Family fun and activities for children abound in Sycamore where the emphasis is on helping build healthy minds and bodies.
Children as young as three months old are learning to swim at the Iddy Biddy Pool School, which features a pool designed for children. It’s been owned by Jeremy Stine since 2011.
The pool is a welcoming environment for young children and their parents. The temperature is maintained at 92 degrees and it is two-feet-seven-inches deep on the shallow end and four-feet-six-inches at its deepest.
While the school offers classes for children of all ages, its swimming classes for babies ages three to eight months are free. Parents accompany their children in the water.
“I’m not trying to become a millionaire,” Stine said. “I want to decrease the drowning rate in DeKalb County and help parents bond with their children.”
Stine said introducing children to water when they are just months old helps them develop their dive reflex in which they automatically learn to hold their breath under water.
Both the preschool and school-age classes have just four children per class in order to give little ones the best experience with the water.
“Our main priorities are safety, attention to detail and most importantly to have fun,” Stine said.
Girls on the Run is a nonprofit organization that helps girls in third to eighth grades be active and build self-esteem.
GOTR has been serving girls in Sycamore since 2010 and this spring has 81 girls participating in Sycamore schools, and more than 170 in DeKalb County.
“We help them understand they are amazing just the way they are,” said Laurie Dayon, executive director.
The girls meet twice a week for 10 weeks to discuss such topics such as standing up for themselves and others, dealing with bullying and gossip, defeating negative self-talk and making healthy life choices. Girls learn to support one another instead of tearing one another down. They learn all these lessons while training for a 5K.
Dayon said training for the 5K teaches them to set and achieve goals. They can complete the 5K by moving their bodies any way they choose.
“They can run, walk, skip, jump or do cartwheels,” she said. “When they cross the finish line, they know they can do whatever it is they put their minds to. They can change the world.”
A popular place for family fun is the Sycamore Family Sports Center, which was founded in 1993. At this outdoor facility kids can practice their soccer skills, shoot basketballs like a pro or play an 18-hole mini golf course. Adults are invited to perfect their golf swings at any of 50 lighted golf bays. They can send those golf balls flying to hit the 275 yard back fence or one of the four greens placed at varying distances.
The center started with the golf driving range and batting cages, but has expanded over the years to feature a go-kart track, trampoline-basketball jump shot, soccer cages and mini-golf.
The center is a big draw for families who like the activities as well as the atmosphere.
“We’re family-run and the facility is clean. People appreciate that and they like that there is something for everyone to do,” said owner Joseph Manczko.
The center is always making improvements. In 2018 it added kiddie go-karts for those not yet ready for the big time.
The center is open from March through October and is a popular place for kids’ birthday parties.
The Kishwaukee Family YMCA is another place where kids have fun any day of the week. The Y kicks off the summer every year with a Healthy Kids Day that focuses on health and offers open swim, karate demonstrations, roller skating and other activities designed to get kids on the move.
The Kishwaukee Family Y serves more than 3,500 youth and more than 2,000 families a year. Its wide range of youth programming includes before and after school camps, summer camps, preschool programs, dance classes, basketball, hockey and swim lessons.
One of its unique programs is YMCA Youth & Government, a leadership development program for high school students who assume roles of legislators, attorneys, executive officials, lobbyists, press members and more. Students debate issues using the actual Illinois Capitol and Supreme Court facilities.
“The Kishwaukee Family YMCA is dedicated to building healthy, confident, connected and secure children, families and communities,” said Heather Dunker, marketing and communications director. “Our programs are focused on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.”
Fun Recreation for Kids in Sycamore IL
Iddy Biddy Pool School
1715 DeKalb Ave. | Sycamore, IL 60178
(815) 991-9162 | jeremy@swimibps.com
Kishwaukee Family YMCA
2500 W. Bethany Rd. | Sycamore, IL 60178
(815) 756-9577 | hdunker@kishymca.org
Girls On The Run
111 Erick St., Ste. 115 | Crystal Lake, IL 60014
815-893-0259 | debra.harris@girlsontherun.org
Sycamore Family Sports Center
725 E. State St. | Sycamore, IL 60178
(815) 895-7407 | Sycamorefun.com
Sycamore RV Resort
375 E. North Ave. | Sycamore, IL 60178
815-895-5590 | Sycamorervresort.com
Kane County Fair
525 S. Randall Rd. | St. Charles, IL 60174
630-584-6926 | Kanecountyfair.com
Sycamore Park District
480 South Airport Rd. | Sycamore
sycmoreparkdistrict.com