IKEA with kids

It's only been open for a few months, but I've been to the Ikea in West Chester twice now, and my house is definitely looking more Ikea-ey: there's the funky orange duvet cover on our bed, for one, and of course I had to get matching orange curtains... anyway, other than a general warning that shopping there could be hazardous to your household budget, there are some things to keep in mind when trekking to the only Swedish shopping wonderland in Ohio.
The first time we went was on a Saturday night; the crowds were manageable, but it took us 30 minutes -- maybe an hour -- to check out. The second time, I went on a weekday afternoon; checkout took no time at all.
You've probably heard about Smaland, the free childcare service at Ikea. Here are some things I learned, after checking my 2- and 5-year-old boys in recently:
1. Your child must be potty trained and meet a height requirement (no less than 37" tall and no greater than 54" tall) to get in. SS, almost 3, was just a hair too short, but they let him in anyway.
2. Budget 10-15 minutes to get your child checked in, or perhaps longer on a busy day when you may have to wait for a spot. Before standing in line, look on the nearby wall for forms to fill out, and grab a bin for shoes.
3. Once inside, the children can play on the fun-looking play structures (I seem to recall a giant high-heeled shoe and a ball pit). They can also color or go up into a loft to watch a kid-friendly movie (Ratatouille was playing recently). My older son seemed perfectly content, but my little one was distressed because checking him out took so long, and he couldn't understand why the staff wouldn't let him through the emergency glass door to get to me, pronto.
4. Ikea will babysit the children for about an hour, which should be enough time to get your shopping done if you already have a pretty good idea of what you need (and you don't ponder all your choices in the "Marketplace" for too long). Parents receive a pager in case of emergencies. Don't forget to reserve time for checkout.
If you've got a craving for Swedish meatballs, there's a lot of kid-friendly food at the food court, starting at 99 cents... but you probably already knew that.
The drive from Oxford takes about 45 minutes, but you can combine an Ikea trip with several other excursions. See our entries (coming soon) on "Sharon Woods" and "Fossil Park."
Happy shopping!
Store info:
LINK: http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/IkeaNearYouView?storeId=12&catalogId=11001&langId=-1&StoreName=west_chester
Address:
9500 IKEA Way
West Chester, Ohio 45069
Phone: 513.779.7100
Store Hours:
10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Daily
Directions: From Oxford, take 130 into Hamilton. Turn right onto Main St. (177) and go through downtown Hamilton. Continue on High St. Continue on Michael a Fox Hwy. Take exit 21 for OH-747 toward Middletown/Springdale. Turn right at OH-747/Princeton Glendale Rd. Turn left at Union Centre Blvd. Turn right at Allen Rd. Look for the giant Ikea sign.

Ikea side-trips (with Fossil Park AND Sharon Woods Park)

Here's some great options for sidetrips when you make your way to Ikea. We investigated today, and were really pleased with everything. It was a fun daytrip.



1. Trammel Fossil Park, Tramway Dr., Sharonville, OH (45-50 minutes from Oxford)

This is a nationally reknown fossil park that is--FREE, and chocked full of great fossil finds. We were there with very small kids and they each had their little buckets full in no time. Not much shade and the terrain is rocky (hence the fossils), so we recommend okay shoes for walking/climbing around. And it's probably best to stop here first in morning, or last in evening, to avoid the hot summer sun.

Directions from Oxford:

Mapquest took us 27 south, 275 North, Sharonville exit (just past the exit for I-75). Turn North (which I think is left) on Lebanon rd. Take first left onto Hauck Dr. Go half mile to Tramway Drive and turn right. It is two blocks up on Tramway Drive.


2. Sharon Woods, Sharonville, OH (45-50 minutes from Oxford--5 minutes from Fossil park)


They have a fantastic indoor play area. It costs $2.50, but if you buy 4 entries you get one free (to be used at any time- including that day--for the next year). The center is clean and we liked that you could use big people stairs to go up to the top level of the play area. I also noticed a handicapped accessible lift that could take people up to the top level. It has climbing and tubes, a ball area. Oh, and air conditioning. We had to drag our kids away. We did have a few heart-stopping moments when we tried to locate one of the kids who were in one of the non-see-through tubes. But there is only one way in and out of the play area, so that is reassuring.



There is also a pioneer village, outdoor sprinkler playground, nature center area, and several outdoor playgrounds.



Directions: From the fossil park, go back out to Lebanon Rd. and turn right. The park will be on your left after about a mile. (also can turn right onto Lebanon Rd. from 275 if skipping fossil park).


Directions From Sharon Woods TO IKEA (10-15 minutes)-- Go right on Lebanon Rd., then left on Kemper. At Reading Rd. turn right. This turns into Cincinnati Dayton Rd. Turn left on Allen Rd. and you'll see Ikea's flags almost immediately.


