Lauren LaRoche

Lauren LaRoche has been a working writer and journalist for more than 12 years. When she’s not writing, she and her husband are chasing after their dog and three children in Chicago. Her career includes work in marketing, in graphic design, and as a lifestyle and events editor for CBS Chicago. To check out more of her writing, visit her website at ldesignchicago.com.

Latest posts by Lauren

Best Water Parks and Amusement Parks for Toddlers Near Chicago

Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on Sun, 05/08/2022 - 2:28pm

Santa's Village is an amusement park that brings Christmas all summer. Photo courtesy of Santa's Village in Dundee, Illinois

While the big kids are tall enough for roller coasters, drop slides, and water rides, there are also plenty of water parks and amusement parks for toddlers near Chicago. If you have a little thrill seeker, we’ve rounded up the best water parks and amusement parks for toddlers near Chicago. This list below features amusement parks and water parks that are designed with little ones in mind. We've separated them into amusement parks, water parks, and combination theme parks. Happy summering, little ones.

For more amusement park adventures, check out our list for the Best Amusement Parks in the Chicago Area for Families and our favorite Water Playgrounds and Spraygrounds for Chicago Kids.

Taco Tuesday: The Only 5 Taco Recipes You’ll Ever Need

Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on Thu, 04/28/2022 - 10:27am

Taco Tuesday makes meal planning easy and dinner kid-pleasing.

Taco Tuesday makes meal planning and cooking on a busy weeknight fun and easy. It's one night a week that you know for sure what’s for dinner and that your kids will actually eat! Here's my secret: master a basic taco seasoning recipe (the best one ever is below) and anything can turn into tacos. I've also included my favorite recipes for a few more easy taco meals: shrimp tacos, chicken tacos, fish tacos, and classic beef tacos. Consider Tuesday night's dinner planned with these quick, easy, and delicious tacos. You can go from "Mom, I'm hungry" to eating in under 30 minutes.

Find more yummy (and quick) things to make for dinner, like No Cleanup Necessary Sheet Pan Dinners Kids Love or Easy Crockpot Recipes for Family Dinner in our Easy Recipes Guide.

Best Tot Lots and Toddler Playgrounds in Chicago

Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on Fri, 04/22/2022 - 8:33am

Maplewood Park in Bucktown is made entirely for little ones. Photo courtesy of the author

There are many amazing parks and toddler playgrounds in Chicago for kids. If you have a little one, however, a visit to a park with 15-foot slides and climbing walls can be stressful. Watching your toddler try to follow a 10-year old up a rock wall is anything but a walk in the park for parents and caregivers. This is why we’ve rounded up our favorite tot lots and toddler playgrounds in Chicago that are made just for little fun-seekers.

For more playground fun, check out our list for the top destination playgrounds in Chicago that are worth the trip.

Top 10 Best Hotdogs in Chicago to Try with Kids

Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on Sun, 04/17/2022 - 3:38pm

When it comes to hotdogs, the infamous Chicago-dog is a classic. The key to a great Chicago hotdog is arguably the toppings. A true Chicago hotdog comes complete with sport peppers, tomatoes, pickles, celery salt, onions, relish, and mustard on a poppy seed bun. You’ll notice the Chicago dog does not include ketchup. Some famous Chicago hotdog stands don’t even serve ketchup as an option.

If you’re looking for the best Chicago hotdogs in the city, we’ve got you covered. From the North side to the South side, we’ve rounded up the most famous hotdog stands and restaurants in Chicago. Grab the kids and get the hotdog crawl started (with or without ketchup, it's up to you). And for more dining recommendations, check out our Kid-Friendly Chicago Restaurant Guide.

10 Kid-Friendly Hotels in Chicago for a Family Vacation

Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on Sun, 04/10/2022 - 8:00am

Get packing and check out this list of hotels in Chicago for a family vacation.

Whether you’re a local looking for a fun downtown staycation or visiting the city from out of town, we’ve rounded up the best hotels in Chicago for a family vacation. There are literally hundreds of hotels in Chicago, so to narrow it down, we’ve picked hotels with fun amenities, indoor or outdoor pools, kid-friendly rooms, and great locations for family fun. Get packing and check out this list of hotels in Chicago for a family vacation.

For more family-friendly activities and things to see, visit our Chicago Visitor's Guide. If you're looking for great attractions to visit, check out our guide for the Top Tourist Attractions in Chicago for Kids.

Fun Ways for Kids to Celebrate National Siblings Day 2022

Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on Tue, 04/05/2022 - 12:00pm

Siblings are friends for life! Photo by Matthew Nighswander

Siblings can often seem like they're on an emotional roller coaster—best of friends one minute and at each other's throats the next. But no matter how much they may argue and fight, siblings also share a bond like no other. On National Siblings Day 2022, kids can celebrate that bond in some fun and special ways.

Each year, National Siblings Day is celebrated on April 10. National Siblings Day 2022 happens to fall on a weekend (a Sunday), so that means there's even more time to have fun! Though it may not rank up there with Christmas, Hanukkah, Easter, or Halloween, your kiddos will surely enjoy showing each other how much they mean to each other.

Here are 10 fun ways for kids to celebrate National Siblings Day on April 10, 2022.

Top 10 Skate Parks Near Chicago for Kids

Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on Sun, 04/03/2022 - 1:58am

There are lots of options for indoor and outdoor skate parks near Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Schaumburg Park District

As skateboarding becomes popular again, there is more access to beautiful new skate parks near Chicago. Often, these skate parks are free year-round. From the city to the suburbs, we’ve rounded up 10 of the best skate parks near Chicago. Check out our favorite Chicago skate parks to try with your aspiring skaters.

How to Plan a Kids' Birthday Party At Home

Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on Tue, 03/15/2022 - 12:42pm

Plan the perfect at-home kids' birthday party with these ideas and tips. Photo by Kampus Production via Pexels

Planning a kids' birthday party can be as stressful as it is fun. You've got to think about the food, the guest list, the decorations, and so much more. But before you can get to all those details, you have to decide where the party will be. And if you're on a budget—or you just want a more private event—having the birthday party at home can be a great option.

To help you plan the perfect birthday bash, we've rounded up loads of kids' birthday party ideas, from yummy kids' birthday party food and festive decorations to fun party favors and birthday party games for kids. No matter what birthday theme your kiddo is into or how many people you’re inviting, we have ideas for every size party and budget. By following our tips and tricks, your next kids' birthday party is sure to be a stress-free success.

For more kids' birthday party ideas and inspiration, check out our ultimate Birthday Party Ideas Guide. Party on!