Blog

The Dangers of Drawstrings

Oaklee’s guest post by Laura Nikolovska, Program Director for Kids In Danger, a Chicago-based nonprofit dedicated to improving children’s product safety.   Drawstrings on children’s clothing aren’t safe. Here’s why and what you can do if your child’s clothing has them. 13-year-old Brandi Browder died when the drawstring on her... Read More
Featured
Pelican Harbor
Bob Cushman

Stay Cool at the Pool

Summer’s not over yet! It’s going to be toasty hot this weekend so grab your sunscreen and head to a pool to stay cool. These facilities are open through the Labor Day weekend. Check their individual websites for pool hours and costs. Bolingbrook Pelican Harbor Indoor/Outdoor Aquatic Park Huge... Read More

Friday Fun Five August 28 2015

Here are our top five favorite events for you and your family to enjoy this weekend! Get out there and make some memories! Sponsored by MARVEL UNIVERSE LIVE! For more great family events, see Oaklee’s Summer issue, or search our calendar of events! Phillips Park Zoo’s 100th Birthday Celebration August 29 in Aurora... Read More

Product Review: Bumkins Finer Baby Products

Tired of throwing away plastic sandwich bags? Bumkins Finer Baby Products has come to the rescue with reusable, machine-washable snack bags. Printed in a variety of kid-loving prints and in a couple of different sizes, these bags make it easy to go green when packing school lunches. The same... Read More
Featured
Zion bike trail Lake Michigan beach
Bob Cushman

Keep Summer Going–Oaklee’s 4 Tips 4 Fun

Although school has started, don’t give up on summer fun just yet. There is still plenty of warm weather to get outside and enjoy summer fun activities. Here are 4 ideas to keep summer alive. Organize a block party.Invite the neighborhood kids and parents over. Share your summer vacation... Read More
EventsFeaturedFun
Puddle Jumpers Morning / Pig Pen Afternoon, Oswego IL
Bob Cushman

Friday Fun Five August 21 2015

Here are our top five favorite events for you and your family to enjoy this weekend! Get out there and make some memories! Sponsored by MARVEL UNIVERSE LIVE! For more great family events, see Oaklee’s Summer issue, or search our calendar of events! Puddle Jumpers Morning / Pig Pen Afternoon August 22 in... Read More

Friday Fun Five August 14 2015

Here are our top five favorite events for you and your family to enjoy this weekend! Get out there and make some memories! Sponsored by THE CHICAGO AIR AND WATER SHOW 2015 For more great family events, see Oaklee’s Summer issue, or search our calendar of events! Slide the City – Algonquin... Read More
Featured
Preschool
Bob Cushman

Is your Toddler Ready for Preschool?

Oaklee’s guest post from Brightwheel, a free mobile technology and communication tool for schools and daycares.  Back to school season for any parent is a hectic time. But for parents of toddlers it’s a huge decision to make: Is she ready to start preschool? Most kids start preschool anywhere... Read More
Education
Kid Rock classes
Bob Cushman

Autumn Awakenings

Oaklee’s guest post by Jamie Puffpaff, Owner and Creator of Rock ‘n’ Kids, Inc. www.rockitkids.com   Autumn. The word itself sounds beautiful and elegant! Autumn is the favorite season for many people, for understandable reasons! Fall is a time for beautiful colors, cozy sweaters, crisp air, homey smells, and... Read More
Events
Wisconsin State Fair Sky Glider
Bob Cushman

Wisconsin State Fair: Oaklee’s 4 Tips 4 Fun

Oaklee’s mom, Mary, took her kids to the Wisconsin State Fair. Here are her Oaklee’s 4 Tips 4 out-and-about Fun at the Fair.  Wisconsin State Fair is a Road Trip worth the effort! Pop in a movie or an audio book with a State Fair theme (think Charlotte’s Web) and hit... Read More
FeaturedSafety
KIDS baby in safety crib
Bob Cushman

Check your Child Care for Safe Products

Guest post by Laura Nikolovska, Program Director for Kids in Danger (KID), a Chicago-based non-profit dedicated to improving children’s product safety. How safe is your state’s child care product safety rules? Most states have recently worked to change the rules on background checks for child care workers or immunization requirements for child care centers,... Read More
EventsFeaturedFun
Elmhurst Il 2nd Annual Kite Fest
Bob Cushman

Friday Fun Five August 7 2015

Here are our top five favorite events for you and your family to enjoy this weekend! Get out there and make some memories! Sponsored by LUPUS SOCIETY WALK For more great family events, see Oaklee’s Summer issue, or search our calendar of events! 2nd Annual Kite Fest 2015 August 9 in Elmhurst... Read More

Oaklee’s Product Review: Style Rx

Here’s a fun way to carry your daily medication or supplements to school, to the office, or even out to lunch with friends. The Style Rx case is an attractive 7-day pill box cover that was designed for busy, on-the-go women and is meant to be seen. It looks... Read More

Friday Fun Five July 31 2015

Here are our top five favorite events for you and your family to enjoy this weekend! Get out there and make some memories! Sponsored by PELICAN HARBOR AQUATIC CENTER For more great family events, see Oaklee’s Summer issue, or search our calendar of events! The World of Faeiries Festival August 1-2 in... Read More
EventsTravel
Kenosha Public Museum mammoth
Bob Cushman

Kenosha, Wisconsin – An Easy Road Trip

We have world-class museums in the city of Chicago, but did you know that just over the border up in Kenosha, Wisconsin, you can find one of the best museum campuses in the Midwest? Some of the museums offer FREE admission with fewer crowds and easy parking. Beyond that,... Read More
Events
Boys on Lawn
Bob Cushman

