Blog

Figure Skating Star Jason Brown Spreads the Love

Who doesn’t love Highland Park’s own local figure skating star, Jason Brown. You probably remember Jason from his gigantic smile on the ice at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi where he skated to the music of Riverdance. He won a 2014 Olympic bronze medal as part of the... Read More
HealthReviews
Bob Cushman

Disney Frozen Hairstyles

Disney Frozen Hairstyles: Inspired by Anna and Elsa and Disney Princess Hairstyles: 40 Amazing Princess Hairstyles with Step by Step Images     Do you need some new ideas for styling your daughter’s long hair? This new book published by Edda USA is just for you. There are step-by-step illustrations on creating a... Read More

EZ Leaps Shoe Tying Tool

EZLeaps shoe tying tool Are your kids learning to tie their shoes? Here’s a simple but helpful tool created by a local Mompreneur. Eileen Soan, a first grade teacher in Plainfield and Downers Grove, got frustrated always having to tie her students shoes, so she invented EZLeaps, a credit-card... Read More

Six Ways to Raise and Nurture a Young Entrepreneur

Guest Post By John Hope Bryant   Children are natural-born entrepreneurs. When they’re toddlers, they make homemade mud pies and “sell” them to Mom or Dad. As they get older, they start to understand that adults will pay them small amounts of real money in exchange for goods or... Read More

What to do with Leftover Halloween Candy

After the kids (and you!) have eaten your fill, here are some ideas on what to do with your leftover Halloween candy. Turn it in for the troops. A number of local dentists’ offices are participating in the Halloween Candy Buy Back program. You turn in your candy, the... Read More
HealthParentingSafety
Bob Cushman

Youth Concussions

Did you know that the rate of youth concussions in U.S. high schools has more than doubled over the past seven years, yet many concussions remain undiagnosed. A concussion is a brain injury typically caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head. You don’t need to lose... Read More
FoodFunGuides & DirectoriesHoliday
Bob Cushman

7 Favorite Pumpkin Patches

Don’t miss our favorite spots around the Chicago area to find your perfect pumpkin, create some fall family memories and munch a few cider donuts while you’re at it. Abbey Farms $1 OFF Coupon Open daily until Oct. 26th, see website for hours 850 Butterfield Road, Aurora, IL 60502 630-966-7775 This non-profit... Read More

Budget Family Day Out in Miami? Let’s Go!

Whether you’re eight or eighty, everyone loves a trip to Miami, especially in winter. But for a family of four or more, The Magic City can seem a little expensive. You can do a family day out in the city on a budget, you just need to go to... Read More

Best Free Halloween Phone Apps

From creepy sounds to zombie faces to smiling pumpkins, these free Halloween apps will help you get into the spirit and liven up your celebrations.   Free Halloween Sounds Pro by Dream Injector Halloween just wouldn’t be Halloween unless you scare the bejezus out of someone. Want to scare... Read More

Product Review: Lil’ Holster

You’ve gotta try this fun new household tool. Know how your sponge is always hiding at the bottom a sink full of dirty dishes? The Lil’ Holster is a perfect solution. Just stick this flexible plastic holder to the side of your sink, and viola, your sponge stays right... Read More
FunHoliday
Bob Cushman

Throwing a Halloween Party for Kids

  It’s time to plan your Halloween Parties. Here are some of our favorite ideas for the season. • Set the tone with a clever invitation. Better Homes and Gardens Editor-in-Chief Ann Blevins has a list of 12 tips and tricks for a memorable party. She sets the tone with a clever... Read More

Ways Music Benefits Children

Young children seem instinctively drawn to music. I’m sure you remember your toddler bouncing and swaying to the beat as they first became aware of music around them. Music provides many benefits to children, including improving their memory, focus and social skills. It’s also an effective way to increase... Read More
FeaturedHealth
Bob Cushman

Special backpack for kids with cancer

While October’s focus is breast cancer, we know that cancer affects people of all ages. Childhood cancer is the number 1 killer of children worldwide. Today, over 400,000 children in the U.S. are living with cancer. Kylie Simonds was just 8 years old when she battled rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare childhood... Read More

Should you praise brains or effort?

