ChicagoKids.com's Fun Family Finds

Events to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

2012-01-09T16:20:00.002-06:00

School's out on Monday, January 16, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, and here are some family activities taking place in the coming week in honor of the holiday.

Thursday, January 12

Open Mic Night: I Have a Dream, Dr. King!
Chicago Children's Museum, Navy Pier - 700 E. Grand Ave., Chicago
Express your dreams for freedom and fairness through poetry and freedom songs. Recite excerpts of Dr. King’s famous speech. Then, write a letter to Dr. King expressing your dream for equal rights for all. 5-8 p.m. All ages

Sunday, January 15

Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration with the Brotherhood Chorale
Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Avenue, Evanston
The Music Institute of Chicago honors the extraordinary legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. at its eighth annual celebration of the legendary civic leader, featuring the renowned Brotherhood Chorale of the Apostolic Church of God. The 180-member male choral group will perform an electrifying program of repertoire offering traditional and contemporary gospel and jazz arrangements. All ages. 5pm. Free.

The Journey, The Dream: Annual Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr
Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave, Naperville
Mei-Ann Chen, Music Director of the Chicago Sinfonietta, continues Founder Paul Freeman’s cherished annual tradition of paying tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Maestro Chen opens the concert with Zoltán Kodály’s lively Dances of Galánta. Jeri Lynne Johnson then takes the podium to conduct the overture to Ludwig van Beethoven’s delicate Fidelio. All ages. Sunday at 3pm. $35-45.

Monday, January 16

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration
Brookfield Zoo, First Avenue and 31st Street, Brookfield
Free admission! Enjoy a choral celebration by the John F. Kennedy High School Advanced Choir, and see a complete showing of the iconic “I have a Dream” speech. All ages. 11:30 a.m. Free.

King Day Celebration
DuSable Museum of African American History, 740 E. 56th Pl., Chicago
DuSable Museum will celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and the Civil Rights Movement with our annual King Day celebration. The day will be filled with live performances, storytelling, films, food and activities for the entire family. All ages. 10am - 5pm. General admission $10, members $8.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Chicago History Museum, Clark St. at North Ave., Chicago
Commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through family activities and crafts reflecting his messages of peace and justice. Listen to music that honors Dr. King, and attend a performance of The MLK Project by the Writers’ Theatre. Ages 5 and up. 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Free.

Visit the ChicagoKids.com Calendar of Events to find more events.

Chicago Free Outdoor Winter Family Fun

2012-01-04T16:44:00.003-06:00

I appeared this morning on ABC's Windy City Live to talk about free outdoor family fun in January. Here's a link to the video, and a run-down of our favorites.

For some free outdoor adventure in the City....

POLAR ADVENTURE DAYS at Northerly Island takes place from 12-4pm on January 21 and February 18. Northerly Island is located on the Museum Campus near the Lake by Soldier Field. At Polar Adventure Days, held once monthly in the winter months, families can watch ice sculptors, create nature-inspired crafts, hear live entertainment from Old Town School of Folk Music, try out free snowshoeing (weather permitting), meet Siberian Huskies and other live animals. Parking is $3.

ICE SKATING AT MILLENNIUM PARK. The McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park offers a breathtaking background for ice skating. A great activities for families, or just adults, you can enjoy free skating under the lights of the city. . The rink is open through March 11. You can bring your own skates, or you can rent skates for $10.

And throughout the city and suburbs, park districts and their nature centers offer lots of great free options for cross country skiing, winter nature walks, snowshoeing and more. Here are some great suburban picks...

WILLOWBROOK WILDLIFE CENTER in Glen Ellyn has one of the nicer trails for kids in the winter, as it offers some indoor and outdoor areas to explore. There are animals on site that kids can visit, who have been rescued but aren't able to return to the wild on their own. And outside, there's a short 1/2 mile trail that's the perfect distance for a winter family nature walk, which takes you through different types of winter scenery including woodlands, open space and a pond.

HELLER NATURE CENTER is part of the Park District of Highland Park, and offers outdoor nature walks, cross-country skiing and other outdoor activities, as well as some great outdoor special events. On January 26 and February 25, your family can take part in a winter astronomy event for some night sky viewing, and you can use Heller's super powered telescope to view the moon, the stars and Jupiter.

SLEDDING AND SNOWBOARDING IN NAPERVILLE. The Naperville Park District has many great facilities for outdoor adventure. One great sled hill is at Rotary Hill, which overlooks the downtown area and you can sled with a view of the downtown area. And there's even a with a hill that's exclusively for snowboarding - Weigand Riverfront Park allows NO sleds, only snowboards!

Ideas for the Holiday Week

2011-12-22T07:44:00.007-06:00

Happy Holidays! The holiday week is coming up, and ChicagoKids.com offers up some top picks for the weekend and for next week. In addition to these events, you might still be able to find a spot in a Winter Break camp for your kids.

Through December 30
A Christmas Story, The Musical!
The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago
The Musical! chronicles young and bespectacled Ralphie Parker as he schemes his way towards the holiday gift of his dreams - a Red Ryder Action Air Rifle BB Gun - "You'll shoot your eye out kid!" A kooky leg lamp, outrageous pink bunny pajamas, a maniacal department store Santa, and a double-dog-dare to lick a freezing flagpole are just a few of the distractions that stand between young Ralphie and his Christmas wish. NO CHRISTMAS DAY SHOW. All ages. $35-$79. Read more...

Through December 31
Goodnight Moon: The Musical
Victory Gardens, 2433 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago
CCT’s family-friendly celebration of one of the most iconic children’s books of all time. Watch as Bunny’s room magically comes alive as he dances and sings his way to sweet dreams through nursery rhyme scenes with dancing bears with chairs, the Cat and the Fiddle, the Cow Jumping Over the Moon and even a trip through the night sky with dancing constellations. Ages 4 and up. Remaining shows on December 23, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31. $25 children; $35 adults. Read more...

Through January 1
Winter Carnival
Glenview Ice Arena, 1851 Landwehr Rd., Glenview
Avoid winter break boredom! Come to the Glenview Ice Center’s annual Winter Carnival held during the school holiday break. Check the web site to see which activities take place each day, including Public Skating, Skating Lessons, Introduction to Development Hockey Lessons, Drop & Shop, Parent-Child Hockey Scrimmages, Family New Year’s Party, New Year’s Day Celebration, Ice Factor Competition, Hockey Skills Competition and more. All ages. Fees vary based on activity. No activities on Christmas Day. Read more...

Through August 2012
New Exhibit! Gods, Myths and Mortals
National Hellenic Museum, 333 S. Halsted Street, Chicago
Gods, Myths and Mortals invites visitors on an interactive journey through the world of ancient Greece. Visitors of all ages will meet the gods, experience ancient Greek daily life and interact with the epic poems The Iliad and The Odyssey through over 25 engaging interactive components – climb into a 12 foot tall Trojan Horse, journey into a Cyclops Cave and then a karaoke cave to sing like a Siren. Alla ges. Free with general admission, $7-$10. Closed Christmas and New Year's Day.
Read more...

BUDGET BETS

Through January 8
Winter WonderFest
Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago
Enjoy more time to have more fun inside an enchanted 170,000 square foot winter playground! Bring the entire family for days of entertainment, Chicago Blackhawks indoor ice skating, huge inflatable slides, rides, and so much more. Your family holiday memories are even more cherished when shared at Winter WonderFest. Special events are taking place throughout the festival, see web site for details. All ages. Free to attend, prices vary by activity. Open on Christmas Eve, closed Christmas Day!
Read more...

Through January 1
ZooLights
Lincoln Park Zoo, 2200 N. Cannon Dr., Chicago
See the Zoo lit up in beautiful holiday lights, and enjoy a visit with Santa in the wildest spot in town, animals from around the world, live ice carving, holiday crafts, delicious food, hot spiced wine and unique holiday shopping. CLOSED DECEMBER 24 & 25. All ages. Free! Read more...

Unconventional holiday theater: Tinsel! The Musical

2011-12-12T21:11:00.001-06:00

Not your usual holiday story! This season, your family can visit the magical world of the North Pole with TINSEL! THE MUSICAL, an original holiday musical from Chicago's local Li'l Buds Theatre playing at the Greenhouse Theater.

Tinsel! The Musical tells the story of a nearsighted reindeer's rise from life as a clumsy waitress in Frosty's diner to being a famous recording artist. With a unique blend of country, jazz, blues and pop music, young audience members will learn about the pitfalls of fame and the rewards of being true to yourself.

For all ages. Playing now through December 20. Tickets $12 for kids, $18 adults. Learn more at www.lilbudstheatre.org.

Greenhouse Theater is located at 2257 N Lincoln Ave., Chicago.

Chicago area Winter Camps 2011

2011-12-05T16:38:00.003-06:00

Find a winter camp or winter break activity at some of these great Chicago and suburban locations. This is just a small sampling of the many winter camps you'll find on our Winter Camps page!

Actors Gymnasium Circus & Performing Arts Camp
927 Noyes Street, Evanston
The Actors Gymnasium Circus and Performing Arts Winter-Break Camp is perfect for young performers who want to strengthen, stretch and flex their creative muscles. Each day begins with a warm-up, followed by training and workshops in circus, drama, and movement. Circus skills covered include juggling, tumbling, trapeze, tightwire, stilts, and more. Ages 9-14 years old. December 27-30 & January 3-6, 9am - 4pm. $265 for one week, $475 for both. (847) 328-2795. Learn more...

Chicago Botanic Garden
1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe
Children ages 5 to 8 will investigate weather, explore seasonal adaptations of plants and animals, and enjoy a visit to our Wonderland Express holiday exhibition. Writers' Theatre will provide campers with activities for developing their creative expression. December 19 – 22, 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Nonmembers $275 / Members $220. (847) 835-8361. Learn more...

Easel Art Studio
1911 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago
Easel art studio's winter camp runs December 16th till January 6th, and offers a 9am to 1pm camp or a 9am to 3pm camp. Each day a different activity is planned, and we've teamed up with Penguin Foot Pottery and Dance Spa South so thatkids can create pottery pieces and dance the snowflakes away. So pack a lunch, (no nut products please), throw on your snow pants and join the fun! Half day $45 per day, full day $75 per day. (773) 360-1720. Learn more...

Emerald City Theatre School
2933 N. Southport Ave., Chicago
Come inside and out of the cold with our theatre teachers and other campers to warm up with drama games, songs, and storytelling activities. Special winter-themed crafts will round out our time together. On the final chilly day, campers will present their very own unique winter wonderland full of their own characters and stories to family and friends. December 26 - 30, 2011 and/or January 2 - 6, 2012. Ages 3.5 - 5: Half Day AM Camps Monday - Friday, 9 am - 12 pm, $225. Ages 6 - 10: Full Day Camps Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, $450. (773) 529-2690. Learn more...

GreenApple Campus
DePaul University Naperville and Lincoln Park Campus
At Destination Innovation Winter Break, come build, invent, create and innovate with GreenApple Campus. Lego, Robotics & Digital Media are all on the menu plus pizza for full day participants. Session 1 is Dec 26 to 30, Session 2 is Jan 2 to Jan 6. $350 Monday - Friday 9:00am to 3:00pm (pizza lunch included full day only.) $180 Monday - Friday 9:00am to 12:00pm. $75 single day 9:00am to 3:00pm. (877) 735-4550. Learn more...

Hubbard Street Dance Center
1147 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago
Winter Break Dance Camp - Design, Dance and Discover! A Hubbard Street Dance Chicago/Chicago Children’s Museum experience. Come join HSDC and CCM as we celebrate the spirit of play. Students will spend three days in the studios of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago exploring the creative processes of dance and visual art – presenting their work to friends and family in a fabulous performance in the Great Hall at the Chicago Children’s Museum on the fourth day. January 3-6, 2012. $225. (312) 850-9766. Learn more...

Visit ChicagoKids.com for a full list of Winter Camp options!

Breakfasts, Brunches and Lunches with Santa

2011-12-01T15:28:00.002-06:00

Santa must have been dieting all year, because efforts are underway all over town to help fatten him up. Join Santa at one of these many breakfasts and brunches, and help him make sure his bright red pants don't slip off while he's out delivering toys! Find more in the ChicagoKids.com Calendar of Events.

Note: Pretty much all of these events require reservations, so call and plan ahead.

Breakfast with Santa at Lamb's Farm
December 10, 11, 17, 18.
Santa heads over to Lamb's Farm for a delicious buffet and holiday activities, including a picture with jolly ol’ St. Nick and a reading by Mrs. Claus of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas on December 10.

Time: Seatings at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and Noon
Cost: $15.95 per person (Children under 2 eat free with a $7.95 charge for all activities and photo with Santa)

Learn more

Breakfast with Santa at Brookfield Zoo
Saturdays and Sundays December 4-18.
Santa doesn't leave out the animals on his tour of morning feasts. Join him at Brookfield Zoo for a child-friendly buffet, and Santa will join in for family photos and give the kids a holiday gift.

Time: Seatings at 9am and 11am
Cost: Adults member $29, nonmember $29; Child member $21.50, nonmember $27.50. Under 3 free.

Learn more

Breakfast with Santa Claus at Macy's State Street and Old Orchard
Saturdays and Sundays, Dec 3-18.
Fuel up before you shop with an exclusive breakfast with Santa Claus at Macy's. Enjoy a yummy, plated breakfast, children's entertainment and a visit from Santa Claus.

Time: 9 am
Cost: $16.95 per person and $12.95 for children under 10 years.

Learn more

Shedd Holiday Breakfast
Saturdays, November 26th, December 10th, 17th & 24th, 2011
Santa might miss an entire day of work at this event, with activities going on all day! The day begins with a full breakfast, and then your family can enjoy The Polar Express 4-D Experience, A Holiday Fantasea aquatic show, meeting Santa at the Polar Play Zone, photos and more.

Time: 8am
Cost: $44.95 for adults & $34.95 for children 3 to 11, Shedd members receive a $5 discount.

Learn more

Breakfast with Santa at Soldier Field
December 10
Santa drops by our Bears' home turf for a fantastic holiday breakfast feast. Join him for the Unied Club's fine dining, and enjoy activities including a hand-made ornament contest, cookie decorating, an electric train display and more.

Time: 10:00am
Cost: Adults $55; Children 4 to 12 $25; Under 3 Free

Learn more

Lunch Cruise with Santa on the Spirit of Chicago
December 10
Santa will be cruising on the Chicago River along with guests for this lunch with Santa aboard the Spirit of Chicago. Your family can enjoy a festive lunch buffet, live solos by the talented staff and engaging DJ entertainment.

Time: Board at 12:30pm, Cruise 1:15 - 3:15pm.
Cost: $39.90 per adult, $19.95 per child age 3-12

Learn more

Chicago area Children's Holiday Theater productions

2011-11-30T15:45:00.002-06:00

'Tis the holiday season, and there are lots of fantastic family holiday theatre productions to enjoy! Here are some of the productions taking place now through the holidays, and you can visit our Children's Theater Listing page to see more.

A Christmas Carol
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre
November 25 - December 24
The beloved tale brings miserly old Scrooge to life, taking you along on his journey with the spirits of Christmas as he discovers there is more joy in the world than he ever thought possible. It’s an enchanting, musical adaptation of the holiday classic that’s sure to delight the whole family.
Learn more

A Christmas Story, The Musical!
Governors State University
December 14-30
America's #1 Christmas movie comes to life on stage as a hilarious holiday musical. A kooky leg lamp, outrageous pink bunny pajamas, a maniacal department store Santa, and a double-dog-dare to lick a freezing flagpole are just a few of the distractions that stand between young Ralphie and his Christmas wish.
Learn more

The Christmas Schooner
The Mercury Theatre
November 16 - December 31
The whole family will enjoy this heart-warming story of the first Christmas tree ship, and the people who risked their lives to fill Chicago with the Christmas spirit. THE CHRISTMAS SCHOONER reminds us of tradition, and our responsibility to celebrate the living while honoring heritage.
Learn more

The ComedySportz Crew Saves Santa
The ComedySportz Theatre
November 19 - December 17
The ComedySportz Crew has never been more excited! They are using the Imagination Machine to meet Santa Claus! But at the North Pole, Santa's been kidnapped by the evil Expensivo. The crew must use their ComedySportz imaginations to save Santa and stop Expensivo!
Learn more

Hannukatz the Musical
National Pastime Theater
December 2-31
The National Pastime Theater presents its first annual holiday show, the only Hannukah musical on earth. The National Pastime Theater unveils Terry Abrahamson’s newly penned (newly spelled), rocking, irreverent, interactive theater event for “that other December holiday,” for those who celebrate Hannukah and those who don't.
Learn more

Irving Berlin's White Christmas
Stahl Family Theater
October 19 - January 1
One of America’s most beloved silver screen classics is now a brand new stage musical – Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS. Packed with hits like "Blue Skies," "Count Your Blessings," and the title song "White Christmas," your entire family will celebrate this magical time of year with this beautiful new musical.
Learn more

Junie B. Jones in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells
Emerald City at Apollo Theater
November 17, 2011 - January 8, 2012
In Junie B. Jones’ world, things are very clear – Christmas means you get presents, elf costumes are awesome, and May is a blabbermouth tattletale. Things are going so well, until Junie B. pulls May as her Secret Santa! With Santa watching her like a hawk, what will Junie B. do?
Learn more

Robert Joffrey’s The Nutcracker
Governors State University
December 9-27
The world renowned Joffrey Ballet once again transforms the Auditorium Theatre into a winter wonderland full of magical toys and waltzing snowflakes during the annual production of Robert Joffrey’s The Nutcracker.
Learn more

The Sound of Music
Drury Lane - Oakbrook
Playing October 20 - January 8
Set in Austria on the brink of WWII, Maria a postulant, proves too high-spirited for the religious life and is dispatched to serve as governess for the seven children of a widowed naval Captain. Her growing rapport with the youngsters, coupled with her generosity of spirit, gradually captures the heart of the stern Captain.
Learn more

Tinsel! the Musical
Lil Buds Theatre at Greenhouse Theater
November 26th - December 20th
Telling the story of a nearsighted reindeer's rise from life as a clumsy waitress in Frosty's diner to being a famous recording artist, TINSEL! THE MUSICAL will put the star on top of your holiday season with its unique blend of country, jazz, blues and pop music. Young audience members will learn about the pitfalls of fame and the rewards of being true to yourself.
Learn more

Thanksgiving Weekend Family Fun

2011-11-22T16:50:00.001-06:00

If you're staying in town for Thanksgiving, you'll find that there's no shortage of activities this weekend! In addition to Thanksgiving fun, many of this year's Holiday events are now getting underway. So forget shopping on Black Friday - get out there and do something fun!

November 25-27
Shrek the Musical
Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Rd., Rosemont
Shrek the Musical tells the story of a swamp-dwelling ogre who goes on a life-changing adventure to reclaim the deed to his land. Joined by a wise-cracking donkey, this unlikely hero fights a fearsome dragon, rescues a feisty princess and learns that real friendship and true love aren’t only found in fairy tales. Ages 4 and up. See web site for show times. Ticket prices range from $22.50 - $87.50. Read more...

November 25
From Trash to Table: Transforming Leftovers into Delicious Dishes
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago
Join Chef Jill Houk as she shares her passion for food this Friday by turning Thanksgiving leftovers into all new meals! She'll take you through cooking with your surplus turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce, and will explain how food doesn't have to be boring the second time around. All ages. 1:30 -3:00 p.m. Included with admission. Read more...

November 26
The Flying Karamazov Brothers
The Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora
For more than 35 years, The Flying Karamazov Brothers have brought their signature brand of physical humor and entertainment to theaters around the globe. Direct from Broadway, their latest show 4-Play is 100 minutes of cleverness and comedy with endless juggling (including items from the audience), a zany ballet, and banter that's part Marx Brothers, part Monty Python - 100% pure glee! 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. $28.50-$38.50. Read more...

November 26
Vienna Boys Choir
Symphony Center, 220 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago
One of the oldest boys' choirs existing in the world and a symbol of Austria for nearly 500 years, Vienna Boys Choir returns to Symphony Center with a variety of traditional and holiday songs that are sure to delight the whole family. Kick off your holiday celebration with this popular and essential Thanksgiving weekend event! Ages 8 and up. 3pm. $22 - $83. Read more...

BUDGET BETS

November 19
Ice Skating at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink
Millennium Park, Michigan Avenue between Randolph/Monroe, Chicago
Skate of those holiday calories -The McCormick Tribune Ice Rink in Millennium Park is open! The rink, now in its eleventh season, draws more than 100,000 skaters annually and is free and open to the public. Skate rental is available for $10. This weekend, the rink is open Thanksgiving 10 a.m. — 4 p.m., Friday 12pm - 10pm, Saturday 10am - 10pm, Sunday 10am - 9pm. Read more...

November 24
McDonald's Thanksgiving Day Parade
State Street from Congress to Randolph
Start your holiday with a parade! The McDonald’s® Thanksgiving Parade features sky-high balloons, dazzling equestrian units, the nation’s top marching bands, talented dance troupes and the best in varied cultural entertainment. It takes place on State Street on Thanksgiving Day, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. This year’s lineup includes a wide range of spectacular group performances including Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® present Fully Charged, Million Dollar Quartet and more. Free. Read more...

November 24
Thanksgiving Day Feast for the Animals
Brookfield Zoo, First Avenue and 31st Street, Brookfield
The annual Thanksgiving Day feast for the animals begins at Noon and features guests helping dish out tasty nutritious treats to the goats, cows, llamas and horses. Menu items include apples, carrots, sweet corn, oranges, timothy hay, alfalfa, hog chow, grapes, lettuce, bananas, and duck chow. After helping out, guests can watch as zookeepers feed some of the not-so-tame animals like the hawks, owls, woodchucks and raccoons. All ages. Starts at noon. Free admission! Read more...

November 25
20th Annual Wreathing of the Lions
Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago
Celebrate the start of the holiday season with the 20th anniversary of this Chicago family favorite as the lions are adorned with traditional evergreen wreaths! Performances by the Wooten Choral Ensemble add melodic cheer outside during the ceremony and inside the museum immediately following. Hot tea, provided by Argo Tea, will keep your taste buds happy and your insides toasty warm. Families can stop by the Ryan Education Center to create wreaths inspired by the many treasures in the museum’s collection and meet Artie the Lion! All ages. 10am - 3pm. Free. Read more...

November 23 through December 24
Christkindlmarket
Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington, Chicago
The Christkindlmarket outdoor market is no longer just a German tradition, it has become a Chicago institution. The unique shopping experience, typical German food and drinks, as well as diverse holiday entertainment make the Christkindlmarket Chicago a preferred and popular destination. Admission is FREE! Read more...

November 26
Santa's Craft Corner at Cosley Zoo
Cosley Zoo, 1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton
Can’t make it to the North Pole? Do the next best thing and come to Cosley Zoo! Enjoy a visit with Santa, make a craft or two and enjoy cookies, punch and coffee. Photos with Santa are available for a small fee. Free Zoo admission! For ages 2 and up. 10am - 2pm. Zoo admission is free; $2/person suggested donation. Read more...

November 25-27
ZooLights
Lincoln Park Zoo, 2200 N. Cannon Dr., Chicago
Opening this weekend! Zoo lights takes place weekends through the 11th, and then nightly from December 16 - January 1. You can visit with Santa, see animals from around the world, watch live ice carving, try holiday crafts, and enjoy delicious food, hot spiced wine and holiday shopping. All ages. 5-9 p.m. Free. Read more...

Goodnight Moon the Musical!

2011-11-17T09:39:00.006-06:00

Margaret Wise Brown books have always been a staple of our night-time story book routine, and I've always associated them with putting kids to bed. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the storyline behind "Goodnight Moon the Musical" was less about kids falling asleep, and more humorously about one little bunny that simply does NOT want to go to bed.

I was a bit hesitant about the concept at first, because it was hitting too close to home - every night at our house is a challenge with what we call "nonsense." But for that very reason, my 3-year-old daughter Mia seems to find it hilarious, as she could totally relate to Bunny.

This is a great show for the younger audiences. The set was fantastic and looked just like Bunny's room from the book, so kids start off with a sense of the familiar. Also familiar to young kids - doing "nonsense" at bedtime! So when Bunny asks for more water, and jumps on the bed, and continues playing, kids were on board.

Bunny sings, dances, and clowns his way around his room in an epic battle against bedtime, encountering characters that come to life, from the pictures on his wall to the toys on his shelf. Memorable antics include the Hey Diddle Diddle characters acting out their story in his bedroom, the Three Bears calling ahead before visiting Bunny in his room, and the goofiness that goes on between Bunny and his pal Mouse.

This is a great show for young audiences, and parents will relate as well.

Chicago Children's Theater at Victory Gardens Biograph Theatre

2433 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago
$26 children, $36 adults
(773) 871-3000
www.chicagochildrenstheatre.org

Through December 23, 2011

Win tickets to Shrek the Musical!

2011-10-24T11:27:00.003-05:00

SHREK THE MUSICAL is coming to the Chicago area and will play the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road for one weekend only, Nov. 25 – 27, 2011!

We're giving away 2 family 4-packs of tickets to the show - enter through October 31 for your chance to win!

An entirely new musical which opened on Broadway December, 2009, SHREK THE MUSICAL is based on the story and characters from William Steig’s book Shrek!, as well as the DreamWorks Animation film Shrek, the first chapter of the Shrek movie series.

SHREK THE MUSICAL tells the story of a swamp-dwelling ogre who goes on a life-changing adventure to reclaim the deed to his land. Joined by a wise-cracking donkey, this unlikely hero fights a fearsome dragon, rescues a feisty princess and learns that real friendship and true love aren’t only found in fairy tales.

Learn more and purchase tickets.

2011 Halloween Weekend Event Highlights

2011-10-18T11:23:00.003-05:00

If you love Halloween, you're probably already looking for activities for Halloween weekend! Here are some highlights below, and you can find many more options in our Halloween Zone's listing of Halloween Happenings. Happy Halloween!

