Nothing beats a beautiful summer night in Chicago. Pack your blanket and enjoy an outdoor movie in the western suburbs. You’ll laugh, cry, or even sing along to these family-friendly movies being shown under the stars. New this summer, most events are requiring advanced registration in order to monitor crowd sizes and social distancing. Click the links to find out…
The Chicagoland has already seen some hot, hot days this summer! Some waterparks and beaches made the difficult decision to close for the entire 2020 season, while others are hoping to open there doors as soon as it’s deemed safe for their staff and guests. Be sure to check the website before going for all the details on hours, pricing,…
What are we going to do today? If you are like me, I am trying to keep my kids active this summer, both mind and body. Activity kits are available throughout the suburbs to pick up and take home. Crafts, summer school at home, cooking, art projects, and more . . . and the best of all, someone else prepares…
Restaurants are now open for outdoor dining, but not all restaurants can accommodate outside seating. We found it a little daunting to try to figure out our options, but wanted to take a break from cooking, get out of the house, and enjoy a meal together. That’s where this handy list comes in! Scroll to the town you are interested…
A lot of activities may be canceled this summer, but one thing is definitely not: reading! These retailers and local libraries are encouraging children’s love of learning by offering free summer reading programs. Enjoy a beautiful summer day reading outside, or curl up with a good book and a blanket on a rainy day inside. Start a virtual family book…
Graduation is normally such a memorable and exciting milestone, but it’s looking a bit different this year as many of these events move to a virtual platform. We’ve come up with some inventive ways to make these moments extra special for such deserving kiddos! You can tailor these to just about any age, from preschool to high school. The Kidlist…
The Chicago Steel Hockey Team’s signature “Live Strong As Steel” program is presented to thousands of students annually. In partnership with Two by Two Character Development, each fun and educational assembly promotes character traits such as kindness, respect, responsibility, cooperation, empathy, citizenship, perseverance, and fairness all while helping students learn about the game of hockey. The “Live Strong As Steel”…
My favorite memories of my dad and I were fishing off the dock or by the pond at the Mallard Lake Forest Preserve. There’s something about fishing that lures families together to create memories outdoors! It isn’t just teaching your child to fish that creates a bond. It’s the calm, quiet moments in nature. This peaceful tranquility is something my…
IMPORTANT NOTE: This article is no longer up-to-date. Many of the pools below have chosen to close for the 2020 season; please see our article on what’s open, closed, and rescheduled for more information. Many local spots have extended their early bird pricing due to the uncertainty around COVID-19. Check below for discount details and tentative opening days. Please note…
For many of us parents who have kids with spring birthdays, we are scrambling to find new ways to make these occasions special during the coronavirus stay-at-home order. My daughter recently celebrated her 12th birthday, and in the end, it was nothing short of spectacular! In fact, she has asked for some of the new traditions we created at home…
There’s no reason to feel couped up this winter. Get out of the house and jump around! Burn off all that extra energy at these indoor facilities that feature trampoline parks and inflatables. Our list below provides details about days and pricing, but don’t forget to call ahead to confirm. Indoor Trampoline Parks Sky Zone Elmhurst, Sky Zone Aurora and Sky…
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL EGG HUNTS HAVE BEEN CANCELED. This egg-ceptional list of Easter egg hunts in the west suburbs will have your little bunnies hopping with egg-citement. There are plenty of indoor and outdoor options for whatever weather comes our way this spring. You’ll even find late-night flashlight egg hunts and a few egg hunts in the shallow end…