It occurred to me the other day that my life is kind of boring. I devote the majority of my time to three areas, each of which is fulfilling and necessary: home, work and the gym. I love these things, which is why they’re my life, but a girl needs some spice.
Remember that saying from the ’90s, “Get a life”? I started feeling like I should consider doing that––in the form of a hobby. Exercise is a hobby, I guess. But I’m talking about things you can brag about at a party. Painting. Speaking a different language. Whipping up a souffle like NBD. Thirty minutes on the elliptical? No.
So, I started sleuthing and rounded up a few good ideas to move me right along the road to mastering a hobby. The best part: some can be a joint kid-parent effort.
And since my New Year’s resolutions are a distant memory, here we go!
Guitar Center
You can never have seen a sheet of music in your life, and here you’ll be treated like the budding musician you are anyway. It’s not just guitars, either––maybe you’re a drummer, pianist, violinist or trombonist. Several professional-quality studios in the back let you jam out, record your next top-40 hit or take lessons (kids too!) in a group or individual setting.
143 Skokie Valley Road, Highland Park
847-579-1830
HobbyTown USA
With a name like that, finding a hobby is practically destiny. And by the way, your kids will flip out. From radio control cars and science kits to chess and dioramas, this is the place to discover something new and interactive to challenge your brain, their attention span and those weekends that never end.
549 Waukegan Road, Northbrook
847-205-5588
CR8 Workshop
Sorry, did you say “wine and craft”? Choose from a selection of wine and beer while you craft up something amazing. Or schedule a drop-in craft time with your littles and create mixed media masterpieces or one-of-a-kind paintings. CR8 also hosts workshops, birthday parties and day-off-school programs.
405 Lake Cook Road, #205, Deerfield
847-272-2738
Sur La Table
Do this one solo, as a date night or with your little people––take a cooking class. This gourmet kitchen store hosts hands-on classes every day, from re-creating your favorite Thai takeout to preparing a decadent French meal to acing tricky desserts. Special classes for kids and teens teach the fundamentals of healthy cooking.
2160 Northbrook Court, Northbrook
847-770-4580
