I can’t believe that 2022 is soon coming to a close!  While my family and I were certainly very busy this year, there was so much that I had planned that we just didn’t get to do. My goal for the new year is to be more organized and really prioritize the things that I want to do with my family. To help me keep on track, I’m being proactive and writing down a bucket list of experiences that I want to accomplish in 2023. While there are so many more items that I could add to this list, I decided to keep it short so that it is easier to accomplish my goals and focus on the things that are most important for my family.   

Take my tween to a museum 

My husband and I have been taking my kids to museums since they were able to walk. They always have fun learning about new things and exploring the various exhibits. Now that my daughter is on the brink of her teen years, I would love to take her to a grown-up museum. I have never been to the Art Institute of Chicago, but I have heard that it is a fantastic place to visit.  An added bonus is that the museum offers free admission for kids under fourteen years old or Chicago residents under eighteen years old. There are some upcoming contemporary art and photography exhibits that look amazing and the rest of the museum seems like it will be equally as interesting to explore.

Family Winter Outings

My winter afternoons as a child were filled with outdoor activities such as ice skating, sledding, and skiing. These outings were sometimes cold and tiring, but always a ton of fun. This year I am hoping to reserve at least a weekend or two for my kids to experience this same type of winter joy that I had as a child. I look forward to spending winter afternoons tubing down snowy hills and gliding around ice rinks or frozen ponds followed by warm treats of hot chocolate and tasty smores.         

Take my son on a rollercoaster ride

This summer, my son went on his first rollercoaster ride and he was completely blown away by the experience. Months later, he still talks about how much fun he had. So as soon as the weather changes, I would love to take him on another coaster. Six Flags Great Adventure has some jaw-dropping coasters and thrill rides that I think he will really love. If we are really brave, we just might even try the wooden Goliath coaster, which holds world records for steepest drop and fastest speeds. The rest of the park also looks like it has a ton of great rides that I think my whole family will have a blast experiencing. 

Explore history

Now that my kids are a little bit older, they have been asking more questions about history and geography. We have had a lot of fun visiting historic places and learning about significant events together. Chicago has many great museums, but the one that makes my list this year is the Chicago History Museum. I know that my kids will love the interactive exhibits and family-friendly activities. One exhibit that looks particularly interesting is called “Sensing Chicago.” The exhibit allows visitors to use all of their five senses to explore the rich history of the city.    

Great Wolf Lodge

Great Wolf Lodge is one of my family’s all-time favorite weekend getaways. My kids love conquering the various waterslides and I enjoy taking a few leisurely spins around the lazy river.  We also always have a great time playing in the arcade and games area. There is just something really cozy about this indoor waterpark that makes family time there extra special.  Unfortunately, we have not been able to visit Great Wolf Lodge these past few years, so I am making a visit to the lodge a priority in the upcoming new year.

Family Picnic

My final experience to add to my 2023 bucket list is gathering the family and heading out for an old-fashioned picnic. While it seems like it should be so simple to throw together a blanket and some food items and head out to a scenic spot, for some reason, it is something that I rarely think of doing. There are so many beautiful picnic spots in the area, that picking one may be the hardest part of accomplishing this bucket list goal.

My 2023 bucket list is complete! Now it is time to make yours. Feel free to steal my ideas and of course, add many of your own. For some great suggestions of Kid Friendly Places to Visit, please check out this website’s premier KFV app. For the easiest experience, be sure to use star ratings and distance filters. Happy 2023!

Kim F