There is a place in Lake Station called Bellaboo’s.  I’m sure you’ve heard of it and probably been there.  Once you go, you’re ready to go back.  My kids would live there if I let them – in fact, my oldest said she could make a nice bed in the ball pit and I could come back for her the next day, I declined.

So, summer’s here and you’ve got to fill the days with something, right?  My vote – head here.  Why?  Well, I’m a big believer in “Pretend Play” – and they’ve got that covered.  Sure, Bellaboo’s has a massive climbing structure complete with ball pit.  They have a rockin’ art room for your child to work on her latest masterpiece.  They have a water table that my youngest thinks is a baby pool (Dear Management: Sorry about that).  They have a nice, quiet reading room when the kids need a little less stimulation.  They have this awesome padded room for babies that I would LOVE to have here. They have cooking classes daily.  They’ve got a bit of everything.  But my favorite our favorite is the pretend play wing.

She can spend hours checking out groceries, making pizza and serving it.  Then, she moves over to the “house” and gets dressed for the day in her chosen occupation.  It’s all there for her imagination to feast on.  Best of all, she is navigating the social side of the world as she pretends with others and graciously shares (yeah, I brag!) Meanwhile, I get to sit off to the side and watch as she pretends to be this or pretends to do that and I love it.

Also, don’t miss their line-up of summer camps and classes. What’s your kiddo’s favorite thing to do at Bellaboo’s?