FOR ALL AGES

October 30
Trick or Treat in Downtown Naperville
Main Street Promenade, 55 S. Main St, Naperville
Gather your little ghouls & goblins and head to downtown Naperville to trick or treat door to door to various shops & restaurants who will be passing our yummy candy treats. The Main Street Promenade, in partnership with Naperville Dental Specialists & Innovative Orthodontic Centers will have a Fall Festival at the Main Street Promenade including Shutterbox photos, crafts, costumed characters & more. The Naperville Trolley will also be circling the downtown providing free trolley rides! Always a great day of fun for kids & their parents. All ages. 11am - 2pm. FREE. Read more...

October 29-30
Trains, Tricks and Treats
Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe
Trick-or-treat throughout the Model Railroad Garden to celebrate Halloween and the end of the railroad's season at Trains, Tricks & Treats on October 29 and 30. The Model Railroad Garden will be decorated with spider webs, spiders, ghosts, goblins, and pumpkins, as well as seasonal plant materials. Visitors will see figurines of trick-or-treaters on Main Street, bats and crawly creatures, a graveyard, and more, all tucked among miniature scenes of America's best-loved landmarks and beautiful gardens planted to scale. All ages. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 3 to 12. Members save $1. Parking $20. Read more...

October 29-30
Boo! at the Zoo
Brookfield Zoo, First Avenue and 31st Street, Brookfield
From a crazy costume parade to pumpkin-carving demonstrations, Brookfield Zoo’s annual Boo! at the Zoo festival is the perfect way to celebrate Halloween, and everyone is invited to attend! The not-so-scary event will include frightfully fun activities for the entire family! All ages. Included with admission. Read more...

October 30
Halloween Magic
Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont
The Magic Dentist, Dr. Mark Kaschube is putting on a show full of spooky Halloween tricks along with his ensemble of mischievous tricksters. Also on the program is one of the most original an astounding magic acts ever seen on the stage, “Quick Change,” featuring the astoundingly quick costume change act of David Mass and Dania Kaseeva. 100 percent of the proceeds from ticket sales will go to Salute, Inc., a non-profit organization that provides financial support for military men and women and their families. All ages. 2pm. $20 for adults ages 13 and older, and $10 for children ages 12 and younger. Read more...

FOR THE LITTLE TOTS

October 30
Beat Kitchen Halloween Concert & Party with Mr. Singer & the Sharp Cookies
Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont, Chicago
ChicagoKids.com sponsors the Beat Kitchen Concerts for Kids! Join us for a special Halloween Concert with Mr. Singer & the Sharp Cookies. Come in costume, dance to the music, and enjoy crafts and activities with Wishcraft Studio, Building Blocks Toy Store and ChicagoKids.com. After the show, you can enjoy Roscoe Village's 2011 Halloween Parade, which kicks off at 2pm at Leavitt and Roscoe and is followed by trick or treating at local merchants. Ages 0-6. Noon. $6. Read more...

October 31
Little Beans Halloween Party
Little Beans Cafe, 1809 W. Webster, Chicago
The Little Beans Village gets a little silly and spooky! Enjoy games, face painting, trick-or-treating in the "village," and ice cream eyeballs from the ice cream shop! Put those costumes on a few hours early and come have a ghostly good time. Price includes playspace admission, trick-or-treating, games, face painting, and a special ice cream eyeball treat! All ages. 2-5pm. $20/Child, $15/Sibling. Read more...

FOR THE OLDER KIDS

October 27-30
Haunted Quarry
Batavia Park District - Hall Quarry Beach, 400 South Water Street, Batavia
Was that just the wind blowing in the trees or is someone walking up behind you? Swimming season has ended but that doesn`t mean all is quiet at the Quarry! Face your fears and experience all the nightmares that await you at the Haunted Quarry. Haunted Quarry provides very scary fun for kids over age 10 on October 27-29 from 7pm - 11pm, and then offers less scary fun for younger kids on Saturday Oct 30 from noon 3pm. Read more...

Join our Pajama Party for Read for the Record

2011-09-30T14:27:00.001-05:00

You may have already heard the buzz about Jumpstart's Read for the Record campaign. On October 6, people across the country will read the children’s book Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney, as part of this national campaign that mobilizes adults and children to close the early education achievement gap by setting a reading world record. There will be reading events taking place across the country, from public libraries to schools to private homes.

ChicagoKids.com is proud to co-host a special reading event at noon on October 6 with Building Blocks Toy Store. We're having a Read for the Record Pajama Party, and our special guest will be Judy Oliva, Divisional Vice President for Bright Horizons Early Education and Preschool, who will read to the audience. There will be refreshments, balloons, temporary tattoos and a small party favor for kids that attend. Plus, a possible surprise guest appearance. Kids should dress up in pajamas for this special reading!

Building Blocks will be celebrating all week with readings by local community leaders including Ann Torralba, aka "Little Miss Ann;" Alderman Scott Waguespack of the 32nd Ward; Sarah Cobb of Neighborhood Parents Network; and Brenna Woodley, Founder of Bundle of Joy. Visit Building Blocks' web site for more details and the full schedule.

More about Jumpstart's Read for the Record

A child’s future should not be dictated by the neighborhood they are born into. Yet, in low income neighborhoods, children start kindergarten 60% behind their wealthier peers, and likely will never catch up. Studies show that a quality early education can set children on a path for success, helping to close this achievement gap. Jumpstart is a national early education organization that recruits and trains college students and community volunteers to work with preschool children in low-income neighborhoods. Through a proven curriculum, these children develop the language and literacy skills they need to be ready for school, setting them on a path to close the achievement gap before it is too late.

Pledge to Read at www.readfortherecord.org/pledge and help Jumpstart close the early education achievement gap.

ABOUT JUMPSTART

Every child deserves the chance to succeed, yet studies show that children from low-income neighborhoods are at a greater risk of school failure. Jumpstart is a national early education organization that helps these children develop the language and literacy skills they need for school, setting them on a path to close the achievement gap before it is too late. Since 1993, Jumpstart has trained more than 20,000 college students and community volunteers to deliver its program to more than 90,000 preschool children nationwide. Jumpstart’s award-winning program holds a “Best in America” seal from Independent Charities of America. Join us to work toward the day every child in America enters school prepared to succeed. Learn more at www.jstart.org.

Read for the Record Pajama Party
Thursday, October 6 at Noon
Building Blocks Toy Store
2130 W. Division Street, Chicago

Interview with Charles Martin Smith, Director of Dolphin Tale

2011-09-24T09:47:00.002-05:00

Today I had the pleasure of sitting down with Charles Martin Smith, director of the movie Dolphin Tale, which opened this weekend. Dolphin Tale is based on the true story of a dolphin named Winter, who loses her tail after being caught in a net. She receives a prosthetic tail, and becomes an inspiration to others with her perserverence and positive attitude. She plays herself in the movie, with a cast that includes Harry Connick Jr., Ashley Judd, Morgan Freeman, Kris Kristofferson, Austin Stowell, and child actors Nathan Gamble and Cozi Zuehlsdorff.

View the trailer/web site

What was it like for you personally when you first met Winter?

I was so surprised at how personable she is. She has so much personality - she's playful, she's mischievous. She's not a fully grown dolphin yet, she's about 5 years old, which is in human terms like an 11 year old kid. So she has some of those personality traits. She is funny, she's very noisy and vocal and very curious. She's the one who will decide if you can get in the pool with her or if you can't. She likes people around, so sometimes she gets mad if you get out of the pool too soon. She's got so much personality. I was really surprised.

Did Winter need to go through any kind of training so that she could take direction, or was there anything that you did to help her in her role?

You know, not so much. What I decided to do from the beginning is to take things that she does naturally and put them on film. She does work two dolphin specialists that put her through various regular exercises to help correct the problem with her tail. So I use those kinds of things she does - they have taught her to come over when they need her, which they do for medical treatments, daily massages, therapy and so on. So she has a certain amount of that, but really she's still pretty much a wild animal.

In the preview, she has an immediate special connection with Nathan Gamble's character Sawyer. When she met the actors, how did she react to them?

She really bonded with Nathan. But she liked all of them, she loves children, maybe because she's a kid herself. It was funny, when we cast Nathan we couldn't officially offer him the part until he met Winter, just on the off-chance that when he went to Clearwater she didn't like him for some reason. Or, on the off-chance - I mean, she's 250 pounds, she's a big animal - that he'd be a little skittish around her.

If they didn't get along, if they didn't have good chemistry, then we couldn't cast him. But as it turned out, she liked him immediately, and vice versa, and you could see it in the film. They really, really enjoyed being together. It's like chemistry between two humans.

Are there any restrictions with filming with animal, with Winter?

One of the things that we all talked about going into this shoot, and that I was adamant about, was that our number one priority was Winter's wellbeing. Making the movie was number two. So if there were days when she didn't feel like coming over, or if she was a little tired or something, we wanted the people who work with her to let us know, and we would immediately shift and shoot something else. And that's difficult to do in a movie schedule, to totally change the plan for the day when it comes to filming. But we did it with her because her wellbeing was our main concern.

There are a number of scenes in it where we use an animatronic, so for anything that was difficult or stressful that we wouldn't want Winter to do, we used the animatronic, or used CGI.

Are there any days when Winter was having an "off" day, where you had to cancel things and not continue?

Yep, absolutely. There were days when she just wasn't feeling like it. We had a couple of days where we were working on scenes that she wasn't in, and she would come over to the edge of the pool - we call it "spy hopping" - she'd kinda stick her head up and look around and go "Tweet! Tweet! Tweet!" and make all this noise, which was ruining the dialogue track. And she's making so much noise as if to say "Hey! What about me, I'm the star of this movie, why don't you come film me?"

What made you decide to make this movie in 3-D?

We wanted to use the 3-D to give the audience the feeling that they're right there in the water with Sawyer and Winter, and bring the audience into this underwater world. I always had the idea that I wanted to open the movie with Winter in her natural habitat, with the other dolphins, swimming out in the ocean, and by shooting that in 3-D, you really feel like you're there under the water. That was really the main thing, to use the 3-D to draw the audience into that world.

There must be some funny outtakes from this film. What were some of the funniest things that happened while working with Winter?

She's hilarious. She actually stole Abby's [dolphin specialist] cell phone once, and stuck it to the drain at the bottom of the tank, where the suction holds it to the drain. It took Abby three days to find her phone.

And the first time that Winter wears the tail in the movie, she shakes it off and doesn't want it anymore, and then she goes and gets it and hands it back to Abby. And that really happened the first time they tried the prosthetic tail on Winter, she didn't want it. But she got it and brought it back and handed it to them like, "You want this more than me." She actually fetched it and came back and gave it to them.

What positive impact from this film have you seen on people with disabilities or with prosthetics?

When I first went, I spent 3 days there with her, just swimming with her, watching Winter, talking to the biologists and people that work with her at the hospital there. And I saw a little boy, he was about 6, and he'd lost a limb to cancer and he'd just gone through chemo. His mom had brought him to see Winter, and when he got in the water with her, she was so gentle with him. I think she understood that he was sick and that he was wearing a prosthetic, and he was so moved, and his mother was so moved and inspired.

And I saw all the letters that children write. One little girl had written "Once I visited, I said to myself, if Winter can do it, so can I." That happens every day. Every day, physically challenged people, veterans who have lost limbs… it's so, so moving. So I wrote in the script the scene with the little girl in the wheelchair. And we have a character who is a veteran, who is badly injured and paralyzed, so Winter means so much to him.

She's an inspirational animal. She never feels sorry for herself. She has this very indomitable spirit, a good sense of humor. She's clever, smart and optimistic. You just feel that from Winter.

I have some questions from kids for you now. First - What does Winter like to play with when she takes a break?

She's playful, she's funny - she does have toys that she likes. She loves to get up on her mattress. And she likes to roughhouse - she'll wrestle with you! We have a bunch of documentary footage at the end, and you see her using her rostrum to kind of wrestle with and play with one of the dolphin workers. She likes to roughhouse, swim - loves to grab you and go swimming with you.

Next Kid Question: What kind of food does Winter like to eat?

Winter, like all dolphins, eats Fish! And there's two kinds of fish that she gets. One are called capelin, they're a small fish; and the bigger fish are herring, which have a little more fat. And she really likes the herring.

And do you know that dolphins don't chew? They have all these sharp teeth which they use to grab the fish, then they gulp them down whole. And they're very picky about the food they give Winter. They get her food from the same place that restaurants get their food, only they are even more picky about what they give to her. If something doesn't look quite right about the fish, then they don't give it to her.

Last Kid Question: Was there really a soldier in the story, or was that only part of the script?

It's part of the script, as are the kids. They're part of the script that we used, but they represent all of the different soldiers that have come and been moved by Winter. And Morgan Freeman, who plays the scientist that designs the prosthetic, represents two guys actually - Dan Strzempka and Kevin Carroll, who work at Hanger Prosthetics. They're the ones that made the prosthetic. So it's kind of like you take a bunch of characters and roll them into one to tell the story.

This is such an inspirational movie. How do you think this movie might affect what you do down the road?

I always look for something that's got some inspirations, or is at least about something - something that has something positive to put out in the world.

View the official Dolphin Tale web site

Babies Tots n' More Consignment Event

2011-09-19T15:58:00.000-05:00

Whether you want to stock up your kids' wardrobes for this winter, or unload the clothes, toys and accessories they've outgrown, the Babies Tots n' More event is the place you want to be!

Babies, Tots and More is a children’s seasonal consignment event featuring the highest quality toys, clothing and accessories appropriate for the coming season. The event also features children’s furniture, baby/child gear, strollers, maternity items and more. In addition to consigned goods, Babies, Tots n' More also features a selection of the area’s best new and custom goods.

I've attended the event in the past, and was impressed by the amount of merchandise as well as the prices. How impressed? I'm actually holding off on buying my daughter new clothes for this season until after this event... and I postponed a weekend trip until the following weekend so that I would not miss it!

This year, for the first time, I'm also going to consign. It's a very organized and easy process. The web site is set up so that you can apply for a drop off time (hurry before the spots are gone!) and then you can input each item that you want to sell. You then print out your tags, get your items in order, and make your drop.

You'll find brands ranging from Carter's, Baby Gap and Old Navy to Ralph Lauren, Hanna Anderson, and other designer labels. And I can tell you based on what I'm bringing in that lots of items will be in great condition - I've got plenty of things to sell that my daughter never even wore!

PUBLIC SALE:
Friday, October 14, 2011
10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Saturday, October 15, 2011
9:00 AM – 12:30 PM, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
(Most Items 1/2 Price after 1:00 PM)

Visit the Babies, Tots n' More Web site.

Kids Science Labs Opens in Lincoln Park

2011-09-13T12:29:00.004-05:00

Your budding mad scientist now has a safe place for hands-on experiments! Kids Science Labs has opened in Lincoln Park, in a big, bright space that will inspire the scientifically-minded.

We stopped by for the Grand Opening, and saw each classroom packed with kids mesmerized by science demonstrations and having fun with hands-on activities and experiments. Judging by the interactions we saw, kids are going to love this place!

KSL's hands-on classes for kids aged 2-12 are all based on science that kids understand, because they address practical life experiences with materials and objects that kids encounter everyday. The classes are fun and engaging, and build creativity, critical thinking and problem solving skills. Every class begins with a fundamental question that is asked by kids everyday, and then hands-on science is used as a vehicle for engaging, discovering, and learning through actual experience.

Some sample classes:

Rainforest Real Estate: Will children bungle the jungle when faced with the opportunity to build a home in these lush lands? Students will face tough choices about clearing the jungle in order to continue the use of everyday goods we obtain from the rainforest.
Jake vs. the Quake: Children meet Jake, an ambitious architect, who will learn a thing or two about the importance of constructing foundations through hands-on fun. But watch out, Jake's home is prone to earthquakes and your child will get to test the importance of a building's foundation and design.
Fruit Smashanomics: Fruit mania meets beginning physics in this class that allows children to compare the structure of fruits while exploring gravity, impact, and acceleration in a splat-tastic way!
Liquidity Lesson: What is a liquid and how is different from solids? Students will explore everyday household items to understand principles of some common and uncommon liquids.

Intrigued? Try a free class and see if your little scientist gets hooked! Learn more at www.kslchicago.com.

Kids Science Labs
1550 N. Kingsbury (south end of the Whole Foods building)
Chicago 60646
(312) 806-2443

Midnight Circus at Circus in the Parks

2011-09-05T21:45:00.003-05:00

Circus In The Parks, featuring Chicago’s Midnight Circus, a high-flying assortment of acrobats, aerialists, clowns, contortionists and even a dog will tour six Chicago parks in September and October under a brand new purple and blue little big top. So intimate, there is no such thing as a bad seat. This year’s tour is presented by Peoples Gas and the Chicago Park District and features a brand new show.

Since 2007 over $160,000 has been raised with this one of a kind community building/fundraising event.

Schedule:

Welles Park – 2333 W. Sunnyside
September 17th - 2pm & 5pm
September 18th - 1pm & 4pm

Holstein Park - 2200 N. Oakley
September 24th - 2pm & 5pm
September 25th - 1pm & 4pm

Independence Park – 3945 N. Springfield Mt.
October 1st - 2pm & 5pm
October 2nd - 1pm & 4pm

Greenwood Park – 3724 W. 111th
October - 8th - 2pm & 5pm
October - 9th - 1pm & 4pm

Commercial Park – 1845 W. Rice
October 15th - 2pm & 5pm
October 16th - 1pm & 4pm

Chase Park - 4701 N. Ashland
October 22nd - 2pm & 5pm
October 23rd - 1pm & 4pm

Tickets are $15 per person. Children under 3 years free. Discounts are available for groups of 20 or more. To purchase tickets visit www.CircusInTheParks.org.

ChicagoKids.com to sponsor Beat Kitchen's Concerts for Kids! Series

2011-08-24T14:30:00.004-05:00

ChicagoKids.com is proud to sponsor the Beat Kitchen Concerts for Kids, a concert series that brings out Chicago's top local children's performers for fun shows in a true Chicago music venue.

The concert series kicks off with a Fall Fest on Sunday, September 11, featuring a day of activities, crafts, and performances. The day's schedule includes:

11am: Mary Macaroni
Noon: Sarah Jayne Parker
1pm: Baby Take a Bow, Hip Hop Workshop
2pm: The Hamburglars
3pm: Mindy Hester and the Time Outs
Fall Fest runs from 11am - 4pm and is $8 per person.

For the Fall concert series, shows start Sundays at noon and are unless otherwise indicated. The Beat Kitchen kitchen will be open serving something for everyone, from burgers and gourmet pizzas to pancakes and french toast.

Fall Concert Series Performance Schedule:

Sept 18: AndyRoo & the AndyRooniverse
Sept 25: The Dreamtree Shakers
Oct 2: Human-Tim + Robot-Tim
Oct 9: Kara Kesselring & Sugarcreek Road
Oct 16: Little Miss Ann Band
Oct 23: The Boogers
Oct 30: Mr. Singer & The Sharp Cookies special Halloween Show
Nov 6: Jeanie B! and The Jelly Beans
Nov 13: Suzi Shelton with special guest Little Miss Ann
Nov 20: Karen 4 Kids!
Dec 4: Super Stolie and the Rockstars
Dec 11: Mary Macaroni
Dec 18: Shana Sings! special Holiday Show

Beat Kitchen
2100 W. Belmont, Chicago

End of Summer Top 5 To Do List

2011-08-11T11:39:00.002-05:00

The summer has gone by faster than any other summer I can remember. Our family's "to do" list still has a lot of items that need to get checked off!

Here are a few summer activities that you should add to your list before it's too late!

Family Fun Festival - This daily festival at Millennium Park includes music with Wiggleworms instructors, a reading circle and family entertainment, plus the chance to explore the Park and see the fountains and the Bean. Through August 21. Free!
Cirque Shanghai Extreme - This high flying family circus is playing at Navy Pier's Skyline Stage, featuring feats of tumbling, juggling, balancing and more. Tickets start at $15, and you can check out the rest of the fun at Navy Pier before or after the show. Through September 5.
Dancin' Sprouts - Wednesday evenings, pack a picnic and see some of our best local kid's bands on the promenade at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Remaining dates include Karen Jordan on 8/17, The Dreamtree Shakers on 8/24, and Mindy Hester & the Time Outs on 8/31. It's free!
Story Time at Lincoln Park Zoo - Wednesday and Fridays at 9:15 and 10am, join Mr. Singer for silly songs and tall tales. Combine your outing with a walk through the zoo and a picnic with fresh, local foods at the nearby Green City Market. Through September 9. Free!
Wizard of Oz Theatre-Hike - Weekends in August, walk along with the action of Wizard of Oz, going from scene to scene outdoors among 1,700 acres of trees and beautiful landscapes. The Sunday hikes are low impact and suitable for strollers, walkers and wheelchairs. Saturdays and Sundays through August 28.

Superheroes, Villains and more.... It's Comic Con for Kids

2011-08-10T16:31:00.003-05:00

Comic Con is coming to the Chicago area this weekend, and it's not just for grownups! Kid's Day is Sunday August 14, and this is a day when kids of all ages can enjoy activities such as entering the costume contest, getting their faces painted, making their own super costumes, learning how to draw and write their own comic books, taking pictures with their favorite superheroes, showing off their Padawan skills with balloon light sabers, and much more. All kid-friendly activities, vendors, booths, and sessions will be designated with a Kid-Friendly button.

Lots of special guests will be on hand to meet and mingle with kids and families, including Wow! Wow! Wubbzy, Bruce Campbell (Evil Dead, Army of Darkness), Patrick Stewart (Star Trek, X-Men, American Dad), other celebrities and many artists and writers including Eisner Award winners and nominees. And aspiring artists can have their portfolios reviewed by David Campiti, who has helped launch many careers at Marvel and DC. And fun for everyone - get “simpsonized” by multi-award-winning Simpsons animator, Phil Ortiz!

Kid's Day is on Sunday
Thursday, August 11, 2011 - 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Friday, August 12, 2011 - Noon - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 13, 2011 - 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, August 14, 2011 - 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Donald E. Stephens Convention Center (Rosemont)
5555 N. River Road
Rosemont, IL 60018

COST:
1-Day Advance Ticket: $25
4-Day Advance Ticket: $50
Free for up to two kids ages 10 and under per paid ticket
VIP Experience Packages available

Learn more.

Little Beans Family Concert Series - Music, BBQ and Ice Cream!

2011-08-02T16:19:00.008-05:00

Little Beans Cafe has taken some of my very favorite things - live music, BBQ, and ice cream - and put them all together for a great event series that starts this Saturday! I'm already less depressed about summer flying by so fast.

Every weekend in August, September and October, you can bring your family out to enjoy music from the area's top local kindie performers while feasting on BBQ and ice cream. Through the end of August, the shows will take place on Little Beans' new, amazing outdoor play deck, and they'll move indoors in September and October.

Check out this great lineup:

AUGUST:
Saturday, August 6th: Jeanie B
Friday, August 12th: Mr. Singer
Saturday, August 20th: The Boogers
Friday, August 26th: Laura Doherty

SEPTEMBER:
Friday, September 2nd: Super Stoli
Friday, September 9th: The Doo Wop That Things
Friday, September 16th: Little Miss Ann
Friday, September 23rd: Mary Macaroni
Friday, September 30th: Mindy Hester & The Timeouts

OCTOBER:
Friday, October 7th: Scott the Steel Drum Guy
Friday, October 14th: Joel Frankel
Friday, October 21st: The DreamTree Shakers
Friday, October 28th: Jeanie B

Tickets can be purchased in advance on the Little Beans website at www.littlebeanscafe.com. Visit the events page for a list of dates and to register. Tickets are $20 per person with discounts for families of 3 or more. Tickets include a 45-minute concert, play, BBQ food and ice cream!

Little Beans Cafe
1809 W. Webster, Chicago
(773) 251-1025

The Adventures of Pinocchio at Chicago Shakepeare Theater

2011-07-24T14:11:00.002-05:00

I was invited to see The Adventures of Pinocchio at Shakespeare theater, and I checked it out last week with my daughter Mia in tow (she turned 3 in April) and - just in case - our babysitter. The production is recommended for ages 5 and up, so I figured that perhaps after Mia saw Pinocchio doing his "I've Got No Strings" number, and after she got to meet Jiminy Cricket, she'd lose interest and the two of them could go explore Navy Pier.

Astonishingly (to me), Mia sat through the entire 75 minute production. I was surprised enough that she made it through the first scene, which was fairly scary and started off with Gepetto's wife "dying" - a word I've only recently introduced after the loss of our cat. There was booming thunder, lightning, darkness and an ominous storyteller voice, but Mia powered through, right on until the end.

I had assumed that this would be a pretty straightforward, if simplified, version of the Disney classic. Instead, Jiminy Cricket has no significant role, and we don't hear the classic songs "I've Got No Strings" or "Always Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide." However, this did not take away from my enjoyment one bit. The production was beautifully done, and the costumes held my attention as much as the story. The scene with the French marionettes was truly delightful, and the dancers really looked like they might have been operated by strings. The scenes with Fox and Cat were fantastic and they nearly stole the show.

The production is more dark than playful, but it brings home a message that's a good one for kids to learn: Life is full of choices - make smart ones (or you'll really be an ass!)

While Mia made it through, and even at one point told me "I'm really loving this!" I still agree with the recommendation of this show for ages 5 and up. There are definitely some frightening scenes, including Pinocchio and Gepetto inside the belly of the whale. Also, the storyline may not be terribly complicated, but some of the concepts will likely go over little ones' heads. I did occasionally whisper a quick, toddlered-down summary of the action to Mia to make sure she was keeping up, so at least she was generally following along.

Parents, you'll really enjoy this one as well, and you might even forget you're at a "kids' show."

