Local Mom Groups, Dad Groups, and Playgroups to Help You Find Your People

The highs and lows of parenting can be found in potty-training success, sleepless nights, and all the chaos and excitement in ordinary days. As we both thrive and survive through parenthood, many parents find comfort in an open ear, a reassuring story, and words of encouragement. If you’re lucky, your parenting support group is filled with friends from your past, or family members, but not everyone has a built-in support system in their neighborhood. If you’re looking for “your people,” we’ve found mom groups, dad groups, and playgroups throughout the western suburbs to help you find friends. While we know it can be nerve-wrecking to put yourself out there, you never know whether the next library story time, or new-moms meetup will lead to a life-long friendships for both you and your children.

Parent Groups and Playgroups in the Western Suburbs

Some groups are meeting in person, while others are hosting Zoom cocktail hours, support group video calls, connecting via social media, and more. So if you’re interested in making connections, check out the groups below and see what they’re offering.

Parent Groups

• Chicago Dads Group
• Cradle Talk and Nurturing Mom (for parents of 0–6 month old babies who were delivered at Edwards Hospital in Naperville)
• DuPage Area Moms
• DuPage Area Moms Meetup
• Downers Grove Area Moms and Families
• Moms of Brookfield
• Moms Connect in Darien
• Naperville Area Moms Support Group
• Special Needs Parent Community of Chicago and Surrounding Suburbs
• The Center for Balanced Parenthood in Hinsdale

Parent-Child Classes

Classes you take together with your child are a great way to meet parents with kids in the same age and stage! Check out our round-up of local parent-child classes to find one near you.

Local Woman’s Clubs

Woman’s clubs have a long history of bringing women together for philanthropy and activism around local policy issues. You’ll still find many groups active in the suburbs, including:

• Darien Woman’s Club
• Downers Grove Junior Woman’s Club
• Elmhurst Junior Women’s Club
• Hinsdale Junior Woman’s Club
• Naperville Junior Woman’s Club
• St. John of the Cross Women’s Club
• Wheaton Junior Woman’s Club

Newcomer Groups

Newcomer groups are social organizations that organize for all kinds of events. Contrary to the name, you do not need to be a newcomer to the area to join!

• Downers Grove Area Newcomers
• Western Springs Neighbors & Newcomers
• Newcomers and Neighbors of the Greater Hinsdale Area (includes Burr Ridge, Clarendon Hills, Oak Brook, Westmont)
• LaGrange Neighbors & Newcomers
• Elmhurst Neighbors & Newcomers Club
• Newcomers Club of Wheaton, Winfield and Warrenville
• Naperville Newcomers and Neighbors Club
• Glen Ellyn Newcomers Club
• Fox Valley Newcomers and Neighbors (includes St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia and Elgin)

MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) Groups

MOPS programming is available at churches throughout the Western suburbs. Infants, toddlers, and preschoolers are welcome and these groups often form playgroups. You may also find MOMSNext groups for families with school-aged children.

• Christus Victor Lutheran Church (Elk Grove Village)
• Alleluia Lutheran Church (Naperville)
• Naperville Covenant Church Morning and Evening MOPS groups
• Christ Church of Oak Brook
• OPRF MOPS (River Forest)
• St. John the Baptist Church (Winfield)

Breastfeeding Support Groups

• La Leche League of Illinois (map includes chapters throughout the Western suburbs)
• Lactation Station: Breastfeeding Clinic at the La Grange Public Library (usually offered the first Thursday of the month)
• Breastfeeding/New Moms Support Group at West Suburban Women’s Health
• Breastfeeding Support Group at Amita Health Locations
• CDH and Delnor Breastfeeding Classes

Mom Fitness Groups

In our article on ways to exercise with kids, we found lots of mom-centric fitness classes nearby. Here are a few to get you started:

• Fit4Mom Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles
• Fit4Mom DuPage County
• Fit4Mom Greater NW Chicago Suburbs
• Fit4Mom Naperville
• Fit4Mom Downers Grove, Hinsdale, La Grange
• Fit4Mom Oak Park – River Forest

Other Ways to Connect

• Many indoor playgrounds have baby and toddler times where you can meet other parents and start a playgroup. Some of these are still on pause for now or continue to make adjustments as things change, so check their websites for the most current information.
• Search Meetup.com for groups that reflect your own interests. Don’t limit yourself to parenting-focused groups, either; there are book clubs, board game meetups, and other interest-focused groups all around the suburbs.
• Check out Bible Study Fellowship classes in our area. Most offer both daytime and evening studies and often include childcare. Women’s and men’s classes are available.
• There are great music and swimming class options in our guide to Classes for Little Kids 0-5 Years Old that you can sign up for with your little ones.

Are we missing a local parent group or organization near you? Please let us know in the comments; we’d love to hear about them!

Our Resources for Families page has our full collection of articles designed to help you navigate the ups and downs of parenting and caregiving in Chicago’s western suburbs.