Blog

Parenting
Bob Cushman

Is my child too sick to go to school?

Many parents have a hard time deciding if their kids are well enough to go to school. After all, what well-intentioned parent hasn’t sent a child off with tissues in hand, only to get that mid-morning “come get your child” phone call? But making the right decision isn’t as... Read More
Featured
Bob Cushman

Corn Mazes and Fall Festivals

Autumn brings a bounty of activities and attractions throughout the suburbs. But for the adventurous (and those with a good sense of direction), corn mazes offer a special type of fun. At 33 acres of elaborate detail, the granddaddy and self-described world’s largest is the Richardson Adventure Farm &... Read More
CraftsHoliday
Halloween Pumpkin
Bob Cushman

How to Carve a Pumpkin

Think you know the latest tricks for carving a creepy pumpkin? The pros continue to push the barriers. A handful of people become professional pumpkin carvers each fall, specializing in fantastical designs. Among them are Alex Wer, self-styled “Pumpkin Geek,” who lives near Sacramento, Calif.; Scott Cummins, a Perryton,... Read More
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Apple picking girl
Bob Cushman

Find Family Fun Apple Picking

Nothing says fall like fresh midwestern apples picked right off the tree and made into delicious apple pies. Here’s a list of apple orchards within an easy drive from Chicagoland.  All Seasons Orchard Woodstock: 815-338-5637   www.allseasonsorchard.com 14510 IL Route 176. All Seasons offers apple picking, pumpkin, pumpkin patch... Read More
Featured
Bob Cushman

Why we Celebrate Memorial Day

The History of Decoration Day Three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, the head of an organization of Union veterans — the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) — established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war... Read More
Featured
Bob Cushman

Local Indoor Pools this Winter

Oak Brook Park District Family Aquatic Center Oak Brook 630-990-4233 www.obparks.org 1450 Forest Gate Rd. Experience the best in indoor family aquatics all year! Features a waterslide, splash area with water features, adult spa, a 6-lane 25-yard lap pool and more! Pavilion Aquatics Center Elk Grove Village: 847-593-6248 www.elkgroveparks.org... Read More
Featured
Bob Cushman

Family-Friendly Chicago Area Museums

Whether you’re there to see a specific exhibit or just to escape the heat, museums are a great place to go! It’s nearly impossible to visit a museum and not learn something new. We have so many great museums in and around the Chicagoland area–large and small, international and... Read More
Featured
Bob Cushman

Best Sledding Spots in the Suburbs

Here are some of the best sledding spots in the suburbs. Caboose Park, Lake Villa Township, 27908 Fairfield Road • Hill available for sledding and has one of area’s few toboggan chutes • Lighted from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Century Park, Vernon Hills, 1001 Lakeview Parkway • Bears... Read More
FeaturedFun
Bob Cushman

Outdoor Ice Skating

Bluett Park Mount Prospect: 847-391-5744, www.dpparks.org/parks-facilities/ice-skating-and-sledding 1408 Thayer St. Free. Central Park Oak Brook: 630-990-4233, www.obparks.org 1500 Forest Gate Road, Our Community Ice Rink is free and open to the public, weather permitting. Bring your own skates. Centennial Park Naperville: 630-883-4242, napervilleparks.org 500 W. Jackson Ave., Skating is free,... Read More
Holiday
Christmas Tree Farm dollar photo
Bob Cushman

6 Best Places to Cut-Your-Own Christmas Tree

Why cut your own tree? It’s a good way to experience the countryside and support a local family farm. The trees are recyclable and sustainable, rather than made from oil-based petroleum products. The smell of fresh pine instantly creates a holiday atmosphere in your home. Just be sure to... Read More
EducationHealthParentingSafety
Bob Cushman

5 Tips to Handle Bullying

Although October is National Bullying Prevention Month, the bullying doesn’t stop when October is over. Here are some tips from expert Philip Brown, PhD, on understanding and dealing with bullying. Dr. Brown works with Wear the Cape–a brand that aims to restore the power of kindness and good character.... Read More
EventsFeatured
Bob Cushman

Best Pumpkin Patches

Fall is here and Halloween is on the way, so get out your carving tools and go find the perfect pumpkin. Here are some of our favorite pumpkin farms and fests for the season. Abbey Farms Aurora: (630) 966-7775, abbeyfarms.org 2855 Hart Road: Beyond a pumpkin patch, the farm’s Pumpkin... Read More
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Bob Cushman

