belmont Avenue in Chicago. Indoor – Broadway Armory Park, 5917 N. Broadway Street in Chicago Phone: 773-484-8861 Website: www.trapezeschool.com Hours: Class schedule varies – see website for details Prices: Prices vary based on class selection – see website for details #GlancerMagazine #KristenKucharski #MomsLittleBlackBook #MBBOutdoorAdventures #MBBSportsRecreation #MBBPerfectForTweensTeens #FeaturedBlogger #FeaturedBlog #KidsTeens

September 2013 - TIMELESS TRADITIONS I have only been to the drive-in theater two times in my life - once when I was on vacation as a child and once with my friends in high school. Then, I sort of forgot drive-ins even existed anymore; until recently when a neighbor posted an invitation on Facebook. Instantly the memories came flooding back. Although, I couldn’t go that night with my neighbor, I was destined to ensure the drive-in theater also became a childhood memory for my own girls. With my new found knowledge that Tuesday was bargain night, I planned accordingly so I could see a double feature for $14 for my carload - which could also include FIDO since pets are welcome too! The excitement ensued as we packed the minivan with chairs, blankets, snacks, and drinks. Yes folks – that is indeed one of my favorite parts – not having to buy a $10 bucket of popcorn and a $6 soda for each of the four members of my family; or having to bring my extra-large purse (if you know what I mean)! You can even come early and use one of their new Bar B Q grills in the picnic area to cook up some dinner to enjoy during the show. Actually, I would recommend coming early anyway in order to secure a great spot in the parking lot. SUVs and Vans are limited to rows 5 and back, but getting in row 5 is highly recommended for a better view. Row 5 is also near the bathrooms and concession stand for your added convenience! And don’t forget your cash because credit cards are not accepted! As you can see by the picture, the girls were thrilled with their theater seats on top of our van. Although not a problem for us that evening, I have been told they don’t allow people on top of their cars and you could possibly be ejected without refund – so choose your seats at your own risk! Option B - Joe and I sat comfortably in our chairs and cuddled with blankets under the stars. Joe was impressed with the picture quality (totally a guy thing to say) and the little speakers that hook on your car windows are still exactly the same. You can also listen through your in-car speakers via 88.5 FM. Since the drive-in is open nearly year-round, it’s a great adventure for any time of year! OVERVIEW The Cascade Drive-In offers parking for 1200+ cars, digital projection and an all new snack stand featuring Chicago style hot dogs, handmade tamales, as well as traditional items. Cascade Drive-In, 1100 E. North Avenue, West Chicago, IL 60185 Phone: 630-231-3151 Website: www.cascadedrivein.com Hours: Open 7 Nights a week April through December in June, July & August; Weekends in Spring & Fall. Box Office opens at 7 p.m. Prices: Cash only! Admission price for two features. Free Under 5; Adults - $9.00; Children (ages 5-11) - $5.00; Bargain Tuesdays $14 Per Carload Upon Request Only! Description: #GlancerMagazine #KristenKucharski #MomsLittleBlackBook #MBBOutdoorAdventures #MBBPerfectForTweensTeens #September2013 #KidsTeens #FeaturedBlog #FeaturedBlogger #MBBMiscellaneousFun

February 2013 - COUPLES WHO PLAY TOGETHER, STAY TOGETHER Oh – Game On my darling! You may have gathered by now that I live for adventure and new experiences and there is nothing better than telling me we are going to the fastest and largest indoor go-kart racing facility in the Midwest to get my adrenaline pumping! My husband and I have a bit of a competitive relationship and love the thrill of a challenge. The Melrose Park Indoor Grand Prix was just the place to get our game on as we raced around the track to see who could garner the fastest lap time. At a facility geared towards older teens and adults, this is no child’s play; the go-karts can reach speeds up to 40mph! When the safety video and brief training session made me more nervous than skydiving, I knew I had met my match of fun for the evening. After donning my full race suit and pink helmet and meeting my husband on the track, it was nothing but thrilling. I was not about to let him beat me. Our daughters came as spectators and laughed as I had to use four booster seats to reach the pedals and spun out at nearly every corner of the first race. But after a few tidbits from the manager, I was ready for the second race where my personal best lap time beat Joe’s by nearly .001 of a second! With the ever changing race track throughout the year, this place can never get old. Once you think you have mastered the track, they change the course to add continued variety. Worried about the smell of gas – no need – this place is environmentally conscious and clean - burning propane powered 9hp engines. Word to the wise, you are racing, so don’t wear your finest and best clothes and don’t forget your closed toed shoes. Sleeved shirts and long pants are also recommended. After your race is complete, you can have your professionally timed results posted to your Facebook page or emailed to you directly. Then take your bragging rights and enjoy a game of pool and arcades, as well as a cool beer in the Fast Karts Café. Overall, a perfect get-away for a unique date night, girls’ night out, or any group event! OVERVIEW The ultimate go-kart driving grand prix experience in the fastest and largest indoor facility in the Midwest. Geared to those 54” or taller and possess a valid state driver’s license, state ID, or passport. Age restrictions apply on certain days. Melrose Park Indoor Grand Prix, 2225 W. North Avenue, Melrose Park, IL Phone: 708-343-RACE Website: www.mpgrandprix.com Hours: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 4 p.m. to Midnight Friday; 11 a.m. to Midnight Saturday; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday Prices: Prices vary depending on day of week and number of races. Memberships available. #GlancerMagazine #KristenKucharski #MomsLittleBlackBook #MBBSportsRecreation #MBBPerfectForTweensTeens #February2013 #FeaturedBlogger #FeaturedBlog #KidsTeens

