Park Ridge moms, Nina Taluc and Jean Lemke, are the creators and founders of Kidwinks.com.
Its a free website that provides easy family fun guides for any occasion in the Chicagoland area. The two met nine years ago and hit it off immediately. Nina, the creative genius behind Kidwinks.com, pitched the idea to Jean who though it would be a great way to help promote family time and help families find budget friendly activities. With Jean's background in programming, computer auditing and finance and Nina's in statistical data analysis, the two were able to get the website up and running in a few short years. Still residing in Park Ridge, IL today with their husbands and children, Nina and Jean have taken their idea and developed it into a wonderful business with hundreds of members and participants.
For more information:
www.kidwinks.com
Chicagoland's Best Indoor Play Places to Beat Cabin Fever
As the holidays have come to a close, everyone knows the all to familiar feeling of cabin fever, especially those with children. Chicagoland offers some of the best indoor play areas for families on all sorts of budgets. Here with us today are Nina Taluc and Jean Lemke, who own and operate Kidwinks.com, a free and easy web guide to kid-friendly and family-friendly activities, events and restaurants. Nina and Jean are going to tell us all about some of the best places to go this winter to get rid of cabin fever. Welcome!
Nina, the creative genius behind Kidwinks.com, pitched the idea to Jean who thought it would be a great way to help promote family time and help families find budget friendly activities. The two combined their past corporate experience with their "mom" experience to create a truly useful resource for parents. Nina and Jean both reside in Park Ridge, IL with their husbands and children, and have taken their idea and developed it into a wonderful business with thousands of members and participants.
PLACES:
Make-A-Messterpiece: Glenview, IL good for ages 0-10ish Unique concept that fosters childrens' natural creativity and curiosity and love of getting messy, with no cleanup for moms $10 entrance fee includes two small play areas (one for babies) and large art studio with tables and easels $5 for each add-on station: creative kitchen, bubbleology, drum roll (Blue Man type experience for kids - very cool), crafts, and experiements. All access pass to cover all sections sometimes offered at a good savings; punch cards offered at substantial savings. Very nice lounge area for parents with free wi fi, coffee for sale, and closed circuit tvs so they can watch their children. One big space so you can see everything and keep track of your children. Located in The Glen, so many restaurants and shops within walking distance
Water Works Indoor Park: Schaumburg, IL Part of the Schaumburg Park District 3 slides, 1 drop slide, zero depth entry, water playground, rapid water channel Learned about this from one of our members Fun, water-park type atmosphere without the cost. Easy to keep your eyes on the kids. $5-$9
Fantasy Kingdom: Chicago, IL Good for kids 6 & under Separate play area for the wee ones Fun medieval theme for imaginative play Dress-up, fire station, grocery, jail, castle, Limited food items available for purchase, but parents can bring food, $12 per child; parents free; membership packages are available at a savings.
La Grange Indoor Playground: La Grange, IL Part of the LaGrange Park District Another hidden gem we learned about from our members large indoor playgound, slides, monkey bars, brindges, climbing, padded floor Kids love playgrounds - here's a low-cost way to enjoy one when the weather doesn't cooperate. $3 per child, parents free . Pump It Up: Chicago, Glenview, Vernon Hills, Crystal Lake, Schaumburg, Lisle, Elmhurst, Orland Park Perfect for getting rid of excess energy Locations throughout the Chicago area Open jump times and age ranges vary; special jumps offered for holidays, school breaks, etc.; kidwinks' Events Calendar lists them all Many similar businesses can also be found on our site
Safari Land Indoor Amusement Park: Villa Park, IL Lion's den soft play area for little ones (under 52") with tubes, tunnels, slides ($4.00 for this section only) 12 lane bowling alley with cosmic bowling; bowling specials on certain weekdays Rides: roller coaster, bumper cars, kiddie go carts, tilt-a-whirl, Merry-go-round, flight simulator. Video games On site restaurant. Great place for families with children of varying age ranges (toddlers - teens). Wrist bands available on weekdays for good savings and unlimited rides on certain attractions ($15).
Extra money-saving tip: For outings to these places or elsewhere, we encourage parents to use our Kids Eat Free Calendar to check for any kids dining deals near the places they plan to visit.
Check out Kidwinks's website at www.kidwinks.com for more information on the places you saw today as well as many other venues, restaurants and activities.
