Nine stories above North Michigan Avenue, the petite hotel guest stared out at the cold rough lake while warm gentle waters burbled behind her. Draped along the window seat were adorable outfits, a tiny bed and even a miniature dresser for her little plastic friend who once lived across the street at the American Girl store.
As the 8-year-old girl, bundled in a plush terry robe, merrily played with the American Girl amenities, a tray arrived bearing two warm chocolate chip cookies and a pitcher of cold milk. She was dying to eat them, but by now her bath was calling, and for once, it sounded as if it could be even more fun than cookies.
The tub was piled high with American Girl bubbles, dappled with fragrant American Girl bath sprinkles and accompanied by bottles of American Girl shampoo and conditioner?mementos, along with her plush robe and cushy slippers, that she could take home after this luxurious soak was over. Once settled in, she sang to herself with joy. And she didn?t want to get out.
Pure little-girl fantasy? Not completely. This scenario really plays out a few times a month at the Park Hyatt Chicago, where the staff will cater to just about every whim of the average American Girl-crazy gal. All she needs is someone generous enough to cover the room rate (about $400) and any extras?in this case, $100 for the bath.
While the bubble bath falls on the decadent end of the fantasy spectrum, it?s just one of the many kid-centric activities that savvy retailers and hospitality experts have dreamed up to help us reward a good report card, celebrate a milestone or relieve parental guilt.
Have an 8-year-old who’s crazy about Legos? Or a 3-year-old who wants to be a firefighter? Turns out there are great fantasy events just for them. Does your child dream of eating Froot Loops all day? Or going on an adventure with Thomas the Tank Engine? These are dreams within reach.
Some can seem disgustingly extravagant and gratuitous while others are darn affordable and even educational. Either way, if you plan ahead and choose wisely you can fulfill a child’s wildest dreams. Our pint-sized testers recently checked out five to see how they scored on the fantasy-o-meter.
American Girl Bath
Where: Park Hyatt Chicago, 800 North Michigan Ave.; 312-335-1234; parkchicago.hyatt.com
What it is: A swank hotel with specialty bath butler services.
Best for ages 6-12.
The fun part: An American Girl Bath featuring AG bubble bath, AG bath sprinkles, AG shampoo, AG conditioner, milk with warm cookies and a take-home robe with slippers.
Cost: $100 on top of regular hotel room rates. Or get the Ultimate American Girl Park Package, which features a grand deluxe room, a personalized welcome note to the child, American breakfast for two in NoMI, an authentic American Girl gift (outfit or toy), picnic basket with cookies, American Girl turndown service that includes slippers and robe and an American Girl bed set for the doll. One night costs $505-$595.
Kid reaction: Our American Girl doll fan was overjoyed with the bath, “especially the little stars in the tub” and the complimentary robe, slippers and American Girl toiletries she got to take home. “It was very relaxing and warm, and I think any girl who likes the dolls would absolutely adore it,” said 8-year-old Isabel Darrow.
Alternative:
Two downtown Marriott hotels-Courtyard (30 E. Hubbard St.; 312-329-2500) and Downtown Magnificent Mile (540 N. Michigan Ave.; 312-836-6128 or 800-228-9290)-are both near American Girl Place. Young fans can enjoy a package that includes a room (king or two double beds) with a bed for their doll (not to take home), cookies and milk, and breakfast for two adults and two kids for $219-$239 per night plus tax. Purchase American Girl toiletries for $7.50 a bottle at the shop in American Girl Place, 111 E. Chicago Ave.; 877-AG-PLACE (877-247-5223).
Fire Zone
Where: 548 Zenith Drive, Glenview; 847-597-8122,
firezonechicago.com
What it is: A warehouse and party facility with two real fire trucks, kid-sized firefighter outfits and firefighting games and activities.
Best for ages 3-13.
The fun part: Real firefighters organize the party, serve the food and lead the kids in fun activities. Partygoers get to tour a real fire truck, dress up in pint-sized firefighter clothes, act out educational fire emergency situations, and play with a real hose and firefighting video games.
Cost: $285 including party favors, supplies, cake, juice and one hour of activities for up to 12 kid guests. A parents’ room and food can be provided at an additional cost.
Kid reaction: Both the 3-year-old and skeptical 8-year-old loved trying on the clothes, playing the video games and water-squirting games, and standing in the truck. They were also just awed at talking to a real firefighter. The younger child was a little frightened by a safety drill demonstration, but in general it was fun and educational.
Lego store
Where: 520 N Michigan Ave., No. 300, 312-494-0760; 5 Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg; 847-517-1640, and 2024 Northbrook Court, Northbrook; 847-291-9520.
What it is: A store selling the colorful building blocks.
Best for ages 4-14.
The fun part: A pre-opening hours party on Sundays at 10 a.m. for groups of at least five, who get the run of the store, a cool project to complete and $10 gift certificates each. Energetic Lego employees run the party. You can arrange similar events during operating hours on certain days of the week.
Cost: $10 per child, with a minimum of five kids per party. Plan ahead, as the slots are often scheduled for weeks-even months-in advance, but it is worth it. For this low price, friendly Lego representatives schedule your party, give you invitations to hand out, organize and lead the building activity, hand out complimentary goodie bags, entertain your kids with a sensitivity to who needs more help, and even advise them on what they can buy with their $10 certificate.
Kid reaction: The Lego-loving boys at this party were thrilled to be in this building block Mecca before regular hours. They were challenged by and engrossed in the building activity. And they were overjoyed to have $10 to spend on anything in the store.
Cereality
Where: 100 S. Wacker Drive; 312-506-0010, and 1622 Sherman Ave., Evanston; 847-864-4400, www.cereality.com
What it is: A restaurant serving cereal and cereal-based treats all day.
Best for ages 4-74.
The fun part: Forbidden sugary, colorful cereal for breakfast, lunch and dinner, of course. But the Wacker location is only open until 6 p.m. You can also book cereal-themed parties here with special games and take-home gifts.
Cost: A bowl of cereal with up to two scoops of cereal and two toppings costs $3.99.
Kid reaction: When I told my kids we were having cereal-the kind they never get at home-for dinner, the squeals of joy were almost worth the later hyperactivity. The children loved being able to choose among nearly 40 cereals and more than a dozen toppings, while their helpless mother could only look on and smile. They adored watching cartoons (even if the restaurant plays no sound) on a weekday night while shoveling the sugary nubbins into their mouths from a carton. They relished slurping up the sweet milk with their special spoon straws and finishing with a smoothie.
Learning Curve Toys
Where: 17W504 22nd St., Oakbrook Terrace; 630-833-1000, learningcurvetoys.com
What it is: A toy store with lots of Thomas the Tank Engine stuff.
Best for ages 3-7.
The fun part: At 6:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month, the store hosts a Thomas the Tank Engine night with a raffle, movie screening, refreshments and a 15-percent discount on all toys. Thomas fans can even don their pajamas and snuggle up in their sleeping bags while watching the movie on one of three screens.
Cost: Free, but you probably will be encouraged by your child to buy things in the store.
Kid reaction: Our testers were thrilled to be in the store during what felt like after-hours-even though the store is usually open until 9 p.m. The kids loved roaming through and playing in the attractive toy aisles and riding on Thomas train (which was not moving on this particular night). The movie-sometimes a premiere-is shown on three screens including a movie-sized one in the party room where kids can camp out in the dark.
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meng@tribune.com
