Boys and girls of all ages love being free to bounce, cartwheel, and flip to their heart’s content! Gymnastics and tumbling classes are a great way for kids to build coordination, strength, and confidence. When finding a gym that suits your family’s needs, remember that almost all of these gyms offer open gym times that you can use as a…
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…
After my daughter received a sewing machine for her birthday, a spark lit inside her for all things sewing! As a result, I was on the hunt for any class I could find to fuel that desire to learn something new. I was delighted to find a myriad of programs locally to teach young kids how to sew. From classes…
If your child is anything like my girls, the pony rides are our first stop at any festival. These farms offering horseback riding classes give children the opportunity to deepen their love of horses and spend a beautiful summer day outside. A simple trail can ignite a life-long interest in horses. Whether you’re starting out with introductory lessons and camps,…
This summer is the perfect time to bring the fun to your own home! Bounce houses, water slides, and inflatable obstacle courses will provide your kids with hours of entertainment. Even if you’re expecting a smaller crowd or just your own kids, check out these bounce house and party rentals to maximize the fun at your family get-together. Many of…
Splash pads are the perfect way for families to cool off in this summer heat. Young toddlers can explore the spouts and sprays, while big kids can drench themselves with dumping buckets. Some of these locations are even fenced in to contain your littlest runners. Click the links to confirm details about safety guidelines, modified hours or advanced registration requirements….
If your children are anything like mine, some of their first words were “moo” and “neigh.” One of our favorite summertime activities is to visit local farms, and we’re hoping the circumstances of this summer won’t stop us! There are a lot of great options in the Chicagoland area for barnyard animal lovers. Along with animal visits, many of these…
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…
We noticed that the forest preserve parking lots were fairly full last week, which is unfortunately not great for maintaining that six-foot distance from other people. If you want a change of scenery to get outside and take a walk, the park paths are open, too! We have checked out all of these paths over the years and they are…
These kid-friendly restaurants go way beyond coloring pages. Think ride-on trains, hula dancers, custom balloon twisting, a spy-themed spot where you need to know the passcode, and even a stroller valet. We’ve rounded up our favorites, from local gems to over-the-top theme restaurants, to help make your family dining experiences extra-special. We hope this list helps your family form memories…
Kidlist readers throughout the years have contributed to this list of the best playgrounds for toddlers. It’s a great list of options in the western suburbs! We checked out all of the following playgrounds so we could give you a sneak peek of what you will find there. Have another to add? We would love to hear your picks and…
Open gym time is a great way for kids to try out their tumbling skills on a safer surface than your sofa. Some open gyms are for caregivers and younger kids to attend on weekdays, while others let families play together or offer supervision for older kids. Before you go, keep in mind that many open gyms only accept cash….