Pinocchio is playing at Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier through August 28. Learn more at www.chicagoshakes.com.

Pinkalicious the Musical

2011-07-18T13:31:00.002-05:00

Until this morning, the only experience my daughter Mia and I had with Pinkalicious was reading the book one time at a bookstore about 4 months ago. It left quite an impression, and since then my daughter refers back to Pinkalicious when we talk about cupcakes or the color pink. So, there was actually much anticipation last night and this morning as we prepared for her 2nd ever theater experience.

Mia isn't known for her attention span, but within the first few minutes, she was in a Pinkalicious trance. The show begins with a scene that was at a level a three year old could understand, and that was also fun and engaging for older kids. Throughout most of the show, the pace was appropriate and the words in the songs were easy to understand, and the concepts were simple yet fun. There were a few faster paced numbers that I am certain Mia didn't understand, but it certainly didn't detract from her enjoyment.

One of my favorite songs was "Buzz Off," a fast-paced number featuring some bees and butterflies who mistake Pinkalicious for a flower. And the trip to Dr. Wink, where Pinkalicious is diagnosed with a case of Pinkatitis, is a musical romp where the actors have some fun with their quick dance steps and lines.

I did feel some concern for brother Peter, who was all but ignored by his parents, and I felt a little guilty watching Pinkalicious's mom spend too much time on her computer, but hopefully this all went over Mia's head.

After the show, we waited in a fairly long line for the chance to meet the actors and have them sign the autograph books that were passed out at the show.

Overall, a really delightful show that girls from 3 and up - maybe even age 2 - will really enjoy.

Pinkalicious
Emerald City Theatre at Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place
175 E. Chestnut Avenue, Chicago
July 8 - September 3
Tickets are available at all Broadway In Chicago Box Offices (24 W. Randolph St., 151 W. Randolph St., 18 W. Monroe St. and 175 E. Chestnut), the Broadway In Chicago Ticket Kiosk at Water Tower Place (845 N. Michigan Ave.), the Broadway In Chicago Ticket Line at (800) 775-2000, all Ticketmaster retail locations (including Hot Tix and select Carson Pirie Scott, Coconuts and fye stores), and online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com.

Beauty and the Beast: Princess Perfect

2011-07-12T14:21:00.002-05:00

Beauty and the Beast opened a six week run in Chicago, and little princesses from all over Chicago are making their appearances in the audience at the Oriental Theatre.

Kids will love the show, especially those familiar with the story and songs. It's best for the slightly older kids, as it's a lengthy show (more than 2.5 hours including intermission) and there are some dark parts that could be frightening. The scenes in the forest with the wolves could scare young kids, and the concept of a Beast kidnapping Belle would certainly give my 3-year-old some nightmares.

It's a festive show with lively performances for the more well known songs. "Be Our Guest" was one of the best numbers, with lots of high energy, great costumes and tinsel streamers shot out into the audience. I particularly enjoyed the beer-mug clinking number, but I think the complexities of that could be lost on the little princesses in the audience. Overall, this is a great show for little girls, and they'll enjoy seeing the movie brought to life on stage.

The show is at the Oriental Theatre through August 7, at 24 W. Randolph, Chicago. Tickets range from $18-85 and can be purchased at all Ticketmaster locations and online at http://www.broadwayinchicago.com.

Win a membership to the new Cubs Kids Club

2011-07-11T20:47:00.004-05:00

Perfect for your little Cubs fans - the just-launched Cubs Kids Club, presented by ComEd. This is the official Kids Club of the Chicago Cubs, and we're giving away a free membership!

Members will get special kid-specific perks, experiences and merchandise throughout the 2011 baseball season. Benefits include:

* Official Cubs Kids Club membership card
* Cubs Kids Club lanyard
* Catcher's chest protector backpack
* Cubs baseball cap
* School supplies package
* Cubs stickers
* Coupon for one free Wrigley Field Tour ticket
* Discounts on Cubs sponsor products

Learn more at the official web site.

For your chance to win, email news@chicagokids.com with the subject line "Cubs" by end of day Thursday, July 14!

Cirque du Soleil's OVO Creeps and Crawls Into Town

2011-06-30T22:48:00.001-05:00

Cirque du Soleil is back in Chicago under the Grand Chapiteau at the United Center with OVO, and this year's production has a very different feel from previous shows. Cirque for me has always been about jaw-dropping, death-defying acrobatic feats, where I sat at the edge of my seat with ratcheted nerves wondering if I were about to witness some sort of tragic circus mishap. I found myself rapt again last night, but this time I was more in awe of the costumes and music than the feats themselves.

Don't get me wrong. OVO has plenty of truly amazing moments and incredibly talented performers. But the emphasis was much heavier on the visual, and there was more of a silly storyline going on here than I've seen before. There was actually an entire act with just the 3 main bug characters that was entirely comedic, which was very surprising given what I've come to expect from Cirque. The bugs are funny - they use expressive chirps, twitters and sounds that serve as their dialogue - but it seems a little out of place in a Cirque production.

The costumes were stunning, and the salsa-like music was almost enough to make me get up and dance. The mood was light and fun, and the costumes and music created an upbeat, festive atmosphere. The performers moved with bug-like mannerisms which made them seem even less human and more other-wordly, and the overall effect was enthralling. The jerky head movements and reptilian tongue flicks of the grasshoppers and the lithe, precise movements of the three feminine spiders really added to the "buggy" character of the show.

The finale was an extended act, with funkified grasshoppers using trampolines to jump vertically onto what was essentially an enormous climbing wall. The performers looked like they were actually defying gravity, and I kept thinking that Broadway's Spiderman has NOTHING on these guys. They bounced up from the trampolines and landed frozen still in poses on the wall. They'd bounce up backwards, and I felt like I was watching a video in reverse of someone jumping OFF the wall. I could have easily watched an entire two hours of this act. By far the best of the show.

The kids that I saw or spoke to were all in agreement that it was a great show. Toward the end, an 8 year old girl sitting next to us asked her dad "Is it over?" When he said "No," she answered "Good!" And kids as young as 3 were having a great time. There was just one short scene in particular near the beginning that could be scary for some kids. It included two menacing, stilt-walking, praying-mantis-like characters, and I know this would have terrified my 3 year old daughter. But overall, I feel like the bright colors, upbeat Brazilian style music, and comic relief should appeal to most kids in the 4 and up range.

So while this production may be lighter on death-defying feats, it makes up for it in other ways with its visual splendor and upbeat fun vibe.

As for finding out what the big OVO egg is - we don't. Maybe you'll mind, maybe you won't. My husband says "It doesn't matter." Meanwhile, I feel unfulfilled for not finding out if my guesses were right. Coincidentally, we just took a book out from the library this week called "Hunwick's Egg." It's about a bandicoot who finds an egg, befriends it and cares for it, and then waits and waits and waits for it to hatch. It never does. But at least we find out why - it's not an egg, it's a rock. In OVO, the egg never hatches and we simply don't know why. So if you need closure, you'll have to make it up yourself.

Cirque du Soleil's OVO
Playing June 29 - August 21
United Center - Grand Chapiteau
1901 W. Madison, Chicago
Learn More

Chicago Area Fourth of July Celebrations

2011-06-29T15:13:00.002-05:00

The City of Chicago has cancelled the big fireworks show this year - Booooo!!!! We've rounded up some other great events taking place in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, so you won't feel like you're missing a thing.

July 1-3
Lisle Eyes to the Skies Festival and Carnival
Community Park, Rte 53 and Ogden, Lisle
See beautiful balloons take flight at 6am and 6pm, and try a tethered ride for $25. Enjoy the children's activities that include moon jump, magic, picnic games, crafts, face painting, a lumberjack show, the Frog Lady, and much more. Enjoy the fireworks extravaganza at 9:45 pm on July 3. All ages. $5 Adults, free for 5 and under. FREE Sunday 11am - 4pm for Lisle residents with valid photo ID, and free Sunday for military members with valid photo ID (active and veteran)

July 1-4
Naperville Ribfest
724 South West Street, Naperville
The family area at Ribfest features entertainment and activities for the whole family! Activities include a carnival, inflatables, jousting, bull riding, big slide, euro bungee, petting zoo a circus aerial show and much more. On July 4, enjoy a fireworks display at 9:30pm. All ages. $12, free kids 11 and under. On Friday from noon - 4pm, enjoy $1 hot dogs, $ ice cream and $10 unlimited rides.

July 2
Racing, Music and Fireworks
Arlington Park Racecourse, 2200 W Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights
Take in a great day of horse racing and music by day, and the an amazing fireworks display by dusk. The day’s racing starts at a special post time of 4 pm and the racing action will run nearly seamlessly into a spectacular fireworks display that gets underway at nightfall. The first 20,000 in attendance will receive 3D Fireworks Glasses, and the first 1,000 kids will receive a complimentary Firecracker Popsicle. All ages. General admission tickets $10.

July 3-4
Wheaton's Independence Day Celebration
Graf Park, 1855 Manchester Rd., Wheaton
Beginning July 3rd at 6pm, Wheaton’s Graf Park will open for old-fashioned fun with picnicking and people watching. Kids can enjoy carnival rides including a giant slide, kiddie ferris wheel and inflatable obstacle course. Also take part in classic arcade games like the duck pond and boom blaster, as well as running races. DJ Gabe will be on deck from 6:00pm playing classic rock, pop, and a patriotic song or two to keep toes tapping. The fireworks start July 3 at 8:45pm. On July 4th, the parade starts at 10am. Free. All ages.

July 4
Fourth of July Celebration in Northbrook
Village Green, 1320 Shermer Ave, Northbrook
Begin the day with the traditional Pancakes in the Park from 7 am – 11 am at Village Green on the corner of Shermer and Meadow. The Dooley Brothers Band plays in the Gazebo from 9 am – 11 am, and the Police versus Firemen department softball game starts at 10 am. The Bike Parade kicks off at 2 pm from the corner of Western and Cherry followed by the mile-long Northbrook Parade starting at 2:30 pm from the corner of Western and Cherry, ending at Village Green Park. Fireworks begin at sundown from Techny Prairie Park and Field.

July 4
Lake Forest Festival & Fireworks
Deerpath Community Park, 400 Hastings Road, Lake Forest
Celebrate Independence Day with a community celebration featuring food, a beer garden, live music and activities for kids, all culminating in a gala fireworks display. The fun starts at 6pm, with local band Sixteen Candles, followed by a Pie Eating Contest at 7:30. At 8pm, kick back for a concert with Rick Springfield, and then enjoy the fireworks at 9:30. All ages. $10 admission, 5 and under free; standard parking pass $20.

July 4
Patriotic Celebration
Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton
Cantigny Park will be alive with patriotic sights, sounds and activities for the whole family on Independence Day. Kids will love the inflatables, and painting our 20 foot mural on the Cantigny Parade Field from noon to 3 pm. They can ring the Liberty Bell, sign the Declaration of Independence with a quill pen, and see reenactors fire cannons. At 3pm, enjoy the Illinois Brass Band. Events and parking will be free all day on July 4th. All ages. 12:00pm - 4:00pm. Free.

July 4
Fourth Fest
Sunset Woods Park, 1801 Sunset Road, Highland Park
Play carnival games. Jump around in an inflatable. Go around the Fest in a train or hop on a pony for a ride. Feed the animals in our petting zoo.Stop and listen to live entertainment while feeding your hunger from one of our vendors in the concession area.*Tickets for games and rides: 3 for $1. All ages. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free.

Family Fun at Taste of Chicago

2011-06-23T15:53:00.002-05:00

You know summer is officially in full swing when Taste of Chicago gets underway! This famed Chicago event is a local favorite, and is packed with plenty of family friendly activities and events.

GETTING THERE

Taste of Chicago takes place at Grant Park, located at Michigan Ave. & Congress Dr.

If you can, avoid traffic and parking hassles and take public transportation. Call 836-7000 (any area code) to get details on CTA, RTA and Metra travel routes or visit www.transitchicago.com.

You can also park in the new Taste Parking Lots for a special discounted rate. You can park for $13 at the Waldron Deck parking garage at Soldier Field - get there by taking the exit at 18th Street from Lake Shore Drive. The free McDonalds Family Trolley runs on the North side of 18th Street and will take you to the Taste. The trolley runs roundtrip from Taste to the garage from 10:45 am - 8 pm daily, and 10:45 am - 5:30 pm on July 3rd.

GETTING IN

Taste runs June 24-July 2 from 11 am to 8:30 pm, and July 3 from 11 am to 6 pm.

Admission to Taste of Chicago is FREE.

Food and beverage tickets are sold in strips of 12 tickets for $8 (includes $2 charge for Taste amenities) Smaller “Taste of" portions are available at each food vendor and are between 2-4 tickets

Click here to see the Taste map.

FAMILY VILLAGE SCHEDULE

You'll find family fun at the Family Village, located at Columbus & Jackson. This special area features hands-on activities including arts and crafts stations led by area museums; family games; face painting; and green activities for kids.

The schedule also includes daily performances by Midnight Circus at noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Circo Urbano, their new production, features an international cast of characters performing high-flying, gravity defying acrobatics and over the top theatrics. Admission to the Midnight Circus performance is $2 in Taste tickets.

Here's the full daily schedule:

Friday, June 24
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.Make your own book beats music shaker with Chicago Public
Library (ages 3-10)
11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.Create your own Butterfly Life Cycle Necklace with Peggy
Notebaert Nature Museum (age 6 -12)
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.Chicago Public Schools Community Partnership Programs (ages 0-8,
arts & crafts, face painting)
11 a.m. – 6 p.m.Chicago Department of Family & Support Services (ages 1-12, arts & crafts, face painting)
11 a.m. – 7 p.m.National Museum of Mexican Art (ages 4-12)
3:15 - 4:45 p.m.Free mini massages for mom & dad (ages 18 & up)
4 - 7 p.m.Play LaLoteria (Mexican Bingo, win prizes)
4:30 – 7 p.m.It’s U Caricatures (ages 16 & under)
5 – 7 p.m.Decorate and enjoy a free slice of Eli's Cheesecake (while supplies
last, ages 12 & under)

Saturday, June 25
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.Play Speed Chess Against the Best Youth Chess Players in Illinois
(ages 5-18)
11 a.m. – 7 p.m.FIRST Robotics: See cool robots drive around and do crazy things!
11 a.m. – 7 p.m.Illinois Wing Civil Air Patrol: Come Fly With Us - Learn Why Planes Fly
11 a.m. – 7 p.m.Play at Shedd's interactive kids station! (ages 2-12)
11 a.m. – 7 p.m.True Star's Karaoke and Dance Challenge
1 – 3 p.m.Meet the SMURFS
4 – 7 p.m.Take a fun photo using Green Screen Photography

Sunday, June 26
11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.Face Painting, Temporary Airbursh Tattoos & Henna Art for Kids
11 a.m. – 7 p.m.Chicago Philatelic Society: Free Stamps for Kids
11 a.m. – 7 p.m.FIRST Robotics: See cool robots drive around and do crazy things!
11 a.m. – 7 p.m.Illinois Wing Civil Air Patrol: Come Fly With Us - Learn Why Planes Fly
11 a.m. – 7 p.m.Organic Sock Gardening with Chicago Metro AEYC (ages 2-12)
3 – 5 p.m.Design a fuzzy flower ring or a pair of super cool fuzzy super hero
glasses with K~Fleye (ages 8-14)
5:30 - 6:30 p.m.Family Bingo (win prizes)

Monday, June 27
11a.m. – 2 p.m.Healthy Farmers Market Eating Workshop with Fresh Connections
(ages 5-12, games, activities)
11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.Be a Rocket Scientist with Adler Planetarium (ages 6-12)
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.Explore hands-on science with the Museum of Science and Industry
(ages 5-15)
11 a.m. – 7 p.m.FIRST Robotics: See cool robots drive around and do crazy things!
11 a.m. - 7 p.m.Illinois Engineering Council: Why Things Work - Everyday Engineering
2:30 – 5 p.m.Color your favorite characters from Peter Pan & Beauty and the
Beast with Broadway in Chicago (ages 3 & up)
3 – 7 p.m."Wish you were here…" Design a postcard of your favorite Chicago
place with the Chicago History Museum (ages 4 & up)
3:30 – 7 p.m.DHS Community Alliance Team: Fingerprint ID Kit (ages 2-18)
5:30 - 6:30 p.m.Family Bingo (win prizes)

Tuesday, June 28
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.Insect Petting Zoo and Worm Composting Demo with University of
Illinois Extension (ages 2 & up)
11 a.m. – 6 p.m.Chicago Department of Family & Support Services (ages 1-12, arts & crafts, face painting)
11 a.m. – 7 p.m.Illinois Engineering Council: Why Things Work - Everyday Engineering
11 a.m. – 7 p.m.Learn about the Environment with Environmental Protection Agency
(ages 5-12)
11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Stretch-n-Grow - Fun Fitness for Kids (ages 3-12)
1 – 7 p.m.Sweet & Sassy summer makeovers for girls (ages 3-13)
3:30 - 4:30 p.m.Play the Giant Twister Game
5 – 7 p.m.Create your own Clay Coil Pot with Art Girl Pottery (ages 4 & up)

Wednesday, June 29
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.Food Safety at home with the Food & Drug Administration
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.Insect Petting Zoo and Worm Composting Demo with University of
Illinois Extension (ages 2 & up)
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.Make an Ape handprint with Lincoln Park Zoo (ages 2-10)
11 a.m. – 6 p.m.Chicago Department of Family & Support Services (ages 1-12, arts & crafts, face painting)
11 a.m. – 7 p.m.Illinois Engineering Council: Why Things Work - Everyday Engineering
11 a.m. – 7 p.m.Fun activities with Radio Disney AM 1300 Chicago
3:30 – 7 p.m.Learn to draw Celtic knots with the Irish American Heritage Center
3:30 – 7 p.m.Paint a refrigerator magnet with Plaster of Paradise

Thursday, June 30
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.Create a mask or headress inspired by artwork from Africa in the Art Institute of Chicago
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.Insect Petting Zoo and Worm Composting Demo with University of
Illinois Extension (ages 2 & up)
11 a.m. – 6 p.m.Chicago Department of Family & Support Services (ages 1-12, arts & crafts, facepainting)
11 a.m. – 7 p.m.Bicycling Ambassadors: Learn about bike safety & win prizes! Bring your bike helmet for a complimentary fitting!
11 a.m. – 7 p.m.Illinois Engineering Council: Why Things Work - Everyday Engineering
11 a.m. – 7 p.m.Fun activities with Radio Disney AM 1300 Chicago
3:30 – 7 p.m.Candle Art with Art Zone (ages 4-16)

Friday, July 1
11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.Paint a refrigerator magnet with Plaster of Paradise
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.Insect Petting Zoo and Worm Composting Demo with University of
Illinois Extension (ages 2 & up)
11 a.m. – 6 p.m.Chicago Department of Family & Support Services (ages 1-12, arts & crafts, facepainting)
11 a.m. – 7 p.m.Bicycling Ambassadors: Learn about bike safety & win prizes! Bring your bike helmet for a complimentary fitting!
11 a.m. – 7 p.m.Illinois Engineering Council: Why Things Work - Everyday Engineering
11 a.m. – 7 p.m.Fun activities with Radio Disney AM 1300 Chicago
3 – 7 p.m.Sweet & Sassy summer makeovers for girls (ages 3-13)

Saturday, July 2
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.Japanese Culture Center: Aikido demonstration/Japanese martial
arts (ages 5 & up)
11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.Face Painting, Temporary Airbursh Tattoos & Henna Art for Kids
11 a.m. – 7 p.m.Action Booth Photos
11 a.m. – 7 p.m.Illinois Wing Civil Air Patrol: Come Fly With Us - Learn Why Planes Fly
11 a.m. – 7 p.m.True Star's Karaoke and Dance Challenge
1:30 - 4:30 p.m.Design masks inspired by African motifs with DuSable Museum of
African American History (ages 5-12)
3 – 6 p.m.Candle Art with Art Zone (ages 4-16)
5 – 7 p.m.Free mini massages for mom & dad (ages 18 & up)

Sunday, July 3
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.Free mini massages for mom & dad (ages 18 & up)
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.Design your own patriotic crafts with the Bronzeville Children's
Museum (ages 3-9)
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.Face Painting, Temporary Airbursh Tattoos & Henna Art for Kids
11 a.m. – 5 p.m.Illinois Wing Civil Air Patrol: Come Fly With Us - Learn Why Planes Fly
11 a.m. – 5 p.m.True Star's Karaoke and Dance Challenge
1:30 - 4:30 p.m.It’s U Caricatures
2:30 – 5 p.m.Paint a refrigerator magnet with Plaster of Paradise

Summer Solstice at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

2011-06-20T16:18:00.003-05:00

Summer is officially here, and the Nature Museum has a great way for you to celebrate with your entire family! On Tuesday, June 21, the Museum will be open from 5-9pm for a special Summer Solstice evening. It's free, and the entire Musuem will be open for you to enjoy.

Guests will enjoy a special evening of music, summer treats, fun activities and the chance to win tickets to Cirque du Soleil's OVO. You'll also having a chance to be among the first to tour the Museum's newest exhibit, Nature Trails. This will be the Museum's largest permanent exhibit, and is a 1/3+ mile trail right in the heart of nature in Lincoln Park. Forget you're in the city, and you can:

Explore native vegetation such as prairies, savannas, wetlands and woodlands
Marvel at the colorful cluster of butterflies at the Woodward A. Wickham Butterfly Garden
Watch dragonfly larvae, diving beetles and tadpoles at the Pickerelweed Pond
Listen to one of the sounds of summer—birds singing
Smell the herbs and fresh, seasonal produce in the urban garden

Again, it's all FREE on Tuesday evening!

Father's Day Activities

2011-06-16T10:09:00.002-05:00

You've brought Dad breakfast in bed, the kids have given their cards and homemade art - now what will you do the rest of the day? Here are a few great ideas.

Friday, June 17

Date with Dad
American Girl Place, 835 N Michigan Ave., Chicago
Bring Dad and make memories to last a lifetime. Dads can enjoy a delicious meal and special time with daughters. The fee includes an American Girl book, a commemorative photo and frame, and keepsakes to take home as a reminder of your day together. Ages 6 and up. 7:30pm. $40 per person.

Sunday, June 19:

Father's Day Brunch
Soldier Field, 1410 S. Museum, Chicago Soldier Field will host its 4th Annual Father’s Day Brunch, opening the United Club’s fine dining to the public. Families can treat their "Dads" to an exquistite brunch, and also take a shot at kicking a field goal on the stadium field. Reservations required. All ages. 10am. $55 adults, $25 ages 3-12, under 3 free.

Father's Day Barbecue
Brookfield Zoo, First Avenue and 31st Street, Brookfield
This is one day where Dad can take a break for the grilling tasks. Bring Dad to this all-you-can-eat barbecue, which features all the trimmings, begins at Noon in the Zoo's Pavilions. Afterward, take a leisurely stroll around the grounds. All ages. Noon. $49 for adults and $35 for children (zoo members pay $39 and $29).

Father's Day Canoe Adventure
Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe
Bring Dad to canoe the lakes of the Chicago Botanic Garden with Bob Kirschner, the Garden’s aquatic biologist. Herons, ducks, small fish, and maybe even a few turtles and frogs will greet you as we explore their watery habitat. No experience with canoeing is necessary; instruction, canoes, life jackets, and paddles are all provided. Registration required. Ages 5 and up. 9am, 11am or 1pm. $89/$112 per canoe.

Father’s Day Brunch
Lamb's Farm, I-94 and Rte. 176, Libertyville
The whole family will love this tasty buffet, featuring country favorites made from scratch. Feast on country fried chicken and breakfast favorites including french toast, and the ever-popular omelets-to-order. Delicious desserts made in the Farm's very own bakery round out the perfect meal. Call the Country Inn Restaurant for reservations, at 847.362.5050. All ages. Seatings at 10 a.m., Noon, and 2 p.m. $19.95 for adults, $10.95 for children 12 & under. Children 23 months and younger eat for free.

Chicago's Best Summer Story Hours

2011-06-14T10:04:00.002-05:00

Every day, somewhere in Chicago, there's a free story hour taking place! Check out some of the free story hours taking place this summer in Chicago and the suburbs. This list includes some of our favorites, and you can find more by visiting the ChicagoKids.com Calendar of Events.

Summer Storytime with Emerald City Theatre at Open Books Store
Second Saturdays at 11:00am
213 W. Institute Pl., Chicago
This story hour takes place on the second Saturday of every month this summer, with read-aloud stories, crafts, and drama games with artists from Emerald City Theatre. Free. For ages 3-5.

Story Time at Lincoln Park Zoo
Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:15 and 10:00am
2200 N. Cannon Dr., Chicago
Story Time at Lincoln Park Zoo’s Farm-in-the-Zoo delights young audiences with silly songs and tall tales. Join Mr. Singer as he performs original songs while the wee ones dance and sing along. For ages 6 and under. Through September 9. Free.

Stories To Grow On Story Time for Kids at Flourish Studios
Wednesdays at 10:30am and 4:30pm
3020 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago
Featuring a reading circle with fun stories, songs and social time with other children all set in our beautiful space.

Story Hour at The Bookmarket at Hangar One
First Thursdays at 10:30am
The Glen - 2651 Navy Blvd., Glenview
Storyteller Nili Yelin is one of Chicago's favorite storytellers, and the first Thursday of every month she tells stories at the Boormarket at Hangar One. Best for ages 2-6.

Storytime at Brown Cow Ice Cream Parlor
Tuesdays at 11am
7347 W. Madison Street, Forest Park
Ms. Tracy (and her story telling glasses) has been studying improv and acting for the past six years. She tells stories at Brown Cow Ice Cream Parlor every Tuesday at 11am.

Storytime at Women & Children First
Wednesdays at 10:30am
5233 N. Clark Street, Chicago
Store co-owner Linda Bubon reads and performs 5 or more stories for a room full of fabulous children. There's singing, dancing, and silliness every Wednesday morning in the store. It's free and featured for ages 2-5.

