Kids Science Labs Opens in Lincoln Park

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

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

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

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!

1. 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!
   
   
2. 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.
   
   
3. 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!
   
   
4. 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!
   
   
5. 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

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!

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

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

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

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

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!