Push your D&D aside for a new magical game––Hasbro has finally released the Stranger Things Monopoly game that will have you racing around Hawkins and fending off demigorgons.
Forget collecting properties and railroads, in the new limited edition Monopoly: Stranger Things you’ll be running from the Starcourt Mall to Mike’s basement playing with silver tokens that resemble iconic images from the hit Netflix series, like an Eggo waffle and a D&D die.
photo: Hasbro
Instead of houses and hotels, players will collect forts and glow-in-the-dark hideouts––in case you feel like dimming the lights for a really spook-tacular game. Good fortune comes in the form of Upside Down cards, which can give players special powers, like Eleven’s and a special four-sided die sends you traveling through Hawkins’ underground tunnels.
The Monopoly Game: Stranger Things Collector’s Edition is currently available for purchase at Gamestop.com for $19.99. If you haven’t finished watching the third season of Stranger Things, that gives you some time to get caught up before game night.
We love Chicago not only for its deep-dish pizza, sports teams, charming neighborhoods and lake views but also for its world-class museums—namely, The Field Museum. Where else can your kids see gems and diamonds from around the world, human and animal mummies, animal dioramas, and SUE, the most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex fossil ever discovered? As a treat, Field Museum is treating IL residents to free basic admission the entire month of February! Read on to hear about the exhibits you’ll see and programs that inspire curiosity about our world, past and present.
EXHIBITS
1. Fantastic Bug Encounters!
Don’t get too creeped out, but all around us, bugs have built an amazing world that we rarely notice. They can camouflage themselves as flowers, communicate with flashing lights, and even perform “brain surgery” to turn their prey into zombies. Fantastic Bug Encountersgives visitors a peek into this hidden world now through Apr. 19, 2020. Discover how bugs’ incredible adaptations are changing the world through interactives, larger-than-life models and a bug zoo where visitors will see (and even hold) live bugs from all over the planet. More details.
2.3D Movies
The Museum offers three ticketed movies (for an extra fee): Waking the T.rex 3D: The Story of SUE; Egypt 3D:Secrets of the Mummies; and Titanosaur 3D: The Secrets of Máximo. Kids love these movies for the jump-out-of-your-seat visual effects and parents love them for the educational content (and the opportunity they provide to rest their legs). More details.
photo: Maximo via Maria Chambers
3. Oldies But Goodies: Sue and Máximo
SUE, the famous T-Rex that formerly could be seen in the Field Museum’s Stanley Field Hall, now resides in Griffin Halls of Evolving Planet in her own exclusive home. New updates to the 90-percent-complete dinosaur include knowing where Sue’s gastralia fit in, which resembles a second set of ribs which likely helped the T-Rex breathe. In SUE’s former place, stands Máximo, the museum’s newest tenant. Spanish for “maximum” or “most,” the name is a nod to the Titanosaur’s enormous size and Argentinian homeland. At 122 feet from head to tail, he’s longer than two accordion CTA buses end-to-end and his head peeks over the museum’s 2nd-floor balcony (perfect for Máximo selfies). More details on Sue and More details on Máximo.
photo: Underground Adventure
4.Underground Adventure
Kids travel underground and shrink to 1/100th of their size to get a bugs-eye view of the world below in this mind-boggling exhibit. This adventure teaches kids how important soil and its underground bugs are to creating a healthy environment. More details.
5.The Crown Family PlayLab
The Crown Family PlayLab was created with the knowledge that kids are natural scientists, always observing and testing the world around them. The PlayLab encourages kids to go wherever their innate curiosity takes them to discover the wonders of nature and learn about diverse cultures using creative play. They can dress up as an animal and star in their own nature play, explore a pueblo home to see how families lived in a different time and place, examine insects, play an African drum or dance to a Latin beat. The opportunities for self-expression are endless. More details.
PROGRAMS
The Field Museum offers an almost infinite amount of programs for educators, adults and families. Here are a few designed with little ones in mind.
photo: Dozin’ with the Dinos
6.Dozin’ with the Dinos
This is one of the best, well-thought-out museum programs because it allows for kids and caregivers to sleepover at the museum and experience exhibits as an insider. Imagine walking around in your pajamas and snapping photographs, with a background of dinosaurs, and then waking up before the museum opens to the public. This is an unforgettable experience for kids ages 6-12.More details.
7. Poetry Pop-Up
Most kids have never even seen a real typewriter, but poet-in-residence Eric Elshtain is about to change that. He’ll pick a different spot to set up shop with his desk and typewriter, inviting poets young and old to create alongside him. More details.
8. Sensory Saturdays
The Field Museum understands that some kiddos may have specific sensory processing needs in order to have a great museum experience. For that very reason, they open the doors to the Crown Family PlayLap one hour early, 9 a.m.-10 a.m. on certain Saturdays, so families can enjoy a crowd-free space. There are tactile opportunities and sensory tools to help ensure an enjoyable experience for all. More details.
