Can I be a kid again?! Good Times has been all it claims to be and more. This Summer Camp packs…read moreinto the summer more than I could possibly cover myself. Not only do they hit every Chicago hot spot, from MLB games to Navy Pier, The WIllis Tower & Great America but they also hit the best north shore swimming pools & beaches two to three times a week. In addition, my kids get to be crafty, learn new sports and spend a summer making friends that will last for many more summers to come. This has been our first summer but will absolutely not be our last!

My kids, 10 and 12, have gone to this summer camp for years. They really enjoy going to camp, all…read morethe field trips and most of all hanging with their friends. They have had almost all super positive experiences with counselors, only 1 that was so-so in 6 or seven years. The field trips are great. Great America being the high-light - twice this year. Once for rides and once in water park. They also really like the sports aspect. My son talks about the basketball games at the end of the day as much as everything else. I also think the camp directors really care about the kids, and really want them to have a fun summer.

One of my grand-darlings had her birthday bash here and it was a ton of fun for all involved…read more  There are a bunch of ninja stations for the kiddos to burn up much of their energy before a birthday celebration meal.  They get 2 hours of supervised fun and it is broken up into 80 minutes of ninja stations and then 40 minutes birthday meal time.  My daughter arranged everything and I was just one of several parent/grandparent photographers/observers basically. Maggie was the welcoming receptionist and she provided a gift t-shirt to the birthday girl (part of the BD package) and got everyone signed in and made sure they had all of their waiver forms signed haha.  This place isn't cheap (ballpark $600 for the birthday package per the daughter) but it seems you get what you pay for - a clean and well maintained facility, a staffer to direct the kids' activities and help serve food, plenty of fun ninja activities to choose from, a private room (there are 2 of them) for the birthday meal, and pizza (by Viccino's, a local favorite anyway) and fruit provided from a local vendor, plates and utensils, and most importantly - a big and grand blast of a time for all the kiddo participants and us by-standers as well.  Apparently, you can also bring your own food in, but there is a healthy $25 per entree charge for doing so, and besides it's an additional hassle.  There is a downstairs and upstairs party room and both are nice and spacious.  One of my grand-darlings has been here several times as a birthday party guest, and she has always had a great time.  I didn't pay, but I still can say a big thumbs up for this place!

Had my kids birthday party here - and everyone had an amazing time. This place is great for all…read moreages, which I loved! The staff was phenomenal and went above and beyond with making sure everything went smoothly. HIGHLY recommend this place to host an event!

Review for Harrer Pool parties only: Don't. We contacted the park district 1 month prior to…read moreintended party date to pay deposit to secure the party room. After scheduling and paying deposit for the pool party and confirming we have 1 hour set up and 1 hour post party to clean up, we tried to contact the Harrer pool coordinator for room specs, table number, size, chairs and equipment availability so we know what we needed to buy or not buy..table covers wall decor and such. Nothing. Emails and phone calls not returned. Was contacted 2 days prior to party by the new coordinator only to be asked about the cake. Coordinator told my daughter, the birthday celebrant's mom, we had to be out of the room exactly at noon. We were pushed out at 1145.. why? They had their own party to go to. Will never opt for a party space that NEEDS to have a coordinator on site. Have used the field houses for parties before and will continue to use them again. OR will rent Oriole Pool party room and instead (as long as that particular "party planner" is NOT part of the deal) So terribly disappointed.

This review is purely for the 'open' volleyball Thursday nights. I've gone to the gym for years…read more The workers there are friendly and helpful. The older woman that looks to head this "open" volleyball seems to pick and choose when she would like others to take part. My friends and I have slowly started to participate in the open volleyball here, but have noticed that her attitude towards us participating is not very kind. We come from different suburbs in the Chicagoland area - not exactly close. But we're turned away because she felt that they couldn't let one more team play (even though other players told us we were welcome). Third week in a row we were given attitude while trying to take part in "open" volleyball. I would suggest MG park district try to come up with a sign up sheet or better method of signing up to partake in "open" volleyball. Because if I have to travel from far to only be told I cannot play, it should not be called "open" volleyball. We would have made other arrangements to play had we known we would be told we cannot play there. Instead we wasted 45 mins trying to arrange another court to play. Unprofessional and rude.