Garden Story Time at Morton Arboretum
Fridays at 11:00am
4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle
Bring the kids and gather around for "Garden Story Time." Enjoy a different fun, nature-themed story every week. Takes place in the Children’s Garden on Fridays through October. Included with regular admission.

Kraft Story Time at The Field Museum of Natural History
Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30am and 1:30pm
1400 S. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago
Take a seat in the Crown Family PlayLab to hear a story and make an art project--all in 20 minutes. Included with regular admission. Best for ages 2-6.

Visit the ChicagoKids.com Calendar of Events to find more story hours and other events.

Chicago Botanic Gardens' Dancin' Sprouts

2011-06-12T21:04:00.001-05:00

The Botanic Gardens is the beautiful setting this summer for lively family entertainment this summer. Dancin' Sprouts takes place every Wednesday from June 8 - August 31 on the Esplanade. For these special evenings, families are allowed to picnic on the Esplanade. The event is free, but parking is $20 per car.

Here's the fantastic 2011 Performance Schedule:

June 8
Buck Howdy
Whether performing a solo campfire-style show or a rollicking full-band hoedown, Buck's twinkly charm and zany sense of humor come shining through.

June 15
Miss Aimee Leigh
Aimee gets the crowd moving with her American folk/roots, jazz, and bluegrass music, and she has a huge repertoire of original and traditional children's music that will have the whole family dancing and singing along!

June 22
Mr. Singer & the Sharp Cookies
On this evening, Dancin' Sprouts will be held in Burnstein Hall in the Regenstein Center, rain or shine. Please plan accordingly.
Their repertoire includes outstanding originals and a trove of classic tunes, bridging genres from swing to rock to samba. Be prepared for memorable sing-a-longs, thumping rhythms, and high-energy call and response!

June 29
Karen Jordan
Much of Karen's music was inspired by ten years of teaching Wiggleworms for the Old Town School of Folk Music. Karen will be joined by jazz/bluegrass mandolinist Colby Maddox and bassist Jim Cox.

July 6
Super Stolie & the Rockstars
Super Stolie and the Rockstars bring a mix of catchy original songs and popular favorites while encouraging everyone to be silly, sing along, freeze dance, play instruments, pop bubbles, and go on your merry way with a "Rockstar jump" and a "high-ten."

July 13
Scribblemonster
ScribbleMonster's “draw outside the lines” approach to music for the family has earned the band raves ranging from parents to Parenting magazine. Come sing, think, play, dance, and get creative with ScribbleMonster.

July 20
Leonardo
Leonardo is a Parents' Choice Award winning family musician writing and performing original songs and traditional favorites that entertain, educate and empower audiences of all ages and abilities.

July 27
Laura Doherty
Laura Doherty will acoustically rocks your kid’s world with her breezy folk-pop tunes for the whole family. Using the Windy City as her inspiration, Doherty writes about the El train, skyscrapers, the farmers' market, the zoo, and all the wonders of the city, as seen through a child’s eyes.

August 3
Macaroni Soup!
Macaroni Soup with Miss Carole! has been entertaining and educating young children and their families for over 20 years. It's fun, participatory music that gets everybody singing and dancing from "Hello!" to "So Long!"

August 10
Tisa & the Flower Song Ensemble
Every member of the Flower Song Ensemble is a teacher at Chicago's venerable Old Town School of Folk Music, and the band creates original, traditional, and soul music that celebrates life, love, and the natural world.

August 17
Karen Jordan
Karen Jordan will be returning for another Dancin' Sprouts family concert with jazz/bluegrass mandolinist Don Stiernberg and bassist Jim Cox for a performance you won’t want to miss.

August 24
The Dreamtree Shakers
Poppy folk, folky pop, or indie alt country americana, Jeremy Babcock and The Dreamtree Shakers lay down righteous, jangly tunes, a soundtrack of sorts of their live puppetry and movement show, featuring characters and landscapes of the forest.

August 31
Mindy & the Time Outs!
This Chicago-based kiddie rock band continues to surprise kids and adults alike with their witty, catchy, and energetic rock parodies. Just think Weird Al for the diaper set. Kids and their adult counterparts will love this high-energy, on-your-feet and often hilarious live performance.

Millennium Park Family Fun Festival Returns

2011-05-28T21:20:00.002-05:00

It's back! In my opinion, this is one of the city's best free family activities of the summer. Millennium Park's Family Fun Festival takes place daily from June 13 - August 21 between 10am and 3pm, with family performances and hands-on activities taking place in the Family Fun Tent. The daily entertainment includes:

10am: Wiggleworms® entertainment, with the fantastic instructors from Old Town School of Folk Music leading kids in singalong and dance.
11am: Reading circle
1pm: Entertainment/Concerts

Throughout the day, the Family Fun tent's Activity Zone will include hands-on craft projects and garden, science and environmental activities led by some of the region's popular museums and cultural institutions, including Art Institute of Chicago, Chinese-American Museum of Chicago, Chicago Architecture Foundation, Chicago Children's Museum, Chicago History Museum, Chicago Park District, Chicago Wilderness, Lurie Garden, Museum of Science and Industry and Swedish American Museum.

Here's the schedule of activities:

June 13-19
Wild in the City with activities led by Lurie Garden and Chicago Wilderness

June 20-26
Cultural Exchange: China Week with activities led by Chinese-American Museum of Chicago

June 27-July 3
Carrot Tots: Kids Grow and Cook Their Veggies with activities led by Chicago Office of Tourism and Culture

July 4-10
Global Adventures with activities led by Chicago Children's Museum

July 11-17
Artful Alphabet Activities with activities led by Art Institute of Chicago

July 18-24
Past, Present and Future: Your Chicago with activities led by Chicago History Museum

July 25-31
Architecture Week: Building Chicago with activities led by Chicago Architecture Foundation

Aug 1-7
Cultural Exchange: Explore Swedish Traditions with activities led by Swedish-American Museum

Aug 8-14
Sounds of the City with activities led by Chicago Park District

Aug 15-21
Science and Exploration with activities led by Museum of Science and Industry

Chicago KIDS Day - Health and Wellness Festival

2011-05-19T11:17:00.004-05:00

This weekend ushers in some of the season's first festivals, and on Saturday you can celebrate Chicago KIDS Day at Lakeview's Mayfest.

This event was created by Dr. Sarah Weber of Total Balance Chiropractic as a fun and entertaining way to educate and teach kids about health and safety. The Lakeview YMCA and NPN (Neighborhood Parents Network) have teamed up with Dr. Sarah to present this event, which promises fun for the whole family!

Saturday from 10am - 1pm, enjoy free activities, arts & crafts, healthy food, fun, balloons and raffle prizes, plus ChicagoKids.com will be on hand with craft activities. Families can also take part in free spinal and dental screenings, and learn about healthy eating while sampling delicious, healthy free snack samples.

The schedule of events includes:

10:00 Painting for Kids
10:30 Kiddie Yoga
11:00 Lil’Kickers
11:30 Kiddie Zumba
12:00 Awards Ceremony
12:30 Kiddie Boot Camp

The event takes place RAIN or SHINE!

Chicago Farmers Markets - 2011 Schedule

2011-05-16T15:12:00.001-05:00

Hard to believe when the thermometer can barely get past 40 degrees, but some of the city's farmers markets are officially underway! Below is the schedule, by day of the week. Visit the official web site for more details on individual markets.

This summer's schedule:

MONDAY

Chicago's Downtown Farmstand, 66 E. Randolph
Monday-Friday: 11 am - 7 pm; Saturday: 11 am - 4 pm

Loyola's Farmers Market, 6542 N. Sheridan Rd.
June 6 - Oct. 17, 2011
3:30 - 6 pm

TUESDAY

City Farm Market Stand, 1204 N. Clybourn
July 12-Sept. 30, 2011
Tuesday-Friday 3 - 6:30 pm

Federal Plaza, Adams & Dearborn
May 17 - Oct. 25, 2011
Tuesdays 7 am - 3 pm

Lincoln Square, Lincoln/Leland/Western
June 7-Oct. 25, 2011
Tuesdays 7 am - 1 pm

Museum of Contemporary Art/Streeterville, Chicago & Mies van der Rohe Way (On MCA Plaza)
June 7-Oct. 25, 2011
Every Tuesday 7 am - 3 pm

Plaza 300, 300 N. LaSalle
July 5-Sept. 27, 2011
Every Tuesday 7 am - 2 pm

Pritzker Park, 344 S. State St.
June 14-Sept. 27, 2011
Every Tuesday 7 am - 3 pm

WEDNESDAY

Andersonville, Berwyn Ave. btwn. Clark & Ashland
June 22-Oct. 19, 2011
Every Wednesday 3 - 8 pm; Sept. 14-Oct. 19: 3 - 7 pm

Avondale - Sprouting Out, 3300 N. Whipple
June 15-Oct. 22, 2011
Wednesdays and Saturdays (every other week) 3 - 6 pm A

Green City Market, 1750 N. Clark St.
May 4-Dec. 21, 2011
Wednesdays and Saturdays 7 am - 1 pm

Lawndale Market, 3555 W. Ogden Ave.
July 6-Oct. 5, 2011
Every Wednesday 3 - 6 pm

Pullman, 111th & Cottage Grove (In Arcade Park)
July 6-Oct. 5, 2011
Every Wednesday 7 am - 12 pm

Seaway Bank Farmers Market, 645 E. 87th Street
July 13-Sept. 28, 2011
Every Wednesday 9 am - 2 pm

South Shore, 70th & Jeffery Blvd. (ShoreBank Parking Lot)
June 8-Oct. 19, 2011
Every Wednesday 7 am - 1 pm

Two North Riverside, 2 N. Riverside
July 6-Sept. 28, 2011
Every Wednesday 11 am - 7 pm

THURSDAY

Daley Plaza, Washington & Dearborn
May 12-Oct. 20, 2011
Every Thursday 7 am - 3 pm

Eli's Cheesecake/Wright College, 6701 W. Forest Preserve Dr.
June 16-Oct. 27, 2011
Every Thursday 7 am - 1 pm

Hyde Park, 53rd & Lake Park Ave.
June 2-Oct. 27, 2011
Every Thursday 7 am - 1 pm

Lincoln Square Evening Market, 2309 W. Leland Ave.
June 16-Oct. 27, 2011
Every Thursday 4 - 8 pm

Uptown Farmers Market at Weiss, 4646 N. Marine Dr.
June 23-Oct. 27, 2011
Every Thursday 7:30 am - 12:30 pm

Willis Tower Plaza, 233 S. Wacker Dr.
June 16-Oct. 6, 2011
Every Thursday 7 am - 3 pm

SATURDAY

61st Street, 61st St. btwn. Dorchester & Blackstone
May 14-Oct. 29, 2011
Every Saturday 9 am - 2 pm

Bridgeport, 35th & Wallace (In parking lot)
June 18-Sept. 17, 2011
Every Saturday 7 am - 1 pm

Bronzeville Community Market, 4400 S. Cottage Grove
June 11-Oct. 29, 2011
Every Saturday 8 am - 1 pm

Division Street, Divison & Dearborn
May 14-Oct. 29, 2011
Every Saturday 7 am - 1 pm

Lincoln Park, Armitage & Orchard
May 14-Oct. 29, 2011
Every Saturday 7 am - 1 pm

Northcenter, Belle Plaine/Damen/Lincoln
June 18-Oct. 29, 2011
Every Saturday 7 am - 1 pm

Printers Row, Dearborn & Polk (Printers Row Park)
June 11-Oct. 8, 2011
Every Saturday 7 am - 1 pm

Southport Market, Blaine School, 1420 W. Grace
June 25-Sept. 10, 2011
Every Saturday 8 am - 2 pm

SUNDAY

Beverly, 95th & Longwood
May 15-Oct. 23, 2011
Every Sunday 7 am - 1 pm

Erie Street, 500 W. Erie St.
June 12-Oct. 23, 2011
Every Sunday 8 am- 1 pm

Glenwood Sunday Market, 6950 N. Glenwood btwn. Morse & Lunt
June 5-Oct. 16, 2011
Every Sunday 9 am- 2 pm

Independence Park, 3945 N. Springfield
June 12-Oct. 9, 2011
2nd & 4th Sundays of the month 9 am - 1 pm

Logan Square, 3107 W. Logan Blvd
June 5-Oct. 30, 2011
Every Sunday 10 am - 3 pm

Pilsen Community Market, 1800 S. Halsted
June 5-Oct. 30, 2011
Every Sunday 9 am - 3 pm

Wicker Park & Bucktown, Wicker Park & Damen
June 5-Oct. 30, 2011
Every Sunday 8 am - 2 pm

Move over Starbucks... Play Cafés abound around town

2011-04-26T22:40:00.003-05:00

It's the latest trend - play cafés where kids can let out some energy and parents can relax with a cup of joe. For cold or rainy days, here are a few that you might enjoy.

Family Grounds Cafe
3652 N Lincoln Avenue, Chicago
Family Grounds Cafe is a hip coffee shop with an area where kids can play, and a separate area where parents can relax an enjoy Intelligentsia espresso, coffee or tea, savory treats, and even free WiFi and free parking. The play area includes a Victorian playhouse, performance stage, train area, schoolhouse and more. Special classes and events take place on a regular basis - for example, violin classes, mom supprt groups, special musical performances and more.

You can reserve play time blocks ahead of time for 2-hour blocks on Mon-Fri at 9:00 or 11:00; or on Saturday at 8:30, 10:30 or 12:30. It's $5.95 for adults & children (crawlers/walkers) You can also drop in to play on Mondays - Fridays between 1-6pm, and the fee is $10.95 for the first child (crawlers & up), $5.95 sibling rate (crawlers & up), with non-crawling infants free with a $4 minimum purchase. Parents are free.

Little Beans Cafe
1809 W. Webster, Chicago
Parents can enjoy their coffee in the separate cafe, or at one of the tables inside the play area. The play area is a cute little village with a grocery story, service station, playhouse, school and more, with a corner for kids to cozy up with their favorite books, puzzles or games. The play area is large, so there's plenty of room for running around. Little Beans also offers a wide range of classes like Music & Movement, Mom & Tot Yoga, and even an upcoming Spanish class with Multilingual Chicago.

Little Beans is open Monday - Friday 9am - 6pm; Saturday 9am - 3pm, and Sunday 9am - 11am. A daily pass is $12 with a sibling pass for $7. Supervised Play is also available for $20 for up to 1.5 hours, M-F from 2-5pm.

Little Monkey Bizness
229 Rice Lake Square, Wheaton and 4700 Gilbert Ave, Suite 51, Western Springs
Little Monkey Bizness offers a full-service gourmet coffee bar, and a wide assortment of delicious and healthy choices of food. The seating area overlooks a 3,000+ square foot play area, where kids enjoy playhouses, dance floors, educational computer games, and a separate area for babies and crawlers. A separate art area provides activities during special art sessions and open art time.

Play hours are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 9am - 6pm; Tuesday and Friday 9am - 8pm; and Saturday and Sunday from 9am - noon. Open play admission is $7.50 per child over the age of 1, and $5.00 per child for crawlers between 6 months and 1 year. Infants and parents are free.

Nibbles Play Cafe
13 Huntington Lane, Wheeling
Parents will delight in the bistro-style menu and kids will enjoy a great selection of kids entrees after they've built up an appetite playing. Play areas at Nibbles include an area for non-walkers, trains and tracks, a construction zone, small toy area and arts and crafts. Nibbles also has hosts fun family events on a regular basis, with concerts, storytelling, and other themed activities.

Hours are 9:30am-8:00pm weekdays and 9:30-3:00 on weekends. Admission is $5 for kids age 1-7, with additional siblings $3.00. Older children and adults are free.

Pickle's Playroom
2315 W. Lawrence Ave, Chicago
Pickle's Playroom opened its doors just about a month ago, so it's the newest play cafe to hit Chicago. The cafe offers Metropolis brand coffee and organic baked goods from local favorite Bleeding Heart Bakery, plus a lunch menu with basic kids fare and a few selections for the grownups. The play area includes a kiddie rock climbing wall, factory control room, large tunnel slide, grocery store, towering dollhouse, and a separate area for crawlers/tiny tots. Classes and events are said to be coming soon. There's also a kids' hair salon on site, so for an additional $20, your little one can walk out with a new 'do.

Open play is $12, and siblings are $9, with multi-visit and monthly passes available. Hours are Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm; Saturday 9am - 3pm; Sunday 10am - 3pm.

Take me out to the ballgame - in Chicago!

2011-04-20T15:17:00.002-05:00

Baseball season is in full swing, and whether you cheer for the Cubs or the White Sox, there's plenty of family fun to be had at both of Chicago's stadiums.

Chicago Cubs Family Days/Promotions:

Tuesday, August 9: Cubs Plush Bear (First 5,000 children 13 & younger)
Friday, September 2: American Girl Doll-sized Cubs Apparel (First 4,000 children 14 & younger)

Click here for the Cub's entire schedule of promotions, giveaways, special days, and links to purchase tickets.

Chicago White Sox Family Days/Promotions:

Sunday, April 17: Kids Day-Celebration of spring
Sunday, May 1: Mother Son Day
Sunday, May 22: Kids Day-Sox Expo
Sunday, June 5: White Sox Kid's Jersey Giveaway
Sunday, June 12: Father Daughter Day
Sunday, June 26: Kids Day-Southpaw's Birthday
Sunday, July 10: Kids Day-Wild about the Sox
Sunday, August 21: Kids Day-Back to School Carnival

Click here for the White Sox's entire schedule of promotions, giveaways, special days, and links to purchase tickets.

Tips for Enjoying Your Baseball Outing

Once you've picked a date and are ready to go, here are some tips to help your family enjoy the game:

Get the whole family into some team colors and team gear!
Bring a baseball glove - you never know when a fly ball could head your way!
Bring the camera for family photos - you'll always remember the big day.
Enjoy some hotdogs, pizza, popcorn, peanuts and more - it's a baseball tradition. And you can bring your own bottled water at long as it's sealed.
Arrive early to watch team batting practice and warm ups - both parks open 2 hours before the game starts. Bring a permanent marker, something to write on, and ask for autographs!
Protect yourself from the sun! Bring sun block, hats, and sunglasses.
Stay through the 7th inning so you can sing "take me out to the ballgame."
Find a fun spot to eat before or after the game.

Cubs Game Dining Suggestions:

Vines on Clark
3554 N Clark Street, Chicago, (773) 327-8572
Located just 1/2 block from Wrigley, Vines has a spacious dining area with an outdoor patio. Options include sandwiches, salads, wraps, burgers, & pizza, and there are brunch options for early games.

Goose Island Brewpub
3535 N Clark St., Chicago, (773) 832-9040
This kid friendly pub has patio seating, is smoke free, and offers American traditional food. It's a Chicago landmark, so it can be part of your family Chicago experience.

Pat's Pizza
2679 N Lincoln Ave., Chicago, (773) 248-0168
Pat's Pizza is known for their thin crust pizza and is only a short walk from Wrigley Field.

Ann Sather Café
3416 N Southport Ave., Chicago, (773) 404-4475
This famous local spot has great breakfast and brunch options ranging from omelettes to pancakes to french toast.

Sox Game Dining Suggestions:

Connie's Pizza
2373 S. Archer Avenue Chicago, IL, 60616, (312) 326-3443
A few miles from US Cellular field, their pizza is delicious and easy to split among the family. Picky eaters will easily find something on this Italian menu that will make them happy too!

Bongo Room
1152 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago, (312) 291-0100
Located in the South Loop, this restaurant has great breakfast and brunch menus as well as a large lunch menu.

Leona's Restaurant
1419 W Taylor St., Chicago, (312) 850-2222
Leona's is a family friendly spot in Little Italy, not too far from Cellular Field. Pizzas, pastas and sandwiches will keep the whole family happy.

Chicagoland Easter Event Highlights

2011-04-10T22:37:00.004-05:00

The Easter Bunny is quite busy this month, making appearances all over town. ChicagoKids.com has put together a list of many Easter events taking place in Chicago and the suburbs, and here are some highlights below.

Breakfast with the Bunny at Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield
April 9, 10, 17 and 23
An all-you-can-eat breakfast with a special appearance from Mr. and Mrs. Bunny, with opportunities for photos and visit from some of Children’s Zoo’s furry critters. Seatings at 9am and 11am. $38 for adults and $26.50 for children 3-11. Registration required.

Doggie Easter Egg Hunt at Horner Park, Chicago
April 16
Meet the Easter Bunny and enjoy a family-friendly event that includes a Doggie egg hunt, bonnet parade, obstacle course, raffle. 10:00am - 12:00pm. $5 per dog.

Easter Eggstravaganza at Chase Park, Chicago
April 16
Kids will experience an unforgettable time with friends and the Bunny! Event includes an egg hunt, craft project, face painting, entertainment, goodie bag, and more. 10:00am - 12:00pm. Free.

Soldier Field Spring Egg-Stravaganza, Chicago
April 17
Come out for the largest candy grab in the city! The stadium opens at 9am for family friendly activities including face painters, fun inflatables, balloon artists, and a Radio Disney Show. At 10am the first group of kids can collect all the goodies they can on the field. Free.

Egg Hunt at Frontier Sports Complex, Naperville
April 23
A colorful egg hunt and a special visit from the Easter Bunny. The egg hunt begins at 10:00 a.m. sharp. Only children age 2 or younger may have help from a parent. Bring a donation of non-perishable food items for the Jaycees. Ages 1-8. Free.

Visit our Easter Highlights page to find more events.

Earth Day Celebrations in April

2011-04-08T21:23:00.003-05:00

It's April, and while Earth Day is still a few weeks away, there are plenty of events taking place throughout the month of April to celebrate. We've compiled a list of events on our web site - click here to view - and here are some highlights:

April 16
Green Metropolis Fair at Irish American Heritage Center
Hands-on family-friendly activities with farm animals, composting, showings of Dirt! The Movie & Vanishing of the Bees, a retail market, a food market, presentations and more. 10am-4pm. All ages. Bring a non-perishable food donation for free entry!

April 23
11th Annual Earth Day at North Pond Nature Sanctuary
Bring the whole family and spend a day making a difference and helping clean up and beautify the sanctuary. Registration required. 10 a.m. to Noon. Ages 12 and up. Free!

April 23
Party for the Planet at Brookfield Zoo
This special day highlights polar bears and the effects climate change has on them. Tour the Eco Expo, record your wish for the planet, ride on the "Poop Tram" and enjoy a variety of family entertainment. 11am - 4pm. All ages. Regular admission applies.

April 23
Earth Day Festival at Armstrong Park in Carol Stream
Enjoy Earth Day Festival & Farmers’ market, with an annual eco-fest. Volunteer for the park clean up, explore the farmers market or get hands on with eco-friendly gadgets, rain barrel workshops, Recycle Kids Craft Corner and more. 9am - 1pm. All ages. Free!

April 30
REI Earth Day Service Project at Heller Nature Center
A great project for the whole family! Help by bringing your own tools: shovels, bow rakes and wheelbarrows. Dress for the weather and prepare to get dirty! Volunteers receive a free T-shirt and other giveaways while supplies last. 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. All ages. Free!

April 30
Green and Growing Fair at Garfield Park Conservatory
The fair, sponsored by GreenNet, features a variety of vendors, workshops, demonstrations, and family activities to get your rusty green thumb up and running. Gather resources for your own garden, and participate in family take home planting activities. All ages. 10am - 2pm. Free!

View more Earth Day events and activities on the ChicagoKids.com web site.

Make-A-Messterpiece - Messy, Creative Fun

2011-03-30T15:26:00.009-05:00

When it comes to making a mess, my nearly 3-year-old daughter Mia is NOT interested. If there's a crumb on her shirt, a speck of paint on her fingers, or essentially anything out of place, her world gets knocked out of alignment. At just one year old, she was already insisting on being given paper towel pieces to wipe up microscopic dots of milk from the floor. Common phrases in our house are "I don't want to be messy!" and "Wipe me! Wipe me!"

So when my mom started taking Mia to Make-A-Messterpiece, near her home, for occasional visits, I couldn't fathom what Mia was doing there. Last week I took Mia there myself to check it out firsthand, and I couldn't believe my eyes... my daughter with paint on her hands, not freaking out!

Make-A-Messterpiece is a hands-on art and fun space offering a variety of mess-making activities. Not counting the indoor play area - since Mia simply can't pass up a good slide - we spent our time in two areas: at the Splat-Tacular Tables, and at Bubbleology.

The Splat-Tacular Tables are simply an area where kids can pull up a chair and freestyle, with all sorts of tools at their disposal like crayons, paint, stencils, sponges and other items. Kids can experiment with all sorts of techniques, and Mia made 3 great pictures that we brought home.

The Bubbleology area is Mia's favorite. Mine too. Bubbleology looks like a futuristic lab, with huge canister-shaped columns hanging over rounded metal sinks, spewing colorful bubbles onto whatever paper you put below them. Kids can choose the color column they want, then take a piece of paper, attach a stencil if they desire, and then put the paper under the "spout" while the bubbles come out. The bubbles land on the page and eventually pop, creating magical images that are actually frame-worthy.

Mia picked a snail - here's her experience and final product:

Other creative areas include a Creative Kitchen, where kids create edible artistic treats; Drum Roll, where kids play paint-filled drums; Experimentation Station, which lets kids do experiments and learn cause and effect lessons; and Lil Sprouts, where budding gardeners learn the concepts of reduce, reuse, recycle and sustainability.

Learn more at www.makeamessterpiece.com

Last Chance to Skate in the Sky

2011-03-21T16:24:00.005-05:00

It's hard to think about winter activities when it feels like spring is in the air.
But if you didn’t get to ice skate at the John Hancock Observatory’s indoor rink, there's still time! The rink is open through March 31, from 9am-11pm, with the last ice skating tickets being sold at 10pm. Skate rentals are only $1, and next Monday will be your last chance to enjoy a free skating lesson from the Chicago Blackhawks Youth Hockey coaches.

