Mad Science
Is your child the next great inventor? Have your kids seen “Meet the Robinsons” so many times they know every word? Then Mad Science is for them.
Mad Science offers hands-on classes, parties and workshops as well as in-class workshops, after school enrichment programs, summer camps and school assemblies. All programs give children a hand-on, minds-on science lesson. With Mad Science, the fun comes to you.
Parties are typically on weekends: Fridays at 5 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. For more information call 815-444-1144 or visit www.madforscience.org.
Skateboarding
Is your kid the next big thing in skateboarding? Find out at WARP Skate Park & Pro Shop (2055 South Eastwood Dr. in Woodstock; 815-334-9277; www.warpskatepark.com). With team training and party hosting, this place has it all for the cutting edge of fun.
Get Creative
Encourage, Create, Inspire! Looking for a place to encourage your child’s imagination, inspire their creativity and develop their artistic skills? Artistic Imaginations (67 East Woodstock St. in downtown Crystal Lake; 815-477-7716; www.artistic-imaginations.com) is just the place, with a wide variety of classes and activities for children six months and up. In a positive environment, your child can participate in art classes designed not only to maximize artistic and creative ability, but also to increase self confidence and love of the arts. Experience teachers, well known in their fields, teach sensory development, painting, drawing, pottery, jewelry, mosaics, photography and more.
Whether a pirate, a princess or an artist, Artistic Imaginations’ birthday parties are sure to delight your child. Each guest will leave with their own masterpiece.
Are you in need of a night out? Be sure to sign up for one of our upcoming Parent’s Night Out on February 2 and 16 and March 1.
Pump It Up
What do you do when you’ve played every board game in the house, watched about a million Disney films, raided the entire craft closet and still have kids who are ready to bounce off the walls? Take them to a place where they can literally BOUNCE off everything!
At Pump It Up (1095 Pingree Rd. in Crystal Lake; 847-854-3737; www.pumpitupparty.com), your kids are unleashed into an inflatable wonderland. Kids can jump and slide on structures more than 20 feet high and 40 feet long. They’re sure to burn off all that extra energy and get a good workout in the meantime. Open jump times are Monday 4:45 p.m. to 6:15 p.m., Tuesday 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and Thursday 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
You can also host your child’s next birthday party at Pump It Up. After watching a short safety video, kids enjoy the facility for 80 minutes and then get pizza and cake in a private party room. The guest of honor gets to sit in an inflatable throne.
Personalized Pottery
At Color Me Mine (40 North Williams St. in Crystal Lake; 815-444-6780; www.crystallake.colormemine.com), kids can pick their project and create their own piece of art. Classes and parties are available.
Just Play
The Regional Sports Center (1310 Ridgefield Rd. in Crystal Lake; 815-455-6634; www.regionalsportscenter.com) offers everything from basketball to volleyball. They also host birthday parties, leagues and parent break-time drop offs.
Reach New Heights
Even though you live in the Midwest, you can still climb mountains. Check out North Wall Rock Climbing Gym (824 South Main St. in Crystal Lake;815-356-6855; www.climbnorthwall.com). They have classes available as well as after school climbing clubs.
Open: Monday thru Friday 12 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Learn a Little
Illinois Railway Museum 7000 Olson Rd. in Union • 815-923-4391 • www.irm.org
The Chester Gould – Dick Tracy Museum 101 North Johnson St. in Woodstock • 815-338-8281 www.chestergould.org
Get Bowled Over with Fun
Brunswick Zone 2075 East Algonquin Rd. in Algonquin 847-658-9200 www.bowlbrunswick.com
Open Bowl: Wednesday 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Sundays all day (Fridays and Saturdays are cosmic bowling.)
Go for a Skate
Crystal Ice House
320 East Prairie St. in Crystal Lake
815-356-8500
www.crystalicehouse.com
Open Skate: Monday thru Friday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
X-Treme Wheels
691 Virginia Rd. in Crystal Lake
815-356-8705
www.skatextremewheels.com
Open Skate: Wednesday 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. or 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Just for Fun
914 Front St. in McHenry
815-363-4386
www.justforfunrollerrink.com
Open Skate: Tuesday and Friday 6:30 to 9 p.m., Saturday 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Have Fun Right At Home
Bring the Outdoors In
Herb and flower kits are available at most garden centers, and if you start seeds in late winter or early spring, they’ll be ready for summer planting!
Feed the Birds
Tie a ribbon to a large pinecone. Spread peanut butter on it, and roll it in birdseed. Hang the feeder from a tree or on the eaves outside your window and watch the birds enjoy their meal.
Soapy Snowman
Make faux snow-dough. Beat 2 cups mild, powdered laundry detergent and ½ cup water with an electric mixer until doughy. Shape the dough into snowmen and decorate with twig arms, clove eyes,buttons and a felt scarf. Use seed beads for a smiling mouth; paint a twig orange for a carrot nose. Give him an egg-cup hat or a set of pipe cleaner earmuffs. As the soap dries, over a few hours, it will lose its grayish tinge and turn bright white.
