Blog

Summer programs are back for 2021. The Elgin Public Museum and the Friends of Lords Park Zoo will be offering free family-friendly programs at the zoo. CDC guidelines for masks and social distancing will be observed. “Adventures in the Zoo” is a drop-in program from 11 a.m. to 1... Read More

Here are our top five at home things to do for you and your family to enjoy this weekend! Make some memories! For more great family events, see Oaklee’s  calendar of events!   Kite Fly – Mike Rylko Community Park Saturday, May 08, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Join... Read More

What a year this has been. Now more than ever would be a time to treat Mom to a brunch or dinner on Mother’s Day — this year Sunday, May 9 — to show her just how special she is. While many suburban restaurants are once again offering dine-in... Read More

The Carol Stream Park District offers a variety of activities for all ages this spring. For information, visit www.csparks.org. The park district’s Fountain View Recreation Center is located at 910 N. Gary Ave., and Simkus Recreation Center is located at 849 W. Lies Road. The digital guide has been... Read More

The COVID-19 pandemic made it unsafe for many children and teens to get the daily exercise they need. Gyms and playgrounds shut down. Group sporting events were canceled. But with loosening social distancing restrictions and warmer temperatures, young people are returning to soccer fields and neighborhood playgrounds. Meanwhile, pediatric... Read More

Actors Gymnasium Summer Camps 847-328-2795 https://www.actorsgymnasium.org Learn to Fly! Each day includes circus, drama, and movement. Students learn aerial and ground circus skills, take fun-filled field trips, and create their own circus-theatre show!  Ages 9-15 Blue Moose Sports Camp Western Springs: 708-829-1236 https://www.bluemoosesportscamp.com Blue Moose Sports Camp was created... Read More

For most people, summer camp is just something they did for a couple of weeks as a kid but for many it was much more than that. As someone who has experienced summer camp as both a camper and a counselor, I can tell you that it will not... Read More

Living Waters Lutheran Church, 1808 Miller Road in Crystal Lake, is hosting an Egg Hunt Extravaganza through April 11. Decorated wooden eggs are hidden throughout the woods on the church grounds — you’ll even find eggs in the trees! The rule sheet for this “seek & find but leave... Read More

Celebrate spring with singing, dancing, exploring the wonders of nature and, of course, reading at Gail Borden Public Library. Register now for these upcoming events. Mr. Jon! live children’s music performance: Family favorites Mr. Jon and his puppet George return for more musical fun at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April... Read More

The South Elgin Parks and Recreation will host a Spring Holiday Bunny Parade on Saturday, April 3. The bunny is back this year on his parade route. The times will be approximately 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This will be done in one day this year so they will... Read More

Springbrook Golf Course is hosting Golfapalooza — a free special event to kick off the 2021 golfing season for junior golfers, ages 5-17, and for kids who want to learn about the game of golf. Golfapalooza will take place from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 17 at the... Read More

Easter is approaching April 4. Learn more about egg hunts and other seasonal events around the greater Aurora area. • An Easter breakfast and indoor egg hunt will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 20, at Whitetail Ridge Golf Course, 7671 Clubhouse Drive in Yorkville. In... Read More

“Egg Hunt on the Island” is welcoming all ages downtown to search for artsy eggs placed in more than a dozen downtown storefronts. In March, the Aurora Downtown organization is partnering with Adventures in Scavenger Hunting to create an Easter scavenger hunt at 14 locations throughout downtown. The monthlong... Read More

Explore how tree sap is transformed into sweet maple syrup by attending DuPage Forest Preserve District’s March programs: “Maple Sugaring” at Kline Creek Farm or “DIY Maple Sugaring: The Basics” at Fullersburg Woods. Group size is limited to 10 in each session and will follow current health guidelines regarding... Read More

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

The annual Ice Fest Downtown Downers Grove will be held Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 13-14. This year, the Ice Fest will look a little different but it will still be a weekend of outdoor socially distanced fun. More than 40 ice sculptures will line the streets. Enjoy live ice... Read More

Outdoor recreation has kept us going through the COVID-19 pandemic, and it doesn’t have to stop now that the weather is cold and snowy. Here are some of the best sledding spots in the suburbs. Caboose Park, Lake Villa Township, 27908 Fairfield Road • Hill available for sledding and... Read More

Naper Settlement’s next “History Speaks” program will be on “African American Heroes and Sheroes” from 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 7. By looking at her own family’s dreams and goals, storyteller Linda Gorham shares stories of African American men and women who broke color barriers and had noteworthy... Read More

Getting stir crazy indoors? Cosley Zoo in Wheaton remains open seven days a week this winter, offering families with a fun, safe, socially-distanced outdoor experience. On a footprint of approximately 5 acres, Cosley Zoo gives visitors an up-close interaction with nature right in the heart of DuPage County. The... Read More

Registration is now open for the January session of “Little Saplings,” a fun nature program series for children ages 3 to 5, presented by the Forest Preserve District of Kane County. Little Saplings hourlong programs include a combination of stories, nature hikes, songs, games and crafts. The program takes... Read More

Naperville Park District staff has set up the outdoor ice skating rinks for the 2020-21 winter season, however, the final step depends on nature to provide the extended period of cold temperatures needed for the ice to form a good skating surface. Typically, the ice skating season runs from... Read More

Whether you’re new to venturing out in the cold snowy months or a seasoned pro, join Kane County Forest Preserve District’s “Exploring by Snowshoe” programs to give you the skills you need to be comfortable snowshoeing. After mastering skills like stride length, heel-toe step, and climbing over obstacles, participants... Read More

Cosley Zoo’s annual Festival of Lights and Tree Sale is a tradition for many families Visitors can stroll through animal-themed light displays and trees decorated by local families, businesses and organizations, as well as shop for trees, wreaths and decorations to deck their own halls. The festival began the... Read More

Sign up for a visit to Santa’s Naperville Workshop at the Riverwalk Café located on the Riverwalk near Rotary Hill and the Paddleboat Quarry. It has been transformed into a magical holiday destination that visitors of all ages will enjoy. It is open from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. daily... Read More

Aurora Festival of Lights opens free holiday light display The Aurora Festival of Lights — one of the largest free outdoor drive-through holiday light displays in Northern Illinois — opens for its 14th year on Friday, Nov. 27. It will feature even more dazzling displays that will delight both... Read More

Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin is hosting a variety of virtual holiday programs in December. To learn more, visit www.gailborden.info. Best Picture Books of the Year with Miss Katie: Discover the best picture books of 2020 at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 2 on Facebook Live at www.bit.ly/gbplFBLV.... Read More

Enjoying holiday lights — either on an outdoor stroll or from the warmth of your car — allows families to get in the spirit of the season safely this year, when so much else has been canceled by COVID-19. Here’s a look at 10 holiday light shows in the... Read More

The gym at the Community Recreation Center in Schaumburg was transformed into an alternate universe for Sunday’s family-friendly Halloween Spooktacular party. Guests enjoyed a Halloween-themed musical show. They received 3-D glasses, pumpkins with decorating supplies, goody bags for the kids, and photo opportunities with movie characters. And there was... Read More