Its a free website that provides easy family fun guides for any occasion in the Chicagoland area. The two met nine years ago and hit it off immediately. Nina, the creative genius behind Kidwinks.com, pitched the idea to Jean who though it would be a great way to help promote family time and help families find budget friendly activities. With Jean's background in programming, computer auditing and finance and Nina's in statistical data analysis, the two were able to get the website up and running in a few short years. Still residing in Park Ridge, IL today with their husbands and children, Nina and Jean have taken their idea and developed it into a wonderful business with hundreds of members and participants.
For more information:
www.kidwinks.com
Chicagoland's Best Indoor Play Places to Beat Cabin Fever
As the holidays have come to a close, everyone knows the all to familiar feeling of cabin fever, especially those with children. Chicagoland offers some of the best indoor play areas for families on all sorts of budgets. Here with us today are Nina Taluc and Jean Lemke, who own and operate Kidwinks.com, a free and easy web guide to kid-friendly and family-friendly activities, events and restaurants. Nina and Jean are going to tell us all about some of the best places to go this winter to get rid of cabin fever. Welcome!
Nina, the creative genius behind Kidwinks.com, pitched the idea to Jean who thought it would be a great way to help promote family time and help families find budget friendly activities. The two combined their past corporate experience with their "mom" experience to create a truly useful resource for parents. Nina and Jean both reside in Park Ridge, IL with their husbands and children, and have taken their idea and developed it into a wonderful business with thousands of members and participants.
PLACES:
Make-A-Messterpiece: Glenview, IL good for ages 0-10ish Unique concept that fosters childrens' natural creativity and curiosity and love of getting messy, with no cleanup for moms $10 entrance fee includes two small play areas (one for babies) and large art studio with tables and easels $5 for each add-on station: creative kitchen, bubbleology, drum roll (Blue Man type experience for kids - very cool), crafts, and experiements. All access pass to cover all sections sometimes offered at a good savings; punch cards offered at substantial savings. Very nice lounge area for parents with free wi fi, coffee for sale, and closed circuit tvs so they can watch their children. One big space so you can see everything and keep track of your children. Located in The Glen, so many restaurants and shops within walking distance
Water Works Indoor Park: Schaumburg, IL Part of the Schaumburg Park District 3 slides, 1 drop slide, zero depth entry, water playground, rapid water channel Learned about this from one of our members Fun, water-park type atmosphere without the cost. Easy to keep your eyes on the kids. $5-$9
Fantasy Kingdom: Chicago, IL Good for kids 6 & under Separate play area for the wee ones Fun medieval theme for imaginative play Dress-up, fire station, grocery, jail, castle, Limited food items available for purchase, but parents can bring food, $12 per child; parents free; membership packages are available at a savings.
La Grange Indoor Playground: La Grange, IL Part of the LaGrange Park District Another hidden gem we learned about from our members large indoor playgound, slides, monkey bars, brindges, climbing, padded floor Kids love playgrounds - here's a low-cost way to enjoy one when the weather doesn't cooperate. $3 per child, parents free . Pump It Up: Chicago, Glenview, Vernon Hills, Crystal Lake, Schaumburg, Lisle, Elmhurst, Orland Park Perfect for getting rid of excess energy Locations throughout the Chicago area Open jump times and age ranges vary; special jumps offered for holidays, school breaks, etc.; kidwinks' Events Calendar lists them all Many similar businesses can also be found on our site
Safari Land Indoor Amusement Park: Villa Park, IL Lion's den soft play area for little ones (under 52") with tubes, tunnels, slides ($4.00 for this section only) 12 lane bowling alley with cosmic bowling; bowling specials on certain weekdays Rides: roller coaster, bumper cars, kiddie go carts, tilt-a-whirl, Merry-go-round, flight simulator. Video games On site restaurant. Great place for families with children of varying age ranges (toddlers - teens). Wrist bands available on weekdays for good savings and unlimited rides on certain attractions ($15).
Extra money-saving tip: For outings to these places or elsewhere, we encourage parents to use our Kids Eat Free Calendar to check for any kids dining deals near the places they plan to visit.
Check out Kidwinks's website at www.kidwinks.com for more information on the places you saw today as well as many other venues, restaurants and activities.