9.Discovery Squad
Daily, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., kids can get a sneak peek of the museum’s vast collection that is not on display. They’ll have the opportunity to ask questions, hold objects (animal teeth, bird specimens, fossils and more) and get an inside look at what makes the museum so special. More details.
10.Public Tours
Now, this is a real treat — kids can view the exhibits with an in-the-know tour guide and ask questions about whatever pops in their heads. The schedule changes monthly, so refer to their online schedule or stop by the information desk on the Main Level for a full list of tours. More details.
photo: Meet a Scientist
11.Meet a Scientist
Another great free program, included with basic admission, is the Meet a Scientist opportunity on Fridays from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Kids can hold and see real artifacts from the museum collection and learn from real scientists about their research. This is just another example of how great this museum is and how they stay true to their ethos of inspiring curiosity and learning.More details.
12.Dino Camp
Preschoolers (ages 3-4), with a caregiver, can experience two mornings this summer digging for dinosaur bones, playing educational games and completing art projects in the Crown Family PlayLab. The camp runs from 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and basic admission to the museum is included for the rest of the day in the camp fee. This camp is a wonderful opportunity for preschoolers to learn and become engaged in natural sciences and history. More details.
13. Birthday Parties
Does your kid’s curiosity sometimes surprise even you? Is he more interested in exoskeletons than X-box? If you’re searching for the perfect venue to celebrate your little explorer’s birthday where she can step into a bug’s shoes, party with dinosaurs and have a science-themed scavenger hunt, look no further. More details.
14.Free Admission Days
The Field Museum makes a visit possible for every family through Free Admission Days and Museums for All programming, which makes general admission free or discounted for Illinois residents. As part of the Museums for All initiative, they also offer $3/person admission every day for up to six people to all families who qualify for state food assistance. More details.
The Field Museum 1400 S. Lake Shore Dr., Museum Campus Online: fieldmuseum.org
Rumors have swirled for years about what goes on behind the scenes of Disney Parks attractions. From underground tunnels to hidden Mickeys and even a basketball court inside the Matterhorn, there are plenty of secrets within the theme parks.
Thanks to a new Disney+ documentary series, The Imagineering Story, fans are finally getting an incredible look behind the design and creation of Disney’s theme parks. The six-part series follows the history of WED Enterprises, known today as Walt Disney Imagineering, the company of designers and engineers established by Walt himself to build Disneyland.
The series gives viewers a glimpse into how each attraction and theme park was conceived and built, revealing some secrets and confirming some rumors. For decades fans have heard about a basketball court that exists inside the Matterhorn ride at Disneyland and The Imagineering Story finally gives us a look at it.
Former Imagineer, Bob Gurr, who helped create the ride, leads viewers on a tour inside the attraction and stops to show off the basketball hoop along with a wall full of signatures. The names represent all the Matterhorn ride operators who have worked on the famous mountain range.
The series also reveals some behind the scenes secrets of other Disney attractions. You’ll discover how those ghostly guests appear in the dining hall of the Haunted Mansion and learn all about the face and voice of the infamous Madame Leota.
We don’t want to spoil all the fun secrets, but you can stream the series now on Disney+.
If your kids could dream up their ideal backyard, what would it look like? An amusement park? A game zone? A water park? Angie’s List decided to help kids discover exactly what their dream backyards would look like by transforming their drawings into digital renderings.
Partnered with NeoMam Studios Angie’s List put a call out to kids across the globe, asking them a series of questions about their dream backyards. The kids ages four to ten years old were asked to draw their dream backyard including a treehouse, but no other directions were given. The imaginative illustrations were then turned into CGI renderings of how their ideas would play out in real world designs. Here’s a look at some of the imaginative creations the kids came up with.
Viola, Age 10, Ukraine
"The treehouse is as big as a house, this is an ancient oak. Leaves can turn into butterflies when I'm in the treehouse or when I dream about something. There is always comfortable and safe. There is a magic closet, when you go inside of it you can there make a wish or you can move to any place."
Viola, rendering
Dante, Age 4, Argentina
"There are lots of coloured balls to play soccer, basketball, tag and many other games. A family of friendly raccoons live in caves underground, and they are the guardians of the coloured balls."
Dante, rendering
Natalia, Age 6, United States
"My dream treehouse is very very high off the ground. There is a deck with a dog bed. It has a special unicorn horn on top that lights up. The roof has Christmas tree lights on it. The front window has pink curtains, and a door with a heart. There is a bridge from a tree and you can also climb up the ladder. There is a beautiful rainbow."
Natalia, rendering
Rafael, Age 5, Philipines
"There’s no treehouse but I want a playhouse instead. I want the playhouse to be as big as my grandmother’s house. The roof is violet and has a dormer window in the middle. The walls of the playhouse are white. The door is red and has a green doorknob."
