New In Town: Discovering the DuPage Children's Museum

A few of my girlfriends suggested a new place to meet for our play-date: The DuPage Children's Museum. 

We arrived to the (free!) parking lot on a Thursday morning, shortly after 9 a.m. It was pretty busy, probably because we went during the week of Spring Break. (Looked like, parents everywhere were scrambling for ways to entertain the kids!)

The museum is located in the heart of downtown Naperville and is a short 20-minute drive from the Village of Clarendon Hills, which makes it a perfect spot for me to meet friends for a morning playdate.

When we arrived, we checked in and I made sure to use a coupon I had for $1 off admission, which I got to use for Ava and myself. Two dollars won't buy me my dream car, but every little bit helps, right? After paying, it was fair game for the kids. They were free to run and explore every inch of the place without having to abide by any strict rules. They had things to climb on, bang on, slide on, build, splash, design, destruct—you name it, the museum had it—and Ava was loving it!  

We met two of my friends there, who also brought their curious, pint-sized tots. The four kids ran around, chasing each other from station to station, watching one other, learning from their curiosity. It was so sweet to watch. I think I now understand what people mean when they talk about "seeing the world through a child's eyes."

Watching Ava do and experience things for the first time is pure magic.  Her eyes light up with such wonder. You can see the wheels turning in her little brain, trying to figure out how things work. It's so adorable.  

Her favorite things were the splash pond, wind tunnel and padded climbing areas. Truth is, we didn't even get to explore the whole place. We probably only saw half of it, and trust me, we were beat!

You should have seen her at the splash pond. Ava watched as little rubber duckies floated by, reaching in, trying to catch them...She inevitably soaked her bib overalls. (By the way I do not recommend overalls when you have to change your child multiple times in a public place.)

We stayed for a little over an hour and we (both Ava and I) were toast. After a diaper change and head-to-toe sanitizer wash, we were on our way. We barely made the 20 minute drive back without her nodding off. We both napped that day. She fell asleep at 1:00 and I at 1:15. We must have needed the rest after all that learning and stimulation. Best $15 I ever spent... especially considering I got some shuteye after all was said and done!