EXTRA: BANANA's Inflatables
If you are taking 129 to and from IKEA, you'll be also going right past Banana's. I can't blog much on it, since I haven't been there. But I hear it has big inflatable jumping stuff for kids. And it's indoor's. I have seen it on 129 near the 129/I-75 interchange (going west on 129 from I-75 it's on your left).

Lunar Mini Golf

The kids and I were looking for a way to kill a Saturday afternoon while Rich was away at a conference, so we wound up at the Cincinnati Mills Mall, where we haven't been in ages. It's a little disconcerting to see that so many of the stores there are now empty. Still, it's a fun place for little ones to burn off some energy indoors. There's a PBS Kids playground, which is good for 20-30 minutes of jumping around. The big draw, of course, is the Wonder Park, a Chuckie Cheese-like place with pizza, tons of video games (most of which cost at least 50 cents to play), and kiddie rides that range from $1 to $3.
But what really got the boys excited this time was Lunar Mini Golf. Right next to the Wonder Park, we discovered an indoor mini-golf course that offered so many things my boys enjoy: sticks, balls, and stuff that glows in the dark. The indoor course isn't fancy -- there aren't windmills or hippos bathing in waterfalls -- but there are two courses with 18 holes each that are challenging but not too frustrating for children. The gimmick is that the entire operation takes place in the dark, except for blacklights that set off the fluorescent course in an otherworldly sort of way. (In fact, SH thought we were playing "Alien Hockey").
Kids 5 and younger can play up to three rounds for only $3 (the man behind the counter let SS, age 2, "play" for free). Kids 6-12 pay $6 and adults pay $8, but there's no requirement that the adult has to play. SH, SS and I spent a really fun hour knocking little glowing golf balls around, all for three bucks. I highly recommend it.
What: Lunar Mini Golf
Where: Cincinnati Mills Mall. Take 27 to I-275 E. toward Dayton. Take the Winton Rd. Exit, #39. Turn left. The mall will be on the right. Takes about 40 minutes from Oxford.
When: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday

Jungle Jim's

So you've just moved to Oxford from someplace bigger, and immediately, you lament the lack of an Indian restaurant here. Or maybe you've got a craving for some pho, or some really fresh sushi. Perhaps your problem is that you need baklava, and lots of it. Head to Jungle Jim's, my foodie friends.
I won't go on and on about what a food-lover's paradise it is. You probably already know it carries a huge selection of international groceries. Need tea from Africa? check. Want to try a so-called 10,000-year-old egg from China? check. Looking for candied grasshoppers, or maybe a turducken? You can find it at Jungle Jim's.
I thought I'd highlight two products from the Asian section that I've recommended to several people. One is the frozen dumplings. The kind we love is made by a Taiwanese company called Wei-Chuan. It almost doesn't matter what flavor you get. Look for a logo that says "New and Improved!"
Granted, they're not quite like homemade dumplings, but they're really, really close, and they're WAY better than the doughy versions you find at most Chinese restaurants. Making Chinese dumplings at home is something like a 12-step process that can take all day. With the frozen kind, all you have to do is boil water. If you prefer potstickers, you can pan fry/steam them. Look for directions on the back.
While you're having dumplings, you might as well get the most delicious soy sauce I've ever tasted. It's also made by Wei-Chuan and is available at Jungle Jim's in a tall bottle in the Taiwanese aisle. It's called Prime China soy sauce. It's much thicker than Kikkoman and is rather sweet, with a wonderful soy-saucy flavor. I'm addicted.
Finally, because this is not a commercial for Jungle Jim's, I should mention that you can find slightly better prices (on the dumplings, at least) at a small Oriental market just up Dixie Rd. As you're headed home from Jungle Jim's, look for a rather forlorn little shopping center a few blocks ahead on the right, with one or perhaps two shops in it. The market carries a larger selection of Chinese groceries than JJ's. You can also buy cookware, chopsticks, incense, tiger balm and other cool stuff.
What: Jungle Jim's
Where: 5440 Dixie Highway. Take 27 N. out of Oxford. Turn left onto 130 as if headed to Hamilton. Turn right onto Main St. (177) in Hamilton, and go through the shopping district there. Turn right onto OH 4 South, which turns into Dixie Highway. Look on your left for the Jungle Jim's complex, which looks a bit like Disney World, complete with its own monorail. Takes about 35-40 minutes to get there.
Contact: (513) 674-6000
Hours: Opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 10 pm, which is good if you or your spouse wants to make a late-night trip after the kids have gone to bed. Note that it closes early on the major holidays.

Gap outlet!

