Kohler Kidz

This past weekend Team FuzzySheep decided to hop in the Buick and do a little "Driving the Midwest" and explore some areas we hadn't been to before.  We pointed the car due North and ended up in Kohler, Wi.  You might remember that I have been to Kohler before, but we decided to check it out to see what they had to offer for some good old fashioned family fun.

We learned that the town of Kohler was hosting its annual WinterFest, and that The American Club has a new program called Kolher Kidz that is perfect for young families looking for fun.  The drive was great:  Wisconsin really is beautiful in the winter.  Gently rolling hills dotted with red barns, blue skies as far as the eye can see. And it's only about 2 hours north of the greater Chicago area, so a perfect weekend getaway - just what we were aiming for!

We checked into The Inn on Woodlake, where the kids were greeted by name and given Kohler Kidz Welcome Bags, stuffed with fun goodies just for them and a "credit card" good for treats and amenities around the resort.  SpacePirate especially loved his hat and LittleMiss declared that it was "soooooo cool that the man at the desk knew who I was!"

The room was cozy with a wonderful view of a lake full of ice skaters and people show shoeing.  The bathroom was FABULOUS, being Kohler and all.  I wanted to just stay in the room and experience the shower, but the kids were already begging to go sledding and then swimming.  We headed right out and watched some crazy guys play snow golf, checked out a couple of huge snow sculptures, and there was a dog sledding demonstration and rides for older kids.

Unfortunately, most of winter had already past, but we made the best of it, and the folks around Kohler made sure that the events went off without a hitch.  The kids really wanted to go sledding, so we headed for the sledding hill and bundled up.  The weather was perfect, the kids had a blast and Mom and Dad had huge grins from the great times.  Be sure to warm up afterwards at Craverie with free cupcakes for Kohler Kidz members and probably the best mocha we've ever had! X's favorite was the malted mocha.

Right down from the chocolate shop is the most wondeful little toy store called Movers and Shakers.  The kids' cards earned them a couple of little goodies here.  LittleMiss got to make some sparkling lip gloss and the boy made a chocolate bath scrub (the treats did seem geared more towards girls, but he didn't care).  We also got "color your own" t-shirts which SpacePirate thinks are the best thing ever!  We spent at least two hours in here doing crafts and exploring all the little rooms filled to the brim with the sweetest toys.  I really recommend checking out this shop, it's exactly my dream for my own shop one day.  Cute, quirky, friendly and fun!

It was made just for me, right?  It has our name on it!

Afterwards, we swam for a while at Sports Core (the town gym), which is included in your room rate.  I was so proud of both kids, they swam unaided in deep water!  Where did my babies go?!   They had been begging the whole ride up to go swimming, so we definitely couldn't turn that down!

Now, for Mom and Dad's favorite part of the entire trip:  the kids were signed up for Kohler Kidz Dinner and a Movie.  They got to spend the evening hanging out with a childcare professional, have dinner and a movie, popcorn and games.  Mom and Dad were treated to dinner in The Wisconsin Room at The American Club.  Dinner away from the kids when on a family getaway is a real luxury, and we all truly enjoyed it.  The kids weren't into the movie (Pete's Dragon), but their caretaker, Ginger, kept them happy and entertained the whole night.  We were definitely very thankful for this luxury. Oh, and be sure to go to the Wisconsin Room - dinner was great - but at the very least order the "Baked Wisconsin".  Ah-maze-ing.  I totally didn't care that we were on a detox plan, we devoured that little crispy cold ball of maple-y goodness.  Trust me... Order it!

We spent the next day experiencing more fun actitives around Kohler.  The kids and Daddy climbed a giant snow mountain, went skating on the lake and had more treats at Cravier.  Where was Mommy?  Having a wonderfully relaxing facial at the Waters Spa.  It was so peaceful and relaxing, I didn't water to leave.  I had that same problem last time, too!  But, I knew that daddy and the kids wanted to go snowshoeing, so I couldn't stay.

I had no idea how much fun snow shoeing would be!  I was honestly afraid I would get tangled in my own feet and somehow fall into a ravine or something.  Anyway, I didn't!  I had a blast, and it was a great workout.  You rent the shoes right from Sports Core and there are trails just out the back door of the gym.  It was so quiet and peaceful.  The kids had a blast and we talked about all kinds of great things.


OH!  And don't forget, the kids get a free meal at the Horse & Plow as part of the Kidz program.  YUM-O!  The cheese curds are to-die-for!

Having a weekend of no screens, no distractions, was perfect.  Just us.  Together.  As a family.

 Team FuzzySheep highly recommends checking out Kohler, Wisconsin and the American Club.  The Kohler Kidz program was a hit with our family, and were sure it will be with yours, too!  We would also like to thank everyone at the resort for showing us every hospitality and making the kids feel so welcome.   :)