If these long, cold and dreary days have you and your crew dreaming of summer sunshine, treat your kids to the next best thing. Head to a local indoor pool for family swim! It’s a great way to get active together, and you’ll get a head start on perfecting your strokes before summer hits. From fitness centers to swim schools,…
Parenthood is an incredible roller coaster full of ups and downs and twists and turns. One day you’re basking in the magic of one Facebook-worthy moment after another, and the next you’re ready to run for the hills! No matter how experienced or capable we think we are when it comes to parenting, we can all use some support. Parent…
Every year, my family looks forward to lounging around in our jammies as we bake cookies and watch movies over winter break. But when the holiday cheer fades into whining and bickering, we know it’s time for a break from winter break! Fortunately, there are plenty of cool camps in the western suburbs to keep kids of all ages from…
In just a couple of days, little ghosts and goblins throughout the western suburbs will be loading (and re-loading) their treat bags with mounds of candy. It’s a thrill that rivals the most haunted of houses! But once the kids’ sugar rush has worn off, moms and dads are often left with a major Halloween hangover, wondering where to hide…
There’s a chill in the air . . . and little ghosts and goblins everywhere are on the hunt for a good scare! We’ve found all the haunted houses, hayrides and forest walks in our area with just-the-right-size frights for your skeleton crew. (Parental discretion is always recommended. If you’re unsure whether a particular event or venue listed below is…
Raising kids is tough. Raising polite, confident and well-behaved kids is even tougher. But luckily for us, there are experts in Chicagoland who are willing to help us out. Consider enrolling your child in one of the etiquette training programs below, and you’ll have a little miss (or mister) manners in no time! Etiquette Classes for Kids in Chicagoland The…
Kids’ ninja classes are popping up in gyms all over the western suburbs, and it’s not hard to see why. Little boys and girls love letting loose in this high-energy environment where kicking, punching, swinging, and jumping are actually encouraged! Part martial arts and part gymnastics, ninja training programs offer young athletes the best of both worlds. This article is…
If you’re looking for a sport that the whole family can enjoy year-round, give tennis a try. Not only does this popular sport get little hearts pumping, but it also requires kids to think on their feet — literally! Head to the courts with one of the many youth tennis programs offered throughout the western suburbs. Hot tip: Also be…
Is your child a natural performer? Or do you just want to help him tap into his creative side? Theater and drama classes offer a unique opportunity for children to develop new talents, boost their confidence, expand their imaginations and explore a colorful world outside of their own. Regardless of your child’s age or experience level, there’s a theater program…
Here in Chicagoland, we like to soak up every bit of summer. One of the best ways to do that is by grabbing your lawn chairs, packing a picnic lunch (or dinner), and heading out to your favorite park with friends and neighbors to enjoy some live music. We’ve got a long list of outdoor concert series in the southwest…
It’s springtime in Chicagoland, and there’s beauty all around us! It’s the perfect time to take a stroll through an outdoor art festival to find that special piece of art to decorate your home, or maybe just to spark your own creativity . . . especially if you’ve got a budding artist in the family. Whatever your fancy, we’ve got…
Here in Chicagoland, we’re pretty lucky. (Yes, I’ve been outside… but hear me out!) We’ve got an abundance of awesome museums and educational attractions just minutes away. But these visits can also be pretty expensive. Did you know that you can get free admission and discounts from your library when you check out the Museum Adventure Pass? Libraries have individual…