The Monday Parks PlayBook: Spring Break at the Des Plaines Park District: Keeping Kids Safe and Active

Spring is in the air and right about now your children are counting the days until Spring Break. For kids it is a week’s reprieve from school and homework. For parents, it can be a stressful time, as they try to keep kids active and engaged while they are working. What can parents do to avoid the “Mom, I’m bored…” syndrome?

The Des Plaines Park District has the answer: Sign your children up for Kruisin’ Kids or Leisure Lizards. Both of these school day-off programs offer kids, kindergarten through eighth grade, a supervised “stay-cation” with friends, and parents the assurance that their children will have a great, safe experience.

Leisure Lizards meet at the Administrative and Leisure Center, 2222 Birch Street from 9:00am to 5:00pm for $24 a day. At the Leisure Center, trained staff organizes gym sports and games including floor hockey, soccer, basketball, and dodge ball; board games and crafts; karaoke contests; play time in the Game Room; and special outdoor activities, weather permitting. Kids rotate through activities during the day to keep their interests piqued.

Kruisin’ Kids travel each day, in Park District buses, to a variety of popular local venues for sports, games, food, and fun. On Monday, March 25, the Kruisin' Kids will visit Happenings Family Fun Center, and Waterworks Indoor Aquatic Center, an indoor swimming play land. Tuesday, March 26, they travel to Enchanted Castle and ride the go-karts, try their luck in the game room, and play mini-golf. Wednesday, March 27, they will visit Chuck E. Cheese for video games and pizza, and spend the afternoon at Sky High Trampolines. On Thursday, March 27, the Kruisin’ Kids will split the day between Brunswick Zone and the Orbit Skate Center. Friday, March 29, the Kids will bounce, play, and jump at the American Academy of Gymnastics and then visit Cici’s Pizzeria. Each Kruisin' Kids trip includes lunch and costs $35 for the day.

Parents can customize their child’s week, choosing them to stay at the Leisure Center some days and take trips on others. The Des Plaines Park District also offers before and after child sitting, from 7:00-9:00am and from 5:00-6:00pm. Our goal is to provide parents with safe, affordable Spring Break options, and insure that kids have a great time everyday,” said Desiree van Thorre, Aquatics and Youth Programs Supervisor. “These school day off programs are less expensive than babysitting, and give kids a chance to try new sports, games, and activities, hang with friends, be active and have fun,” van Thorre said.

For more information about Des Plaines Park District school day-off programs, Spring classes and events, and Spring break and Summer camps, visit www.DPParks.org or call 847-391-5700.