Chicago

The Children’s Garden at the Morton Arboretum has a musical springtime adventure! Photo courtesy of the Arboreum

Best Things To Do in Chicago in April with Kids: Earth Day, Fishing, Spring Nature Walks

We've got loads of ideas for spring break, Easter, and Earth Day.

Visit the 2021 virtual summer camp fair to find new camps!

Virtual Camp Fair 2021 Is Coming! Sign Up for Free, Live Camp Demos

Learn about in-person and virtual summer camps –– from the comfort of your home.

Meet some furry new friends at these kid-friendly farms. Photo by the author

Cream of the Crop: 10 Best Farms for Family Fun and Entertainment in Chicago

Pick flowers, cuddle baby animals, and hop on a ride at these family farms.

There are both woodland and paved trails at the Morton Arboretum. Photo by Maureen Wilkey

Best Places to Hike Near Chicago with Kids

Soak up nature in these forest preserves and parks near the Windy City.

Take your little one for a splash in the Crown Fountain. Photo by Sandor Weisz

20 Things To Do with Chicago Babies Before They Turn One

Start your urban parenting journey with these fun outings.

Igloos, Carhops, and Greenhouses: Fun Chicago Outdoor Restaurants for Winter Family Dining

Eating in one of these cool (but warm!) spaces is a special treat.

Chicago Summer Camp Guide

Find a summer camp for every age and interest around Chicagoland!

GUIDE

Can you trust your eyes at the Museum of Illusions? Photo by Jody Mercier

What's Open in Chicago for Kids Right Now

It's the completely comprehensive list you've been waiting for.

Be sure to bundle up in the chillier months, but it's always beautiful.

Exploring the Shore Path of Lake Geneva: A Great Way to Beat Cabin Fever

Get the inside scoop on a day trip that's wonderful any time of year.

Timber Ridge Lodge and Water Park offers day passes to its water park for a spring break daycation! Photo courtesy of Timber Ridge Lodge

40 Things To Do with Chicago Kids Over Spring Break

No plans yet for Spring Break? No problem.

One, two, three, jump! The Peninsula—Gold Coast, Chicago

Best Indoor Swimming Pools in Chicago for Families

For a warm daycation or staycation, look no further.

Keep babies occupied with highchair activities at their own baby activity center.

Turn a Highchair into a Baby Activity Center with These Ideas

These no cost, no mess activities give parents a little break.

Play inside again at places like Present Place. Photo courtesy of Present Place

Chicago’s Best Indoor Play Spaces

When the weather's at its worst, these indoor play spaces are a wish come true.

It's party time at Purple Monkey Playroom.

The Best Indoor Birthday Party Spots for Chicago Kids—Now Open

Play gyms, ninja training, and more: Chicago's birthday party options are hard to top.

Where kids can take a closer look and learn how things work. Photo courtesy of Camp Invention

10 Can't-Miss In-Person and Virtual STEM Summer Camps for Chicago Kids

From battle bots to 3D printing to Harry Potter science.

Walk the bridges at Go Ape USA. Photo courtesy the park

10 Zip Lines and Aerial Adventure Parks Near Chicago

Fly through the air or walk across a suspension bridge at these parks.

Best Playgrounds in Chicago: Destination Play Zones Worth the Trip

In a city of great playgrounds, these are the swings, climbers, and slides worth the trip.

Sunburst has 45 tubing chutes open this winter, so there's room for everyone.

Best Snow Tubing Destinations for Families Near Chicago

Hit these slopes near Chicago for family-friendly snow tubing.

At-Home Guide for Families: 100s of Activities for Kids

Indoor activities, games, and online fun to keep kids busy during the pandemic.

GUIDE

Chicago Schools Set Reopening Dates: Chicago Public School Calendar for 2020-21

As Chicago schools reopen, you'll want to bookmark this 2020-21 school calendar.

Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander

64 Easy Science Experiments for Kids to Do at Home

Execute mind-blowing science experiments with stuff you have around the house.

Easy Recipes for Kids

Simple but delicious recipes for families.

GUIDE

30 Days of Indoor Activities for Kids

Games, baking projects, and crafts galore will entertain all ages.

Party hats and pretty punch make virtual birthday celebrations special.

Virtual and Social Distancing Birthday Party Ideas for Kids

Birthday? How about a drive-by parade, a Zoom party, or a Broadway show from home?

The Colors of Us can help kids talk about race and see differences as strengths.

21 Kids' Books About Racism, By Age

Books can help parents and kids wade through a difficult time and complex issue.

Fight the restlessness of quarantine, join in for LIVE ONLINE YogiKids classes held every day, twice a day!!! Photo courtesy of Yogi Nation

Find Free and Affordable Online Classes, Parties, and Camps on Poppins@Home

Explore tons of virtual free and low-cost fun with our new platform.

Coding Programs for Kids: Free and Cheap Websites That Teach Kids Programming

These programs teach kids how to code, build websites, apps, and more.

Virtual and Online Guide for Family Fun

Find fun online classes, entertainment, and more virtual things to do.

GUIDE

Make the day special by letting your kid call the shots!

30+ Free Ways to Celebrate Your Kid's Birthday at Home

Make your kid's birthday special with these creative, no-cost ideas.

50 Best Kids' Movies for Family Movie Night

These classic family movies include wild adventures, sci-fi, and coming-of-age tales.

