Chicago

How to Create a Homeschool Pod or School Pod: Top Things to Consider

Pandemic pods are one more option for a fraught school year.

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...

Best Water Playgrounds and Spraygrounds for Chicago Kids

The fun is as wet as it gets at these nearby sprinkler parks.

Best Places to Hike Near Chicago with Kids

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

15 Day Trips Near Chicago for Kids This Summer

Ready for a little exploring? Day trip to a park, fairy garden, or the zoo!

25+ Water Games for Kids To Play All Summer Long

Splish-splash! We've got 25+ fun water games to try with the kids.

Essential School Supplies for Whatever This Year Brings Us

These supplies can help whether returning to the classroom or not.

Top 10 Chicago-Area Outdoor Restaurants for Families

Many family-favorite restaurants are safely opening outdoor seating for summer.

10 Live, In-Person Summer Camps for Chicago Kids in 2020

We've rounded up free and affordable summer camp options throughout Chicagoland.

Free Things To Do Online this Week: Virtual Summer Festivals and Back-to-School

Sort of back to school, or kind of still summer— there are online events for both this week.

Giant List of Top Virtual Summer Camps: STEM, Creative Arts, and More in 2020

Online camps have coding, dance, theater, cooking, sports, and more.

Top National Parks for Summer Vacation with the Kids

A trip to one of our national parks might be the perfect 2020 vacay.

8 Fun Popsicle Recipes to Make with Kids

Make frozen treats inspired by July 4th, cake batter, hot cocoa and more.

Mommy Poppins Online Camp Fair 2020

Families can continue to browse the Mommy Poppins 2020 Camp Fair all summer long for camp...

FEATURED

Here's the Chicago Public School Calendar for 2020-21

The 2020-21 school calendar is here: Bookmark this page for handy reference.

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.

Chicago Summer Camp Guide

Find a summer camp for every age and interest around LA and Orange County!

GUIDE

Birthday Parties in Quarantine: Ways To Celebrate with Kids while Social Distancing

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

10 Activities To Do with Grandparents on Zoom

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

Best Chicago Beaches for Families

Who says you need an ocean to go to the beach?

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.

Where Summer Camps Are Opening and Parents' Safety Checklist

Camp is happening! Here's how to find one that's open and what to ask to keep kids safe.

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.

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.

The Realistic Guide to Homeschooling for Busy Parents

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

The Pepper and Soap Experiment for Kids: Easy Science Activity To Do at Home

Show kids the importance of washing their hands in an easy science experiment.

VIDEO

Best Board Games for All Ages: Two Dozen Picks for Family Game Night

Pandemic playtime is lots of fun with these all-ages pleasing picks.

Science Experiments for Kids: How to Make Invisible Ink

Write secret messages with this simple invisible ink recipe.

VIDEO

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

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

Homeschool during the coronavirus crisis with these online lessons, apps, and more.

50 Best Kids' Movies for Family Movie Night

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

Best Kids' TV Shows and Movies To Stream in Quarantine

Kids deserve a little escapism too!

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.

WeeWork Activities: Indoor Balloon Tennis

Create this fun tennis game with a couple of paper plates and popsicle sticks.

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?

25 STEM Activities Easy Enough for Preschoolers

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

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Latest Articles

Best Boat Rides for Chicago Area Families

Maureen Wilkey , Aug 14 - Choose a speedy ride, sailboat, or relaxing river cruise with these Chicago boat tours.READ MORE

Funny School Memes for All the Back-to-School Feels

Rose Gordon Sala , Aug 13 - Is there anything left to do besides laugh?READ MORE

Free Things To Do Online this Week: Virtual Summer Festivals and Back-to-School

Toby B, Aug 12 - Sort of back to school, or kind of still summer— there are online events for both this week.READ MORE

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

Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner, Aug 10 - Can't make it to an in-person childbirth class? There are online options!READ MORE

How to Create a Homeschool Pod or School Pod: Top Things to Consider

Katie Nave Freeman, Aug 9 - Pandemic pods are one more option for a fraught school year.READ MORE

Essential School Supplies for Whatever This Year Brings Us

Ally Noel, Aug 6 - These supplies can help whether returning to the classroom or not.READ MORE

Best Places to Hike Near Chicago with Kids

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

RV Camping and Campgrounds for Families: A Beginners' Guide to Planning an RV Trip

RV camping is a great way to vacation with social distance, as long as you know the basics.

25+ Water Games for Kids To Play All Summer Long

Splish-splash! We've got 25+ fun water games to try with the kids.

10 Live, In-Person Summer Camps for Chicago Kids in 2020

We've rounded up free and affordable summer camp options throughout Chicagoland.

15 Backyard Science Experiments for Messy Summer Fun

Build a worm tower or bake solar oven s'mores in these fun experiments.

Top 10 Chicago-Area Outdoor Restaurants for Families

Many family-favorite restaurants are safely opening outdoor seating for summer.

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