Family Movie Nights Under the Stars

These events are way better than the drive-in movies of old. You can bring your blanket and a picnic and watch movies under the stars. Don’t miss these fun family outing opportunities before the summer is over.   Aug. 1, 7:30pm Dive-In Theater Deerfield: www.deerfieldparks.org Mitchell Pool. Bring your... Read More
Events
Illinois Lupus Society Raven and Shantel Lauer
Bob Cushman

Charity Highlight: Lupus Society of Illinois

Join Wheaton mom and daughter team, Shantel and Raven Lauer, who are the Lupus Walk Ambassadors for this year’s tenth annual Western Suburbs Illinois Lupus Walk in Naperville on Aug. 8, 2015.   Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect virtually any system in the body, with... Read More
EventsTravel
Discovery Center Museum Rockford
Bob Cushman

Visit Rockford this summer

Did you know that Rockford is the third largest city in Illinois and is the home of the Sock Monkey? It’s the perfect distance for a day trip or weekend getaway from Chicago and has many inexpensive indoor and outdoor attractions and hotels. Here are some of our favorite... Read More
EventsFeaturedFun
Summer Family Carnival in Park Ridge July 2015
Bob Cushman

Friday Fun Five July 24 2015

Here are our top five favorite events for you and your family to enjoy this weekend! Get out there and make some memories! Sponsored by PELICAN HARBOR AQUATIC CENTER For more great family events, see Oaklee’s Summer issue, or search our calendar of events! Summer Family Carnival 2015 July 23-26 in Park Ridge... Read More
EducationFeaturedSafety
Bob Cushman

Guide to Internet Safety for Kids

As parents, we know it can be a challenge to keep children safe online. How much do you monitor your kids’ online posts and habits? Here’s one mom’s approach to keeping her child “safe-ish.” momastery.com The folks over at Top Ten Reviews have put together a complete Internet Safety guide... Read More
EventsFeaturedFun
Harvard Early Learning Playscape
Bob Cushman

Summertime Fun at Naper Settlement

                        Guest Post by Naper Settlement There’s summertime fun at Naper Settlement, an outdoor history museum, which is a regional attraction and gathering place for more than 135,000 visitors each year. Visitors enjoy hands-on programs and special events... Read More

State & County Fairs

July 15-19, Wed.-Thur. 3-11pm, Fri.–Sun. noon-midnight Kane County Fair St. Charles: 630-584-6926 www.kanecountyfair.com Kane County Fairgrounds, 525 S. Randall Rd. Fox Valley’s Top-Rated Summer Event. The fair includes: entertainment, mid-way with carnival rides, exhibitors, tons of food, crafts, and more livestock than you can imagine. Along with corn dogs... Read More

Friday Fun Five July 17 2015

Here are our top five favorite events for you and your family to enjoy this weekend! Get out there and make some memories! Sponsored by PELICAN HARBOR AQUATIC CENTER   For more great family events, see Oaklee’s Summer issue, or search our calendar of events!   Journey to Mars July 17 at... Read More
Parenting
Annual Family Campout 2015
Bob Cushman

Tips for the Ultimate Backyard Campout

Want to get your kids outside this summer? Try bringing the camp lifestyle home. The experts at the Camping and Education Foundation have put together a list of tips to help parents throw the ultimate backyard campout that goes beyond flipping burgers and singing camp fire songs. Go Beyond the... Read More
EventsFeaturedFun
Square Roots Festival in Lincoln Park in Chicago
Bob Cushman

Friday Fun Five July 10 2015

Here are our top five favorite events for you and your family to enjoy this weekend! Get out there and make some memories! Sponsored by PELICAN HARBOR AQUATIC CENTER   For more great family events, see Oaklee’s Summer issue, or search our calendar of events!   Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents Disney’s The... Read More
EventsFeatured
Girl Scouts at the White House
Bob Cushman

The Ultimate Girl Scout Campout

Ever dream of camping out on the White House lawn? That’s just what fifty Girl Scouts got to do on June 30, 2015. Michelle Obama, who acts as the Girl Scouts’ honorary national president, joined the girls for some hand-on learning and activities. They got a special treat when President... Read More
Featured
Chicago family crafts
Bob Cushman

Summer 2015 Art Fairs

July 11-12, 10am-5pm Buffalo Grove Invitational Art Festival Buffalo Grove: 847-926-4300 BuffaloGroveArtFestival.com Buffalo Grove Town Center, Lake Cook Rd & Rte 83 (McHenry Rd.). July 11-12 Naperville Woman’s Club Juried Art Fair Naperville: 630-209-1246 NapervilleWomansClub.org Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St. July 18, 10am-2pm Arts in the Park –... Read More
EventsGuides & Directories
Sant's Village Azoosment Park East Dundee IL
Bob Cushman

Summer Outdoor Fun 2015

The rains are over (for now) so it’s time to get outside and take advantage of the sunshine. Here are some of our favorite outdoor activities for the summer. For more outdoor fun, see our posts on Festivals in July and Water Parks and Beaches.   Blackberry Farm’s Pioneer... Read More
ReviewsTravel
BenBat headrest pal
Bob Cushman

Travel Products for On-The-Go Families

Heading on a trip this holiday season? Here’s a collection of fun and colorful products designed for a family on the go! These Travel Friends products from BenBat™ are great for the car, stroller or plane – wherever you are on the move. They’ll help keep the kids comfy... Read More