January 2012 - MESSY FUN Often I save my budget for something really unique and different and we found just that at Make a Messterpiece in Glenview. This is another activity that is cheaper if done with a small group of friends. At the time, we were able to purchase one unlimited access punch card and share the punches, one punch for each kid, giving them full access to do everything available which included the Drumroll, Creative Kitchen, Bubble’ology, Experimentation Station, Lil Sprouts, and the Splat-tacular Tables. This place offers every messy project your child always wants to do, but that you never want done in your own home. Would you ever fill drums with paint and let the kids bang away while paint flies across the room, onto the walls, and all over their clothes? At Make a Messterpiece, it’s a dream come true. Kids are clothed head to toe in rain coats and goggles, sent into a glass enclosed room and literally play the paint filled drums while parents remain clean and dry with camera in hand to document the chaos. You are able to leave the paint filled rain gear behind and move onto the next messy project while the staff cleans up. It’s fantastic! Creative Kitchen gave the kids the opportunity to cut up their own fruit and make smoothies using their own blenders. They also used the pieces of fruit to make a jello creation that was refrigerated and eaten as a snack later in the day. We brought our own lunches and enjoyed a full day of messy, creative, and uniquely fun activities from science projects to cooking inventions to flying paint; and when all was said and done, we left the mess for someone else to clean up. Brilliant! Make a Messterpiece is located in The Glen Town Center, 2050 Tower Drive, Glenview, IL. Phone is 847-730-5275. Website is www.makeamessterpiece.com. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 11 a.m to 5 p.m. Sunday. Fees vary based on activities selected. Check for additional hours on holidays or days off of school. Activities are best suited for ages 1-12, but great for anyone with an imagination. #GlancerMagazine #KristenKucharski #MomsLittleBlackBook #MBBPlaygroundsPlayscapes #KidsTeens #January2012 #FeaturedBlogger #FeaturedBlog

January 2013 - HOPPING AND HELPING It’s cold outside and the kids are bouncing off the walls – you need to get out of the house and warm up with a hot cup of coffee or tea, decompress with your girlfriends, and let the kids’ burn off some energy. You can do all this PLUS be a part of a World Relief Project at Grounds for Hope Café in Lisle. While the kids are hopping about, you are hanging with your girlfriends; you are also helping to support Feed My Starving Children and Living Water International with your donations and food purchases. A match made in heaven really as the three story playground and multiple play rooms are inside of Trinity Lutheran Church and open to the public for a requested donation of only $5 per visit. Although no outside food and drinks are allowed the menu items are abundant and reasonable for kids and parents alike to enjoy a simple snack, breakfast, lunch or dinner. Added bonuses are tables near and far from the play center, so if you want a break from active play, enjoy the fireplace and couches with board games and books or a quick check of emails with their free Wi-Fi access. What I love most about this place is there is plenty of space to spread out because there are multiple play rooms for various ages, a variety of toys and a completely separate playhouse and slide structure in another room. The main room features a three story activity center with slides, ramps, a swinging ball, and an interactive maze system geared to children up to age 10. A Little Tikes tree house is perfect for the younger climbers under 2. When the kids need a change of scenery, head to the back playrooms for an areas full of toys and building blocks, and an additional clubhouse and slide. There is even a bonus room specifically designed for infants and toddlers with age appropriate activities. I have found that we can literally spend hours at the café between the various play rooms while having a bite to eat as well – taking care of the morning energy burn and heading home after lunch for naptime! Grounds for Hope Café also hosts free movie nights, family fun nights, Soccer Shots, fitness classes, POPS (Parents of Preschoolers), and of course, Project Grounds – the mission to bring hope to people around the world. OVERVIEW Grounds for Hope Café, Trinity, 2701 Maple Avenue, Lisle, IL 60532 Phone: 630-390-1290 Website: www.groundsforhopecafe.org Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday Prices: Requested Donation $5 per visit Description: Three story playhouse, WonderHouse, infant and toddler playroom, toy room #GlancerMagazine #KristenKucharski #MomsLittleBlackBook #MBBPlaygroundsPlayscapes #MBBGivingBack #January2013 #FeaturedBlogger #FeaturedBlog #KidsTeens

