What kids love about the Market Place Mall Carousel in Champaign
Round and round and round…Chambanamom Emily takes her kids on the beloved Champaign mall carousel.
By Emily Harrington
I love the magic of a carousel. There’s nothing like bright lights, creepy circus music and costumed animals on poles spinning round and round and round. They make me super nauseous, but my sons love them.
At our mall (2000 N. Neil St.), you can get one ride for $2, three rides for $5, six rides for $10, a dozen rides for $20. I NEVER have cash, and you’ll need tokens. There’s a machine that takes plastic, and the machine accepts exact change. NO ONE at the mall will give you change, so don’t bother asking.
An attendant will take your tokens and open the gate for you. There’s a belt to strap your child to the animals. These aren’t going to prevent your child from falling, by the way. The attendant, however, wants to make sure they are strapped.
I hold onto my toddler during the ride. My kindergartner, however, is comfortable riding alone. You’ll have to make that call. The attendant can help guide you. They will also let you assist your child for free.
The carousel is a bit pricey. However, on the first (Family Fun Fridays) Friday of each month (from 5-8 p.m.)—the rides are free. Unlimited!
Find a seat on one of the animals. Some move up and down and some don’t move. Make sure to double check if they are move. Your choice will depend on the level of excitement you are after. What is the comfort level of your child?
If you want a chill ride, take a seat on one of the stationary benches. The ride lasts two minutesish. Bonus: it’s a great indoor place to take some fun photos.
You can’t miss the carousel, for it’s located in the food court. Find the Macy’s wing to find the food court area.
Looking for more fun things to do at Market Place Mall? Check out Emily’s list of 8 fun things to do with your little one.
Emily Harrington is a Chambana townie. She left her 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. job in communications so that she could be a 24/7 mom to two busy boys. Still interested in writing, Emily uses some of naptime to practice her passion and keep her mind right. Emily is a happy wife with a happy life because she fell for a fellow townie. Emily usually finds herself engulfed in balls, blue and belly laughs.