Valpo Moms

Due to the fact that we celebrate two birthdays just four days from one another, we tried to stay local and keep it family-focused this year. We decided on Zao Island for our older daughter's 7th birthday. This was her first time that she went miniature golfing and ride on go-karts. She enjoyed the go-karts the most.

There are two mini-golf options (red and blue) and they both have 18 holes...this was a bit much for my little people, but they seriously were troopers and had a great time checking out the "landmarks" along the way.

Zao Island is located right on Route 30 and super easy to find. My husband's uncle prefers the Zao Island pizza out of all the other pizza options in Valparaiso...so it must be pretty good...we didn't stay for the pizza.

We spent all of our time (and money) on the go-karts, mini-golf, and arcade (kid gambling). My daughter was overjoyed that she got a 400 ticket jackpot on the fishbowl game. Their prizes are seriously way better than Chuck E. Cheese, but that is probably because you spend a little more.

This is a great family option or date night option if you are looking to do something other than going to dinner.

In 2021, the lot just south of the Porter County Library in Valparaiso got a complete overhaul. Previously this space was an old bank that had gone out of business. This vacant property sat for several years before it was completely renovated. The final outcome is beautiful and enjoyable for all ages.

We typically visit the Library Rotary Garden on a beautiful day after we have done the weekly scavenger hunt in the children's department at the library (that post for another day). There is a small Story Walk, a shaded area of benches, a small amphitheater, reading chairs, xylophone, and misted walk (absolute favorite for my kiddos).

This is a beautiful spot to check out on your way from the library to a nice walk downtown.

Kirchoff Park is located off of Roosevelt Road and Institute Street (400 N. Roosevelt Road, Valparaiso).

There are five shelters, a baseball diamond, a basketball court, tennis courts, horseshoe pits, pickle-ball court and a playground with swings.

Today, we met up with our homeschooling co-op group for a play-date and coincidentally, the Mom's Club of Valpo was meeting up at the exact same place and time! There were so many kids that were enjoying the playground that my girls had such a fabulous time.

There are bathrooms that are a part of one of the shelters, but I am uncertain if those are unlocked regularly or only if someone is reserving one of the shelters.

It took me almost two years of living in Valpo before I discovered Sunset Hill Farm. My girls and I love going here. Sunset Hill is a little operational farm that has chickens, ducks, rabbits, sheep, goats, and turkeys. There is a natural park and a brand new building that has some clean bathrooms. There are outbuildings where you can look at tractors. There is a garden that you can walk around in (usually enjoyable in late summer).

One of our favorite things to do is go on a little hike around the pond. There are a couple small wooden piers that get you closer to the water. We recently did that on a drizzly day and it was magical.

We have also participated in the Storybook Walks, too. I am not sure how often the Porter County Library System changes out the stories in the over 22 story pages on the "Walk" but these are great for kids under the age of five or six. The entire walk will take a little over a half hour depending on how fast your little ones want to go.

Another draw to this park is the up-and-coming model train area. I am hoping that this will be fully opened sometime this year.

"Camp FunSet" is a summer camp that is available for school-aged kids. The Valpo Photography Club meets at this location. Reiki classes, adult drawing classes, Free Fun Runs, Meet the Animals, and Touch-a-Truck are all part of the event cycles of this Porter County spot.

One of our favorite things to do around Christmas is drive through the Christmas lights that are all along the road portions of the park. Sunset Hill has constant events scheduled throughout the year. I am delighted to experience camping at Sunset Hill with my girls this upcoming summer when we participate with the Valparaiso Mom's Club (More on the Mom's Club in another post).

But if you want to check out the website to Sunset Hill Farms and see what kind of events are going on, either visit their website https://www.portercountyparks.org/programguide or check them out on Facebook.

Do you have some books you have been meaning to upcycle? Don't forget to bring them to Sunset Hill...there is a Little Free Library Bin that you can drop your gently used books.

Have you been to Sunset Hill Farm? What is your favorite thing to do here?

I am born and raised in Indiana with a short stint in Chicago.

My family and I love living in Indiana and most specifically the Valparaiso area.

I want to share some of my favorite spots with other moms from the area.

STAY TUNED for more!