April 2011 - ARCHERY & MORE There are not a lot of adventures that my husband gets excited about when we are heading to the various kid towns and bounce houses, but this next trip offered fun for the entire family. I have always wanted to do this adventure, but never knew where to go that wouldn’t cost me an arm and a leg. I finally found a place to hone my archery skills. The DuPage Forest Preserve offers quite an amazing array of activities for both adults and children. I was pleasantly surprised that I did not need to live in DuPage County to participate in their very inexpensive activities. We discovered the sport of Archery this past month and enjoyed learning how to hold a bow and properly shoot an arrow. This particulate program was open to both adults and children that were over seven years old. It cost us $5/person and offered two hours of training and recreational shooting. We quickly discovered that everyone in the room was quite talented at hitting the target after the rangers had led us in an extremely informative training session. The training was brief and to the point and was tailored to keep even the youngest child’s attention. After shooting a few practice rounds, the rangers made for a fun class as they pinned balloons onto the targets to let our talent really shine. My daughters, my husband and everyone in the classroom hit their balloon. Me, well, even the biggest balloon seemed difficult to hit, but I still enjoyed myself trying! This was a great indoor activity during the cold months of winter, but archery is also offered outdoors as the season changes. The DuPage Forest Preserve is expansive and is made up of education centers, forest preserves, and co-owned facilities. They offer activities such as fishing, golf, archery, cycling, boating, camping, hiking, horseback riding, model-craft areas, navigation, wayfinding, off leash dog areas, wildlife watching, and so much more. Check out the Dupage Forest Preserve’s Calendar of Events at www.dupageforest.com for an entire list of ongoing monthly activities. A lot of their events are free and the others charge a minimum fee. You can also call their offices at 630-933-7200 or visit 3S580 Naperville Road in Wheaton. – Kristen Kucharski #GlancerMagazine #KristenKucharski #MomsLittleBlackBook #MBBSportsRecreation #MBBPerfectForTweensTeens #KidsTeens #April2011 #FeaturedBlogger #FeaturedBlog

July 2013 - FAMILY DAYS AT THE TRACK My husband doubted me; my own mother asked how the kids could possibly have fun at Arlington International Race Track. I was even coined as “starting them young”. Well I will have you know that I am not “starting them young” but am always on the lookout to entertain at an affordable price. With Arlington International’s Family Days and Junior Jockey Clubs, I can entertain as simply as I choose or as extravagantly as I choose. Every Sunday through Labor Day, Arlington hosts family days inclusive of such things as free pony rides, a free petting zoo, free face painting, free magician, free caricaturist, free juggler, free bounce houses, plus hands on activities. In addition, the winning jockeys give out two pairs of signed goggles after every race for those kids that choose to eagerly cheer them on at the winners circle. With free parking, low admission prices, plus a free cooler check-in (not exceeding 12"X12"X7" and no alcohol), this is a great full day of affordable fun. There are picnic tables you can use for free or you can upgrade and have a reserved table in the shade or with an umbrella for $15-$18, but you know me, I went with free! People setup quite nicely, yet casually with table clothes, deli trays, blankets and homemade forts for the kids. And before each race, you can bring the entire family over to the Paddock area and watch the horses’ parade around the circle and the jockeys mount just before heading to the track. The kids loved the close proximity to the horses, picking out their favorites and cheering them around the track as they raced by at great speeds. If you prefer an even more intimate setting with the jockeys and horses, join the Triple Crown Junior Jockey Club at $35/child and gain access to special Jockey Meet n Greets or Backstretch Tours, plus free Sunday admission for one child, a club t-shirt, a club water bottle, a club bag, stickers, and more. With about twenty minutes between each race, even the adults had time to enjoy the traditional aspects of Arlington International, as well as sit for a caricature drawing with their son or daughter. This was indeed an entertaining day for all ages. - Kristen Kucharski OVERVIEW Family Days including pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting, magician, caricaturist, juggler, bounce house and hands on activities each Sunday, Memorial Day through Labor Day. Plus every Sunday, the winning jockeys will be giving out two pairs of signed goggles after every race! Arlington International, 2200 West Euclid Avenue, Arlington Heights, IL 60006 Phone: 847-385-7500 Website: www.ArlingtonPark.com/familyday Hours: Family Days Run Through September 2nd from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Prices: General Admission is $8/Adults, $2/Kids #GlancerMagazine #KristenKucharski #MomsLittleBlackBook #MBBOutdoorAdventures #MBBPerfectForTweensTeens #July2013 #FeaturedBlogger #FeaturedBlog #KidsTeens