And there's one last taste of winter that you can enjoy when you're done skating. Walk across the street to Ghirardelli's and savor a cup of their frothy hot chocolate. And if it's too warm for hot chocolate by the time you do this, then bring on the ice cream sundaes!

With this last winter activity out of your system, let the spring weather begin!

Spring Break Camps

2011-03-16T20:57:00.004-05:00

It's nearly Spring Break - don't panic! There are plenty of ways to keep your kids busy during their spring break, no matter which week it happens to be.

Spring Break Musical Theatre Bootcamp
at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre
111 W. Campbell St, Arlington Heights
(847) 577-5982 x221
March 21-25
This fun 5-day workshop focuses on one number from a contemporary Broadway show. Students will learn choreography, singing and acting from a musical theatre professionals and then perform their polished routine for family and friends on the Metropolis main stage.
Grades K-3: Mary Poppins
Grades 4-8: 13 the Musical
Grades 9-12: Fame the Musical
$175

Smarty Party
1846 West Belmont, Chicago
(773) 687-0521
March 21-25
Don't let your kids pass a single day being bored over spring break. Each camp day at Smarty Party offers fun, games, arts and crafts, snack, outside time (weather permitting), story time and more.
For ages 4 and up
9am - 1pm
$50 per day.

Lincoln Park Zoo
2200 N. Canon Drive, Chicago
(312) 742-2000
Weeks of March 21-25, March 28-April 1, and April 18-22
Kids can enjoy a wild spring break right at home with special Lincoln Park Zoo programs. The zoo offers programs during multiple weeks to accommodate different spring break schedules. Programs may feature:
Monday: Zoo Babies (Suitable for 4-5-year-olds)
Wednesday: Mystery in the Zoo (Suitable for first-third graders)
Friday: Exploring Ga'Hoole: Owls and More (Suitable for fourth-sixth graders)
Pre-registration is required for all programs and registration closes three days prior to program start.

Wishcraft
2312 W Roscoe St., Chicago
(773) 348-9474
Weeks of Mar 21st, Mar 28th, April 18th and April 25th
Wishcraft offers a variety of workshops to meet many different interests - and many different spring break schedules! These creative, part-day programs include hand-sewing/embroidery, super-hero camp, machine-sewing, green accessories, and ecocrafts for Earth Day.

Springglass Camp at Lookingglass Theatre
821 N Michigan Ave., Chicago
(773) 477-9257, ext 193
April 18–22, 9am–3pm
Mornings are spent learning physical theatre skills, which may include juggling, stilt walking, and stage combat. During the afternoons, campers adapt their own versions of stories from Alice in Wonderland.

Search the ChicagoKids.com Calendar of Events to find more options for things to do when your kids are out of school.

St. Patrick's Day Family Friendly Festivities

2011-03-09T12:54:00.002-06:00

Chicago is never short on St. Patrick's Day festivities, and there are plenty that are fun for the entire family. Here's a few of our top picks for you to try out this weekend:

SATURDAY MARCH 12

St. Patrick's Day Fireworks
Navy Pier, 600 East Grand Avenue, Chicago
Spend the day finding a variety of family fun activities at Navy Pier, and then at 7pm enjoy a special winter-time fireworks display. The 10 minute show will be set to a themed soundtrack featuring traditional Celtic songs and modern Irish artists.

Dyeing the Chicago River
It's an annual tradition, and until you've seen it in person you can't fathom just how "green" the river can be! Starting at 10am, the dyeing can be best viewed from the East side of the Michigan Avenue bridge, the West side of the Columbus Drive bridge or upper and lower Wacker Drive between Michigan Avenue and Columbus Drive.

St. Patrick's Downtown Parade
After you see the river dyed green, shop a bit until the main event starts at noon. The parade begins at Columbus Drive and Balbo and then heads north to Monroe.

St. Patrick's Festival
Irish American Heritage Center, 4626 N Knox Ave, Chicago
Make a downtown day of it - after the big parade, head over to the IAHC for this large-scale, family-oriented event that includes traditional and contemporary Irish music, dance, food and children’s activities. The festivities begin at 1pm and go until midnight, with live entertainment by Chicago Irish music groups and family friendly fare like the Wiggleworms and the Trinity Academy of Irish Dance. More details at www.irish-american.org

Naperville St. Patrick's Day Parade
Starting at Naperville North High School, 899 N. Mill Street
The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. from Naperville North High School then continues south on Mill Street, east on Jefferson Avenue, south on Main Street and west on Water Street to the Municipal Center.

SUNDAY MARCH 13

St. Patrick's Northwest Side Parade
Starts at Onahan School, 6633 W. Raven St.
The Northwest Side Irish host their 8th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, with this year's participants including The Jesse White Tumblers, The Emerald Society Band, Mullane Irish Dancers, St. Patrick’s High School Jazz Band, Trinity Irish Dancers and more. The parade starts at noon at 6633 W. Raven (Onahan School) and will run south up Neola Avenue to Northwest Highway north to Harlem Avenue, ending at Harlem Avenue. The after party is from 1-5pm at Immaculate Conception Elementary School, 6211 W. Talcott. Tickets for the after party are $5 for kids 10 and under, and $10 for adults. Learn more.

NPN's Wake Up and Boogie Down Family Festival

2011-03-01T20:14:00.007-06:00

NPN's annual fundraising event is back this Saturday at the Cubby Bear from 9:30am - 12:30pm. You're invited to "Wake Up & Boogie Down" with live music performances, hands on kids' activities, games, rock-n-roll makeovers and tasty snacks and treats.

On hand will be some of Chicago's best kids resources. Take part in the Cultural Care Au Pair rock-n-roll makeover station; capture the moment with a photo from ThinkLeigh Photography; decorate cookies with COUNTRY Financial; and explore activities and giveaways hosted by many other local favorites like the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Multilingual Chicago and more.

Get your tickets in advance, because this event can sell out! Tickets are $20 adults/$10 kids for members, and $25 adults/$15 kids for non-members. (infants under age 1 free). You can get tickets at http://www.npnparents.org. All funds raised will enhance NPN’s programs and member services.

NPN is a fantastic resource for Chicago area parents. In their words:
"NPN offers expectant, new, and seasoned parents connection and support for the everyday challenges of parenthood. A trusted destination for parent-to-parent interaction, school choice resources, childcare options, parent education opportunities and local community development, NPN helps strong families build strong communities!"

And in my words: This is the FIRST place I've turned each time I needed a new nanny; I met the moms in my regular moms group through NPN events; their uber-active discussion forums provide me with dozens of responses within hours of my posts; and their preschool fair and information are priceless! If you aren't a member, please consider joining and supporting this great resource.

Our family will be attending on Saturday - maybe we'll see you there!

Hold a Baby Lamb

2011-02-24T13:29:00.005-06:00

I'm a sucker for cute baby animals - who isn't? So I love this upcoming event - "Hold a Baby Lamb!"

The Lambing Barn at Enjoy Pioneer Farm is open on Fridays and Saturdays in March from 9am-3pm for kids - and parents - to see what it's like to hold a baby lamb. And this year, the Farm also has chickens, chicks hatching, goats, rabbits, piglet and a llama to see and hold.

Lambing Days are an opportunities to get up close to a sheep and feel their wool, and kids can learn about where their wool clothes come from by watching a sheep shearing demonstration.

And while you can't take any of these cute little animal babies home, you don't have to leave empty handed. The farm sells seasonal products and produce, including farm fresh eggs.

Admission is $5 per person, or a maximum of $11 per family. Enjoy Pioneer Farm is located at Enjoy Pioneer Farm is located 17 N 400 Big Timber Rd., Hampshire. Find more information on the web site at www.enjoypioneerfarm.com.

Neighborhoods of the World at Navy Pier

2011-02-21T21:27:00.003-06:00

Navy Pier is honoring some of the many different ethnic communities of Chicago with events every Sunday that honor these parts of the world. Every Sunday through April 3, enjoy a taste of cultural flair with an afternoon of music, dance, costumes, authentic cuisine and local vendors selling folk arts from the regions.

Here's the schedule starting with this Sunday's event:

February 27, 2011
Kick-Off to St. Patrick's Day Celebrations
Chicago Neighborhoods: Beverly, Mount Greenwood
Performances by Trinity Irish Dancers, Joe Cullen, Irish Music School of Chicago, and Anish.

March 6, 2011
Celebrate Poland
Chicago Neighborhoods: Jefferson Park, Harwood Heights, Avondale
Performances by Lechici Dancers, Soloists from the Lira Singers, Lajkonic Dancers, Academy of Music of the Paderewski Symphony Orchestra, and The Polish Highlanders.

March 13, 2011
Bell'Italia
Chicago Neighborhood: Little Italy
Midwest Premiere performance by La Rossignol (from Castelleone, Italy), plus Alfonso Ponticelli & Swing Gitan, and more.

March 20, 2011
Celebrate Mexico
Chicago Neighborhoods: Pilsen, Little Village
Performances by Mexican Dance Ensemble, Tarima Son, and more.

March 27, 2011
A Greek Journey in the Windy City
Chicago Neighborhood: Greektown
Performances by the Orpheus Hellenic Folklore Society and the Chicago Hellenic Choir.

April 3, 2011
GermanChicagoNow
Chicago Neighborhood: Lincoln Square
Performances by Pieptone!, Paloma Band, Amazonen, Fanfaren Corps of Chicago,
BGTV D'Lustigen Holzhacker Buam, Egerlander Tanzgruppe, and Amazing Mike.

New Play Cafe - Little Beans Cafe

2011-02-10T12:30:00.005-06:00

Unless you're living under a rock, or an ice-encrusted record-sized drift of snow, you've probably heard about Little Beans Cafe. While I had been anxiously awaiting the opening and planning to visit last week, I seemed to be fighting fate to get there. After making it thru an 8-hour carpet installation, our first trip the ER (1am!) with our toddler, a week without our babysitter, 2 days on the phone with web tech support - and a little blizzard - I finally made it.

Little Beans does not feel like a kid's play place when you walk in the door. It's a sophisticated coffee shop, with a regular seating area in the front and a nice selection of drinks and snacks. At the back is the play area, which includes a kiddie town with a fire station, a burning house (it took some time to convince my daughter that the house "on fire" was not really on fire... and it's cute, not scary), a gas station and grocery store. My daughter (almost 3) was first drawn to the reading area, when she caught a glimpse of Knuffle Bunny, sitting amongst some other popular kids books.

In addition to the kid town and reading area, my daughter very much enjoyed sitting in a little wooden fire truck. Her friend that joined us was instantly drawn to a doll house before heading over to the play buildings. There's also a nice area for crawlers to play.

In addition to open play, Little Beans offers a variety of classes like Family Yoga, Mommy Time Yoga, Music & Movement and Imaginative Art.

Little Beans is located at 1809 W. Webster Ave. and has open play from 9am-5pm Monday - Friday; 9am-2pm Saturday; 9 to 11am Sunday. Visit them online at www.littlebeanscafe.com.

Best Valentine's Day Cookie Recipe

2011-02-06T14:02:00.003-06:00

Valentine's Day is probably not the holiday that conjures up the most childhood memories for people. But for me, it always reminds me of the special Valentine's Day cookies that my mom used to bake. They're still my favorite cookies, and if you feeling like baking a love-filled treat for your kids, give this recipe a try!

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 ½ teaspoon vanilla
2 ½ cups flour
½ teaspoon salt
¾ teaspoon McCormick's pure peppermint extract
red food coloring
1 cup rolled oats (long-cooking type)
powdered sugar
7 to 9 Hershey's milk chocolate bars (no nuts)
1 ½" Heart Shaped Cookie Cutter

DIRECTIONS:

Beat together butter and sugar.
Blend in egg and vanilla extract.
Sift flour and salt together and add to creamed mixture, mixing well.
Add peppermint and food coloring, creating a pink dough.
Stir in oats and mix well.
Divide dough in ½ and wrap in plastic wrap to chill in refrigerator a few hours.
Roll out dough on surface sprinkled with powdered sugar.
Cut with floured 1 ½ inch heart-shaped cookie cutter.
Place on lightly greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes until lightly browned.
When removed from oven, immediately place 1 ½ to 2 rectangles of chocolate bar on a hot cookie and press another cookie lightly onto the chocolate to create a sandwich cookie. Cool.

Makes about 40 cookies. Freezes well.

Red Kite Roundup - A special show for children with autism

2011-01-31T10:31:00.005-06:00

Chicago Children’s Theatre presents a special show for children with autism as part of their education initiative, The Red Kite project. The Red Kite project is a seven month development workshop and co-production that culminates with a multi-sensory installation performance for children with autism at Chicago Children’s Museum.

Red Kite Roundup takes place at Millennium Park February 1-20. The show is intended for children ages 5-14, and it allows children with autism to take part in Chicago Children’s Theatre’s immersive, simulated camping experience. Actors guide children on their own personal journey complete with chasing butterflies, hiking and camping under the stars.

The show is limited to just 10 children (with an adult) to meet the special needs of each child in attendance. All tickets are $10 each and advanced reservations are required. For more information, visit
www.explorechicago.org or www.theredkiteproject.org.

Family Events and Activities for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

2011-01-16T14:50:00.004-06:00

Kids are off school on Monday and many businesses are closed. There are several activities taking place for your family to enjoy while also learning more about Martin Luther King Jr.

Here are a few highlights, and you can find more events celebrating the holiday and the day off at www.chicagokids.com/calendar.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Art Institute
Celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.! Hear a storytelling program with Gwen Hilary, accompanied by the music of Enoch Williamson at 11:30 or 12:30, and visit a drop-in workshop to make a portrait of someone who is a hero to you. Enjoy a free gallery walk at 12:15 or 1:15. Included with regular admission.

2011 Dr. King Day Celebration
DuSable Museum of African American History
The DuSable Museum of African American History will celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and The Civil Rights Movement during our annual Dr. King Day Celebration! The day will be filled with live performances, storytelling, films, trunk shows, food, and activities for the entire family. The theme for the 2011 celebration is “COMMUNITY.” 10am – 5pm. Adults $10, Children 12 and under $5.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration
Brookfield Zoo
Plan your visit to allow time to join us in the Discovery Center, Savannah Room for a special presentation by Dr. Elijah Ward, Director of African-American Studies and Assistant Professor - Sociology, Anthropology & Criminal Justice at St. Xavier University, "Understanding the Roots of Race." Following the talk you can share your dream on a Tibetan prayer flag which will be flown in Hamill Family Play Zoo. Traditionally, prayer flags are used to promote peace, compassion, strength, and wisdom. Noon. Free.

What Does It Mean, Dr. King?
Chicago Children's Museum
What was the Civil Rights Movement and what does it mean for kids today? Take a journey back in time and learn about freedom through interactive theater and songs. At 11am, 1, 2 & 3pm. Included with regular admission.

Chicago Museum Free Days - and even some Free Weeks

2011-01-06T17:17:00.003-06:00

If your budget is tight but you don't want to miss out on visiting some of Chicago's best museums this year, make sure you check with our listing of 2011 Chicago Museum Free Days.

January seems to have quite a lot of free days, and even free weeks at some locations.

Here's the rundown:

Adler Planetarium
January 4, 5, 10-14, 18, 19, 24-27
February 1, 2, 7-10, 15, 16, 22, 23, 28
March 1-3, 8, 9, 15, 16

Art Institute
Free Winter Weekdays: From January 3 through February 4, the museum is offering free admission, every weekday, all day long (late evenings included)!

Chicago Botanic Garden
Always free.

Chicago Children's Museum
The first Sunday of every month is free admission for ages 15 and under.
Kraft Free Family Night is every Thursday from 5-8pm, free admission for everyone.

Chicago Cultural Center
Always free.

Chicago History Museum
Free Mondays.

Field Museum
Free admission the 2nd Monday of each month, with additional free days throughout the year.
January 3, 10, 11, 13, 18, 19, 24, 26 and 31
February 2, 3, 8, 9, 14, 15 and 17
March 14
April 11
May 9
June 7, 13

John G. Shedd Aquarium
Jan. 10, 11, 16-21, 24, 25 & 31
Feb. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 20-24, 28

Museum of Contemporary Art
Free on Tuesdays.

Museum of Science and Industry
January 3-7, 10-14, 17-21, 24-28, 31
February 1, 8, 14, 15, 22
June 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9
September 6-9, 12-16, 19-23, 26-30

National Museum of Mexican Art
Always free.

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Thursdays are "suggested donation days."

Ice Skate in the Sky at the John Hancock Observatory!

2011-01-01T14:23:00.003-06:00

The world's highest ice skating rink is now open! You and the kids can now enjoy ice skating indoors without a worry about the weather - and with a 1,000 high view of the Chicago skyline and scenery!

From January 1 - March 31, this 900 square foot, synthetic ice rink is open from 9am - 11pm. You can purchase a 25 minute skating session for just $5 (on top of regular admission fee), and you can bring your own skates or rent them for just $1. Last tickets are sold at 10pm.

Every Monday from 3-5pm, the rink features a skating lesson from a Chicago Blackhawks Youth Hockey coach. The space for lessons is limited, so if you're interested, book one soon.

Visit www.hancockobservatory.com for more information and some fine print regarding waivers and rules.

Storytelling (and Music!) Festival at The Field Museum

2010-12-28T15:38:00.005-06:00

If you're looking for something to do this week, make sure you check out the remaining days of this week's Storytelling Festival taking place at The Field Museum.

Tomorrow - Wednesday Dec 29 - at 2pm you can see a special concert by Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players. This is one of my favorite kids' bands and The Field Museum would be a super cool place to see them play. You've got to register in advance, and it's $5 on top of regular admission. Call 312.665.7400 to register.

On Thursday at 2pm, Jeanie B. and the Jelly Beans will be playing songs from their new CD, Mommy Knows Best. Don’t miss her signature song “Bubble Wrap,” where everyone gets to pop those wonderful bubbles! This one's also $5 and pre-registration is required.

And Friday at 11:30am and 1:30pm, kids can play a part in the classic children’s story The Mitten by Jan Brett - a favorite in our house! Through dramatic play, you and your family will learn about the rewards of sharing, communicating, and respecting others.

Regular admission still applies, so make a day of it!

Chicago Family and Kids Fun New Year's Celebration Ideas

2010-12-13T15:25:00.003-06:00

If you're hoping to ring in the New Year with your kids - most likely long before midnight - here are some suggestions. Visit the ChicagoKids.com Calendar of Events to see a more detailed list of options.

Bubble Bash 2010
DuPage Children's Museum, 301 N. Washington St., Naperville
(630) 637-8000
Outer space is the theme for DuPage Children's Museum annual countdown to noon and family friendly New Year's Eve celebration. Musical performances, art activities, food and play spread throughout the Museum's three floors of fun. Reservations Required.
Time: 9am - noon.
Cost: Members $15, nonmembers $20, under 1 is free.

Ice Center's Family New Year's Eve Party
Glenview Ice Center, 1851 Landwehr Road, Glenview
(847) 724-2800
The Glenview Ice Center will host a Family New Year's Eve Party! There will be candle making by Ultimate Art. A fun event for everyone in the family. New Years Eve kiddie toast at "midnight" (9 pm)
Time: 6:00-9:00 PM
Cost: Free

New Year Eve Party at Wonder Works
Wonder Works, 6445 West North Avenue, Oak Park
(708) 383-4815
Celebrate all the excitement of New Year's with even the youngest of children. Countdown with countries across the world as you learn some very interesting traditions, enjoy the special New Year's crafts, games, prizes, food and more. Registration is required.
Time: Noon to 5pm
Cost: Included with regular $5 admission.

New Year’s Eve at The ComedySportz Theatre
ComedySportz, 929 West Belmont, Chicago
(773) 549-8080
Choose a 5pm or 7pm seating. The ComedySportz Theatre created a special 5pm and 7pm show on New Year’s Eve that is perfect for children, teens and families. There will be a full main stage show, party favors, New Year’s count down and a cider toast with the cast after each show. Reservations recommended.
Time: 5pm or 7pm.
Cost: $22

Navy Pier's New Year's Eve Bash and Fireworks
Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago
(312) 595-PIER
Navy Pier presents a spectacular all-ages showcase of hip-hop dance, live music, and more at the Winter WonderStage. The celebration starts at 6pm and comes to a grand conclusion at 8:15 with a Family Fireworks show.
Time: 6pm
Cost: Free

New Years Eve Party at Pump It Up Chicago
Pump It Up Chicago, 821 W Eastman, Chicago
(312) 664-7867
Bring in the New Year with friends at this early afternoon family friendly celebration. Event features music, play time, pizza, sparkling beverages, gifts and a countdown with balloon drop.
Time: 1-4 pm
Cost: $15/child $5/adult

Free Chicago Holiday Family Fun

2010-12-02T15:19:00.004-06:00

We've just released the ChicagoKids.com Winter Guide to Free Family Fun, and you can find lots of fun family activities and events taking place this winter in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.

Here's a sampling of free holiday activities for kids and families taking place in December:

ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo
Weekends Nov 26 – Jan 2 (closed Dec 24/25)
One of the brightest parts of Chicago’s winter, ZooLights, is free and open to all. Head out for a winter evening of ice carving demonstrations, visits with Santa, warm drinks, cool crafts and more than one million beautiful lights.

Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier
December 3 – January 2
Navy Pier transforms into an enchanted 170,000 square foot holiday hamlet, and you can come out for music, entertainment, indoor ice skating, inflatable slides, carnival rides, food, beverages, and more. General admission is free, some rides and attractions have fees.

Christkindlmarket at Daley Plaza
Through December 24
Christkindlmarket Chicago is a holiday market that brings a cherished German and European tradition with international flair and local charm to Chicago. Children visiting the market can enjoy scavenger hunts, interviews with vendors, and singing German holiday songs.

Holiday Concert Series at Harold Washington Public Library
Select days between December 1-17
The Chicago Public Library presents its annual Sounds of Our City: 2010 Holiday Concert Series on selected dates during the month of December. The free, lunchtime holiday performances feature some of the best Chicago area children’s, grade school and high school choirs.

Ice Skating at McCormick Tribune Ice Rink
Through March 13
Come out for a family skate! The rink is free and open to the public, and skate rental is available for $10.

See more fun free Winter family activities at ChicagoKids.com.

Winter Camps and Winter Break Activities

2010-11-28T18:33:00.008-06:00

Winter is upon us, and Winter Break is coming up fast! Lots of places around Chicago and the suburbs offer special winter camps and programs to keep your little ones busy... and to make sure you're getting a break as well! Here are some highlight below, and you can find more in the ChicagoKids.com Winter Camp Guide.

Actors Gymnasium Circus & Performing Arts Camp
Evanston
Ages 9-14 years. Mon-Thurs, December 20-23 and Mon-Thurs, December 27-30. For young performers who want to strengthen, stretch and flex their creative muscles. Circus skills covered include juggling, tumbling, trapeze, tightwire, stilts, and more.

Artist @ Heart
120 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove
340 N. Milwaukee Road, Libertyville
For kids 6-12. Option of camp per day, or per week. Different art activities each day including drwaing, painting, modeling clay, mosaics, 3-D art sculptures, jewelry making and more.

DuPage Children's Museum
301 N. Washington Street, Naperville
Chicagoland Offering 2 mini-camp sessions based on DCM’s popular school program, Kids Design Engineering. Children will learn about pneumatic power, use cool tools to design, and build and test their own pneumatic (balloon) powered project. For ages 7-10.

Easel Art Studio
1911 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago
Create art, dance the snowflakes away, and play your heart out at Easel. Enroll by day, and get a discount for attending multiple camp days.

Emerald City Theatre School
2933 N. Southport Ave., Chicago
For ages 3.5-5, and 6-10. Explore different characters and environments of the season through acting, music, dance, storytelling, crafts and more. Final presentation on the last day of camp.

School of Rock Chicago
3043 N. Ashland, Chicago
Winter Camp is an intensive musical learning experiences where kids can immerse themselves. During camp they will experience speed-learning song parts, rehearsing and performing with a band, writing original music and recording basics and introduction.

Top Golf
699 W. Thorndale Ave., Wood Dale
This winter golf camp helps kids of all skill levels learn the game of golf in a fun way and is a great way to stay active during the cold winter months. Each camp is a 3-day program that covers all aspects of the game of golf in a fun, interactive way.

Wishcraft
2312 W. Roscoe Street, Chicago
Offering workshop days for ages 3-5, 5+ and 7+. Some workshop topics include Merry Mittens, Sweetie Pies, Snowy Scenes, Green Christmas, Cutie Foodies and more. Something for everyone!

Win a copy of Eat the World - a family cookbook that gives back

2010-11-23T09:40:00.007-06:00

When I think of Art Smith, I think of two things: first, Oprah Winfrey, who was lucky enough to have him as her personal chef; and second, the best mac and cheese I ever ate, from his restaurant Table Fifty-Two.

I now have something new to think about, thanks to a cookbook for families that benefits his non-profit organization, Common Threads. Common Threads educates children on nutrition and physical wellbeing, teaching low-income children to cook wholesome and affordable meals.

The cookbook is not new, but it's new to me. Parents can follow these easy recipes and let kids help with the process. Each recipe includes colorful pictures not only of the finished meal, but the different steps in the process. Helpful commentary and tips from kid chefs are included, making this book relevant for kids and giving their perspective.

And even though the recipes are easy to make, they offer a variety of sophisticated cuisine types and cultural flavors. From basics like Tomato Sauce, Roasted Yams and Cheesy Broccoli Sauce to more ethnic recipes like Moroccan Squash, Emerald Fire Noodles, Tabbouleh Salad and Sesame Date Sweets - there's something for everyone!

Sound good? Order it online and use code cthreads10 to get $2 off! It’s a great gift for any family, and it supports a great cause.