Rafael, rendering
Harry, Age 10, England
"There is a pond full of wildlife in the backyard like frogs and newts. The pond leads into a river which circles the backyard and has several bridges over it for cars."
Harry, rendering
Ilias, Age 8, Greece
"A very big backyard with a swimming pool, a climbing wall and safety belt, two swings, a sunbed, a bicycle, a hammock and a small yet nice flower garden at one side."
History may not be your kids’ favorite subject, but a fun way to help pique their interest is to introduce them to historic sights they can relate to. Lucky for us, Seattle offers a treasure trove of historic things see, do and experience. Scroll down for 10 historical Seattle sites to explore with your kids now.
Pier 57
Pexels
Why It's Historic: Pier 57 doesn’t have any exciting pirate stories to tell, but it is very much a part of Seattle history. Originally known as Pier 6, Pier 57 has gone through a number of owners and names including the John B. Agen Company who owned the pier when it was first built in 1902. By 1909, it was owned by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad and became known as Milwaukee Pier. It was later known as the McCormick Terminal in the mid-1930s when it became the terminal for the McCormick Steamship Line, the Munson McCormick Line and Osaka Shosen Kaisha. In later years, it was used for fish processing and recreational fishing. In 1989, the City of Seattle actually traded Pier 57 for Piers 62 and 63. And today, it's owned by the Griffith family and is better known as Miner’s Landing.
Why It’s Worth Seeing: It’s fun! Today, the pier is home to a variety of fantastic family eateries, shops and popular attractions, including the impressive Seattle Great Wheel, the “flying theater” known as Wings Over Washington, a classic carousel, arcade and more. The Seattle Great Wheel offers one heck of an ah-mazing view of Seattle’s skyscrapers, Puget Sound, Cascade Mountains and Mount Rainier as well as the city’s neighboring islands. The entire trip will take you approximately 20 minutes and will include three full rotations (or sometimes four-depending on where you boarded in the cycle) 17 stories above the ground. Once your feet are safely back on Pier 57, head next door to Wings Over Washington to take a ride on Seattle’s only state-of-the-art flying theater where you can get a bird’s-eye view of Washington’s most scenic attractions.
Pier 57–Miner’s Landing 1301 Alaskan Way Seattle, WA 98101 206-623-8600 minerslanding.com
The Seattle Center & Space Needle
Kristina Moy
Why It’s Historic: The 74 acres known today as the Seattle Center was originally built for the Seattle World’s Fair which was held in 1962. Many of the buildings used for the space-age event known as Century 21 are still standing today, including what is now known as the Pacific Science Center, Key Arena, the International Fountain, the Monorail and the city’s greatest landmark, the Space Needle.
Why It’s Worth Seeing: The views from the Space Needle have always been spectacular, but they got even better with the Needle’s major overhaul which was completed in 2018. Standing 605 feet tall, the top of the Needle is now referred to as Atmos and includes three levels: the 500-foot observation level (with the world’s first revolving glass floor), the 510-foot Ring Level (with less spectacular but still important new restrooms) and the 520-foot observation level (with both indoor and outdoor open-air viewing). Connecting all three is a new grand staircase. The Oculus Stairs are two half-moon shaped staircases built from steel, wood and glass. At the base of the stairs sits the Oculus, a 19 foot by 11 foot glass floor that gives a unique view of the elevators and counterweights.
Space Needle 400 Broad St. Seattle, WA 98109 206-905-2100 Online: spaceneedle.com
Seattle Center 305 Harrison St. Seattle, WA 98109 206-684-7200 Online: seattlecenter.com
Why It’s Historic: Pioneer Square is often called Seattle’s original neighborhood as the founders of city first settled here in 1852. Almost all of the early wooden buildings there burned to the ground during the Great Seattle Fire of 1889. The new stone and brick buildings that replaced them (and built on top of them) have given the neighborhood its distinctive Richardsonian Romanesque look and cobblestone streets. The famous cast iron and glass pergola, found at 1st Avenue and Yesler Way, was built in 1909.
Why It’s Worth Seeing: It only makes sense that the most historic place in the city features a variety of places to learn about history. The Last Resort Fire Department is a museum for firefighter wannabes dedicated to local firefighting heroes and includes a collection of one-of-a-kind antique fire trucks. Bill Spediel’s Underground Tour will take you down to the city that was before the fire to view some of the old buildings with original store fronts. Kids can also pan for gold at the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park (it's the only national park located in a building) as well as learn about the gold seekers headed for the Klondike. There is so much to see and do here that you might want to plan a family staycation and stay at the neighborhood's Embassy Suites by Hilton.
Why It’s Historic: Joseph Edward Standley first set up his bizarre mix of curiosities and souvenirs on the Seattle waterfront in 1899. Since then, not much has changed except for the store’s location and its contents. This free museum/gift shop is still run by the Standley family.
