Have any of you ever taken younger kids to the Field Museum?

[Sabriel]

We're thinking about it for our 6 and 4 y.olds, so I'm wondering if any parents out there have done it and what there is for that age. The older one wants to see Sue (the T-Rex). Also, do any Chicagoans have suggestions for where to park a bit more cheaply in that area?
Thanks!
(cross-posted to the Parenting Forum)

[mopinko]

1. i love the field!! my kids practically grew up there.

we homeschooled for 8 years, and went to the field once a month, at least. in fact, it has gotten more and more kid friendly over the years. your guys will love it.
as far as parking, there are some meters in that area, on the road that leads to the planetarium, although i do not know what the time limit on them is. i think it is 4 hours, but i cannot swear. and the field itself has a small lot that i think is a little cheaper that the soldier field lot. if you get really desperate, you can usually get a spot along columbus, but someone needs to go park it and hike back. it is still a couple of buck at the meters, tho. at least there is a lot of parking available.
have fun. let us know how you like it.

[davsand]

2. They had the Dinosaur dig there this summer.

Our 8 year old loved it. Highly interactive and a lot of stuff there to fascinate any kid. Your 4 year old might not be able to do all the walking that an older kid can (not that I think this is news to you) but a stroller is perfectly acceptable there.

Chicago Parents magazine had a big deal there last summer too. You might find an article or two about the Field by those guys.

Something we did that was big fun for our kid was taking the trolley to the museum. It runs there in that area as part of the CTA and it is great--parking is a non-issue. She was really hyped about riding it...



Have fun!!!



Laura

[mopinko]

3. hi laura

it was great to meet the two of you. glad you didn't need the handcuffs. our waiter did get taken to the woodshed, tho.

[davsand]

4. It was GREAT to finally meet you!

I can't thank you enough for the work and time you put into that gathering! Kevsand and I both had a most excellent time. The handcuffs might have been nice--but not for use at Goose Island! ;)

You and Windycity were just fine, I was tickled to death to be with anyone (let alone several people!) with such an interest and passion about the political process! It might sound odd that such debate would be so uplifting--but it was. I walked out of there feeling some very real optimism about the future simply because it is so nice to see other people that care.

I hated it that you ere so distressed at the service--that is just too bad. Frankly, I wasn't offended by the waiter--but I'm not a regular there and had no real basis for comparison. I kinda felt like maybe you personally felt let down by it, and that is sad. I think you did GREAT!

We'll be back sometime soon, I promise!



Laura

Edited because my spelling sucks sometimes.

[mopinko]

5. it was like having your kids be bad for company.

i wouldn't say i was exactly distressed. if i don't have something to bitch about, i am just not happy. but they do kinda depend on the regulars to let them know when the staff is not behaving. it really was not even close to the kind of service you usually get there.
it was great to meet you. i had a blast.

[barb162]

6. I used to go there a lot as a kid

like once a week (no lie) but I think 4 might be too young. Six is okay though. Never took kids there. Parking... you can try walking from Columbus Drive and park on Columbus but it's a horrible and long walk. And I don't remember what the meter time length is. There's that nice new covered self-park lot on the south side now. Make sure you get the kids to see the Egyptian exhibit and the Polynesia (or South Pacific peoples or whatever it is) exhibit on the second floor.

[Sabriel]

7. Thanks, everyone! We'll take a shot at it. I appreciate the responses. nt