We’re giving away a copy of the cookbook on ChicagoKids.com. Enter now to win!

Chicago Toy & Game Fair this weekend - get ready for serious fun!

2010-11-17T11:29:00.007-06:00

This weekend is the Chicago Toy & Game Fair, where parents and kids can preview and play with the latest toys and games from more than 100 exhibitors at the country’s largest public toy & game fair! Experts from companies such as Hasbro, Out-of-the-Box, Razor and more can tell you about the trends and holiday best buys.

The show is the largest of its kind that's open to the public, so Chicago families have a really special, local opportunity. Fairgoers will be able to meet legendary and up-and-coming toy and game inventors, including Leslie Scott, inventor of Jenga; Bruce Lund, inventor of TMX Elmo and founder of River Forest-based Lund and Company Invention, Tim Walsh, board game inventor, author and filmmaker; and Richard Gill, who made Pictionary and Trivial Pursuit household names.

A Star Wars Breakfast with the legendary 501st Legion: Vader’s Fist; a Mascot Madness toy drive, Monopoly Tournaments, chess tournaments in the Renaissance Knights Pavilion, the latest Eurogames from Essen, Germany and a free Illinois Accredited Educator Conference for teachers are just a few of the many fair events planned.

The fair hours are 10 am to 6 pm on Saturday and 10 am to 5 pm on Sunday. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children. Children under three are admitted free; Scouts in uniform, military, teachers and librarians are also admitted free!

For more information, visit www.chitag.com.

And for a $2 coupon, visit
www.chicagokids.com/specials/chitag.html.

Win tickets to Traces!

2010-11-17T09:39:00.003-06:00

Our last blog post was about Traces - now you can enter to win tickets! Enter here, but act fast, we're drawing a winner on Friday!

Enter now!

Traces Chicago - Hold on to your seats!

2010-11-15T15:55:00.003-06:00

While most of the performers in the newly opened “Traces” have backgrounds that include time with Cirque du Soleil – Cirque this was not.

Traces felt like Cirque du Soleil had come to my corner of Wicker Park, selected seven local hipsters right off the street, and granted them superpowers. The show opens with a purely casual vibe, with seven friends dressed in comfortable street clothes just shooting the breeze in what can be imagined as some dank, gritty neighborhood.

While the primary focus is on circus and acrobatic feats, the show offers an array of performance arts - acoustic music, poetry slam, dance, piano playing…. even a humorous, skateboarding routine that reminded me of an old Hollywood scene.

Early on, the performers invite the audience to get to know them. They incorporate personal information into some acts, further lending to the feeling that we’re just hanging out on the corner with familiar friends (who are far more flexible than we are.) There was something about getting to know these performers as individuals, and seeing them in street clothes rather than sparkling, anonymizing costumes, that seemed to make everything they did even more daring.

Traces contains an unusual mix of darkness and humor. Adding to the vibe of the show is the uber-cool music; live imagery created for the stage by performers using a drawing board; and gritty, black and white live video feeds offering different angles of the performance.

While each act provided some unique sort of performance, the acrobatic prowess of these performers was the most amazing part of the show. Long-locked Florio, who looks like he just walked off the cover of a romance novel, did an entire solo act on a stack of chairs. I’ve seen performers balance single-handedly on top of a chair before, but typically they got to that position after first balancing on two hands and then removing one. Florio was on a stack of chairs, casually put his hand on top of the back of the chair, and then just launched himself up into the one-handed pose. Amazing.

The pole acrobatics were incredible. The performers leaped and flipped between 2 poles, threatening to land on their heads but always making their marks. And by the end of the show, with the performers flipping through small hoops at the top of a 6 foot stack, I was pretty convinced that they did indeed possess superhuman powers.

I recommend this for adults and for families with older kids. The performance is 90 minutes long with no intermission.

Playing October 26, 2010 - December 19, 2010 at the Broadway Playhouse, 175 E. Chestnut St., Chicago Illinois.

The Hundred Dresses opens today - timeless and timely

2010-11-03T14:58:00.006-05:00

The topic of bullying has been prevalent in the media lately, and the opening of The Hundred Dresses at Chicago Children's Theatre couldn't be timelier.

This musical was written by Ralph Covert (Ralph's World) and G. Riley Mills, and is based on a children's novel by Eleanor Estes. It's the story of Wanda Petronski, an imaginative young girl who struggles to fit in with her new classmates. Replete with a myriad of colorful and buoyant characters, The Hundred Dresses is a timeless tale that explores the bonds of friendship, the willingness to be yourself, and the courage that it takes to stand up to others -- even when you're standing alone.

The theater's web site provides a Student Study Guide that you can download. It's meant for teachers but provides valuable insights and topics for discussion that you can use with your own kids.

The show is recommended for ages 6 and up, and tickets start at $26.00.

Playing November 3 through December 2 at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie.

Through ChicagoKids.com, you can get $5 off tickets for opening weekend performances, November 6 & 7. Reserve your seats by calling the North Shore Center box office at (847) 673-6300 or visiting www.northshorecenter.org and using the code "HDOPEN". (This code is only good for opening weekend performance)

Learn more at http://www.chicagochildrenstheatre.org.

Halloween Weekend Family Fun Ideas

2010-10-26T22:00:00.006-05:00

There's been plenty of Halloween fun leading up to October 31, but now is your last chance to really celebrate. Here are a few picks for celebrating Halloween with your little ghouls this weekend.

October 30
Little Miss Ann Band's Halloween Party
Subterranean, 2011 W. North Avenue, Chicago
ChicagoKids.com sponsors the Beat Kitchen Concerts for Kids! Series, and this Saturday the show is at Subterranean, with a Halloween costume concert with Little Miss Ann Band. 3pm. $7.

October 30
Haunted Harvest
Lamb's Farm, I-94 and Rte. 176, Libertyville
The Haunted Harvest of Lambs Farm is a spooky celebration full of fun and adventure for thrill-seekers of all ages, transforming the Farmyard with delightfully frightening activities. 6-10pm. All night pass $15 per person, kids under 3 free, fees for some activities.

October 30
Monsters!
Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St., Chicago
The Chicago Cultural Center is transformed into a spooky, magical destination for Halloween fun, with mask and costume making, a drama workshop and a performance of "One Monster after Another" by Child's Play Touring Theatre. Free.

October 30
BARK-O-Ween
Port Clinton Square, 600 Central Avenue, Highland Park
Celebrate this Halloween at Port Clinton Square for BARK-O-Ween; a pet parade, costume contest and fashion show for our four-legged friends. Benefits Tails of Hope. 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm. $15 per pet to participate in costume contest; $10 per pet if pre-registered.

October 30-31
Carnival of Curiosities
Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago
A traveling sideshow has overtaken Navy Pier, transforming Pier Park into a spectacle of living human wonders. Every Saturday and Sunday witness with your very own eyes the wild, weird, and wonderful. Meet the Carnival characters from noon - 9pm, and on Saturday enjoy fireworks at 9pm. This is an outdoor, family-friendly theatrical walk-around experience and scare-free event. Free.

October 31
Justin Roberts Halloween Show
Space, 1245 Chicago Avenue, Evanston,
Justin and the Not Ready for Naptime Players are in the midst of their packed national fall family concert tour, and they have a local concert on Halloween at Space in Evanston. Hear their appropriate new song, "Trick or Treat," from hew new CD Jungle Gym. 11am. $15

October 31
Spooky Singalong
Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N Lincoln Ave., Chicago,
Calling all ghouls! Bring the whole family to this spooky, but not scary, sing-a-long featuring our Wiggleworms faculty. Be sure to wear your Halloween costume! 11am. $12.

You can check out our Calendar of Events and our Halloween Zone for more last minute Halloween events, activities, and fun ideas.

Happy Haunting!

Curious George: Let's Get Curious! at Kohl Children's Museum

2010-10-17T21:31:00.010-05:00

This weekend, Mia got a preview of the Kohl Children's Museum's new exhibit "Curious George: Let's Get Curious!"

Mia knows who Curious George is, but she's still really getting acquainted with him. She has two Curious George books (one that she got after seeing the exhibit) and has seen the tv show just a few times. However, this did not stop her from enjoying this exhibit and apparently falling in love with Curious George! (see pic below!)

The exhibit is intended to inspire young children's George-like curiosity in the areas of math, science and engineering through activities, exploration and play. The exhibit is set in Curious George's neighborhood, so kids can feel like they're really in his world.

They'll see Curious George's apartment building, where they can move George around on pulleys and climb up the fire escape. A construction site allows them to build and move materials. By George's rocket, kids can pose for pictures with George in his space suit. And the park is a nice open area where kids can get up close with Curious George and give him a hug. Mia's a notorious hugger, so she loved this part... and since he's not a real monkey, we didn't give her our usual "two hug limit."

Mia's favorite part of the exhibit was opening up a little yellow door, and seeing her own reflection inside, wearing the Yellow Hat:

The exhibit officially opens this Tuesday, October 19, and runs through February 5, 2011. Find out more on the web site.

Brookfield Zoo's Boo! at the Zoo... with Judge Sue!

2010-10-10T22:24:00.006-05:00

This weekend and next weekend - Oct 16, 17, 23, 24 - is Brookfield Zoo's "Boo! at the Zoo" Halloween event. I have a tremendous soft spot for this event, as maaaaany years ago I was the Special Events Coordinator at the zoo and helped put this event together. It was by far my favorite event, and there was nothing cuter than seeing hundreds of kids in costumes parading across the stage for the costume contest.

I'm extremely excited to be taking part in the event this Saturday as a costume contest judge (please make your bribes in the form of chocolate... just kidding!)

This is truly a fantastic family Halloween event, with fun activities taking place throughout the day.

Here's the schedule for the daily activities:

All Day: Take a Haunted Hayride around the zoo ($4/$2), and take a turn through a giant corn maze in the East Mall.

11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Games and Scarecrow Building
Children’s Zoo – FREE Admission

11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Games and Scarecrow Building
Children’s Zoo – FREE Admission

11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Fisher-Price Interactive Play Pen and Power Wheels™ Driving Track -West Mall

11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Pumpkin Carver at The Nature Stage

11:45 a.m.
Zoo Chat on Bats in Australia

12:30 p.m.
Zoo Chat on Spiders at The Swamp Classroom

12:30 p.m.
Zoo Chat on Argus Monitor in Australia House

1:00 p.m.
Costume parade departs from Discovery Center

1:30 p.m.
Costume Showcase at East Mall
(Costume categories are Best Animal Theme, Scariest, Most Original and Best Group Theme)

2:00 a.m.
Zoo Chat on Owls in Children's Zoo

3:00 p.m.
Zoo Chat on Spiders at The Swamp Classroom

3:30 p.m.
Zoo Chat on Python at The Fragile Kingdom-Rain Forest

3:45 p.m.
Zoo Chat on Wolves at Regenstein Wolf Woods

In addition to these activities taking place on all four of the Boo! at the Zoo dates, there are special activities taking place on specific dates. Visit the Brookfield Zoo web site for details.

I'll be judging costumes on Saturday, October 16. Stop by and say hello if you have the chance!!

UPDATE:
Check out photos from the event on the ChicagoKids.com Facebook page.

Chicago International Children's Film Festival - Plan your screenings now!

2010-10-08T22:41:00.007-05:00

The Chicago International Children’s Film Festival gets underway on October 22, bringing more than 250 kids’ movies to a local audience for this 10 day fest. This is the largest festival of films for children in North America, featuring over 200 films from 40 countries. In addition to films that include live action and animated features, shorts, TV series, documentaries, and even child-produced works, there are also interactive workshops that make this an experience that kids can immerse themselves in. Workshops include “Acting is FUN!”, “Animation All-Stars,” “FLIP IT – For Future Animators” and more. Visit the web site for a full schedule of films and workshops.

There are films for kids of all ages, and movies are categorized so you can find the right ones for your kids. Starting with “My First Movies” for ages 2-5, there are age groupings up to ages 13+.

Here's a sample of a few of the top films of interest.

Ages 2-5:

Bob the Builder: The Legend of the Golden Hammer - England 61 min
October 23, 9:30 am.
Center on Halsted’s Hoover-Leppen Theatre - 3656 N. Halsted, 3rd Floor
Watch the original Bob the Builder, direct from England, in a never-before-seen U.S. premiere. Everyone's favorite fix-it man sets out on an exciting building project in his new home of Fixham Harbor. But when scarecrow Spud and four-wheeler Scrambler hear of an amazing treasure, the pirate Brickbeard's Golden Hammer, they decide building can wait—first, they must find the hammer for their best pal Bob.

Mamma Moo & Crow - Sweden 77 min
October 24, 9:30 am.
University of Chicago’s DOC Films - Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 E. 59th St.
Meet Mamma Moo: an extraordinary cow who wants to go where no cow has gone before! Mamma Moo wants to ride a bike, climb a tree, and play on a swing, which her new friend Crow doesn't understand. But after sharing adventures with Mamma Moo, Crow realizes how fun trying new things can be.

Ages 5-8:

Rainbow Magic: Return to Rainspell Island - England 61 min
October 23, 11:00 am.
Center on Halsted’s Hoover-Leppen Theatre - 3656 N. Halsted, 3rd Floor
Six colorful fairies live in a rainbow world of peace, joy and song. But when mean girls, goblins, and Jack Frost himself threaten the happiness of their turf, will magic and friendship be enough? See what the end of the rainbow holds, in this fun-filled action-packed musical extravaganza where anything can happen - and does.

Critter Capers - 73 min
October 24, 11:00 am.
Facets Cinema – 1517 W. Fullerton Ave.
Calling all adventurers! These little creatures are not afraid to try something new. A group of dancing hens jump and jive with bandleader Kevin Bacon. Weighing friendship in the balance is on the mind of one very determined cow. Courageous Mouse faces all creatures great and small in this award-winning film version of the beloved book, The Gruffalo. Challenge yourself and come out on top with these brave beasties.

Ages 7-11:

Ricky Rapper and the Bicycle Thief - Finland 77 min
October 24, 11:00 am.
University of Chicago’s DOC Films - Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 E. 59th St.
When Serna Rapper and Lennart Lindberg go on a vacation, they leave Fanny Freezer in charge of Ricky Rapper and Nelly Noodlehead. All is well, until Ricky's fancy new bike mysteriously disappears! Who are the culprits? Could it be Beril and Robert Rosenbeogel? Or the odd doctors in the new hospital? Join Ricky and his pals as they work together to solve the mystery — with fun music every step of the way.

Magic Silver - Norway 84 min.
October 24, 3:00 pm.
University of Chicago’s DOC Films - Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 E. 59th St.
Deep within the Norwegian mountains, princess gnome Bluerose leads a small but powerful tribe. The Blue Gnomes are keepers of the silver for The Magic Hour, the enchanted twilight time between day and night. But when the silver is stolen from the gnomes, their bright and beautiful world suddenly transforms into eternal dark. Brave Princess Bluerose must set out on a remarkable quest to bring back the daylight, turning rival gnomes into new friends and finding the courage within herself along the way.

TICKETS GO FAST!
Tickets are available at the door 30 minutes prior to screening, and tickets for weekend screenings only may also be purchased online at www.facets.org/kids. For weekend screenings, get your tickets ahead of time to make sure you don’t miss out.

And here are a few more important things to note:
• Tickets are $6.00 for children (2-16) and $9.00 for adults.
• Individual tickets for weekend screenings can be purchased at the box office 30 minutes prior to a screening or via the CICFF website through Ticketweb (additional fees will apply when purchasing through Ticketweb.)
• The ONLY way to guarantee seating is to pre-purchase through Ticketweb. Weekend programs are in high demand and seating can be very limited.
• All seating is general admission.
• Facets Patron Circle members receive FREE admission when they present membership card at Box Office.

The Lion King Opens in Chicago

2010-09-30T00:26:00.004-05:00

Ok, now I get it. I REALLY get it. I finally understand what all the fuss was about when The Lion King first came onto the scene and everyone raved about Julie Taymor’s costume design. I couldn’t have possibly imagined the magnificence of this production without seeing it firsthand.

I have always tended to literally get the chills when a live production starts out on just the right note, and that’s exactly how things started off for me last night. With a call of ““Nants ingonyama! Bagithi baba!” (the loud chant you’ve probably heard in the commercials - and yes, I did need to look up the spelling), a procession of actor/puppets/animals begins parading down the aisles of the theater, converging on the stage for a spectacular opening number. From the start, there’s an immediate sense of the brilliant puppetry, costume design and mechanisms that bring this production to life.

Tall, lanky giraffes are played by actors using stilts on their legs and arms; an enormous elephant rambles down the aisle with a puppeteer in each leg; a cheetah’s back legs belong to an actor/puppeteer, and his front legs are being moved by a mechanism that he controls. Every animal is fascinating, and I found myself as interested in the mechanics of how things worked as I was in the music and dance. And here's where I insert a visual aid, to best explain what I can't really convey through words:

Julie Taymor was the original director and costume designer for The Lion King, which opened on Broadway in 1997. Rather than hide the actors in masks while they played the roles of animals, it was her idea to instead have the actors wear the masks on their heads, leaving their faces visible. And it was her vision to represent the animals using enormous, complex puppets, which are a big part of what makes this production so memorable.

Obviously I was blown away by the costume design and mechanics, but I can’t really review a musical without mentioning the music, right? The music and dance were fantastic. The African rhythms and dance were pervasive, and were infused with modern dance, ballet and contemporary music.

The story itself is about a lion cub named Simba, whose father Mufasa is king and whose evil uncle Scar decides that he wants the throne for himself. Scar plots with some hyenas and kills Mufasa, and when Mufasa gets into a tight spot during a stampede, Scar kills him off. Scar convinces Simba that it’s his fault his father died, and tells Simba to go away and never come back. Simba stays away, grows up spending time with the comedic duo of Timon and Pumbaa (a meerkat and a warthog), and he eventually comes back to settle the score. (It’s far more complicated than that, but that’s the gist.)

I must say, I was fascinated by the hyenas. There are three main hyenas, and they are creepy as hell and utterly fascinating to watch. The actors/puppeteers in these roles must walk around in a hunched position, while alternately using their arms to work the hyena legs and the hyena heads that are suspended out in front of their bodies. Their costumes are designed so that there’s an arch of fur reaching from their backs, into the air, and onto these suspended heads, pulling it all together and giving them the shape of a hyena. It’s amazing to watch them, and many of the other “animals,” realizing that these actors are doing the ultimate multi-tasking: singing, speaking, moving, and operating their “costumes” all at the same time.

Overall, I absolutely loved the show and it’s now on my short list of all time favorites.

The show is recommended for ages 5 and up, and this sounds about right since some of the subject matter could be a bit heavy for younger kids. There’s some violence, the hyenas are just plain creepy, and of course the death of Simba’s father could be a bit much for some kids. Kids will love the costumes and puppetry, the storyline will have them engaged, and the antics of the Timon and Pumbaa (including Pumbaa's gas issues) will have them laughing.

Playing at the Cadillac Palace Theatre through November 27.

Halloween Fall Fun

2010-09-27T13:13:00.012-05:00

It's a crisp Monday and it sure feels like Fall... time to start thinking about Halloween!

There are lots of great pumpkin farms around the Chicago area that transform into full-on fun Halloween destinations. (Interestingly, many of them also turn into mini-zoos, which may not have much to do with Halloween but it sure is fun for the kids.) You can visit the ChicagoKids.com Halloween Zone for details on dozens of great Halloween activities and events. Here's just a sampling below. And make sure you check ahead regarding specific dates for activities, as some of the fun might happen only on weekends or certain dates.

Goebbert's Farms Pumpkins and More
2 locations - South Barrington and Hampshire
Halloween activities at Goebberts include wagon rides, pony rides, camel rides, pig racing, a corn stalk maze and a little straw town maze for your tiny ones. There's also Animal Land, where kids can get up close to animals you'd expect to see on a farm, like cows, pigs, goats and baby chicks, plus camels, kangaroos, llamas, zebras, lions and a giraffe. Admission is free, but some attractions require ticket purchase.

Dollinger Pumpkin Farm and Fun
7502 E. Hansel Rd., Channahon
At Dollinger Pumpkin Farm, pick a pumpking and then carve, decorate or make a pie. Then check out the Corn Maze, Petting Zoo, miniature steam train, horse drawn hayrides and more. Pumpkin farm entry is free, ut some activities like the train rides, corn maze and hayrides may require a fee.

Bengston Pumpkin Fest 2010
13341 W, 151st St., Homer Glen
At Bengston Pumpkin Farm, you can experience an animated Haunted Barn, a giggling animated Fun Barn, the "famous" action-packed Pig Races (running 10x a day on the 1/2 hour), an adorable Petting & Feeding Zoo, The Giant Crazy Corn Maizey & Pony Rides, plus a variety of entertaining animation throughout the barnyard and farm. Treats available for purchase include hot apple cider, funnel cakes, chili in a bread bowl, kettle corn and nore. Admission is adult $13, 3-11 $12, 2 and under Free.

Didier Farms Pumpkinfest
16678 W. Aptakisic Rd., Prairie View - Lincolnshire
Featuring mechanical rides, a corn maze, fresh donuts, an educational barn, farm animals, a petting zoo, hayrides, Indian teepees, a pony ride, crafts and more. Woody's Menagerie has over 200 creatures including lions, tigers, a bear, and a liger - a cross between a lion and a tiger (now THAT is scary!) Free admission but most activities require ticket purchase.

North Shore Pumpkin Patch
1024 Lake Ave, Wilmette
North Shore Pumpkin Patch is a non-profit pumpkin patch in Wilmette, with all proceeds going to support a local homeless shelter, Good News Partners, and a program to feed needy children in Senegal. Featuring a kiddie play area, scarecrow making, and weekend pumpkin painting, crafts and story time. Free.

Find more fall and Halloween fun in the ChicagoKids.com Halloween Zone.

Got a favorite fall or Halloween spot? Let's hear about it!

Jim Hensen's Fantastic World Now Open

2010-09-25T15:42:00.010-05:00

Jim Hensen’s Fantastic World opened Friday at the Museum of Science and Industry, and walking through this exhibit was like stepping into the mind of a creative genius. Hensen is known for his iconic characters and creations like Kermit the Frog, Ernie and Bert, Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, The Dark Crystal, Miss Piggy and many others. The exhibit celebrates Hensen’s remarkable genius and his brilliant creative process, showcasing the sketches, storyboards, props, puppets and other elements that he used to bring his visions to life.
For adults, the exhibit will bring back a lot of memories, and for me it was fascinating to see how some of these memories literally got their start.

Here’s a storyboard for The Muppet Show theme song, one of my favorites items in the exhibit:

And who can forget Mahna Mahna??

And here’s an illustrated storyboard for the old Sesame Street counting bits - “How many is 5?”

Kids can try their hands at the creative process with some hands-on activities, including:

Puppet Theater – Kids can choose from a selection of props and design their own set, then direct their own puppet show and watch it on a tv screen.
Storyboarding – The storyboard wall lets kids draw out their storylines with etch-a-sketches.
Create-A-Character – this fun wall of parts lets kids pull together the pieces they want to create their own fun character.
Foley Stage – Kids can learn about sound effects, using objects to make sounds and creating their own soundtracks.

Aside from the obvious entertainment that these activities provide for kids, it can teach older kids how the creative process works. Heck - it could even inspire them to a career path that they didn’t even know existed. Perhaps if I’d seen this as a kid, I’d have been ready with a semi-intelligent argument to make against my parents when they dissuaded me from being an art major.

But I digress. If you’ve ever enjoyed any of Jim Hensen’s creations, you’ll get a new sense of ~~appreciation~~ awe for where these creations came from. The exhibit will be best enjoyed by adults and older kids, especially those with a creative side. And while the exhibit made me wonder what might have happened had I continued on my own creative path, I mostly wonder what fantastic creations the world has missed out on with Hensen’s untimely passing. We’ll never know.

ChicagoKids.com Fall Guide to Free Family Fun

2010-09-21T10:36:00.007-05:00

It certainly seems odd to release a guide to Fall Fun on a day when the temperature will be nearing 90, but it's officially Fall and we're ready for it!

I've just finished up the ChicagoKids.com Fall Guide to Free Family Fun, a downloadable, printable booklet of free activities that your family can enjoy. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but a sampling of fun ideas that are FREE. You can find more events and activities by visiting ChicagoKids.com.

The list includes ideas for pumpkin patches, story hours, nature centers, farms, indoor fun and even some great free fall festivals that are taking place.

You can download the guide at ChicagoKids.com/guide.

Spectacle 2010: The Astronaut's Birthday

2010-09-13T13:37:00.005-05:00

If you didn’t already know about Redmoon’s totally fantastical productions and performances, we tried to bring you up to speed with our posts about their recent J.O.E. (Joyous Outdoor Event.) And now, the far out fun continues with Spectacle 2010: The Astronaut’s Birthday, created in partnership with the Museum of Contemporary Art.

The Astronaut’s Birthday is a bigger-than-life storybook adventure that you’ll view on the 5-story high façade of the MCA. The outer walls of the MCA have been transformed into a stage for this story, which Redmoon describes as a “collision of science fiction, comic book spectacle performance, wild shadow, silhouette performers and berserk music.” (I couldn’t possibly say it better!)

The actually storyline is about a single astronaut on a mission to save the Earth, and it’s a story delivered like none you’ve ever seen before. The performances take place at 7:30pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays through September 26. Tickets are $15 Thursdays and $20 for Friday and Sunday; $10 for kids under 10 and free for kids under 3.

Get tickets HERE, or call the Redmoon Box Office at 312-850-8440 ×111.

Beat Kitchen's Concerts for Kids Block Party, sponsored by ChicagoKids.com

2010-09-08T11:35:00.017-05:00

Beat Kitchen's Concerts for Kids!
Kick-off Block Party this Saturday, September 11
ChicagoKids.com is excited to sponsor this family concert series!