Why It’s Worth Seeing: Whether it’s Sylvester and Sylvia the mummies or Black Bart the one-armed bandit, the Ye Olde Curiosity Shop lives up to its name. It’s not for everybody, but older kids will especially get a kick out of seeing the amazing flea circus, Chief Seattle’s hat, Mexican jumping beans and some truly wacky oddities. With that said, younger ones (and their parents for that matter) may be not be so keen upon viewing some of the mummies and shrunken heads.
Ye Olde Curiosity Shop 1001 Alaskan Way Seattle, WA 98104 206-682-5844 Online: yeoldecuriosityshop.com
Why It’s Historic: Located in Pioneer Square, the Smith Tower is named after Lyman Cornelius Smith, the founder of the Smith-Corona Typewriter Company, and is one of the oldest skyscrapers in the city. The 38-story building was built in 1914 and if you have older relatives living here, they will tell you that it was the tallest building west of the Mississippi River. That distinction was short-lived though after the completion of the Kansas City Power and Light building in 1931. However, the Smith Tower was the tallest on the West Coast until 1962 when the Space Needle was built.
Why It’s Worth Seeing: Obviously, the view from the observation deck is amazing, but there is more to see inside including the self-guided, interactive tour called The Legends of Smith Tower. Visitors can immerse themselves into the roaring 1920s and beyond and peek into a time when Seattleites were coming to terms with the early prohibition and technology that would soon transform the city. During the 40-minute tour, you can explore the radio operations that took place in the Smith Tower and learn how they played into the bootlegging operation of Roy Olmstead; learn why the Smith Tower became a popular place for attorneys to set up shop; see how the Smith Tower in-house switchboard connected folks to the outside world; and learn how the original Chinese Room came to be on the 35th floor.
Smith Tower 506 Second Ave. Seattle, WA 98104 206-624-0414 Online: smithtower.com
Why It’s Historic: This museum was first thought of during the 1950s when a group of townspeople would gather for lunch and share stories about the area’s history. That small group then became the White River Valley Historical Society which created a small museum in the town of Thomas. In the 1960s, the museum was moved to Auburn. As the museum grew in popularity and size, its group of aging founders shrank. Eventually, the society asked the city of Auburn to help keep the museum alive and the city responded with a resounding yes!
While It’s Worth Seeing: Today, the White River Valley Museum features a variety of life-like displays that highlight what life was like in the greater Auburn area many years ago. Families are invited to explore the streets of Auburn as they were in the 1920s. Here, you can peek inside the Auburn Depot, hop on aboard a 1924 caboose, wander through a settler’s cabin, try on a hat at Ms. Hall’s Hat Shop, check in at the Tourist Hotel, explore a Japanese American farmhouse and more. The museum is full of artifacts and replicas and “do not touch” signs are a rarity. In fact, kids are encouraged to use all of their senses while exploring.
White River Valley Museum 918 H St. S.E. Auburn, WA 98002 253-288-7433 Online: wrvmuseum.org
Why It’s Historic: The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, aka the Ballard Locks, is located on Salmon Bay in Lake Washington’s Ship Canal near Ballard. The locks were first opened on Independence Day in 1917. Today, more boats pass through it than any other lock in the U.S. It’s a bit difficult to describe how it works and its purpose, but we’ll do our best. Basically, the point of the locks is to keep the fresh water from Lake Washington and Lake Union from getting into the salt water of Puget Sound while allowing boats to pass between the two waterways. Boats move from the water level of the lake to the water level of the Sound (and vice versa) through a series of “elevators” that raise and lower the boats as needed.
Why It’s Worth Seeing: Almost everything to do and see here is free! Kids (and adults) who are fascinated by boats of all shapes and sizes will get a kick getting up close and personal with them. Boats pass through here 24 hours a day. In addition to the locks, there are two floors of interactive displays to explore in the Visitor Center/Museum as well as the Historic Administration Building, a fish ladder that aids in the migration of salmon and the amazing Carl S. English Jr. Botanical Gardens. The locks even present a summer music series that is hard to pass up .
Hiram M. Chittenden Locks 3015 N.W. 54th St. Ballard, WA 98107 206-783-7059 Online: ballardlocks.org
Why It’s Historic: The story goes something like this: In 1889, Jonathan Edward Back, a cabinetmaker, accidentally started a fire by igniting and overturning a glue pot. Soon, 31 blocks of the new wooden Seattle buildings were in flames. Seattle rebuilt its streets and buildings literally on top of the old ones which resulted in the city being built anywhere from 12 feet to 30 feet taller than the original. A number of businesses still had their original ground floor, but with the new design, they became basements. In 1907, the area now known as the “Underground” was condemned. In 1965, a small part of the underground city was restored by Bill Speidel who created the Underground Tour for folks curious to see what was underneath the current streets of Seattle.
