DuPage Children's Museum

Several months ago, I bought a Groupon for a children's museum up near Chicago.  I figured we could combine the museum with a temple trip up to Chicago.  We made it the start of our spring break.

We started out in the water area, since that's one of my favorite spots.  Mike didn't take any pictures of me, but I was redirecting the water fountains in the little river with all the PVC pipes so everyone got soaked.  It was was great.  The kids had fun too.

 Caleb loved the large bubble wands that he could wave to make big bubbles.  He felt empowered that the soap water was at his level.

Below, Eliza is putting herself in a giant bubble by pulling the cord to hoist the hoop out of the soap solution.

 We stayed in the wind area for a while.  The kids like blowing pinwheels and shooting puff balls up vacuum tubes.

Not a main exhibit, but an important stop for these fish-lovers!

 Banging on things in the music area was another favorite.

I thought this xylophone made of wrenches would sound about the way it looked, but it had clear, beautiful tones.  If you had your eyes closed, you would never know that it was so rough looking.

Probably Eliza's favorite part was the construction area.  There were real tools (even saws) that you could use with the help of your parent to make something great out of blocks of wood and recycled materials.  Children had to wear safety goggles the whole time, which is why Caleb couldn't participate.  He would not keep his goggles on.

 Eliza and Daddy made a car.  The wheels are plastic lids from milk jugs.

While Eliza was building her car, Caleb really enjoyed putting the golf ball down the track.

 Eliza was thrilled to find a see-saw (I always called it a teeter totter, but her books say see saw).  After reading about them, she was excited to play on one. Caleb couldn't decide if he liked it or hated it.

Below Caleb has some sort of measuring device from the math section.  He carried it around for at least 30 minutes before I had to sneak it away from him so we could leave.

When we visit Chicago, we get to see our friends, the Watkins, who moved up there a year and a half ago.  This time we took a walk over to Navy Pier.  It was a bit chilly and the kids were tired, so we didn't take any pictures.  Eliza had a blast playing with Ellis.  We let them have a little slumber party together.  They kept each other up until after 11.  Silly girls!  Caleb was pretty fascinated with baby Rosalyn.