In a past life, I was a huge local live music fan who couldn’t wait to flip through each new issue of The Reader to find out where my favorite bands were playing that weekend. Flash forward to my current life, where I’m still a huge live music fan but my most preferred genre has certainly changed. Never would I have imagined the last time I was at the Beat Kitchen that I could get as excited as I currently am about their upcoming schedule of acts, which will be attracting audiences in the 36-48” height range!

That’s what happens when we grow up and have kids. Beat Kitchen owner Robert Gomez has 2 kids of his own now, and the idea for hosting kids concerts came to him after attending a Wiggleworms class with his then 2-year-old daughter. Beat Kitchen’s Roscoe Village neighborhood is teeming with families and small kids, so it seemed like a logical idea – and something that lots of little budding rockers will love!

The first concerts started at Beat Kitchen and then began to include some shows at Gomez’s other venue, Subterranean, in Wicker Park. This year, the schedule is full, with a show every weekend from September 19 all the way through Memorial Day (with some breaks for holidays.)

Kick Off Block Party
The series kicks off with a rockin’ block party this Saturday, September 11, from 11:30am – 5pm at Beat Kitchen. Family activities include maraca building with Easel Art Studio, punk rock hair styling by Psycho Baby, drum building with Bucktown Music, The Children's Learning Place Tot Zone and fun Penguin decorating crafts with yours truly, ChicagoKids.com! Admission is $7 and the event will be held indoors in case of rain.

Say Hello to ChicagoKids.com and ENTER TO WIN!
Stop by and say hello to me in the ChicagoKids.com area, where we’ll be doing fun Penguin decorating, and you can and enter to win a an adorable, oversized stuffed golden retriever donated by our friends at Building Blocks Toy Store! “Ruff Ruff” is 36” tall with lifelike details, ready to be a devoted companion to some lucky winner. We're also giving away passes to Fantasy Kingdom, one of our favorite indoor play places.

Saturday's Schedule
12:00: Mr. Singer and the Sharp Cookies
1:30: Human Tim + Robot Tim
2:30: Bucktown Music Kindermusik Family Fun Time
3:30: Little Miss Ann Band

This Season’s Schedule

Sept 19: Mary Macaroni - Beat Kitchen
Sept 26: Human- Tim + Robot-Tim - Beat Kitchen
Oct 3: Shana Sings! - Beat Kitchen
Oct 9: Laura Doherty - Subterranean
Oct 10: Super Stolie & the Rockstars! - Beat Kitchen
Oct 17: Jeanie B! - Beat Kitchen
Oct 23: Poochamungas - Subterranean
Oct 24: Mr. Singer & the Sharp Cookies - Beat Kitchen
Oct 30: Little Miss Ann Band's Halloween Party - Subterranean
Nov 6: Jeanie B! and the Jelly Beans - Subterranean
Nov 7: Little Miss Ann Band - Beat Kitchen
Nov 13: AmeriKid Idol hosted by Andy Moy - Subterranean
Nov 14: Karen 4 Kids! - Beat Kitchen
Nov 21: Kara Kesselring & Sugarcreek Road @ 4PM - Beat Kitchen
Nov 21: Suzi Shelton and Little Miss Ann Band
Upstairs at SubT, show at 11am - Subterranean
Dec 5: The Dreamtree Shakers - Beat Kitchen
Dec 11: The Boogers - Subterranean
Dec 12: Mary Macaroni - Beat Kitchen
Jan 9: The Okee Dokee Brothers - Beat Kitchen

Get more details at chicagokids.com.

Circus in the Parks featuring Midnight Circus

2010-09-07T12:38:00.008-05:00

Step right up! The circus is in town, and it's coming right to five northside Chicago parks. Circus in the Parks, featuring the Midnight Circus, is a whimsical assortment of acrobats, aerialists, clowns and contortionists. Kids can get up close to watch daring feats while helping raise money for the parks. Circus in the Parks raises funds that will be equally split between all participating parks.

Circus in the Parks schedule:

Gompers Park - 4222 W. Foster - 773-685-3270
September 11th - 2pm & 5pm
September 12th - 1pm & 4pm

Welles Park - 2333 W. Sunnyside - 312-742-7511
September 18th 2pm & 5pm
September 19th 1pm & 4pm

Holstein Park - 2200 N. Oakley - 312-742-7554
September 25th - 2pm & 5pm
September 26th - 1pm & 4pm

Portage Park - 4100 N. Long - 773-685-7235
October 9th - 2pm & 5pm
October 10th - 1pm & 4pm

Chase Park - 4701 N. Ashland - 312-742-7518
October 16th - 2pm & 5pm
October 17th - 1pm & 4pm

Tickets are $15 per person, and children under 2 years old are free. In case of rain, the Circus will move into the Park Field House. Space is limited if the performance needs to be moved inside, so consider buying your tickets in advace!

To purchase tickets online, visit http://www.circusintheparks.com/.

Last chance summer events

2010-09-02T12:47:00.019-05:00

It's September (*sigh*) and kids are back in school, but you still have a few days left to enjoy some of the best things that took place around Chicago this summer. Act fast though, these fun activities are truly just about over!

Family Fun Festival with daily Wiggleworms performances and more
Millennium Park, Chicago
Ends September 3
Cirque Shanghai
Navy Pier Pepsi Skyline Stage, Chicago
Special offer: Save $5 on Gold Circle Tickets
Ends September 6
Shrek the Musical
Cadillac Palace Theatre, Chicago
Special offer: Buy 1 tickets, get up to 4 more at 50% off
Ends September 5
Watch Us Grow: Monarch Butterflies
Kohl Children's Museum of Greater Chicago, Glenview
Ends September 5
Sue's 10th Anniversary Summer Celebration
The Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago
Ends September 5

If you miss out on these events, don't fret - there's always something fun around the corner!

Win tickets to the Lion King

2010-09-01T09:58:00.004-05:00

The Lion King will be roaring into Chicago on September 29, and we're giving away tickets to this amazing show! Enter at www.chicagokids.com/enter.asp for your chance to win a family four-packs of tickets to the 7:30pm show on September 29 at Cadillac Palace Theatre.

The show is here for a limited engagement from September 29 - November 27. You can purchase tickets online at www.broadwayinchicago.com.

Winners names will be drawn September 16.

Redmoon's Joyous Outdoor Event - (Festival J.O.E.)

2010-08-29T21:33:00.010-05:00

Redmoon is one of Chicago's performance art treasures, with uniquely styled theatrical performances pulling from contemporary art forms and ancient theatrical forms, with pageantry, gadgetry, acrobatics and ephemera. (I plagiarized most of that past sentence directly from Redmoon’s web site, because I couldn’t quite put that into words quite as well as they do. Suffice it to say, they're known for being FANTASTIC.)

In just a few days, Redmoon is launching its first festival of quality family entertainment, public art installation, quirky small scale performances and live music acts, right at Chicago’s lakefront. Four fantastic days of children’s entertainment will include storytelling, clowns, music roaming performers, and a “living room” where your family can picnic right on the Lake Michigan Shore. Families can also enjoy activities throughout the festival including hula hoops, ring toss, lawn bowling, tug of war, and 3-legged races.

There’s one feature to this festival that will be a truly unique - and nearly out of this world - experience: the Luminarium. It’s a sensory experience presented within a walk-in piece of art. It’s an inflatable maze made of translucent pvc, and as you can see from the video below, it’s like walking into another world. Indulge your senses and be surrounded by iridescent color and light, and feel like you’re being transported away to another time and place. You may even find a storytellers and musician performing inside!

The event takes place at South Belmont Harbor on Thursday and Friday evenings beginning at 6pm, and Saturday through Monday starting at 1pm. Tickets are $25. Visit http://joyousoutdoorevent.org for more details.

Tall Ships at Navy Pier

2010-08-27T16:53:00.005-05:00

Tall Ships sailed into Chicago earlier this week, and you can still get tickets to see these ships - and maybe even set sail - through Sunday.

More than 20 majestic and historic tall ships from around the world will be docked at Navy Pier, and you can view all of them, board up to 12 of the vessels, and even take daily sails aboard five of the tall ships.

Ships will be docked in three places at the Pier - Nautical Mile (North Dock), Canada Cove (NW Wall at the front of the Pier) and America Alley (SW Wall at the front of the Pier). In addition to the ships, you can enjoy other activities at the Children's Village including international entertainment at three festival stages, and nightly fireworks shows.

You can make a day of it, and grab a bite, take a whirl on the ferris wheel, or even float away on the Aeroballoon.

Tickets for Tall Ships start at $9 and are available at www.navypier.com.

Nature's LunchBox - No twinkies here

2010-08-26T15:20:00.006-05:00

Just as schools all over Chicago are welcoming kids back to school - and to cafeterias and brown bag lunches - Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is opening a new permanent exhibit, Nature's LunchBox. (Did you notice - PERMANENT exhibit, that's how important this is!)

Nature's LunchBox provides information on food’s life cycle – from the farm to the market to the compost bin – to encourage visitors to think about how their food choices impact the environment.

Kids and parents can learn about where their food comes from, and have fun with hands-on activities like hunting for vegetables, shopping healthy at the "Supermarket," and sniffing out healthy foods. Parents can get ideas for healthy lunches that they can put into practice at home.

Bottom line - packing a healthy lunch for your kids can be quick, and delicious!

It's sponsored by Dominick's - and I admit I'm not quite sure which came first, the sponsor or the exhibit - but it's a worthwhile activity if you walk away with some tips that will make your kids' lunches easier and healthier.

Get your treasures, moms - mamaloot is here!

2010-08-24T09:37:00.007-05:00

With so many deal-a-day web sites popping up lately along the lines of Groupon, I’m excited to write about a newcomer to the field that’s specifically geared toward moms, right here in Chicago. It’s MAMALOOT – and c’mon, the name alone screams “treasures!”

Mamaloot has special offers for all sorts of services that will appeal to moms. The concept is simple – you sign up, get emails letting you know about the newest deal, and if you’re interested you get online and buy in. Unlike Groupon, there’s no minimum number of buyers required in order for you to be able to get your deal.

And so far from what I see, the deals are from places that moms will love. Some recent deals include a $50 1 month membership to Kid City; 40% off 1 day of Art Camp at the Paintbrush; 54% off Open Play admission to the Family Grounds Café; 71% off a Nutrition Consultation with Nutrisults - and yesterday's deal was 50% off Hoohobbers, which is an awesome local manufacturer of kids products who I wrote about in one of my very first blog posts.

Learn more and sign up at www.mamaloot.com.

DeKalb Corn Fest

2010-08-20T11:20:00.010-05:00

This weekend, Friday - Sunday, is DeKalb Corn Fest, one of the last remaining free summer music festivals in Illinois. If you don't mind hopping in the car and taking a drive outside Chicago, you'll be rewarded with all sorts of fun activities for the entire family. And - it's FREE!

This festival features a carnival complete with rides and games, food booths, live music, an inflatable bounce house, balloons, games, tattoos, a craft show and family entertainment.

On Friday night, Kid’s Fest presents the NI Dance Center at 5 pm and Monkeys and More Exotic Animal Rescue Show from 6-7:30 pm on the Community Stage. Then on Saturday from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm and on Sunday from 12:00, the Kishwaukee YMCA will be hosting an Art Fest in the Kid Fest area.

On Sunday, Colonial will be hosting an Ice Cream Eating Contest for all ages. Registration starts at 11:30 in the Kid Fest area and the competition begins at noon. There's even a laser tag arena!

For more details and directions, visit www.cornfest.com/kidfest.html.

Win tickets to Disney on Ice Princess Classics

2010-08-18T14:56:00.008-05:00

It seems like quite a contradiction to be thinking about anything on ice while it's still summer, but it's time for Disney on Ice's latest performance, Princess Classics. And we're giving away two family four-packs of tickets to the show - you can enter to win here.

Disney On Ice presents Princess Classics is an amazing journey to the magical lands of Disney’s classic fairy tales. Travel to a kingdom under the sea, an enchanted French castle, an Arabian palace and more! With special guest Tinker Bell, enter the worlds of your favorite Disney princesses – Cinderella, Jasmine, Ariel, Sleeping Beauty, Belle, Mulan and Snow White – and see their dreams come true as this royal skating extravaganza brings magic to your hometown!

The show is playing the United Center September 8-12.

We're also offering a special ticket deal to ChicagoKids.com readers - get four $24 tickets, 4 hot dogs, and 4 sodas for just $99, a savings of over $30! This special offer is good for performances on Friday Sept 10 at 7pm and Saturday September 11 at 11:30am and 7pm.

For more details on the special offer, visit this link.

Great kids music - Recess Monkey, Verve Pipe, Dan Zanes

2010-08-09T10:37:00.008-05:00

Yesterday, we had the fantastic experience of enjoying a concert featuring some of the top Kidzapalooza performers - all in the comfort of the crowd-free and rain-free James Hotel. (plus - admission-free!) The event was put on by The James Chicago and Kidzapalooza, and families were invited to enjoy children’s artists Recess Monkey, The Verve Pipe and Dan Zanes. In addition to these great performers, there was a complimentary continental breakfast, giveaways from Paul Frank (I somehow missed the raffle entry and am still kicking myself, the prizes were awesome!) And attendees all received a pretty impressive goodie bag with funky freebies from Paul Frank’s “Small Paul” line.

The show started with The Happiness Club, which is actually a group of local kids who use dance and music to promote positive social messages and values. Mia was literally captivated.

Next up was Recess Monkey, who we were introduced to just a few weeks ago. Mia’s been jumping up and down to this fun, catchy CD since hearing the very first note, and the live performance really delivered. These guys are great in concert – they interact with the kids and get them dancing and taking part in the music. Even little Mia was following instructions and shouting out on cue. They relate well to kids, and understand how to get them engaged and involved in the show.

Next was Verve Pipe, who we have loved since their show at Schuba’s in April. You probably know their hit song “Freshman” – and watching them certainly doesn’t really feel like watching a kids’ band. Great lyrics, infectious tunes and a real rock feel - and their humor resonates with kids and adults. Their performance ended with the song “Cereal,” with the lead singer shaking loads of cereal out of his guitar over some guy’s head. As the kids in the audience sized up the situation and got ready to make their moves, he stated, “the 5 second rule has expired.”

Dan Zanes, a kids’ music legend, finished up the show. When he started playing, it was like the Pied Piper had taken over, and all the kids gravitated to the front of the room and sat down. He literally captivated his audience, including Mia, who had never heard his music before. His guitar and harmonica were all that were needed to go along with his music, and we loved his cool, laid back vibe.

Overall, this was one of my favorite concerts so far this year. Did I mention the awesome goodies from Paul Frank? A kids t-shirt, onesie, zipper pull, ID tag necklace, socks, lip balms and a beanie monkey head. Unfortunately for Mia all of the clothes were for a 12 month old, but as soon as I know she won’t eat the lip balms, swallow the zipper pull or misuse the necklace, I’ll let her check those out. For now, she’s mastering her zipper skills with the funky monkey head.

Chicago area water parks

2010-08-08T14:17:00.015-05:00

With temperatures expected to rise into the 90s again this week, I thought I'd post details on some Chicago area water parks that can help you beat the heat. This information was originally sent out in the regular ChicagoKids.com weekly newsletter a couple of weeks ago. If you're not already subscriber, make sure you sign up now so you don't miss important information like this! Here we go....

KeyLime Cove Water Resort, Gurnee
Avoid crowds here and book a room, as this waterpark is only for resort guests. Splash around in this 65,000 square foot indoor waterpark with wild rides for the older kids and adults and a play pond kiddie pool for the little ones. Check web site for rates.

Hall Quarry Beach, Batavia
Hall Quarry Beach occupies a former stone quarry owned by the Batavia Park District. It features a sand bottom swimming area covering 60,000 square feet that includes islands, slides, and a diving area. Admissions: $10, $7 resident.

Pelican Harbor, Bolingbrook
Relax on the Lazy River, experience the thrill of water speed slides, head into the diving well and let the little ones play in the zero-depth entry pool or spray playground. Admission $13, $7 residents, under 2 free.

White Water Canyon Water Park, Tinley Park
Five acres of wet family fun, with a zero depth entry interactive children's play area, diving board, 3-meter drop slide, continuously flowing lazy river, interactive fountains, water cannons and more. $13 nonresident, $7 resident.

Raging Waves Waterpark, Yorkville
Kids’ splash area, a family interactive play structure, a lazy river, wave pool, the Boomerang tornado ride—featuring a four-story drop and a 60-foot tunnel. Over 48" $26.99; Under 48”: $18.99; 2 and under free.

Dolphin Cove Family Aquatic Center, Carpentersville
Zero-depth beach area with geysers and slides for infants and toddlers; "Rip Tide" body slide, "Typhoon" tube slide, 12 foot deep diving well and more. Residents $5, nonresidents $7.50; resident child 3-9 $4, nonresident child $6.50, 2 and under free.

Adams Water Playground, Chicago
This is a little gem in the city, a Chicago park with a small water play area that's perfect for a hot day when you don't want to trek to a crowded water park. Located at 1919 N. Seminary Ave. in a shady area of Lincoln Park. Read my recent blog post about this park. Free!

See our complete listing of local Water Parks by clicking here.

Retro on Roscoe

2010-08-04T21:56:00.008-05:00

By now you've probably heard about Kidzapalooza, taking place at Grant Park this weekend as part of the Lollapalooza music festival. It's sure to be amazing - it's an enormous event, but with that comes enormous crowds... and a not too tiny ticket price.

So if you're not planning to spend the weekend - and some serious cash - with Lollapalooza, there's a great smaller festival that has some equally big performers.

Retro on Roscoe takes place this Saturday and Sunday in Chicago's hip and family friendly Roscoe Village neighborhood, near Roscoe and Damen. This has always been one of my favorite city festivals, even before Mia was born, and now as a mom it's not any exception. This festival has an amazing kids music lineup, with a price tag that can't be beat ($5 donation)

The Family area, ope from noon - 6pm, offers games, activities, face painting, a balloon artist, inflatables and crafts.

The entertainment lineup includes:

Saturday August 7

12pm Trinity Irish Dancers
1pm The Sparkle Monkeys
2pm Justin Roberts

Sunday August 8

12pm School of Rock
1pm Mad Science
2pm Ralph's World

Justin Roberts and Ralph's World are two of our favorite kids' performers, and I am SUPER bummed at the timing of their performances. They're both at 2pm, right smack in the middle of Mia's naptime.

The non-kid lineup is pretty fantastic too, featuring Mr. Blotto, 16 Candles, Too White Crew and Trippin Billies, which if you've spent any time at local street fairs, you've likely heard of. Depending on when Mia wakes up, we may end up spending some time with her over at Hairbangers Ball. Maybe we'll see you there!

Adams Playlot- Big water fun in a small city park

2010-07-26T13:44:00.010-05:00

The recent heatwave has sent thousands of Chicago parents to the ChicagoKids.com Water Park page to find some relief from the heat! I also looked for a way to cool off with my daughter Mia, and we headed over to a local water playground that I hadn't yet tried called Adams Playlot, located at 1919 N. Seminary. It's a nice sized park, tucked away in a shady little area of Lincoln Park, and it's a water oasis in the city.

We've got a few water options in our neighborhood (Wicker Park) including some spouting bears at Wicker Park, and a tall bursting water pipe at Dean Park. However, Adams Playlot provided some serious water fun on a day when we really needed it!

The water area was essentially like a large jungle gym with water spouting from a variety of sources, providing different levels of water fun for different kids. Mia was actually a bit afraid of most of the spouting water, but she did enjoy stomping and splashing around in the water puddles and pouring out buckets of water that I filled up for her. Other kids were clearly having a blast, and quite honestly if it had been appropriate, I might have run through some of the water streams and headed down that slide myself.

The rest of the park was also pretty wonderful, providing lots of shade which was much appreciated on a hot day like this. There's also an enormous sand box, which we'll have to try another day, but it's unlike any I'd seen at other city parks I've been to.

For a little park in the city, I was impressed and I definitely plan to head back there again on another hot day. Overall, it is a great option for a hot day in the city!

Shrek the Musical - Humor for the whole family

2010-07-21T11:05:00.007-05:00

Last night, I saw Shrek the Musical at the Cadillac Palace Theatre - and I loved it! I've seen the movie of course, and as an adult who enjoyed it, I'd anticipated mostly adults to be in the audience. That was not the case - it was mostly families, and the show operated on different levels to please both its adult and child audiences. Just as in the movie, lots of lines and jokes could be interpreted different ways, depending on who was doing the interpreting. So there was plenty of humor for both kids and adults.

The opening scene was pretty somber - a 7-year old Shrek being pushed out into the world by his seemingly cold and uncaring parents. I'm not quite sure how the kids in the audience interpreted this, but it creates instant sympathy for an unlikely main character. Things turn pretty cheery early on though, when the fairy tale critters are banished from the kingdom of Duloc and put on a high energy, hilarious number.

The musical stays pretty true to the plot of the movie, and one of my favorite scenes from the movie – the torture of the Gingerbread man - was definitely done to my satisfaction.

The main characters of Shrek and Fiona were pretty much as I expected. Sometimes it was a bit disconcerting to hear such a beautiful voice coming from Shrek – the songs he sang didn’t always match the persona. However, the character of Donkey completely stole the show. Donkey is played by Alan Mingo, Jr., who played Tom Collins in Broadway’s Rent. His mannerisms, movements and delivery added up to comic perfection, and he lit up every scene he was in.

The songs were overall quite catchy and some of the lyrics had me really laughing – like the Big Bad Wolf, wearing a granny nightgown, singing about how they “tore my cotton granny dress, and called me a hot tranny mess.” At the end of the show, there's a number where the fairy tale characters celebrate their freakiness in a number called "Freak Flag," singing "Let your freak flag fly" and culminating with Pinocchio declaring "I'm wood, I'm good, get used to it!" Some of these lyrics definitely went over the heads of the kids in the audience, but that’s what made it so much fun for adults.

Overall, it’s one of those enjoyable performances that will please all members of your family. It’s recommended for ages 5 and up, which I think seems about right. It’s playing at the Cadillac Palace Theatre now through September 5, and you can learn more on the official web site at http://www.shrekthemusical.com

Justin Roberts New CD Jungle Gym

2010-07-20T12:51:00.008-05:00

We're big Justin Roberts fans in our household, and I'm excited to be giving away copies of his new CD, Jungle Gym, as part of our current prize giveaway on ChicagoKids.com.

First, I'll say that my 2 year old daughter Mia is a huge music fan, and listens to anything ranging from kids music to adult music like Rodrigo y Gabriela, Killers, Madonna, New Pornographers, KT Tunstall.. and even some oldies I've dredged up from my past like Newcleus (remember Jam On It?) and other likely embarrasing favorites. I've made an effort to introduce her to all sorts of music, so that I'm not stuck listening to stereotypical kid music all the time.

The music on Jungle Gym appeals to both kids and adults, with the indie feel that Roberts is known for and that adults can enjoy. It's got strong beats that Mia can put many of her different dance moves to. While Mia's too young to appreciate the lyrics of the songs on this CD, I certainly did. It brought up seemingly mundane yet vivid feelings and memories from my own childhood, while also giving me a glimpse into Mia's future. These songs are about the seemingly uneventful things that will some day create lasting memories for Mia, like trick or treating, having a sleepover, getting a haircut, and even getting lost at the mall. I envision Mia relating to these lyrics when she's old enough, and I am sure that older kids will be able to totally identify with these scenarios.

This is the kind of music that we can play all day and not get tired of hearing, and it makes the whole family happy. If you'd like a copy, you can enter to win one at www.chicagokids.com through July 31, or buy it directly from Justin Robert's web site at www.justinroberts.org.

Folk and Roots Festival and Benfest

2010-07-09T22:43:00.004-05:00

Another weekend, another street festival... but this weekend is going to be REALLY great! First, the Kids Tent at Old Town School's Folk & Roots Festival is packed with great kids music and activities. The fun takes place at Welles Park, at Lincoln & Montrose in Chicago. Entertainment includes Wiggleworms in English and Spanish, Kids Rhythm Circle, West African drumming, Hip Hop and Zumba for Kids and much more. Here's the stage lineup:

Saturday, July 11th 2009
12:00p | Wiggleworms with Little Miss Ann
12:50p | Ecuadorian Folk Dance with Carmen - Nuestra Música
1:40p | Cowpoke Sing-along with Annie
2:30p | Storytime Dances with Jen
3:25p | Laura Doherty
4:35p | Kids Rhythm Circle with Lenny
5:30p | Special Music by Special People

Sunday, July 12th 2009
12:00p | Wiggleworms with Julie
12:50p | Hip Hop Kidz with Lyn
1:45p | Remember the '80s? with The Swing Sets
2:45p | West African Drumming with Rick Neuhaus
3:40p | Erin Flynn Band

I'll for sure be rousing Mia from her afternoon nap on Saturday so we can see Laura Doherty - she's been a fan since she was 9 months old!

The other festival loaded with great kids music is Benfest, taking place at 2215 W. Irving Park Rd. I'm a little late to post for Friday, but Saturday's lineup include:

4:00pm - Emily Palmer
4:30pm - Basketball Skills & Games
4:45pm - Mary Macaroni
5:30pm - Hula Hoop Contest
6:00pm - CircEsteem
6:30pm - Pie Eating Contest
6:45pm - Super Stolie & Rockstar Tommy

And both festivals offer plenty of entertainment for adults as well, so there's fun for the entire family. Enjoy!

Cirque Shanghai Dazzles and Amazes!

2010-06-27T22:08:00.008-05:00

My daughter Mia just turned 2 in April, so we're starting to try out more activities that require an actual attention span. And I'm not quite sure she's ready - her attention span currently seems to be about that of a flea's - but we're going to keep trying. Today, I tested her out at Cirque Shanghai, playing at Navy Pier's Skyline Stage.

First, let me say that this is a really great, intimate venue. It's not too large, it's laid out so that you can get a good view of the stage from any angle, and it's covered, which is obviously great in case of rain.

