Maureen Wilkey

Latest posts by Maureen

Best Things to Do at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry with Kids

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Fri, 02/21/2020 - 10:47pm

When most people think of Chicago museums, they picture the Museum Campus, just south of downtown on the city’s lakefront. Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry in Hyde Park stands alone - but that may be a good thing for parents, as fitting in the whole three-story museum in one day is a challenge.

The last building leftover from the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893, the building was temporarily home to the Field Museum of Natural History until it was rebuilt for the city’s Century of Progress Exposition in 1933-34. Now, it’s filled with more than two dozen exhibits to help learners of all ages get to know more about science, technology, transportation, agriculture, biology and more.

Best Santa Breakfasts, Brunches, Cruises, and More for Chicago Families

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Wed, 11/20/2019 - 11:27am

Brunch with Santa courtesy of Drury Lane

Sure, you can snap a picture with Santa in hundreds of spots around Chicagoland at this time of year. But at a few select locations, kids and adults both naughty and nice can dine, cruise, or even bowl with Santa. From a casual Santa sing-a-long to a decked-out Santa suite at the Swissôtel, here are the best Santa breakfasts, brunches, and experiences for Chicago families this holiday season.

Best Events This April Vacation Week for Kids in NYC

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Sun, 04/01/2018 - 10:30am

Ride the carousel at Prospect Park. Photo by Paul Martinka

Trying to put together a great staycation schedule for your NYC kids for Spring Break? We've rounded up the best of Easter weekend, as well as the top things to do specifically on Easter Day. Now we're collecting the best family events happening this very week, Monday, April 2-Friday, April 6, across New York City.

And good news! This break comes right after Easter with some run-off events on Monday, right in the middle of Macy's Flower Show, and the chance to be outside (forecast: sunny!) toward the end of the week.

So don't dread the break—enjoy it just as much as they do by reading on for more great family-friendly fun. Find even more options in our daily Event Calendar, April GoList, and just released Spring Fun Guide, including day trip ideas and fairs and carnivals.

Get Almost Free Admission to Luna Park on Opening Day

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Wed, 03/14/2018 - 10:05am

It's no secret that all of us here like "FREE." We're always on the lookout for free activities around NYC, play spaces, and even summer camps. But Luna Park's March 24 opening day event at Coney Island, Brooklyn, makes the four-letter word all the better, as almost all proceeds from donations will serve the Girls Scouts' 6000 troop.

Read on to find out what's included in this almost-FREE day and who you'll be helping with your small donation.

SpongeBob the Musical Hammers Home All the Right Messages

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Tue, 03/13/2018 - 3:05pm

SpongeBob SquarePants (the cartoon) might be pretty far down on your list a parent-approved media. But SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical just made it to the top of mine. Talented actors, a solid storyline, and insanely imaginative sets—and a complete lack of hokeyness—made this performance a family Broadway standout. You won't find oversized sponge or starfish costumes, but the talent seamlessly translated the characters (none of whom are human) to the stage and easily transported the audience to a quirky and much-loved Bikini Bottom.

Read our review for a sense of what to expect from this infectious performance, or check out our complete Theater Guide for NYC Kids for many more options.

A Museum of Candy with Edible Walls Is Coming Your Way

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Thu, 02/15/2018 - 2:20pm

Edible candy murals, a candy-adorned unicorn, and a gigantic gummy bear. Sounds like your kid's best Willy Wonka fantasy? It's actually a new museum headed to New York City's Flatiron neighborhood in 2019.

Sugar Factory, known for its over-the-top desserts, smoking drinks, and celebrity guests, will open the Museum of Candy in the former Limelight Club location (the corner of 20th Street and 6th Avenue). The 30,000-square-foot space, complete with a winding staircase, will showcase candy's pivotal moments from the early 1900s to today, along with 15 candy-themed experiential rooms that might just cause cavities upon viewing.

I'm no stranger to candy. I even incorporate it into my career, taking my kids along to check out the new Hershey's Chocolate World, and dutifully "fact-checking" articles like 15 Insane NYC Desserts To Try. (Tough job.) And now, I'm happy to bring you more details on this sweet new NYC museum.

The Snowy Day: An Iconic NYC Story for Little Theatergoers

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Thu, 02/08/2018 - 10:30am

When you have a 4-year-old jumping bean like I do, the idea of taking him or her to a quiet, please-stay-in-your-seat performance is a little intimidating. But it'll never get better unless we practice, so we headed to Midtown—Times Square, to be exact—to try out a performance of the brand-new The Snowy Day and Other Stories by Jack Ezra Keats. With a runtime of 45 minutes, I was hopeful we could make it through this special series of tales from one of NYC's homegrown literary legends.

Read on to find out all about the creative and inventive play/musical hybrid perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, and even elementary-age kids.

Lego Live Is Heading To NYC with a Massive Three-Day Festival

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Thu, 01/04/2018 - 3:05pm

If you've recently been thinking, "Man, I wish I had 65,000 square feet of pure Lego joy," then you're in luck: Lego Live is coming to New York City next month for Presidents Day weekend. Legos fans from all around the city (and outside of it, I'm pretty sure) are expected to flock to this three-day event held in downtown Manhattan. OK, maybe your kiddos are the ones pining for limitless bricks, but if they've already conquered pop-ups, the Lego store, and various Brick Fests, then they'll want to hear more about this inaugeral event.

Learn everything you need to know before you buy your tickets and plot your game plan.