This place is a hoot!  I dropped in here after a nearby lunch just to see what this place was like…read moreafter seeing a review, and having never been in their predecessor Chicago store of some 25 years on the northwest side of Chicago.  This store has been in Uptown Park Ridge for only about a year now, and for being on a busy commercial strip, they keep a low and quiet profile and are kind of easy to pass by and skip, because that's what I did for a year apparently! I was going to rate the store 4 stars, but I gotta give it 5 just because it's really a one of a kind shop.  They have all kinds of eclectic, random, fun, goofy, and also educational stuff and gadgets.  It's all supposed to have a bias towards science and education though.  Random things like military helmets, plastic wheels of various sizes, telescopes, microscopes, old typewriters, a Big Foot crossing sign, beakers and flasks, science kits, goofy models, toys, and trinklets, rubber mice, plastic ants for your next picnic, and whatever.  It's a great store for getting that unique geeky gift for someone, and also a place where inquisitive kids and adults alike can putz around and learn and laugh as well. They have their own convenient parking lot.  Their only other stores are in spread-out Geneva IL and Milwaukee WI.  Their prices ranged from cheap to modest from what I saw. The staff seems appropriately on the geeky side, but also friendly.  I met staffer Deborah and she showed me the signs depicting the company's history (since 1937!), and also informed me that coincidentally just two days ago they were featured on WGN-TV's Around Town morning show.  Here is the clip: https://wgntv.com/video/around-town-american-science-and-surplus/8385863/ Deborah told me after this TV clip, there was a big demand for their Bubble Blaster, which she happily demonstrated for me, and they sold out and had to restock their supply!  They also occasionally have free science party nights (next one is Feb 24 from 6:30 - 9pm) and those sound like a hoot for the kiddos.  I didn't buy anything this time, but do plan on bringing the grand-darlings back to putz around and probably walk away with who knows what next time lol.

I can't believe i refused to tag along with my husband and kids.....its a delight for all STEM…read morestudents and nerd parents who are very hands-on and love to create stuff--enjoyed checking out the various aisles and playing with the gadgets. The kids at the counter seemed knowledgeable and helpful. Prices were very reasonable as well. I will certainly come back

Every month or two from what I have noticed they have a new exhibition featuring mostly artists…read morethat are residents of Park Ridge.In my opinion the prices of the pieces that I have seen are overpriced. I was made aware thru the newspaper that they have classes there for children and adults. The exhibition that is currently there features the works of children. The block that gallery is on is charming and I have always enjoyed visiting Park Ridge.

I recently took a digital photography class there and found it extremely helpful. It was taught by…read morea professional photographer. The class I took was just one night, but they also offer a multi-week course that I've heard is great and the prices are really reasonable. They seem to do a good job recruiting the best professional instructors they can find. My child isn't old enough yet for their kids' classes, but I know they have a huge following in the area. Their free gallery exhibits are pretty cool and vary from local artists to national. The current one is the work of a photographer from New York.

I first met Adriana in the winter of 2021 when I was new to Park Ridge and…read morepregnant with our twins. I had exported a list of infant daycare providers from the DCFS site and was working my way down the list. When I set up a tour with Adriana I immediately thought - this is it! She was so calm and caring and had many examples of children staying in her care for years and families staying with the center for new siblings. When I returned to work at 3 months Daycare Children's World became an extension of our family. My children took their first steps and said their first words there. Adriana has been in the childcare field for over 10 years and as a first time mom I trust her to help me make the best decisions for my family. I leaned on her for guidance on introducing solids, tips on tummy time, and to communicate back my children's interests and strengths while in her care. She and her center play a critical role in the development of my children. Full time childcare for infants options are limited, let alone two spots, and even when you find it many times it comes with long waitlists and unaffordable costs. Adriana worked with my family to ensure that the spots were available at the end of my maternity leave so that I did not need to take additional unpaid leave and also not lose out on career growth and opportunities. Adriana and her center are an integral part of my family and the wider Park Ridge community. I gladly recommend her to future families.

I would recommend Daycare Children's World in Park Ridge to any family looking for a safe, loving…read morechildcare center for their baby or young child. The teachers are warm and friendly, and teach the children through imaginative play, music, art, sensory exploration, and games. The environment is developmentally appropriate and stimulating, including an outdoor play area. My daughter grew in her confidence, independence, social skills, and early academic skills during her time at Daycare Children's World. As an elementary school teacher, I know how important these early years of development are, and I am grateful to Adriana, the owner/director, for creating this wonderful environment for the children in our community.

My son has been going to Christie's for nearly a year and I can't explain how much he enjoys it! He…read morehas made friendships that I'm sure will last a lifetime! Previously, he had been in a private daycare (which was great at the time) but he was ready to socialize more and meet new kids. While the first few weeks were a little tough, all of his teachers did a great job and he is confident now. The space is everything you would expect a daycare/pre-k space to be and so much more. He has such a fun day everyday and we look forward to the seasonal performances the kids put on! Thank you so much to everyone at Christie's for making this experience one to remember! The teachers are all so energetic and happy all the time!!! It takes a special person to be surrounded by children all day, and Christie's hires the best!

I could not imagine a better preschool experience for my kids. My daughter loves going to…read moreChristie's. She is learning so much. The staff genuinely cares about the children and provides them with a safe, fun, nurturing environment.