We went to a 6yo birthday party there this past weekend and it was clean, well set up, and the kids…read morehad a blast! Most importantly, there were staff spotting the kids, coordinating games in an organized and structured way, and helping out in the party room. Would highly recommend this location!

This may work for adult fitness, but I don't think it was good for a kid's birthday party. All of…read morethe apparatuses are way too advanced for them. It's basically parents walking around hoisting their kids onto equipment that is behind their scope, and then having to hold them. There were no organized activities, save for the dodgeball game at the end. Even then, you couldn't even hear the instructor give directions. They would be better to have microphones. Instructor didn't seem like she was enjoying herself at all (no smiling). We started out in one area and then moved onto the next. My kids were bored in 10 minutes. They therefore went back to the first area, only to have an employee scold us for going back there because "it was already cleaned for the next group." We had no idea they were getting ready for another party. Again, it would have been better to politely say in a microphone prior to moving (so all can hear) that "we are moving on to another area and to not go back to the former as it's being prepared for another group." When we got to the eating area, one of the employees was so intrusive with the bussing of the table! She kept reaching out under *everyone* to get every little wrapper, juice box or a plate that appeared finished. For the love of God! This was so aggravating and other parents noticed as well. At least twice I had to tell her that my kids weren't finished. You couldn't even set something down without fear it would be taken right away! Another thing I found rude is that the employee announced coldly that the kids "couldn't get the cupcake until their pizza was finished." What the hell? This was not enjoyable at ALL, and my 2 boys (7 and 8) did not like this place one bit. We felt shoed out the door. Suggestion: Have employees who actually interact with the kids with organized games. Employees need a microphone as well, for announcements. Smile and cease the cold and demeaning comments. When in the eating area, PLEASE let parents and children eat in peace. Clean up afterwards, not during!!

This was my first time at Taste Buds Kitchen in Bannockburn, IL. This was part of a team building…read moreexercise that my manager put together for a group of eight people. About a week or so before the event, we were given three options to select from for the menu we would be preparing, so we ended up with pasta. Taste Buds Kitchen is located in a mall, so I had some difficulty locating it, but finally saw it. We were split into teams of four and the meal we were prepping was fettuccini, spinach/ricotta ravioli and a marinara sauce. Our instructor was Lauren and she was very nice. There were two ladies assisting her as well, responsible for the clean-up and helping with the prep work. Lauren was great explaining all the steps as well as showing up the prep moves. I love fresh pasta but never thought about making it (and still won't do it at home), but I had no idea how easy it could be with the right tools. Making the dough was fun and interesting, with each of us taking turns kneading the dough in preparation to make the fettuccini and the spinach/ricotta ravioli. Making the fettuccini was such fun and so easy if you have the proper equipment. I really enjoyed putting the dough into the pasta roller to flatten it, then into the cutting attachment to make the pasta. We each got turns going through the process, so I can say that all of us made the pasta and sauce. The spinach/ricotta ravioli and a marinara sauce were also very easy to make. Marinara I have made at home before, but the recipe we used at Taste Buds added a twist by adding shredded carrots for sweetness. Not something I would have thought of, but it really worked. Making the spinach/ricotta ravioli was a hoot. The very first one was a hot mess, but I learned and moved on to make perfect restaurant quality looking ones (IMO). Because we did a morning 2-hour session, tea, water and lemonade were provided for us. What we prepared was delicious and a nice early lunch. Because Lauren and her crew had made dough in advance, there was plenty of pasta for eating and to take home. My only complaint (if there is one) is I would have loved that we had made more of the marinara because it was so good and I would have loved to have taken more home. Overall this was a wonderful experience and the staff was amazing, cleaning up behind us, setting the table, cooking the pasta and ravioli for us. I think this is something I would consider for my direct reports as a team building event.

