Having Fun with Kids and Still Saving Money | Family Life + Advice

As you might know, I recently had some family members lose their entire home to a fire. It was completely devasting to them and those of us around them. Afterwards, we personally kicked up our fire safety a notch in our house but it never quite feels like enough. Because this is such a personal topic to me, I was really excited to hear about the Gurnee Mills Fire Expo.

It's a free event for families that teaches fire prevention and safety, but also wraps it up in a fun little package that kids will love. I mean, hello, a firetruck alone is enough to make my kids' day. I'm always looking for free things to do because it's expensive taking a family of five anywhere. There are so many fun and often educational events to do out in the community that don't cost a thing and I would encourage anyone with kids to ditch the idea that every outing has to be at an expensive play place.

Some great places that host or advertise free activities are nature centers, the library, local businesses, and even community facebook groups. The members there frequently post about free events happening close to home. I learned about Princess Day at the Domes through a local babywearing group!

Enjoying our last free event, an earth day celebration at the nature center

Below you will find the description of the Gurnee Mills fire Expo and the itinary if you are local and would like to check it out for yourself.

GURNEE, Ill. (April 26, 2016) – Back by popular demand, Lake County’s Fire Safety Expo will return to Gurnee Mills on Saturday, May 14. The free interactive event, sponsored by the Lake County Fire Chiefs Association, aims to help prevent house fires and keep families safe. The event will begin at 10:00 a.m. and run through 3:00 p.m. in Gurnee Mills’ Parking Lot E, near Value City Furniture. 

Multiple safety teams will demonstrate the latest fire prevention tips and give families an opportunity to learn through interactive activities while enjoying food, refreshments and prizes. All day events for the Fire Safety Expo include: Kids Combat Challenge, Fire Safety Smoke House, Kids Fire Pole, Lake County Dive Team Exhibit, Grayslake FD Fire Safety Trailer, Free Teddy Bear Clinic, Fire Safety Sprinkler Trailer, Free Blood Pressure Checks, Kids Passport to Safety and Free Fire Truck Rides.   

“Gurnee Mills hosts many community events throughout the year, and the Fire Safety Expo is definitely one of our favorites,” said Elizabeth Striegel, Director of Marketing and Business Development. “Fire safety affects all Lake County residents and we are delighted to team with the Lake County Fire Chiefs Association to help further educate local families on this important issue in such a fun and engaging way.”

A complete schedule of events for the day is listed below.

·         10:00 a.m. – Fire Expo Opens

·         10:30 a.m. – Trench Rescue Demonstration

·         11:00 a.m. – Lake County High Angle Demonstration

·         11:30 a.m. – Waukegan Fire Department Bomb Squad

·         11:45 a.m. – Side by Side Demonstration (of homes with a fire-sprinkler system and without)

·         12:30 p.m. – Auto Extrication Demonstration

·         1:00 p.m. – K-9 Demonstration

·         1:30 p.m. – Wild Land Fire Demonstration

·         2:00 p.m. – Raffle (Main Stage)