MomsTribute
There is no shortage of kid-friendly activities for families in the Chicagoland Area to celebrate the magic of Hanukkah, Christmas, New Year and other winter holidays such as Diwali. Since the Windy City has a habit of offering several seasonable and comfortable evenings that extend into the early winter, bundling up the kids to see the beautiful skyline is definitely worth the extra layers, hand warmers, and hot chocolate. Navy Pier is a quintessential attraction for locals and visitors alike - inside and outside- and promises not to disappoint like Scrooge or the Grinch!
Nov. 25-Jan. 7
Tickets: $15-27
Navypier.org
Light Up the Lake is an all-encompassing kid-friendly holiday experience for families. Offering the region's biggest indoor-temperature-controlled light garden, Light Up the Lake hosts magical interactive light displays, a kid-friendly-venue app approved indoor skating rink, its own Winter Wonderland Forest, a welcoming kid-friendly Santa’s House, and an enormous Ferris wheel.
The main attraction of lights boasts several opportunities to create a magical holiday memory. The Light Sculptures Indoor Light Show boasts more than half a million lights and features oversized sculptures of familiar characters and toys. The Stomp-Light Activity is new this year and engages the senses of kids of all ages, where visitors simply touch a light pad to create a new visual, colorful lightscape and surrounding environment controlled by the LED pads located on the floor. Kids find this attraction particularly magical as their eyes can hardly believe the body-mind connection they are creating with their feet. Additionally, a Light-Memory game option is available for guests to play, which connects attractions to guests via their smartphones and enhances the overall attraction. Families should also gather for a moment at the Frozen Pond to rejuvenate and relax or take a breathtaking family photo to commemorate the experience and maybe even use it for the yearly Christmas card!
The Winter Wonderland Forest allows guests an opportunity to wind their way through a maze of more than a hundred lighted, 8-foot birch trees. Each right – or wrong – turn provides opportunities for immersive selfies along the way. For a nominal add-on fee, kids can use a “magic wand” to guide them through the Forest experience, which allows kids to individualize their own color stories and experience at thirty different light stations throughout Navy Pier.
Families can work off some more energy and calories eaten from the amazing food opportunities at Navy Pier, while taking a spin on the indoor Alpine Ice-Skating Rink. Visitors are invited to bring their own skates, but you can use provided skates for no charge. This kid-friendly-venue app approved activity is a lovely way to try out a winter sport amidst the lights and sounds of holiday spirit, music, and laughter.
Navy Pier has thought of every aspect of the holiday experience, integrating all of the senses and allowing for a full day of festivities for families. Guests can enjoy a short ride on the Holiday train and head to Santa’s House to make a wish. After visiting with Santa, kids are encouraged to make a quick stop at the Jolly Olde Post Office, and compose a quick note to St. Nick, ensuring a spot on his “Nice” list!
Before leaving for the evening, families must make sure they take a short stroll with the kids to the kid-friendly Roseaux experience. Roseaux, is the self-entitled “particip’active” and playfully interactive art installation is comprised of twelve individual reed structures that rise into the sky. Guests activate the reeds by stepping upon sensors located at the base of each structure, allowing glistening colors to travel from root to tip of each reed. The sensory experience is accompanied by music and allows for a beautiful appreciation of the majestic Lake Michigan and the gorgeous well-lit skyscrapers of the Loop.
And finally, who can pass up a ride on Navy Pier’s iconic Centennial Wheel? The 200-foot ferris wheel offers 360-degree views of the holiday themed and decorated city skyline as well as the frosty Lake Michigan. A ride on the Centennial Wheel may be a little brisk, but surely a winter memory your kids will never forget.
Navy Pier’s Light Up the Lake is a delightful, exciting, and new addition to families’ holiday traditions. Parking is available at two on-site garages at Navy Pier for a fee, and because of the enormous interest in this attraction, families may have to park at additional city parking structures and walk a few short blocks to the Pier. Navy Pier is handicapped accessible and offers wheelchair rentals if needed.
Available Amenities at the Navy Pier:
Dana H
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