Why It’s Worth Seeing: While not a long distance (about three blocks), Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour offers views of the city’s original building’s front doors, storefronts and ladders that were once used to transport people from the underground to the new city streets. The 75-minute tour tells history with a touch of humor. They call it "history with punch lines.” The tour begins at Doc Maynard’s Public House and ends at the Rogues Gallery and the Underground Gift Shop which also includes a few more displays.
Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour 608 1st Ave. Seattle, WA 98104 206-682-4646 Online: undergroundtour.com
Why It’s Historic: Created with a cost of $25,000, the West Point Lighthouse began operation on November 15, 1881 as the first manned light station on Puget Sound, but was the last to become automated in 1985. Unfortunately, the lighthouse was placed right by where Seattle would dump its raw sewage for its first 80 years. Located at Discovery Park, the lighthouse light was illuminated with the aid of a kerosene lamp for 44 years and later operated with Seattle’s electricity in 1926.
Why It’s Worth Seeing: In terms of ice cream sundaes, the lighthouse is the cherry on top of Discovery Park which is known for its paved paths, wide open meadows for picnicking and playing and amazing vistas of the Olympics from the bluffs of Magnolia. It’s looking great for its age thanks to a $600,000 restoration project, undertaken in 2009 and finished in 2011. The walk down to the beach is beautiful, but super steep and not stroller friendly (lots of stairs). If you have very small children unable to make the hike or a disabled parking pass, you can nab one of the few parking spots right down by the beach.
West Point Lighthouse in Discovery Park 3801 Discovery Park Blvd. Seattle, WA 98199 206-386-4236 Online: lighthousefriends.com
Why It’s Historic: Before the creation of the Pike Place Market, local farmers had to sell their wares within a small section of Sixth Avenue and King Street known as The Lots. However, many of the farmers had to sell their produce by consignment to commercial wholesale houses on Western Avenue leaving them with little profit. In 1896, a new Seattle ordinance allowed the city to designate various places as public markets, including what we now know today as Pike Place Market which opened its doors for the first time on August 17, 1907. Today, it’s one of the oldest and continuously operated public farmers markets in the country.
Why It’s Worth Seeing: There is so much to see and do at Pike Place Market besides picking up veggies for dinner. Where else can you experience a free "flying fish show” where fishmongers throw salmon back and forth across the seafood counters? You’ll also find a variety of buskers (musicians, magicians, clowns, singers, jugglers), a Giant Show Museum, the county’s oldest comic book store and the sticky but spectacular Gum Wall. Be sure to check out the Market Magic & Novelty Shop and look for Elvis the Fortune Teller. Need a snack? Stop by the historic Three Girls Bakery who have been baking up treats since 1912 or enjoy a sweet treat with a dose of old-school nostalgia at Shug's Soda Fountain & Ice Cream.
Pike Place Market 1st Ave & Pike St. Seattle, WA 98101 206-602-6420 Online: pikeplacemarket.org
Louisville kids know how to spot a winning horse and a proper baseball bat, and we guarantee they know how to say Muhammad Ali before they turn three. They’re as comfortable chilling on the Waterfront as they are at the Kentucky Science Center and they’ve sped through the Speed Art Museum since they were tots. There’s so much to love about raising a kid in Derby City, we’ve gathered up a slew of our favorite family activities below, plus find all the seasonal events on our Louisville calendar.
Louisville River Cruises
Learn all the history of this area when you take a harbor history tour aboard the Mary M. Miller. This one-hour narrated cruise is a unique way to learn more about river and steamboat history, and connections to local history, as well. It’s all open seating, with both inside and outside decks and a concession stand for snacks.
Louisville Mega Cavern
While visiting Louisville, Kentucky, you won’t want to miss MEGA ZIPS, the world’s only underground zipline adventure tour! Featuring six ziplines nearly 100 feet off the cavern floor and two challenge bridges, MEGA ZIPS is 2.5 hours of adrenaline-fueled adventure! Though fun for the whole family, the kids will especially love MEGA QUEST, the only underground ropes challenge course in the world. MEGA QUEST features two levels and 76 challenge elements including mini-ziplines and rope walls.
The Parklands of Floyds Fork
The Parklands is a systemic, world-class addition to Louisville’s parks system that includes four major parks linked by a park drive, a first-rate urban trail system and a remarkable water trail, all tracing Floyds Fork, a classic Kentucky stream. This public/private project is unique in the region and unlike anything currently in development across the country—truly a city-shaping model.
Cherokee Park
Less hilly and grassier than its local cousins, Cherokee Park is mostly open meadows and woods. It’s a great spot to let the kids run around.
Louisville Zoo
Founded in 1969, the Louisville Zoo is a 134-acre zoo in Louisville, Kentucky, situated in the city’s Poplar Level neighborhood. The “State Zoo of Kentucky” currently exhibits over 1,700 animals in naturalistic and mixed animal settings representing both geographical areas and biomes or habitats. Kids will love checking out the new snow leopard pass and colobus crossing.