Oaklee’s Friday Fun Five August 5, 2022

Here are our top five things to do with you and your family this weekend! Make some memories! For more great family events, see Oaklee’s  calendar of events! Chicagoland Summer Festivals (August) This summer (August) Check it out! We’ve compiled a list of some of planned 2022 summer festivals... Read More
Featured
Bob Cushman

Oaklee’s Friday Fun Five July 22, 2022

Here are our top five things to do with you and your family this weekend! Make some memories! For more great family events, see Oaklee’s  calendar of events! Chicagoland Summer Festivals (July 22-28) This summer (July 22-28) Check it out! We’ve compiled a list of some of planned 2022... Read More
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Chicago Asian Family reading date night
Bob Cushman

5 Ways to Ditch Technology for Family Bonding

Here are 5 ways to ditch technology in favor of intergenerational family bonding. No face-to-face contact is needed for massive communication to take place today! Children are text messaging, surfing their favorite websites and playing video games. Adults are looking at Facebook, Twitter and emails. These activities aren’t even... Read More
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Bob Cushman

Oaklee’s Friday Fun Five July 8, 2022

Here are our top five things to do with you and your family this weekend! Make some memories! For more great family events, see Oaklee’s  calendar of events! Lake Michigan Beaches for Families This summer Lake Michigan has miles of beautiful shoreline with family-friendly beaches. Here are some of... Read More
Featured
Bob Cushman

Oaklee’s Friday Fun Five July 1, 2022

Here are our top five things to do with you and your family this weekend! Make some memories! For more great family events, see Oaklee’s  calendar of events! Fireworks displays to watch (July 1-4, 2022) July 1st – 4th Here are the fireworks displays planned throughout the suburbs to... Read More
Featured
Bob Cushman

Best Fireworks displays to watch (July 1-4, 2022)

Here are the fireworks displays planned throughout the suburbs to celebrate Independence Day: Friday, July 1 Des Plaines Fireworks: 7 p.m. Friday, July 1, at Oakton Community College, 1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines. Bring blankets and lawn chairs to watch the fireworks extravaganza that kicks off Fourth of... Read More
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Bob Cushman

Oaklee’s Friday Fun Five June 17, 2022

Here are our top five things to do with you and your family this weekend! Make some memories! For more great family events, see Oaklee’s  calendar of events! Coming Soon: Frontier Days Festival June 30th to July 4th Mark your calendars… Frontier Days Festival is coming from June 30th... Read More
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Bob Cushman

Oaklee’s Friday Fun Five June 3, 2022

Here are our top five things to do with you and your family this weekend! Make some memories! For more great family events, see Oaklee’s  calendar of events! Chicagoland Water Park and Pools This Summer Don’t just stand there – go get wet and cool down this summer! Here’s... Read More
Featured
Bob Cushman

10 Tips to Stop Stressing Kids this Summer

Parenting expert Michele Borba says overscheduled, overwhelmed kids are missing out on the free play and downtime that develop their capacity to care about others. Here, she offers 10 tips to help us stop stressing the empathy out of our kids this summer. Summer, of course, once revolved around free... Read More
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Bob Cushman

Chicagoland Water Parks Summer 2023

We’ve put together a list of Chicago’s suburban pools and water parks for you. All you have to do is add the swimsuits and sunscreen, and you’re good to go make memories! Elk Grove Park District* Rainbow Falls Waterpark 200 Rev. Morrison Blvd., Elk Grove Village Hours: Sat, Sun &... Read More
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Bob Cushman

Oaklee’s Friday Fun Five May 20, 2022

Here are our top five things to do with you and your family this weekend! Make some memories! For more great family events, see Oaklee’s  calendar of events! Woodfield Summer Fling Carnival May 18 – 22 5:00 am – 9:00 pm North American Midway Entertainment’s Woodfield Summer Fling Carnival... Read More
Featured
Bob Cushman

6 Best Parks and Preserves to Picnic

1. Independence Grove, 16400 Buckley Road, Libertyville. Centered around a 115-acre lake, this Lake County Forest Preserve District property offers boat rentals, a swimming beach, dog park, cafe, visitors center, fishing, sand volleyball, and hiking and biking trails. Admission is free for Lake County residents with I.D.; nonresidents pay... Read More