I've been taking Sugarwings to Crown Center for 8 years now.
Our first time she was barely past being a toddler. They have the coolest, most artistic, interactive play area and it changes themes periodically. We've seen the Fairytale village three times, have been to a recycling workshop, visited Oz, and many, many more. adventures that Hallmark has sponsored there.
Right now, it is set up as "Funville," a career fair.
You can work in an ER…
Be a surfer…
A baker…
Be on a TV news show…
Or teach…
There are also opportunities to be a fireman, astronaut, president, rodeo bull rider, or a bumble bee bear.
A bumble bee bear?
Hmmm. Don't really get this one.
You could even crawl into a tunnel and mine for gems. Or be a magician and pull a rabbit out of a hat. Both are not top professions in today's world, but real jobs none the less.
Bumble Bee Bear, though. Seriously?
There is a lot to do and see at Crown Center, including Sealife and Legoland, as well as the free activities like the Funville career center we went to and Kaleidoscope.
Hallmark owns it and I can't say enough about how much we appreciate what they do for the kids that come here.
Never ending art supplies, colorful, exciting rooms to explore, and as much creating as you can jam pack into 45 minutes of fun.
We try to go a couple of times a year. I don't know why we don't go more often. It is great on cold, blustery days when we are tired of being cooped up.
And ideal for birthday parties too. There is even free parking. We go to see plays at the Coterie Theater for kids, eat at the Crayola cafe, draw and color in the Crayola shop, and basically make a big day out of it.
I know I don't outgrow the experience. I sure hope that the grandfairies will still go with me for at least a few more years.