Trying to get familiar with Aurora and other burbs since i moved in, but not sure wheat i out there for me to do with my son, who is 1yrs old.
Any suggestions? If so canyou tell me , where, how much, free?
I saw on a message board once( in another state) about gymboree, what is gymboree? AS you cansee I am a first time mom and clueless but learning as I go. Thanks for any info .
Dupage Children's Museum in Naperville is wonderful. I don't know how much the membership fee is there but everytime I've taken my daughter she loves it. In the past I've paid the daily fee. If I had more free time, I'd seriously consider a membership there. They have reciprocal relationships with other children's museums in the Chicago area.
Gymboree also is a place where you can take kids for classes. I think they are kind of expensive, though. You can google it, and find a location.
Blackberry Farms is through the Fox Valley Park District and is a lot of fun for little ones. You pay one admission price and ride the ponies, train,haywagon, and carousel for nothing extra. The site is: http://www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org/?q=node/2
Also, like others mentioned, Phillips Park Zoo and the Sunken Garden in Aurora are free and great. There is also a fun water park at Phillips Park. We also like the Morton Arboretum, which is in Lisle, but not too far away. They have a very fun Children's Garden/play area.
Blackberry Farm is a lot of fun and across the street is a water park, although both of them cost money. Philip's Park on the East side is a nice free zoo. Some areas have public pools so you can look into that and cost very little to get in. Just going for a walk or going to the park on these nice days can be fun. Put a sprinkler in the yard and let your baby run around. Or buy a little pool and go to the dollar store and buy little pails and things for him to play in the water with.
Also, Gymboree is a children's clothing store. Out by Fox Valley somewhere I think I saw a children's gym. I have no idea what they do there though. I think it's on New York Street. Also, off of 88 and Rt. 59 is that huge children's play zone thing. Never been there too but looks like it would be fun. Naperville has the DuPage Children's Museum off of Washington Street. That's a LOT of fun for a child of your son's age. And it's maybe $5.00 to get in.
Have fun!
I have heard good things about Blackberry Farm in Aurora. I think they have train rides, pony rides, farm animals, museum, and stuff like that. It does cost some money but I'm not sure how much.
Also, you could take him to story times at the library. And
there is a free little zoo in Wheaton, Cosley Zoo on Gary Ave.
The Dupage County Children's Museum in Naperville is the best place I have ever been. Seriously, and it's rather inexpensive. AND it's close to the riverwalk, which also lots of fun things to do (feed ducks, paddleboats, a pool, parks, etc)
Check out the activities section on mamasource-- and yes, there are gymborees around here-- the park district is another place to look.
One free thing I liked to do was go to the mall & let the little one run around on the indoor play area. We've gone to Cosley Zoo in Wheaton a lot. You may also check open gym (Eola community center?) for fun play times. Peck Farm in St Charles has a butterfly museum which is supposed to be great too!