I admit I was quite concerned from the start with keeping Mia interested in the show. When things got started, with performers in beautiful, colorful costumes running down the aisles to the stage and getting right into the show, Mia was elated. The first 10 minutes for her was great - she was laughing out loud, pointing at the stage, and having a seemingly wonderful time. At the 10 minute mark, she said "I want to go home," and that was the end of her attention span (perhaps because there were no elephants at this circus, as my husband had mistakenly promised her earlier in the day.) So my husband took her outside of the stage area where she played with iPhone apps for the remainder of the show, while I stayed behind to watch with my mother-in-law.

The show has changed from a few years ago, losing the hokey narration and gimmicks between acts, which I didn't miss at all. This year, it was just act after act of daring feats, amazing acrobatics, stunning, colorful costumes and displays of superhuman strength. We saw plate spinning, tumbling through hoops, trapeze and rope acrobatics, contortions, human pyramids (and other shapes), and a balancing act that had me holding my breath as a tiny woman climbed nearly 50 feet in the air on top of a stack of chairs - that she was helping to stack.

As far as I could see, Mia was the only kid in the place whose attention span gave out so early. There were plenty of young kids at the show who were completely enthralled, and I'd say that this would be most appropriate for kids at least 3 years old.

Ticket prices are quite affordable, at $14.50 for adults and $12.50 for kids 3-12. Parking is another issue, but it's worthwhile if you can plan to make a day of it.

Taste of Chicago Family Fun Stage

2010-06-22T22:42:00.006-05:00

You've always known that it's a good idea to bring your appetite to Taste of Chicago, but did you know it's just as good of an idea to bring the kids?! In addition to the great food that Taste is known for, the Family Fun Stage is hosting daily entertainment that includes some of Chicago's finest.

Every day, from 11:30am until at least 5pm, the stage is filled with family friendly music, dance shows, comedy and more. Some highlights include Ella Jenkins, the Little Miss Anne Band,
ComedySportz, Mr. Singer & the Sharp Cookies, and Justin Roberts & The Not Ready for Naptime Players.

On Sunday June 27 at 11:30, it's Taste of Talent, where finalists age 4-14 compete for prizes in a judged competition - and yours truly will be one of the judges!

This will make for a lengthy post, but here's the totally awesome Family Fun Stage schedule:

Friday, June 25, 2010
•11:30 am - Dauphin Theatricals
•12:30 pm - The Shushybyes
•2 pm - On Broadway Dancers from Coal City, IL
•3 pm - Michael Jackson “King of Pop” Tribute featuring Rico “Michael Jackson Tribute Artist,” Tiny Temptations, So Crucial Dance Team, fcbc Educational Theatre “Expressions of MJ”, Dance lessons by Chicago Dance Institute, and Dance Party with DJ Yella of WeJam DJ Services
•6:15 pm - The Happiness Club

Saturday, June 26, 2010
•11:30 am - The Shushybyes
•12:45 pm - Ella Jenkins
•1:45 pm - Kidz Clog & Cloggin’ Craze
•2:45 pm - Linda’s Dance Studio – Blast from the Past Dancers (2009 Taste of Talent All-Star)
•3:05 pm - Gospel Motion of Praise
•3:35 pm - Just Us Kids of the All City Elementary Youth Chorus
•4:30 pm - Stomping at the Taste – Step & Drill Team Showcase
Featuring: Alphonsus Academy & Center for the Arts Step Team, South Suburban Drill Team, Calumet Step Team, Mu Sigma Theta Elite Step Team, North Lawndale College Prep Step Team, Alphonsus Academy & Center for the Arts Varsity Cheerleaders, Alpha GEMS, HF Steppers, New Generation Fancy Drill Team, Alpha GENTS, Wheeling High School’s Crucial Step Clique
Hosted by WGCI’s DJ MoonDawg, music by DJ Zo of WeJam DJ Services

Sunday, June 27, 2010
•11:30 am - 15th annual Taste of Talent (finalists ages 4-14 compete for prizes)
•3 pm - The Little Miss Ann Band
•4 pm - M.A.D.D. Rhythms
•5 pm - The Ankle Todd Show! Chicago’s Newest Show for Kids of All Ages
•6 pm - Jeanie B. and The Jelly Beans

Monday, June 28, 2010
•11:30 am - Misericordia Heartbreakers & Heartzingers
•12:20 pm - It’s Hip Hop, Baby!
•12:40 pm - Special Music by Special People
•1:30 pm - It’s Hip Hop, Baby!
•2 pm - Dave Rudolf’s Beach Party
•2:55 pm - It’s Hip Hop, Baby!
•3:30 pm - Breakdance Chicago
•3:50 pm - Fun with Wontons ~ Cooking demo with After School Matters Chef Gloria D. Hafer
•4:30 pm - Radio Disney AM 1300 Road Crew (games, music, prizes)
•5:40 pm - It’s Hip Hop, Baby! www.itshiphopbaby.com
•6:10 pm - ZC Flawless Drumline (2009 Taste of Talent All-Star)
•6:35 pm - Faith Bardney (2008 Taste of Talent All-Star)

Tuesday, June 29, 2010 - International Day presented by Jamaica Tourist Board
•11:30 am - Samba 1 Dance Group
•12 pm - Jamaican One Man Band
•1 pm - Cirque Shanghai: Cloud 9
•1:30 pm - McNulty School of Irish Dance
•2 pm - Indonesian Performing Arts Chicago
•2:30 pm - Japanese Culture Center
•3 pm - Halau ‘O Manulani
•3:25 pm - Las Guitarras De Espana (The Guitars Of Spain)
•4 pm - Everyone Loves a Story! Interactive presentation of Oba-Tales for the entire family
•4:30 pm - Dahnyeekah African Dance Troupe
•5 pm - Urban Flamenco Arts Project
•5:30 pm - Building Bridges – African Folk Tales with Drum…A wonderful celebration of human spirit and the family of mankind
•6 pm - Jamaican One Man Band

Wednesday, June 30, 2010 - Little Rockers Day presented by 93XRT
•11:30 am - XRT Show
•12:30 pm - The School of Rock
•1:30 pm - Rock For Kids
•2:30 pm - XRT Show
•3:30 pm - Old Town School of Folk Music presents Young Stracke All-Stars & Friends
•4:30 pm - Old Town School of Folk Music presents The Dreamtree Shakers Quartet
•5:30 pm - 2nd Thought

Thursday, July 1, 2010 - Healthy Kids Day presented by United Healthcare
•11:30 am - Stretch-n-Grow, Fabulously Fun Fitness for Kids!
•12:20 pm - Family Bootcamp with Dewayne Montgomery, Kobra Fitness (cardiovascular, calisthetics & core exercises for all fitness levels)
•1:10 pm - Hip-Hop Yoga with Mindful Practices
•2:15 pm - You Are What You Eat! Join Greg Christian, Chicago’s Conscious Caterer, to learn about identifying and cooking with local and organic foods!
•3 pm - Healthy Kids Challenge: Ready, Set, Cook, Eat (cook-off)
•4 pm - Miss Lori and The CAMPUS Kids – Awesome Health Tour
•5 pm - ComedySportz
•5:45 pm - PKay’s Health & Fitness Hoop Aerobics (hula hoop fitness)

Friday, July 2, 2010
•11:30 am - Mr. Singer & the Sharp Cookies
•12:45 pm - CircEsteem, The Chicago Youth Circus
•1:30 pm - Recess Monkey
•2:45 pm - ComedySportz
•4 pm - 3rd annual Battle of the Bands (finalists ages 13-19 compete for prizes)

Saturday, July 3, 2010
•11:30 am - Recess Monkey
•12:30 pm - Six Flags Great America presents the Mr. Six Dance Party – Dust off your dancing shoes and get ready to boogie!
•1:30 pm - Super Stolie and The Rockstars
•2:30 pm - Six Flags Great America presents the Mr. Six Dance Party – Dust off your dancing shoes and get ready to boogie!
•3:15 pm - Radio Disney AM 1300 Road Crew (games, music, prizes)
•4:30 pm - ComedySportz

Sunday, July 4, 2010
•11:30 am - Justin Roberts & The Not Ready for Naptime Players
•12:30 pm - Max Lulich (2009 Taste of Talent All-Star)
•12:55 pm - Chi-Town Cheerleaders (2002 Taste of Talent All-Star)
•1:20 pm - Amy Lowe Trio
•2:20 pm - Justin Roberts & The Not Ready for Naptime Players
•3:20 pm - Chi-Town Cheerleaders (2002 Taste of Talent All-Star)
•3:30 pm - ComedySportz
•4:15 pm - Jesse White Tumbling Team

Chicago Father's Day Ideas for the Family

2010-06-17T09:59:00.004-05:00

Happy Father's Day, Dads! There are lots of ways that kids can help celebrate dad's special day here in Chicago.

Wagner Farms Father's Day Dairy Breakfast: On Saturday, Wagner Farms hosts a Father's Day Dairy Breakfast & Farm Day. Your family can feast on a delicious farm style breakfast, complete with fresh dairy items and farm tours, demonstrations, hay rides and hands-on farm activities.

Father's Day at Arlington Park: Take the family out to the park this Sunday for a day full of fun features a petting zoo, pony rides, and arts and crafts.

Father's Day Barbecue: Give dad a break from doing the barbecue work and let him be treated instead. On Sunday at Brookfield Zoo your family can chow down on an all-you-can-eat barbecue held at noon in The Pavilions, and then you can walk around the zoo grounds. Registration required.

Dad & Me at Iron Oaks: If you want to spend time with dad enjoying the outdoors, this could be the event for you. Start on Sunday at the Iron Oaks Vollmer Road Lot and enjoy a nature hike, climb the tower, and do a craft together. Registration required.

Father’s Day Brunch at Lamb's Farm: If dad loves to eat, here's where you can take him for a hearty buffet on Sunday featuring country favorites made from scratch. Feast on our country fried chicken and breakfast favorites including french toast and omelets-to-order. Delicious homemade desserts round out the meal. Reservations required.

Father's Day Pig Gig at Heritage Prairie Farm: This farm hosts a Father's Day Pig Gig on Sunday from 1-4pm. There will be lawn games for the whole family including horseshoes, bags, kickball and croquet. You'll also enjoy live music, local beer and wine, BBQ, farm animals and more! Call for tickets.

You can find more Father's Day event by searching our calendar at
www.chicagokids.com/calendar/. Have fun, dads!

Printers Row Lit Fest

2010-06-10T11:46:00.007-05:00

The Printers Row Lit Fest (or as I still call it, Printers Row Book Fair) is taking place this Saturday and Sunday in Printers Row, around Dearborn Street from Congress to Polk. This event is the largest free outdoor literary event in the Midwest.

This may sound like an event for adults, but the family entertainment is reason enough to bring the whole family on down for this one. The family fun at Lil' Lit Park is presented by Navy Pier, and includes music performances, kids theater shows, and appearances by some of Navy Pier's favorite characters. The fun kicks of on Saturday with a performance by local kiddie rock legend Justin Roberts. He's playing a 45 minute set with the Not Ready for Naptime Players starting at 10:15, and a few more concerts during the course of the festival.

The entertainment lineup:

Sunday, June 13

10:15 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players perform

11 a.m.to 11:15 a.m.
Patch& Pickle Show: Extreme Pirate Make-Over

11:15 a.m. - 11:45 p.m.
Carolyn Crimi, author of "Henry and the Crazed Chicken Pirates"

11:45 a.m. to Noon
Patch Pickle Show: MasterPatch Theatre

Noon to 12:45 p.m.
Susan Meddaugh author of "Martha Speaks"

1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Peter Yarrow performs "Songs For Little Folks"

2 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.
Patch & Pickle Show: Extreme Pirate Make-Over

2:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Pam Allyn, author of "What to Read When" will read from various children's books

2:45 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Patch & Pickle Show: MasterPatch Theatre

3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players perform

3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
World Kids Show

Sunday, June 13

10:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Patch & Pickle Show: Extreme Pirate Make-Over

10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
World Kids

11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players perform

12:30 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.
The Radio Disney AM 1300 Road Crew

1:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Patch & Pickle Show: MasterPatch Theatre

1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.
The Dot & Susan Show

2:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
Tom Lichtenheld, author of "Shark vs. Train"

2:45 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Patch & Pickle Show: Extreme Pirate Make-Over

3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players perform

3:45 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.
W. Nikola-Lisa author of "How We Are Smart"

The Little g Band at Do Division Festival

2010-06-04T11:53:00.006-05:00

This weekend is one of my favorite kid-friendly festivals - Do Division Family Fun Festival, on Hoyne in the block north of Division Street. The festivities go from noon to 6pm, and the family entertainment includes arts and crafts, cookie decorating, entertainment, a petting zoo on Saturday and ponies on Sunday. I'm bummed that I'll be missing the event this year (although not too bummed, as I'll be checking into a downtown hotel for a girls weekend with some college friends!)

If you make it to the festival, make sure you check out some of the youngest little rock n' rollers you're ever going to see, with the Little g Band. Brother and sister duo Emi and Louis Garnier, ages 5 and 7, along with mom and dad, will be belting out rock hits from groups like the Beatles, Bob Marley, U2 and more.

For these kids, learning and playing music with mom and dad is a their 2-hour per day after-school activity. And they're the stars - Mom and Dad are just back-up.

You can get a sample of their talent here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC6R1-uQZRs

A $5 donation at the door for the Do Division festival will help support local public schools including Pritzker and LaSalle II.

Learn more at www.do-division.com.

Get ready to Boogie Down

2010-06-01T10:38:00.002-05:00

There's a big party taking place this weekend for your entire family, brought to you by one of my own favorite local resources, NPN (New Parent Network.)

It's NPN's Annual Wake Up & Boogie Down Family Festival Fundraiser, taking place this Saturday June 5 at the Cubby Bear, 1059 W. Addison St.

The event features:

- Live musical performances by the Happiness Club, Bubbles Academy, and Miss Shana
- Face painting, balloon twisting and family friendly activities
- Healthy and fun snacks for parents and kids
- Exciting instant win raffle prizes
- Dancing, giveaways, and fun for the whole family

You can find more details on NPN's web site at http://www.npnparents.org

If you don't already know about NPN, you should check them out. I'm a member and I've been to their great preschool fair, and have used the discussion boards for advice (toddler sleep issues!) and even to help find childcare. The discussion boards are SUPER active, so it's a great place to connect with other local parents and to learn about great community resources.

The party this weekend runs from 9:30am - 12:30pm, and tickets are $20 adults, $10 kids; or $50 for a family of four. Under one year is free.

Kids Day America and Mayfest

2010-05-20T10:02:00.006-05:00

The summer street fests are underway, and this weekend's Mayfest in Chicago's Lakeview area is starting off by featuring "Kids Day America" that your whole family can enjoy. From 10am - 1pm, before the regular Mayfest activities begin, you can bring the kids out for a fair that will be fun and will also educate and teach kids about health and safety.

Your family can enjoy free food, fun, face painting, balloons and prizes, and you can also take part in free health screenings and safety demonstrations. There's also a "Kids Day America Healthy Habit Contest" that your kids can enter.

After the family fest, your whole family can enjoy the rest of Mayfest with great food and live music going on all day.

On Sunday morning at Mayfest, it's the Mayfest Pet Parade. I checked this out last year, and it was was fun celebration with dogs everywhere! Pet owners and their pets took turns on the big stage, vying for titles such as "Best Looking," "Largest," "Owner Look-a-Like" and more. There's even a "Pet Trick" feature that your kids will love!

The festivities take place around the intersection of Ashland (1600W) and Barry (3100N).

Japanese Garden Children's Festival

2010-05-14T11:37:00.005-05:00

This weekend, the Chicago Botanic Garden presents Japanese Garden Children's Festival, a unique festival that lets kids learn about children's celebrations in Japan. Activities run from 10am - 3pm each day, and families can listen to koto harp and shakuhachi flute music, enjoy traditional folktales, observe a karate demonstration, watch a tea ceremony and make special projects at hands-on stations.

The schedule:

10 a.m. – 3 p.m. — Family Activities
10:30 a.m. — Tea Ceremony Demonstration by Dr. Seiko Nakashima and Students of the Urasenke School
11:30 a.m. — Shakuhachi Flute Performance by Michael Chikuzen Gould
12:30 p.m. — Karate Demonstration by Karate Can Do Dojo
1:30 p.m. — Storytelling by Anne Shimojima
2:30 p.m. — Koto Harp Performance by the Chicago Koto Group

The Chicago Botanic Garden is a great place to introduce kids to the wonderful world if plants. My daughter Mia had her first experience there just a couple of weeks ago, and she had a great time checking out all the colorful flowers (she just turned 2) They offer lots of programs and events for kids (and adults!) of all ages.

Here's Mia enjoying the tulips:

Find more information online at http://www.chicagobotanic.org.

Hands on History - Civil War Days

2010-05-13T14:18:00.006-05:00

While it's one thing for kids to read about history, it's another for them to enjoy a completely immersive experience where they can feel like they're living it. This weekend is Naper Settlement's annual Civil War Days, where visitors can watch more than 300 Civil War re-enactors act out a day from the past.

You'll get to see troops camping on site, and at 2:30pm a bugle will sound to wake them up and summon them to battle. Complete with rifles, cannons and even surgeons attending to the injured, it's an interactive history lesson that kids can't get in school.

The weekend fun also offers food, and shopping for Civil-War era reproduction products and books and merchandise.

The event runs from 10am - 4pm this Saturday and Sunday, and is $12 adults, $11 seniors and $8 for kids 4-17. Visit the web site for a full schedule of events, www.napersettlement.org

New! Great Bear Wilderness at Brookfield Zoo

2010-05-05T15:07:00.004-05:00

I have a real soft spot for Brookfield Zoo, as my very first full-time job was in the zoo's marketing department back in the early 90's. So I'm really excited to hear about a new exhibit opening up that will be the largest exhibit the zoo has ever had - Great Bear Wilderness!

The new exhibit opens to the public this weekend on May 8, and will offer visitors a "National Park-like experience," with exhibit space designed to replicate prairie, temperate forest and tundra landscapes. This naturalistic 7.5-acre habitat will feature iconic North American animals — polar bears, grizzly bears, Mexican gray wolves, bald eagles, bison, and a raven — and will teach guests about the animals’ past, present and future, their deep cultural significance, and the survival challenges they face.

There's a special opening day celebration being held this Saturday from 10am - 3:30pm, starting with a Native American blessing from members of the American Indian Center of Chicago. Then at 11am with be the grand entry with a procession of Native dancers in full regalia, followed by intertribal dancing.

Other special activities on opening day include:
11:35 to 11:50 a.m. - Native American flute music
Noon - 12:25 p.m. - Native American dancing and presentations
12:30 to 12:50 p.m. - Storytelling about bear families
1:00 to 1:25 p.m. - - Native American dancing and presentations
1:30 to 1:50 p.m. - Native American flute music
2:00 to 2:25 p.m. - - Native American dancing and presentations
2:30 to 2:50 p.m. - Storytelling about bear families

And all through the celebration, visitors can enjoy special appearances by polar bear, grizzly bear, Mexican gray wolf, bald eagle, and bison costume characters.

Find out more on Brookfield Zoo's web site at: http://www.brookfieldzoo.org

Stages, Sights & Sounds - Chicago Humanities Festival

2010-04-30T13:17:00.005-05:00

It's that time of year again - the Chicago Humanities Festival is underway, and presents its eleventh annual spring festival, Stages, Sights &
Sounds, which runs from April 29 to May 16, 2010. The festival brings families some of the best performances from around the world, including theater, music, dance, puppetry and visual arts performances that the whole family can enjoy.

Some highlights that I provided in yesterday's ChicagoKids.com newsletter include:

France’s Vélo Théâtre performs There’s a Rabbit in the Moon
An enchanting nocturnal tale filled with curious things, fragments of dreams, and fantastic characters. The program makes extensive use of found objects and is intended for a small audience of 70 at each performance. For children ages 4 and up.
Seattle’s Lelavision
An instrument maker and a dancer, husband-and-wife team Ela Lamblin and Leah Mann create breathtaking performances that combine art, music, and dance. Physical Music combines their best material with new works developed in partnership with scientists from Emory University. Recommended for all ages.
Israel’s Galilee Multicultural Theatre's Sofia’s Drawings
This performance weaves together actors,puppets, and video to tell the story of Sofia’s life, her hopes, and fears during her time in hiding from the Nazis during World War II. Sofia’s Drawings recently received top honors for best play and music at the International Theatre Festival in Haifa. For children ages 8 and up.

The CHF web site has details on all of the performances, and there are MANY! There's something for everyone, so take a look at the offerings and go enjoy!

chicagohumanities.org

Fantasy Kingdom Birthday Party

2010-04-26T11:25:00.007-05:00

I can't believe Mia turned 2 last week! I wasn't sure what to do about a party for her - she has a handful of friends that I've met through a meetup play group we're in, and she's really the first to have a birthday in the group. So I didn't really have much firsthand knowledge about how to throw a great party for a 2 year old! More than anything, I just wanted Mia and her friends to have fun.

I've been taking Mia to Fantasy Kingdom for open play, which she loves, so we decided to do a birthday "playdate" there instead of an official "birthday party." (The only difference I think is that I just invited guests to a playdate and said that we didn't need gifts, just a fun time for Mia!)

We did a semi-private party, which meant that we had the party area for ourselves but the play area would be shared with other customers. It was a nice day outside, so there was only one other little boy who showed up. We essentially had the place to ourselves.

Fantasy Kingdom took GREAT care of us. We arrived just a bit early with our birthday cake and goodies, and I didn't have to worry about a thing. Fantasy Kingdom provided a staffer that helped us through the whole day, from setting up all of our food and goodies on the tables, to wrapping everything up for us at the end of the party. I didn't need to worry about a thing, I just had fun celebrating Mia's birthday.

And the kids had a blast.

FantasyKingdom.org

Chicago bars as Kids Concert venues

2010-04-12T14:24:00.009-05:00

I'm always looking for fun live music for Mia since she's definitely a not-so-closeted rocker chick, and this past weekend we took her to a concert at Schuba's Tavern. We saw The Verve Pipe - you most likely know one of their big hits, The Freshman - and now they have a kids album, "A Family Album." You can take a listen and see lyrics on their web site, at thevervepipe.com/family/

This was our second kids' show at Schuba's, and we like it as a kids concert venue because I think it makes the kids really feel like they're at a rock show. Adults too. Plus you can order a Bloody Mary (well, I didn't... but it is possible!) Seating is in short supply, so most families end up sitting on the floor. Don't wear your best clothes. We loved the music - definitely not too "kiddie" sounding, which is what I like. And while Mia loves many of her kids' albums, she's also a fan of latin music, heavy rock, rap and really anything with a strong dance beat. So this was really great, and the band interacted nicely with the kids. You can find more info on the album and listen to clips and read lyrics here: http://www.thevervepipe.com/family/

Tickets for this show were $10 for adults, which is not too bad for a kids show and certainly not so high for a pretty high profile act like this.

Schuba's has some other family shows coming up, and this seems to be the trend lately. On May 22 and 23, it's "School of Rock: The Best of Hendrix" featuring students from the School of Rock Music. On Sunday June 27, it's Human-Tim + Robot-Tim.

Other venues that have been promoting kids shows are Subterranean and Beat Kitchen. These are classic Chicago live music venues, taking advantage of their space and the huge population of kids in Chicago to provide concerts during typically "off" hours.

Some upcoming Subterranean shows include Jeanie B! and the Jelly Beans this Saturday at 3pm, and Shana Sings on May 1. Upcoming shows at Beat Kitchen include Laura Doherty at noon this Sunday and Human-Tim + Robot-Tim on April 25.

Check the web sites for full schedules and more information:

Schuba's
Beat Kitchen
Subterranean

Chicago kid product inventors

2010-03-29T13:55:00.008-05:00

I was so excited today to take part in a segment on ABC 7 news today about Local Inventors. I was invited to participate to talk about my Peek-a-Belly onesies, and I ended up having a great time meeting the other inventors and learning about their products.

Some of the other inventors had invented kids products, and I want to share these great ideas. You can also watch the video clips online for the next day or so on the ABC 7 site, then it will move to YouTube. There is a Part I and Part II (Peek-a-Belly is in Part 2)
Part I: http://abclocal.go.com/wls/video?id=7356261&pid=7356092
Part II: http://abclocal.go.com/wls/video?id=7356334&syndicate=syndicate§ion=

Drinkmarx
Ever have kids over to play and lose track of whose cup is whose? Or not be sure which water bottle was yours? Drinkmarx makes it fun and easy for kids and anyone else to keep tabs on their cups and bottles, with a flexible drink mark that attaches easily to almost any drink container. Users can customize and keep track of their markers with fun stickers that come with each the set of 4. Christine Holland of Downers Grove is the inventor behind this fun and very useful product.
Available at http://www.drinkmarx.com/

Fairytale Wishes
Is your child afraid of the dark? Homesick at camp? These natural aromatherapy sprays help kids overcome fears with four creative options: lavendar scented Sweet Dreams, Bubblegum Monster Repellent, Super Hero (for courage) and grape-scented Happy Camper. Debbie Glickman of Highland Park, the inventor behind the sprays, was inspired by her own two children as a way to help them overcome their bedtime fears.
Available at http://www.fairytalewishesinc.com/

Kidz Calendar
This fun, supercute 12-month calendar makes it easy for families to keep track of the many classes, activities, trips, lessons and other family scheduling events that can often overwhelm moms. 700 stickers let kids have fun decorating the calendar with their many plans and appointments. Inventor Catherine Gouwens of Lemont came up with the idea while facing the challenges of keeping up with her own family schedules.
Available at http://www.kidzcalendars.com/

And then there's Peek-a-Belly, my invention - the first and only onesie with Belly Access! Available for purchase at http://www.peek-a-belly.com/