Every family with little ones knows Bluey, the beloved cartoon Australian heeler dog from the Emmy Award winning children’s show, “Bluey.”
This spring, Bluey and her family are moving from the screen to a real life pop up experience at CAMP, the family experience and experimental retail store in Old Town.
This article was recently updated on May 28, 2024 by Chicago Parent’s Assistant Editor, Nikki Roberts. The update included add her review of the Bluey x CAMP experience. Questions? Please reach out to nikki@chicagoparent.com.
Beginning Friday, May 24, families will open CAMP’s signature Magic Door to reveal Bluey’s home, a 5,000 square-foot space filled with interactive activities, dance parties, games, and a Bluey meet and greet.
Chicago will be the second stop for the Bluey x CAMP experience, following a sold-out experience in Los Angeles. The experience lasts approximately 50 minutes.
Bluey x CAMP is sure to be one of the most popular family events of the year. Get all the info you’ll need to plan your family’s Bluey experience, and purchase advance tickets now before they sell out.
Quick details about Bluey x CAMP
- When: Begins May 24, 2024
- Address: 647 W. North Ave., Chicago
- Hours: Time slots begin at 10 a.m. Monday-Friday, and at 9 a.m. Saturday-Sunday
- Cost: Tickets start at $39.Buy advance tickets now.
- Parking: Metered street parking is available. There is also a parking lot at 755 W. North Ave.
Families will laugh, play, dance and pretend with Bluey and her family at this heartwarming immersive adventure. Here is a preview of what awaits your family behind CAMP’s Magic Door:
Things to do with kids at Bluey x CAMP
- Play signature Bluey games from Magic Asparagus to Keepy Uppy.
- Show off your best dance moves in Bluey’s playroom.
- Climb through a two-story pillow fort and a cardboard box castle.
- Spot hidden “Easter eggs” from your favorite Bluey episodes — like garden gnomes, tennis balls and long dogs.
- Snap a selfie with Bingo and Bluey in a grand finale meet-and-greet experience.
One of the themes of “Bluey” is that children learn and grow through play. In addition to creative family experiences, CAMP also offers a curated selection of toys and merchandise. To commemorate your Bluey experience, CAMP will have an exclusive line of Bluey toys and merchandise.
Notable items from the Bluey collection include the Bluey Ring Tower stackable wooden toy, and Bluey and Bingo Ears Headbands that the entire family can wear to get in on the Bluey fun.
Is Bluey x CAMP worth it?
Chicago Parent’s Assistant Editor, Nikki Roberts, was invited to the media preview of the Bluey x CAMP experience. Here’s what she thought:
I visited the Bluey x CAMP experience with a few family friends and two littles, ages 2 and 4 years old. The adults in our group were just as pumped to visit as the kiddos were!
We were greeted by friendly employees who directed us to the Magic Door. (That’s all I’ll say about that; I don’t want to spoil the surprise for your family!)
After a magical surprise, I found myself inside Bluey’s House. The experience was guided by enthusiastic CAMP actors who stayed in character for the duration of the visit. The actors will take your family through some of Bluey and Bingo’s favorite games, like Hide and Seek, Magic Asparagus and Keepy Uppy.
Outgoing kids and older Bluey fans will love playing these games, but the girls in my group were a a tad shy and a bit too young to be entertained by group games. Luckily, there are plenty of toys, play structures, slides and other opportunities for open, imaginative play. My littlest guests really enjoyed story time with Unicorse!
The experience ended with a Bingo and Bluey meet and greet and a trip to the gift shop to pick out a new Bluey toy. The grownups in my party loved all the small touches and Bluey “Easter eggs” hidden around the experience, and our kiddos were thrilled to meet their favorite Heelers! I’d recommend this experience for any family that loves Bluey, particularly with kids ages 3-6.
Other things to do with kids near Old Town
- Visit giraffes, lions, zebras and more at the free Lincoln Park Zoo.
- Enjoy the greenery of the Lincoln Park Conservatory and its beautiful outdoor gardens.
- Discover a butterfly garden at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, an educational museum with plenty of kid-friendly exhibits.
- Wiggle, dance and sing at a family music class at Old Town School of Folk Music.
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