Fun fall activities for families
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Fall is here - and that means what else - time for fall family fun! So grab the kids and start enjoying these beautiful crisp fall weekends. What can you do? We called in family lifestyle expert and author of What The Fun?! Donna Bozzo to give us some ideas.
Hit the Corn Maze
What says fall more than It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown? I watched this every year with my girls and their friends -so I say fire up the classic for some old fashioned fun, then head over to Harvest Tyme's Pumpkin Patch in Northwest Indiana where they are celebrating the 50th anniversary of It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown with a get this- four acre Charlie Brown corn maze. Lots of fun awaits for kids ages 2 to 92. Don't worry about getting lost because there are games to play along the way that promise to point you in the right direction, helpers and even a texting clues program. Mark your calendar for their flashlight corn maze nights October 15 and 16th - with a special viewing of It's the Great Pumpkin on October 15. You'll also find hayrides, a pumpkin patch, petting zoo, gem mining, rubber duck races and rides for the kids. Open Fridays through Sunday.
Harvest Tyme Pumpkin Patch
17904 Grant St.
(9 mile - Route 55)
Lowell, IN 46356
Take the Family on a Fall Hike
For fun family hiking, check out Starved Rock State Park - named the number one attraction in Illinois. I used to go here with my grandparents and it is fantastic spot where they offer guided hikes now through November. Located in Ottawa Illinois, Starved Rock is about an hour and a half drive from Chicago. Along the Illinois River, you'll find 18 sandstone canyons; 14 waterfalls; abundant wildlife and birds. Spend the day or night in a cabin or at the Starved Rock Lodge.
Starved Rock State Park
2668 East 873 Road
Oglesby IL
http://www.starvedrockstatepark.org/
Make something out of nothing at the Chicago Children's Museum
Now I just love the Chicago Children's Museum for little ones and the folks there are getting into the spirit with lots of fall fun for little ones. Catch their special daily events COSTUMING--- where little ones can transform themselves into creatures of their own design using fabrics, buttons, and fun recycled materials. And FRANKENTOYS where you can create your own creepy creatures using toy parts and other extra-ordinary junk. Now this IS something you might want to try at home!
Chicago Children's Museum
Navy Pier, Chicago
http://www.chicagochildrensmuseum.org/
Escape the city for a Fall Family Getaway
Looking for a fall weekend getaway? Lake Geneva is a great spot with the Lake Geneva Oktoberfest going on the weekend of October 10-11th. We like staying at the Abbey where you'll find nightly bonfires complete with hot cider and s'mores, complimentary bike rentals to enjoy the fall foliage and local farms, glow in the dark pool time with Jack O' Lanterns and get this, as we get closer to November- family friendly Turkey Bowling where you can bowl with frozen turkeys.
http://www.theabbeyresort.com/
http://www.travelwisconsin.com/southeast/walworth-county/lake-geneva