Drive an hour towards the Cincinnati airport, and there are $7 jeans to be had. 25 cent baby socks. Bathing suits, maternity clothes, jackets, shoes, fancy dresses, sweat clothes, hats, boxer shorts... if it's made by the Gap, Old Navy or Banana Republic, the Gap Outlet has it, for a fraction of what you would pay in the mall. Officially the Gap Clearance Center, its one of just a few sites in the country where all the Gap family stores ship their overstocked items or stuff that's been returned or is slightly damaged. This means you may find 10,000 little squirrel t-shirts that say "I'm a nutty little angel" (I actually bought one for SH. It was 25 cents. Need I say more?) and heaps of mismatched bathing suits, but no shoes in your size.
Still, the place is addictive. You could easily spend three hours and $200 here, but you'll emerge with all the clothes you need for a year. (As if you could stay away from the place for a year). I'm embarassed to say that a cashier once had to divide my purchases into two transasctions because I exceeded 70 items, and the cash register couldn't handle more than that. (Mostly it was baby socks -- honestly).
Some caveats: Although the outlet is especially great for kids' stuff, including shoes, coats, hats, and PJs, DON'T BRING THE KIDS. They will be miserable because you're taking too long; you will be miserable because they won't give you all the time you need to hunt through the racks thoroughly. And you DO need to be careful, because you may find a fabulous Banana Republic shirt and bring it home only to discover that you overlooked a rip or a stain. Also, shopping here could make it really hard for you to pay retail at Gap stores ever again.
One last hint: This is a nice place to stop off before you have to pick someone up at the Cincy airport (or after you drop someone off). Just make sure you don't miss the flight because you're sorting through bins of the cutest jammies ever, all for 99cents...
What: GAP Clearance Outlet
Where: 2050 Global Way, Park West International, Hebron
When: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday
Directions: I-275 west (towards Indianapolis). Merge onto I-275 South via EXIT 5 towards Kentucky. Cross into Indiana and Kentucky and go past the airport exit. Exit at 8A Hebron North. Pass the first light and turn left at Global Way.
Phone: 859-586-3320 (They have daily or weekly specials, i.e. men's Gap shirts for $2, and you can call ahead to ask what's on sale).

The Tea Parlor

Recently we took a Mom's night out to have full English tea at The Tea Parlor in Liberty Township, OH. http://www.theteaparlor.net/. I have to say it was one of the best nights out I've had in a long time! The table and room where just beautiful. The food is all made by the owners, Susan and Jennie, from organic, local sources. For $16 (now $18 in 2008) we could have any tea that they offered (out of around 45 selections), finger sandwiches, really yummy scones, savory, and all kinds of other desserts, fruit, bread and cheese. You can make a reservation to go there for tea on Friday or Saturday from noon-5 pm. They even have a children's tea which includes tea, peanut butter/jelly sandwich and cheese hearts, fruit skewer, relishes with ranch dip, scone and ice cream scoops - $8. After our great evening, I'm thinking of finding a time to bring my 5 year old boy. Why not? Good food and tea doesn't have to just be for girls. They also sell their tea and yummy food online, or at the Oxford Farmers Market.

Directions: Out of Oxford, take I-73 (Trenton Oxford Rd). Follow this road as it turns right, then splits off from 127. Turn right on Wayne Madison Road. This becomes Liberty Fairfield Road. Turn left on Hwy 4. Turn right on Kyles Station Rd. (not long, maybe 1/2 mile). Turn right on Yankee Rd. The house is on your right: 5605 Yankee Rd.

Richmond, IN outing

Adriane just introduced me to a small science museum I'd never been to, about 45 minutes from Oxford. The Joseph Moore Museum ( http://www.earlham.edu/josephmooremuseum/) is in Richmond, on the campus of Earlham College, in a building called Dennis Hall. It's got some cool fossils and other animal specimens on the first floor. In the basement, there's a kid-friendly play area, plus a few live reptiles and even a mildly spooky mummy. There's also a small planetarium, although the student manning the museum on Friday managed only to turn it on, and didn't really teach us anything about the stars. The babies gazed at it for five, maybe 10 minutes. But, hey, everything was free. (NOTE: The museum is only open MWF and Sun., 1-5. Check the web site for details).
The museum is good for maybe 30 min. to an hour's worth of pretty intense fun for kids. If it seems like a long drive, you might stop by Veach's Imagination Station (http://veachstoys.com/) probably the best toy store I've been to within an hour's drive. Veach's has a lot of educational toys and a huge selection of Playmobil sets. The only bad thing about this toy store is the screaming that occurs when you tell your kids it's time to leave. Also, you'll frequently get a 20 percent off coupon in the mail. Veach's is at 715 E. Main St.
Directions to the Joseph Moore Museum:
Take 27 N (passing Wal-Mart on your right). Cross into Indiana. Follow signs to stay on 27 through the town of Liberty. Go about 14 more miles until you reach Richmond. Turn left onto S A St./US 40 and follow 40 until it becomes National Road. Look for Earlham College on the left, at 801 National Rd.
Directions from museum to Veach's: Get back onto National Road/40 and head back the way you came. You should find yourself on S A St. again. Turn left at S. 3rd St. and R. at E. Main St. You'll have to find parking, since there's only street parking near the toy store.