MomsTribute
’Twas the month before Christmas, and all through the mall, the creatures were stirring and enjoying it all! Woodfield Mall, conveniently located off Routes I-90 and 290 in Schaumburg, Illinois, is nestled amongst a bustling array of restaurants and office parks, yet boasts a zip code of its own! Formerly known as “America’s Largest Indoor Mall,” Woodfield is one of the foremost Kid-Friendly Venues in the Chicagoland Area, hosting a variety of Kid-Friendly Holiday Shopping options and Kid-Friendly activities to enjoy. From Santa’s North Pole Workshop Pop-Up to the free indoor playground, Woodfield Mall appeals to the kid in all of us.
Ample parking, shopping, dining, and activities allow for families to spend an entire day at Woodfield, and the very best time to visit is during the Holiday Season! The massive, three-story center Grand Court atrium houses an elaborate “Ice Palace,” complete with a workshop for Santa and his elves, who serve as professional, kid-friendly photographers. Go online early in the season to reserve a time and avoid a long wait! Woodfield Mall also has time slots for “Caring Santa” visits, where time is set aside specifically for children with special needs.
After a trip to Santa’s lap, ride the Choo-Choo Express for a little fun, and start shopping for gifts on your holiday shopping list. I recommend that two (or more) adults make the trip to the mall, so one can visit various activities with the kids, and the others can get a head start on the kids’ wish lists. Keeping the kids occupied is an easy task at Woodfield Mall - just steps from Santa’s Ice Palace, you will find a free indoor playground, bustling with energetic kids! There is ample seating for parents and guardians to enjoy while the kids get their energy and the giggles out. The playground surfaces are sanitized frequently by kid-friendly mall staff.
Similarly, Yu Kids Island is a vibrant and exhilarating way to spend a day while visiting Woodfield Mall. The kid-friendly staff regularly cleans and maintains the indoor playground, illuminated by kid-loved colors and offset by slides and textured play areas that are designed to stimulate, develop, and hone fine and gross motor skills for children 48” tall and under. This kid-friendly indoor environment boasts ten different attractions that can’t be found at other indoor play centers in the area. This is a great way to unleash some energy.
Another kid-friendly activity is — at the Build-a-Bear Workshop. Located in the upper wing between the food court and Macy’s, Build-a-Bear allows children’s creativity to come to life in the form of a lovable new stuffie! Kid-Friendly Staff known as “Bear Builders” will guide you through your unique, personalized, and interactive workshop experience. There are dozens of stuffed animals to choose from - from popular tv characters, to action heroes, to the tried-and-true teddy bears. Once chosen, children can elect “add-ons” to enhance the experience, such as creating voice messages or sound effects to be placed inside the furry friend. Special scents are available and a giant machine full of stuffing is then utilized by the Bear Builders, with the help of children and a foot pedal to create the desired level of puff. A Heart Ceremony is then performed, where the child owner kisses a fabric heart and makes a wish - which is placed inside their stuffie. Best friends are bonded at this moment! From there, children have an enormous selection of clothing and accessories to choose from to dress their new bestie! A name is then chosen, and the Bear Builders print a birth certificate to commemorate the experience!
Once the kids have worked up an appetite, the Dining Pavilion at Woodfield Mall hosts kid-friendly dining options such as Stan’s Donuts, Blaze Pizza and I Love Mac and Cheese. Another kid-friendly dining venue is Red Robin - a favorite of my own children - who really love their bottomless french fries!
Shopping for the kids at Woodfield Mall is easy! With shops like Lego, The Children’s Place, Game Stop, and Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shop (just to name a few). Moms will be able to find something for everyone on their Holiday Shopping List - while checking it twice!
Definitely add Woodfield Mall to your list of kid-friendly holiday venues!
Available Amenities at the Woodfield Mall:
Dana H
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