A Roaring Good Time on the Little Lake County Playground Safari presented by Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital

We swung on the monkey bars, scaled the jungle gyms and achieved new heights of fun at playgrounds all over Lake County!

From June through August we partnered with Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital for the Little Lake County Playground Safari 2016.  Joined by our fearless readers, we explored five different outposts of adventure all summer long.

Photo source Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital on Facebook
Photo source Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital on Facebook

Many thanks go to our presenting sponsor, Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital.  Their generous sponsorship made this year’s Safari possible.

Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital has many resources for keeping your family healthy.   Check out their suggestions for a Healthier Barbecue as well as 6 Tips for Managing Kids’ Tech Time. 

Busy Brains Children's Museum / Photo Credits (clockwise from top left): Dot Dot Photograpshy, C3 Photography, Mindy Garfinkel Photography, Jessica Lynn Studio
Busy Brains Children’s Museum / Photo Credits (clockwise from top left): Dot Dot Photograpshy, C3 Photography, Mindy Garfinkel Photography, Jessica Lynn Studio

Busy Brains Children’s Museum was our very special guest, and they brought along their fun, interactive, mobile exhibits that encourage motor skills, learning and discovery. Please show your support through their Constructing Curiosity Capital Campaign and help open the doors to Lake County’s first children’s museum in Lake Villa.

Lindenhurst Park District

We kicked off our Playground Safari with our friends at Lindenhurst Park District at Millennium Park.  They generously provided us with crafts, games, sand toys and helped us keep cool with wading pools.  What an awesome way to kick off the summer season!  For more photos, visit our event album on Facebook, with photos courtesy of Jessica Lynn Studio.

Garoon Gateway to ScienceWe went wild for science at the Garoon Gateway to Science on the campus of Lake County JCC in Lake Zurich.  JCC Chicago gave us rare access to their state-of-the art outdoor science park, made tinfoil boats, and helped our young explorers make their own slime! Mindy Garfinkle Photography captured all the fun, see all her photos on our event album on Facebook.

Photo Credit: Jessica Lynn Studio
Photo Credit: Jessica Lynn Studio

It was almost a surfin’ safari with our friends at the Grayslake Park District.  We splashed at the spray park on the east side of Central Park and got “inked” with (temporary) tattoos.  For more photos of our Grayslake playdate, visit our event album on Facebook with photos by C3 Photography.

Deerfield Park DistrictWe received the royal treatment and the newly unveiled Kids’ Castle playground at Deerpath Park in Vernon Hills.  Little lords and ladies expressed their creative side with crafts facilitated by Vernon Hills Park District.  See all the images of the brand new playground in our Facebook event album, photos courtesy of Dot Dot Photography.

Photo Credit: Snapdragon Photos
Photo Credit: Snapdragon Photos

With the gracious help of Lake Villa Township, we send farewell to the Playground Safari and to summer with a good ol’ fashioned hot dog roast at Caboose Park.  The scent of fired up coals filled the air as children ran up and down the rolling green hills of Caboose Park and made craft projects with the staff.  Construction fans got a double dose of fun by getting up close and personal with the township maintenance vehicles.  Photos courtesy of Snapdragon Photos, visit our event album to see more of our event.

Kind SnacksSpecial thanks to our Snack Sponsor KIND, that kept us fueled with super grains from their Healthy Grains Bars throughout our playground safari!

diaper depot lake county

On behalf of families in need, thank you to all our readers who brought donations of diapers and wipes for Diaper Depot (a project of Catholic Charities Lake County Services.)  Your donations will be distributed to low-income families in our area.  No family should have to choose between food or diapers, and with your help they won’t!  If you’d like to know more about Diaper Depot and to help in their mission, Melissa tells us where you can donate. 

Playground Safari
Photo Credit: Jessica Lynn Studio

Last but not least, we thank you our readers for brining your children to our Playground Safari.  Seeing the smiles on your kids’ faces makes it all worthwhile!

Don’t miss our next playdate with Goldfish Swim School in Mundelein when we go Back-to-Pool II on September 1st.  To receive announcements of all our future events, and stay up-to-date on all that’s fun for families in Lake County, subscribe to our e-newsletter.


Disclosure: Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital is the paid presenting sponsor of the Little Lake County Playground Safari 2016.  Promotional consideration has been provided to other co-sponsors in exchange for their services. 

About Loralie 133 Articles
When Loralie isn’t out exploring with her two pint-sized adventurers you’ll often find her in front of her computer plotting to take over the world (or at least Lake County.) She appreciates good friends, good food, expensive shoes and parents who make two lanes in the drop-off/pick-up line at school. Her spirit animal is The Hobbit. She invites you to join her on her quest for unique distractions, diversions and deliciousness in this county we call home. She is the Features Editor and Marketing Director at Little Lake County.

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