Kentucky Kingdom
Kentucky Kingdom and Hurricane Bay offers more than 70 thrilling rides, coasters and water attractions for a day of family fun. In 2014, Hurricane Bay Water Park doubled in size, adding eight new attractions and the world’s tallest body slide.
Iroquois Park
The more rugged of the Louisville parks, Iroquois Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, has plenty of forested hillsides and scenic vistas for those willing to walk the extra mile. The road to the top of the park may be used by pedestrians and cyclists daily throughout the year. It is only opened to motorists from April-November on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Kentucky Science Center
Explore three floors of exhibit experiences offering interactive science fun for the whole family! Plus, enjoy amazing movies in the new four-story digital theater. Kids will love a visit to the Makerplace where they can use their STEAM skills to build all sorts of cool creations.
Seneca Park
Take a walk around the perimeter of this park to tire the kids out or head to the playground before you nab one of the picnic tables for your lunch spread.
Derby Dinner Playhouse
Derby Dinner Playhouse is one of the oldest and largest continually-operating professional dinner theatres in the country. Family-friendly musicals are on the bill throughout the year.
The Best Upcoming Events for Kids in Louisville
If you’re looking for events and activities, don’t miss our local Louisville events calendar, which has everything from story times to seasonal activities like apple picking, pumpkin patches and Christmas tree farms.
I had been warned. I knew the deal. It’s the Grand Canyon, after all! That means lots of heights. Some peeps warned me that there were many places at the Grand Canyon which didn’t even have railings. What?! That’s crazy talk, I said. One could just fall off if not paying attention. And we were going to take a five-year-old to such a place?! Yet, despite all of the warnings from peeps we knew and loved, we still planned our trip to the Grand Canyon.
Spoiler: the peeps were right! Look, I’m not a huge fan of heights. In fact, the last true roller coaster I rode was in 1994 because I hyperventilated on it and was taken to the park’s underground emergency room to recover for a couple of hours. I didn’t even know that amusement parks had underground emergency rooms. But trust me, they do. And they aren’t amusing.
We finally cleared all the traffic and parked the car at the top of the hill, with my family eager to get a glimpse of the glorious Grand Canyon. Me? I was less than stoked. While my kid reached octave ranges I didn’t know was possible, my hands were starting to sweat. The nerves were setting in. What if all those peeps were right? Well, I already spoiled the fact that they were. What if I freak out? I’ll go ahead and spoil that one, too: Yep, I freaked.
You can’t really see the glory from where you park. The incline is enough to save that horrific moment for when you can no longer turn the car around. They know what they’re doing. So we got out and walked ever closer to the sprawl of canyons. Ever closer to my panic attack. And then…there it was. The largest nature thing I’ve ever seen. It was beautiful. As far as the eye could see, it was like nature upchucked rainbows and unicorns.
My daughter freaked. She took off towards what I could only see as inevitable doom. Just like my peeps had said, there were no railings. There was no way for me to control this situation. There was only nature’s throw up.
My wife attempted to calm me down, reminding me that she was all over it. And it’s not that I didn’t trust her. It’s just…cliffs! And doom! And vertigo-inducing heights! And she’s 5! She can’t even read! Not that there were any “could cause instant death” signs to be read, mind you.
The first place I wanted to go was a building that I saw. An enclosed—fully enclosed—building where you could read a little about the Grand Canyon while gazing out at its wonders. But most importantly…enclosed. We took a quick tour through the building, but it was clear I couldn’t win this battle. My daughter wanted to see the glory without glass in front of her. She wanted the full experience. Five-year-olds, am I right?
Eventually, we braved out close to the edges of insanity. I dubbed them that as I mustered up enough courage to approach them. I had no choice, of course, because my family was going with or without me. And I had to protect them from those cliffs! We even took some pictures, and as you can see, I’m darn close to that edge. I get weak-kneed just looking at that pic.
I yelled at my daughter to further herself from the edge numerous times as the day progressed. Am I proud of that? No. But this was survival mode. Instincts at full throttle.
Later, we decided to take a nice climb along the rim of the Grand Canyon. This was okay with me because the cliffs were a little further from us. But then the unthinkable happened. It started to snow. And we’re talking like, huge snowflakes at a wind-ridden whip. This, of course, turned the nice incline climb into a new level of terror. But, it also gave me an out. This was what I needed! Our five year old wasn’t dressed for snow. We had to get her out of there. Think of her health!
And thus began our descent, both towards the car and my own sanity. It took us quite a while, as the bus station lines were now longer than amusement parks at the holidays, but we made it back to wonderful solid ground, which wrapped around us on all sides like a warm blanky.
Despite my temporary insanity, my family managed to have an incredible time at the Grand Canyon. My daughter absolutely adored the trip. And I’ll be the first to admit that the views are nothing short of awe-inspiring. If you’ve never been, you should go. Just be prepared if you have a fear of heights.