65 Life Skills to Teach Kids at Every Age

It's not a bad time to go back to basics, especially when we have the kids' full attention.

Kids can while away hours of a day with a set of watercolors and a stack of new paper for painting.

Crafts for Kids: 100 Awesome Art Projects for Creative At-Home Fun

Bookmark this blockbuster list of arts and crafts and never run out of ideas for creative play.

Boredom Busters for Kids

Crafts, recipes, games, projects, and experiments to spark kids' imaginations!

GUIDE

Watch as the egg slides into the bottle!

How to Get an Egg into a Bottle: A Science Experiment with a Bit of Magic

Kids play both scientist and magician in this experiment.

Homeschool & Online Learning Resources for Families

We'll help you navigate a complex school year with these tools and resources.

GUIDE

Get ready to enjoy some mini golf near Chicago this summer! Photo courtesy of Maggie Daley Park/Facebook

15 Mini Golf Courses Near Chicago for Kid-Friendly Putt-Putt

There's no shortage of mini golf near Chicago—and it might just be one of the better summer...

Enjoy the sights of Chicago on a Shoreline Sightseeing Cruise.

Best Boat Rides for Chicago Area Families

Choose a speedy ride, sailboat, or relaxing river cruise with these Chicago boat tours.

10 Activities To Do with Grandparents on Zoom

Games and activities make virtual hangouts more fun and meaningful for all.

25 STEM Activities Easy Enough for Preschoolers

DIY projects for your smallest tinkerers, explorers, and scientists.

Create a colorful, texturized world with a DIY sensory bin. Photo by Emma Graig

10 Sensory Bin Ideas for Busy Toddlers

Turn a cheap container bin into a magical indoor play item.

22 Online Tutoring Services for Homework Help and Remote Learning

Find an online tutor in any subject with these services–some are available 24/7!

Kids as young as age 10 can help load and unload the dishwasher.

Chore Charts for Kids: Age-by-Age Lists and Free Printables

There's no better time to enlist your kids help with housework. Here are age-appropriate tasks.

Making time for reading each day is a low-key goal that works for all ages. Photo by Josh Applegate/Unsplash

The Realistic Guide to Homeschooling for Busy Parents

No one expects you to run a full school. Here are some realistic tips instead.

Online Birthing, Lamaze, and Parenting Classes for Parents-To-Be

Can't make it to an in-person childbirth class? There are online options!

Watch your sketch appear in this invisible ink science experiment!

Science Experiments for Kids: How to Make Invisible Ink

Write secret messages with this simple invisible ink recipe.

VIDEO

These free online classes and educational resources are perfect for homeschooling and remote learning..

30+ (Mostly FREE) Online Learning Resources, Apps, and Games for Kids

Supplement distance learning with these online lessons, apps, and more.

Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the country. Photo courtesy of NPS

Rocky Mountain National Park: Guide for Visiting with Kids

Expect plenty of wildlife sightings and family hikes on this trip!

Even if it's cloudy and raining outside, you can create sunshine and rainbows inside.

50 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day

Try one of these boredom-busting activities to turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.

Hand them a pail and a spoon, er, shovel, and let kids dig in the dirt.

Outdoor Fun with Kids: 30 Ways to Get Messy in the Backyard

Build a ladybug house, splatter paint, or just dig in the dirt!

13 Simple Crafts for Toddlers and Preschoolers to Do at Home

Create popsicle stick monsters, tinfoil Easter eggs, and more easy crafts with tots.

10 Outdoor Games from the '70s that It’s Time To Teach Your Kids

When folks say, “We just went outside and played,” can anyone remember what we played?

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Latest Articles

Free and Affordable Summer Camps for Chicago Kids

Bonnie Broeren , Apr 11 - No need to break the bank this summer.READ MORE

15 Cake, Cupcake, & Cookie Delivery Services To Treat Your Kids and Family

Lisa Mancuso , Apr 11 - When you can't be there in person, send something sweet.READ MORE

Cream of the Crop: 10 Best Farms for Family Fun and Entertainment in Chicago

Lauren LaRoche, Apr 9 - Pick flowers, cuddle baby animals, and hop on a ride at these family farms.READ MORE

Top PBS Kids Shows That Never Get Old

Marisa Iallonardo, Apr 8 - Rediscover forgotten classics and new favorites.READ MORE

Virtual Camp Fair 2021 Is Coming! Sign Up for Free, Live Camp Demos

Anna Fader, Apr 6 - Learn about in-person and virtual summer camps –– from the comfort of your home. READ MORE

20 Things To Do with Chicago Babies Before They Turn One

Lauren LaRoche, Apr 2 - Start your urban parenting journey with these fun outings.READ MORE

40 Things To Do with Chicago Kids Over Spring Break

No plans yet for Spring Break? No problem.

Best Places to Hike Near Chicago with Kids

Soak up nature in these forest preserves and parks near the Windy City.

10 Zip Lines and Aerial Adventure Parks Near Chicago

Fly through the air or walk across a suspension bridge at these parks.

Best Indoor Swimming Pools in Chicago for Families

For a warm daycation or staycation, look no further.

Exploring the Shore Path of Lake Geneva: A Great Way to Beat Cabin Fever

Get the inside scoop on a day trip that's wonderful any time of year.

Cream of the Crop: 10 Best Farms for Family Fun and Entertainment in Chicago

Pick flowers, cuddle baby animals, and hop on a ride at these family farms.

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