What a wonderful experience! We did a chocolate summer cooking camp from 9-12. And it was so much…read morefun. They really made it exciting for the kids and we really enjoyed the treats after chocolate camp. We plan on returning next year. Thank you Taste Buds

This location just opened and my son has attended a few of the summer camps. The camps are…read moreinnovative and fun. The staff is wonderful and upbeat. Kids science labs is the first camp that keeps my son learning and engaged. Solar system camps, science, engineering, architecture. I am so happy this location opened in Vernon Hills!

My seven year old son has loved science for years so we're thrilled KSL opened in Vernon Hills! The…read moreowners are hands-on, passionate about kids and science, and care about connecting to the community. This was one of the easiest parties I ever hosted. They handle literally everything and keep the kids engaged, excited and learning the entire time. They go the extra mile and keep the birthday child at the center of everything making their day extra special. This is also a prime location for parents! They can shop, dine, and exercise within steps of KSL. We will be back many times over the years! Can't wait for Camp!

We had my daughter's 6th birthday party here last week. It…read morewas easy to book online. I also phoned them many times with different questions and they were patient and helpful. It was nice that we could bring any food and drinks we wanted, even some Champagne and hard seltzer for parents. Cheers to that :) Also, it was nice to have the party at a room separated from the main store. Besides the pottery painting I added cupcakes decorating activity and it was a success. All kids loved it of course! A week after the party, I received a text message that all our pottery was ready and thats so nice too, much quicker than expected. I definitely recommend this place! We'll be back for sure.

Visited again today with a friend. They have expanded to have a party room now which is very cool!…read more The place filled up quickly with an assortment of kids and adults. Staff was great helping us to get paints and cheering us on while answering questions. We had a great time and can't wait to see our finished projects!

The coaches are great and they have a great team program. I drive far bc I the one I live next to…read moredoes not care about the girls like Flips! They want to see them succeed and do well!!

My son attended Flips Gymnastics when he was 3 and 4 years old. It is a very nice gym with a lot…read moreof professional equipment, where older kids train for competitions. Being a past gymnast myself, it was nice to see good equipment and teachers letting little kids use it (carefully). They also have a toddler section where little ones spent most of their time. My son loved it there, however was at times he would get bored because some little kids who didn't want to participate were essentially wasting other kids time/turns. It wasn't the kids fault by any means, the teachers just didn't handle tantrums and bad attitude very well. Instead of letting those who don't want to participate sit out, they spend more individual one-on-one time with that kid, while other just waited their turn. Which was not fair to the other kids who were ready go and their thing. Thankfully this didn't happen too often. But when it did, it was very annoying to see. Another major gripe I have with flips is the location of their changing area. It's located right next to the main lobby, with doors that open directly to the outside. The dressing space is pretty tiny, and when one group finishes class and goes to change while the next group arrives to change for their class, there is literally no place to stand. And then, little kids have to walk by the exit doors in order to get to the gym area, which is always in use because people leave and enter all the time. So when it's winter time and freezing temps, barefoot and leotard clad little kids are very cold having to walk by the open doors and then stand in the lobby (10 feet away) waiting for their teacher to come get them for their class! Aside from these two negatives (for me), it's really a very accommodating and fun place for little kids to develop their physical abilities.

Had to share about our unfortunate experience with camp this summer. My son is five and came home…read morepractically in tears both days he attended. The camp allows a wide range of ages to participate and not enough staff to support. My son has not had exposure to every sport or game that was played. There was very little coaching that happened. My son was left feeling left out, talked of having to sit out multiple occasions during games such as dodgeball where kids twice his size were pelting him with balls. They also had a rewards system that was never explained to my son. There is no hand off at pick, and poor communication in general about daily activities-- one of the days he attended they were to do water activities which is why we signed up, but didn't. I messaged staff about missing camp one day and never got a response. After that we just stopped attending and we're never out reached by the coaches. Very disappointing experience and would not recommend for younger kids or any kid that is new to a sport.

We had a private party there today. Kids had free play, played basketball, and soccer. We also…read moreplayed kids vs. adults Dodgeball! Everyone had a blast! As usual, Coach Jamie was wonderful! A big thank you to him and his staff for helping everything run smoothly and providing a very fun filled party!