The Grand Canyon. Yep, for this Dad, once is enough.
I am a writer, producer, and unironical supporter of Taco Bell. But most importantly, I'm my kid's dad—and I take that job extremely seriously. Employers might argue that I take it far more seriously than my actual jobs.
Is cabin fever kickin in at your household? Adventure is only a few blocks to a couple miles away. For a day packed with family fun, check out Portland’s Pearl District. Wander through a city of books, dine on some of the city’s best food, or catch a show. The opportunities for entertainment are endless for local families! Read on to find places to shop, eat, and things to do in The Pearl District.
The Pearl District can be reached within minutes from downtown Portland and can be reached by public transit or by car. The Portland Street Car runs through the Pearl district to make it easier to get from one attraction to another. Get to this area of downtown Portland from many of the Portland-area suburbs in under 30 minutes.
Find interesting boutique stores to popular brands throughout the streets of The Pearl district. Get lost in the stacks of Powell’s City of Books. Find the best in furniture options from City Home, West Elm, or Room and Board. Shop clothing boutiques such as Altitude or shop from popular styles of Anthropologie.
Pick up some new digs or go toy shopping for the kids at Posh Baby , Green Frog Toys, or grab something nice for you and your little fashionista at Splendid.
Discover more shopping options on the Explore the Pearl website.
Pro Tip: Visiting on a Sunday? Grab a 45 minute guided tour of the world’s largest independent bookstore, Powell’s City of Books.
There are no shortage of amazing food and beverage options in The Pearl District to satiate most any craving. Take our below suggestions, or visit the Explore the Pearl website to explore all of the available options.
Breakfast: Lovejoy Bakers
The full selection of breads, pastries, and cafe sandwiches there is plenty to choose from for a light or more hearty breakfast. Try a snack of Avocado Toast or enjoy starting your day with a Lovejoy Deluxe with a fried egg, Oregon bleu cheese, bacon, frisbee and tarragon on ciabatta roll!
939 NW 10th Ave. Portland, OR 503-208-3113 Hours: Daily from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Online: lovejoybakers.com
Lunch: Hot Lips Pizza
Sometimes you just want a good slice of pizza. Portland is filled with great pizza options that would be a whole different post on its own, but Hot Lips Pizza has been a consistent Portland staple for good reason. Grab a slice of whatever their current special pie and don’t forget to grab a bottle of Hot Lips real fruit soda.
725 Northwest 10th Ave. Portland, OR 503-595-2342 Hours: Sun-Thurs: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fri-Sat: 11 a.m. to 11 a.m. Online: hotlipspizza.com
Dinner: Andina Restaurant
For a flavorful Peruvian meal that is as bright and varied as the dishes that they serve, Andina has been serving Portland diners since 2003. Explore several different dishes with tapas dishes or dine on a filling entree topped off by a traditional Peruvian dessert. Try the Lomo Saltado with Cascade natural beef tenders wok-fried with onions, tomatoes, soy sauce, garlic and ahi amarillo served with Yukon Gold papas fritas and garlic rice and finish with Alfajores, the classic Peruvian cookie! If you enjoy a spicy and sweet cocktail then don’t miss the Sacsayhuaman cocktail with purred passionfruit and cane sugar to balance the spicy habanero pepper liquor.
1314 NW Glisan Portland, OR 503-228-9535 Hours: Lunch: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Dinner: Sun-Thurs, 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Fri-Sat, 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Online: andinarestaurant.com
Grab a Brew: The Brewery Blocks
No need to choose one delicious craft brewed beer. The Pearl District contains the Brewery Blocks with favorites such as 10 Barrel Brewing, Deschutes Brewery, and more.
There is no lack of things to do in the Pearl District. Find shopping, art, entertainment, and more that would make for a great afternoon with the family or a romantic date night.
Jamison Square Tidal Pool: During the summer months you’ll find children and families splashing around. The famous fountain is modeled after a shallow tidal pool where water cascades from stone into low pools. During the cooler months you’ll find visitors enjoying picnic meals at the park. Finish off a fun-filled visit to Jamison Square across the street at Cool Moon ice cream for handmade ice ice creams in a variety of unique (and some classic) flavors.
Jamison Square NW 11th Ave. and Johnson St. Portland, OR
Cool Moon Ice Cream 1105 NW Johnson St. Portland, OR 503.224.2021 Online: coolmoonicecream.com
First Thursday Artwalk: For over 20 years The Pearl has hosted First Thursday Artwalk. The Artwalk is a district-wide celebration that occurs on the first Thursday of each month throughout the year. Art galleries, businesses, and restaurants in The Pearl participate each month. Many art galleries host free receptions from 6 PM to 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. When the weather is good the party finds its way outdoors as well with artists selling their creations and musicians. Download a First Thursday Artwalk map on the Explore the Pearl website.
