Keep kids busy during the winter

Crazy winter, huh? While the mercury decides exactly where it wants to land, melt away cabin fever with a plethora of fun activities to keep little ones busy (and bundled) this season. Youngsters will have plenty more to do than just color or paint indoors for the next few months. Get 'em outdoors to take in new sights or trot to any number of the adventuresome venues here.

Xtreme TrampolinesThink of the backyard trampoline multiplied in an entire warehouse! Your youngster can spend hours on end jumping, bumping and rolling on the springy commercial-grade trampolines that cover the floors and angled walls. The humungous space also includes a dodgeball court and large foam pit.#8220;It's a fun business to be in,#8221; says Eric Beck, who opened the first of two Illinois Xtreme locations in December 2010. (His second location, in Buffalo Grove, opened weeks ago.) #8220;It's a concept that works well. Kids just naturally like to jump on trampolines. It's great exercise. Your heart rate goes up quickly. And parents love it because it wears everyone out. It's a win-win for everybody.#8221;The facility, open to all ages, requires waivers for those under 18; ages 18 and over need to show an ID.Locations: Carol Stream, 485 Mission St., (630) 752-1400; Buffalo Grove, 950 Busch Parkway, (224) 676-0660Times: Noon to 10 p.m. Monday, 3-10 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, noon-11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. SundayPrices: Carol Stream: $11 for the first hour; $6 for each additional hour; Buffalo Grove: $12 for the first hour; $7 for each additional hour. Passes and group rates are available.Online: www.xtremetrampolines.comKeyLime Cove Waterpark Resort Hotel#8220;We're 82 degrees and sunny all the time,#8221; tempts Jennifer Evans, marketing manager of splashy water park resort that celebrates its fourth year next month. #8220;It's a really quick getaway that makes you feel like you've gone further than Illinois.#8221;The resort's design in terms of décor, sights and sounds are inspired by the Florida Keys. While the playful and expansive indoor waterpark is the main draw, it is not the only one. There is a spa on premises and family-friendly places to dine and play. Room accommodations include access to the waterpark. Location: 1700 Nations Drive, Gurnee, (877) 360-0403Times: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Weekend hours may extend until 10 p.m.Prices: Room rates start at $99.95 for two guests.Online: keylimecove.comThe Chicago Athenaeum's International Sculpture ParkAre the kids antsy and bursting with energy? Bundle them up and let 'em run around, generate some heat and enjoy the monumental art works sprouting at the Chicago Athenaeum International Sculpture Park, which is situated on 20 acres of meadow, forest and natural prairie.#8220;The pieces of art there are all monumental. They are large, colorful and non-representational; in other words abstract,#8221; says Betsy Armistead, director of cultural services for the Village of Schaumburg, where the sculpture work of international and American artists is located. #8220;They could generate creative ideas in kids and let them use their imagination. The park is along the bike path south of the village hall. It's a pretty walk, even in the winter.#8221;Location: 101 Schaumburg Court. (The park is located south of Schaumburg's Robert Atcher Municipal Center.)Times: Sunrise to sunsetPrice: FreeSledding hills in NapervilleIt's been warmer than normal this season, putting a damper on snowy fun activities. That's why you should be prepared with the details on your favorite sledding hill. In Naperville, there are six hills.#8220;Provided that we have the weather, it's very popular,#8221; says Sameera Luthman, Naperville Park District's marketing director of the area's sledding hills. #8220;We have five sled hills and the Riverwalk Sled Hill at Rotary Hill.#8221;Yet the area's milder weather has shortened the available time to enjoy the snow this season. #8220;This will be a shorter season as it is all weather dependent,#8221; Luthman adds.Luthman says the sledding season in Naperville ends Feb. 28.Locations: Various. See the Naperville Park District website www.napervilleparks.org for specifics or call (630) 848-5000.Times: Open until dusk. The Riverwalk Sled Hill closes at 9 p.m., 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.Price: Free; bring your own sled; no rentals are availableLegoland Discovery CenterIt's a big and colorful, clicky and clanky wonderland, thanks to the gazillion bright plastic building pieces that generations have come to love. There are also bunches of fun rides and other dizzying areas of amusement in this 30,000-square-foot space in Schaumburg.#8220;It's an ideal place to visit any time of year, but particularly in winter,#8221; says Amy Walgren of the center, the first of two in the country. #8220;We have a full line of activities, plus we have our new girls' product lines of Lego friends.#8221;Location: Streets of Woodfield, 601 N. Martingale Road, Schaumburg, (847) 592-9700.Times: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. most days. Fridays and Saturdays, closes at 8 p.m.Prices: Prices vary from $12 to $19, depending on if you purchase at the door or online. Passes are available.Online: legolanddiscoverycenter.comHickory Knolls Discovery CenterLocated amid restored wetlands, woodlands, savanna and prairie, the new 10,500-square-foot Hickory Knolls Discovery Center opened last April in St. Charles. Inside, there is a turtle pond and wetland exhibit, live animal displays and interactive floor-to-ceiling murals.Additionally, there are hiking trails to appeal to your adventurous side. #8220;Our new facility is a great way to enjoy the outdoors during the winter. We hope many people will use it as a gateway to the miles of trails waiting to be discovered throughout our 130 acres of natural areas,#8221; says Jeannette Joy, an assistant naturalist. #8220;Winter hiking is ideal. You don't have the bugs. You can identify birds and trees. The main trail is a two-mile loop.#8221;Location: 3795 Campton Hills Road, St. Charles, (630) 513-4399Times: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. SundayPrices: Free. Snowshoe rentals available for $2/a day a pair; $5 a pair on weekendOnline: www.stcparks.org 33442232Laura StoeckerDundee Middle School teacher Ann Campbell digs her way out of a foam pit after jumping into via trampoline during a “Bounce Out Cancer” fundraiser at Xtreme Trampolines in Carol Stream in March 2011. 800533Xtreme TrampolineJumping as high as you can and landling safely in a foam pit never gets old. 40001940Xtreme Trampolines in Carol Stream offers jumping fun for all ages. 36482736Chicago Athenaeum International Sculpture Park is in Schaumburg. 40003000The new Hickory Knolls Nature Center in St. Charles features a turtle pond, live animal displays and interactive floor-to-ceiling murals indoors and trails great for hiking in the winter outdoors. 36482736Chicago Athenaeum International Sculpture Park is in Schaumburg. 1000667Sledding is a natural cabin-fever buster if the weather cooperates. 15001000The Florida Keys inspired the decor and fun offered at KeyLime Cove in Gurnee.