Whether rainy skies or health concerns have cooped your kids up, it’s time to let loose. From outdoor green spaces to indoor playlands, there’s somewhere to go near home. So, let them burn off some energy at any one of these five kid-friendly places near Westmont, Illinois.
Your Neighborhood Playground
Image via Flickr by jeri leandera Licensed CC BY 2.0
Westmont residents like you are lucky to have access to an extensive public parks program. The district manages 18 parks and four detention basins. So if you’re looking for a terrific spot to entertain your preschooler, the Fairfield Park Tot Lot on Kristin Court offers a playground for little ones ages 1 to 6 years old. It’s open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., and there’s a lovely spot for a picnic lunch, too. So bring some sandwiches to fill up those hungry tummies.
Families with big kids in tow can head to the Veteran’s Memorial Park. Located on South Linden Avenue, this 10-acre community park offers a zip line that the city designed for children 5 to 10 years old. In addition, there’s a walking path and a playground for kids 2 to 12 years old, baseball fields, a volleyball court, and seasonal indoor restrooms. This spot is open late, until 10 p.m.
Bellerive Skate Park
Skating is a fun way to burn off some energy, and Westmont has an outstanding park that creators designed just for that purpose. This popular sport is excellent for developing physical coordination, as riders need to propel, stop, and steer the board. It also takes time to master tricks, giving kids a great opportunity to learn about practice and perseverance.
Located within Bellerive Park on West 63rd Street, the skate park opens daily at 8 a.m., weather permitting. However, the surface must be dry to use safely, so officials require 45-degree outdoor temperatures to open the facility. Bellerive closes at 9 p.m. during the spring and fall and 10 p.m. during the summer (Memorial Day through Labor Day).
Whether your kids skateboard, rollerblade, or ride bikes, they can let loose at the Westmont local skate park. Make sure kids arrive equipped with a helmet — the city requires them. We also recommend knee and elbow pads for added protection, especially for newbies. Children under 7 must have adult supervision to use the facility, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends kids wait until age 5 to start skateboarding.
Westmont Yard Sports Complex
Sometimes the Illinois winter weather gets in the way of outdoor activities. Thankfully, that’s no excuse to let the kids tear the house down. We recommend taking them to Westmont Yard’s state-of-the-art indoor athletic facility on West 63rd Street. This awesome sports complex offers membership to youth soccer, football, and lacrosse teams, plus activities for the smallest members of your family in its playroom area.
Sign up your children ages 2 to 6 for the Mighty Tykes soccer program, for example. Its unique mix of games and activities helps kids learn the sport in a fun, non-competitive environment. Likewise, your family’s older children from third grade to high school will get the chance to play in Chicago’s southwest suburb’s premier 7-on-7 football league here. Westmont Yard also offers sports camps during spring and summer breaks, as well as after-school sports programs.
The Westmont Yard Sports Complex is open Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday until 11 p.m., and Friday until 9. You can also visit the facility on Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., although its hours may vary seasonally.
DuPage Children’s Museum
The tranquil halls of a museum are probably the last place you want to take your hyped-up children. However, The DuPage Children’s Museum is different. This pick on North Washington Street in nearby Naperville is a dream destination for families with kiddos of all ages. It’s a hands-on institution that employees open Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday until 8 p.m. You can also stop by on the weekends until 5 p.m.
The museum’s curator developed interactive exhibit experiences in themed neighborhoods to spark your child’s imagination while they release some steam with active play. Kids will use wood and real tools like a hammer and saw to let off some steam in the Moser Construction House exhibit. Even babies from birth to 24 months have a special place here to exercise their minds and bodies. These young explorers can discover Make It Move, experiment with air and ball,s and practice physical activities like climbing, running, and rolling.
Double J Riding Club
Horseback riding is another terrific pursuit for energetic children, and the Double J Riding Club is just 20 minutes from Westmont on West 74th Street in Countryside. Your family doesn’t need to own a horse or any equipment to take advantage of this fulfilling activity. It’s excellent exercise, and it will get them outside in the fresh air. Riding engages every muscle group in the body, plus it takes mental focus to stay balanced, making it an ideal pastime for spirited kids.
Children ages 4 and up can take a group, semi-private or private horseback riding lesson at Double J or join a seasonal camp program. The teachers provide a safe learning environment, whether they’re in the saddle or improving your child’s overall horsemanship skills from the ground. Encourage your kids to join a competitive riding team and turn your child’s energy into show ribbons with the help of the trainers at Double J. The farm’s six-plus riding instructors host classes during open hours, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and weekends until 5 p.m.
There you go! Crème de la Crème of Westmont just informed you of the five top places to take your kids to burn off some energy. Did you like our picks? Did we miss a favorite spot of yours — one other Illinois parents will love? If we did, let us know! Drop us a line so we can add your ideas to our list of recommended destinations.