by Amy Burgholzer
The two weeks of winter break is coming up, and most teenagers will be stuck inside their rooms on their laptops, phones or other electronic devices. Most won’t realize the activities around the area are worth the try. The surrounding areas have many activities to do to fight that winter boredom.
For something that’s free and fun to do with friends, have a snowman building party and turn it into a competition. Have friends get really creative with their snowmen and at the end everyone decides which snowman is the best.
If you’re willing to spend $15, travel down to Starved Rock for a Trolley Christmas Light Tour. The trolley will travel through LaSalle, Peru, Oglesby and Utica area. It runs from Dec. 13-23 and tours are from six-8:30 p.m. If you’re thinking about this one, Starved Rock highly suggests you make reservations.
The Brookfield Zoo Magical Lights Show is the same price as the trolley ride being $15. It’s general admission to get in, but within the zoo there is over one million lights, a computer generated light show, carolers, storytellers and much more. The Lights Festival runs from Dec 15-16, 22-23, as well as 26-31 and from four to nine p.m.
Another activity is Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch in Rantoul, Illinois. The hours of the ranch is open daily from ten a.m. to seven p.m., Christmas Eve from ten a.m. to two p.m. and closed Dec. 29 for the season. Reindeer tours are $4 per person.
Drive historic Route 66, to Pontiac, Illinois to the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum. Their winter hours are ten a.m. to four p.m., open seven days a week.
Head to Andalusia, Illinois to the Ski Snowstar Winter Sports Park for a fun, sporty day. There are many activities to do, such as skiing. The admission has family and group packages, making the day at the sports park more enjoyable as you’re not spending a lot of money.
Don’t just do fun winter activities in Illinois; go to the Richard Bong Recreational Area in Wisconsin. Open year round from six a.m. to 11 p.m., while office hours may vary. This recreational area is just 71 miles away from Chicago, and would make a great day trip with friends or family.
Another free activity to do is go to the lakefront in Wisconsin and build an igloo. Be creative with the igloo. Make it the classic dome shape with snow bricks or make it more modern day by just piling the snow up.
The surrounding areas have many activities to do for bored teenagers over winter break. Teenagers need to get out of the house and not spend the entire day on their computers.