Portland Center Stage at The Armory: The largest theater company in Portland is located in The Pearl! Find everything from dramatic plays to thrilling musicals. Find season shows on the Portland Center Stage website.
Portland Center Stage at the Amory 128 NW 11th Ave Portland, OR 503-445-3700 Online: pcs.org
PlayDate PDX Catch up on some much-needed grown-up time as your kids jump in the foam pit. There’s Stumptown Coffee (or wine) for you, Wi-Fi, and plenty to keep the kids busy (climbing a castle, shooting foam balls) long enough to catch up with a friend or some work. It can get crowded, especially on weekends, so head there first thing in the morning for more peaceful play.
1434 NW 17th Ave. Portland, Or 503-227-7529 Online: playdatepdx.com
Anything goes in The Pearl district due to its span of high end restaurants and shops to more comfortable venues. Usually a night in the Pearl will include some walking from Happy Hour to dinner to drinks. Comfortable walking shoes and layers are good ideas for making your visit more comfortable. Don't forget your umbrella or rain jacket for wet Portland days!
Keep things inexpensive by hitting some of the best Happy Hours in town or make a night of it by dining on meals crafted by famous Portland chefs. Enjoy The Pearl on a variety of budgets.
Parking can be tricky in The Pearl District depending on what events are going on in the area. Park in the Brewery Blocks Underground Parking on NW 11th or 13th between Couch and Davis. Pick up some of your weekly groceries at Whole Foods and receive two-hour parking validation.
Brewery Blocks Underground Parking 122 NW 12th Avenue Portland, OR
There is nothing quite like cracking open a brand new book; the feel of the pages, the smell of the paper, and of course, the captivating characters and spellbinding storylines. A visit to your local bookstore can open your child’s eyes to the wonderful world of books and help instill a lifelong love of reading. Click through the gallery to see our favorite local bookstores that love kids and put a premium on pint-sized readers.
Elliott Bay Book Company
Nestled in the center of Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood, The Elliott Bay Book Company is a full service bookstore, home to over 150,000 titles. And the bookstore features one of our area’s best selection of new books, including a stellar collection of children’s books and graphic novels. The bookstore has great character and an inviting atmosphere for book lovers of all ages. If you have a tween or teen, check out the Underground YA Book Group. The friendly and helpful staff can help you find the perfect book or spend time scanning the shelves to find something that strikes your fancy. While you're there, be sure to visit Little Oddfellows, the cozy, in-house café that offers baked goods, sandwiches, coffee from Caffe Vita and beer and wine for the more mature patrons.
Bonus: Need a sweet treat to cool you down? Head next door and get your ice cream fix at Molly Moon’s, a local favorite that serves up homemade ice cream using local ingredients and sustainable practices.
Keep cool as summer heats up with movie theaters that beat the heat and won’t burn a hole in your pocketbook. Not only will your little movie-goers appreciate a break from summer camps, you’ll love the fact you just drive everyone to one spot. We’ve searched San Diego for cheap seats to make your summer sweeter and “reel” cool.
Photo: Leah Singer
Regal Theaters: $1 Summer Movie Express Nothing planned? Pack up and head to your local Regal theater before nap time for $1 movies all summer long. Every Tuesday and Wednesday throughout the summer, you can catch second-run, family-friendly flicks that are entertaining and affordable. You’ll find favorites such as The Lego Movie, Despicable Me 2, Hotel Transylvania 2, Minions and The Peanuts Movie. Each theater offers two movie choices that play both days.
Reading Cinemas: $1 Reel Kids Summer Movies If you missed it the first time around, check out these reel cool favorites: Spongebob, Lego, Minions and more at Reading Cinemas’ summer kids series. You can grab some discount movie fare too. Check theaters for showtimes.
Dates: June 15-Aug. 11
Times: Weds. & Thurs., 10 a.m.
Town Square
4665 Clairemont Dr.
San Diego, Ca
858-274-9994
Online: reading/townsquare
Grossmont Center
5500 Grossmont Center Dr.
La Mesa, Ca
619-465-3030
Online: reading/grossmont
UltraStar Cinemas: in Mission Valley First-run flicks with buttery popcorn, and free parking? Yes, please! Centrally-located in Hazard Center, this theater has free underground parking, $6 – $8 movie prices, and typically shows one or two of the latest littles’ flicks. Not only do they have cheap seats for new films, they also have a $1 second-run summer series. Don’t forget to check out the $6 kiddies tray that comes with popcorn, drink and fruit chews.
South Bay Drive-in Theater Kick it old school at a drive-in. Not only do you get two movies for the price of one, you also can bring your own snack and beach chairs (or there is a snack bar with movie food). Pack up the car and treat your brood to the big screen.
Cost: $9/adult; $1/kiddo (5-9); free for kids under 5
Time: Varies
