Eckert's Farm, Grafton

Location: 20995 Eckert Orchard Rd, Grafton, IL 62037

Website: http://www.eckerts.com/grafton-farm

There are several things you need to know about this farm. It is seasonal, and it's only open during the summer for blackberries and peaches and closes at the end of October after the apple and pumpkin season ends. Second- their website is incorrect about the kid activities offered. They state that during apple and pumpkin seasons in September and October, kids activities on Saturdays and Sundays include:

• Carnival rides – all carnival rides & inflatables require ride tickets which can be purchased at the Fun Korral gate. Tickets are $2 each or 6 for $10.
• Petting farm – we have feed machines available that take quarters
• Pony and camel rides 
• Sandboxes
• Miniature golf

When we went there were no sandboxes or miniature golf. The petting farm is all goats and a couple alpacas. The carnival rides were one spinning ride, 2 inflatables, and a train that went around in a circle.  Also, there is a permanent wooden play structure there but they do not have that listed. 

 A fun way to get to the farm is to take the Grafton ferry. We had never done that before and the kids enjoyed it just as much as the farm! It's $9 one way or $17 round trip.

 You can get out and watch or stay in the comfort of your car. 

To do the activities you need to buy tickets. I spent $10 on 6 tickets. I had 2 kids so they each got to do 3 things. It was perfect because they really only had 3 things (the train, the spinning ride, and the bounce house). The kid activities included this train:

 This spinning ride

 Horse and camel rides ($6 each)

 Wooden play structure and buried tires to climb on (free)

 2 inflatables

goat pen (free to pet and you could put quarters in the machine to feed them)

There is a hayride out to the orchard to pick apples or you can pick pumpkins.

There are lots of cute areas for photos of your kids

They also have a store with lots of yummy goods for sale and a restaurant too.  This location is smaller than the Millstadt and Belleville locations but still offers lots of fall fun. In all, I spent $9 for the ferry and $10 for the rides.

Heatherbrook Park, St. Charles

Location:130 Wildwood Ct, St. Charles, MO 63303

Website: http://www.stcharlesparks.com/park/heatherbrook-park/

Playground Ground Cover: Rubber Mats

This playground is brand new and is connected to Webster park via a gravel trail. This park is about 8 acres, has a pond, a big open grassy space, and a nice pavilion. The restrooms aren't open yet but should be soon.

Bathrooms

There is one adaptive swing, a baby swing, and 2 sling swings

The play structure is rather small. It has 2 slides, a speaker system, a chain climber, and bars and poles.

Webster Park, St. Charles

Location: 2201 S. River Rd, St. Charles, MO 63303

Website: http://www.stcharlesparks.com/park/websterheatherbrook-park/

Playground Ground Cover: Rubber mats

 Amenities:

• 22 Acres
• Shelter
• Playground Area
• Webster Community Building
• Scenic View/Nature Setting
• Trails
• Restrooms are open year round.

This playground opened in 2013 and is really amazing. This would be an good location for a party because of the nice new bathrooms, enclosed party space, and proximity to the playground.

The community building has bathrooms, an indoor capacity of 75 people and a 3,000-square-foot outdoor patio with a large fire pit. 

The small play structure is nature themed with tree stump "stepping stones" a frog ramp, a small bridge, 2 small slides, a small hollow log tunnel, and a steering wheel.

 There is a xylophone and a spinning thing as well.

 2 spinning seats

Under the large play structure there are 2 more spinning seats, a sign language board, a drum, and a musical keyboard.

 2 sling swings, a baby swing, and an adaptive swing

 Log climbing wall

 The large play structure has a couple different slides and is designed to look like a tree house