Since I work many hours, it was nice to be able to play with my kids inside and out. December in Northern Illinois isn't exactly a HOT SPOT, but for a family that rarely gets to find time to play together, it was well worth it to me. At the resort we had a great time at the Activity Center playing games, swimming in the indoor pool and drinking hot chocolate in the afternoon.
The kids really enjoyed "Jumpin' Jungle," a Discovery Zone type place with tunnels, a ball-pit and games located in nearby Ottawa, IL. Admission was only .95/child. They had a great time.
Quick Tips:
If you are on a budget, but still want to feel like you're on vacation, do what we did. Buy groceries for breakfast and lunch, then eat out for dinner at night. For the 7 days that we were there, I think we spent a total of on food for four of us.
Best Way To Get Around:
Since you are out in the country in Sheridan, IL, it is best to drive. If you want to experience Chicago, IL, you have two choices. You can drive downtown yourself, or take the Metra Rail system from Aurora, IL which is 35 minutes from the resort. Once in Chicago you can take advantage of the museums, theaters, restaurants and culture on your own terms. When you've had enough, hop on the Metra to take you back to Aurora, or take the drive back to the Resort.
There are so many options at Silverleaf's Fox River Resort, and for us its great because it is within driving distance for us. We plan on enjoying this resort year-round and take advantage of the horseback riding and other family friendly activites the resort has to offer.