What kind of learner are you? We’ve heard that some people learn by watching, others learn by doing it, and still others learn best by reading. What style of learning works best for your child? Educators have identified seven learning styles: visual, aural, verbal, physical, logical, social and solitary. Most of... Read More
CraftsFun
Bob Cushman

Ways to Have Fun With Leaves

The leaves around us are turning and starting to fall. My kids never got tired of jumping into the big pile of leaves that we had just raked. Here are some more fun projects and games with leaves. Get out and enjoy the wonderful fall weather! I love this idea... Read More

Medieval Times

  Surrender to an age of bravery and honor and witness epic battles of steel and steed during our tournament spectacular.  From ringside seats, discover a feast for the eyes and appetite.  A day or evening of enchantment and excitement for all ages awaits you.

Whether you are celebrating a... Read More

Farm Heritage Festival

Farm Heritage Festival Saturday and Sunday, September 20 and 21 Check out hundreds of antique tractors, cars and steam engines, and other farm machinery as we celebrate Lake County’s rural roots at the 22nd Annual Farm Heritage Festival, Saturday and Sunday, September 20 and 21, 9 am–4 pm, at... Read More

Magnicubes Recalled Due to Ingestion Hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging consumers to immediately stop use of all Magnicube Spheres and Magnicube Cubes and check for magnets that have become separated from the set. They have received numerous reports of ingestions involving the small, high-powered magnets, including many that required surgery.  This recall is... Read More

Downers Grove Chilympics

Chili Cook-Off September 27, 2014, 12-4pm Join us for a day of chili, live music, beer and food vendors and fun for the entire family! Entry to the festival is free and chili samples will be available to purchase. This International Chili Society sanctioned, home-style chili competition attracts competitors... Read More

Disney On Ice Princesses & Heroes

Believing is Just the Beginning! Disney On Ice presents Princesses & Heroes Presented by Stonyfield YoKids Organic Yogurt Comes to Chicago -Tinker Bell Whisks Audiences through Classic Moments from some of Disney’s most Beloved Stories of Beautiful Princesses and their Daring Heroes – CHICAGO (Aug. 13, 2014)– Believing is... Read More
FoodFun
Bob Cushman

Half Price Mini Golf at Holes & Knolls

Are you looking for a family-friendly activity for your school days off? Swing over to Holes & Knolls Miniature Golf Course for half-price mini golf! Located within Maryknoll Park (845 Pershing Avenue, Glen Ellyn), Holes & Knolls Miniature Golf Course features 36 holes of miniature golf in a beautiful... Read More

10 Great First Pets

Kids are always clamoring for a pet, without understanding how much work comes along with the adoption. Before you say no to vet bills, food, grooming, clean-up and all the additional responsibility of a pet, here’s a list from www.howstuffworks.com of non-traditional pets that could be a great first... Read More

CSBarks Dog Festival

Give your Dog its Day on Sept 14 at CSBarks Dog Festival “Every dog has their day!” Tails will be a-waggin’ and noses a-sniffin’ at one of the largest dog festivals in the Chicagoland area, voted No. 7 in the US by Animal Planet. CSBarks Dog Festival is Sunday,... Read More

Little Yelpers Club Field Trip

Get your permission slips ready! In celebration of National Family Fun Month, you’re invited to join us August 9-31 for Yelp’s first ever Little Yelpers Club Field Trip. Exploring the North Shore one kid-friendly place at a time, we’re setting out to discover stops for classes, birthday parties and... Read More
HealthParentingSafety
Bob Cushman

Sun and Heat Safety

Did you know that a child’s body heats up 3 to 5 times faster than an adult’s body? It only takes a few short minutes before a child can become dangerously overheated. In just 10 minutes a car’s temperature can increase by 19 degrees – and it continues to... Read More

Summer Cheat Sheets

This summer is full of fairs, festivals, farmers markets, car shows and more! We made your summer cheat sheets so that you can get out there and have some FUN! [joomag_bookshelf width=450 height=460 title=oaklee-s-family-guide-neighborhood-guide magazineId=M0962161001402083706 cols=3 rows=2 ] Read More
FeaturedFun
Bob Cushman

Great Water Balloon Games

It is hot, hot, hot and there is nothing more fun than a good old fashion water balloon fight! This got me thinking – what are some fun games that we can make up to level this pool-less party up?!?! Catch – Partners stand close facing each other and... Read More
EducationFeaturedParenting
Bob Cushman

Keep Kids Reading!

Are your kids picking up a book this summer? A new survey finds that children spend nearly three times as many hours weekly watching TV or playing video games as they do reading in the summer, despite research that indicates the importance of summer reading to retain literacy skills.... Read More
FeaturedFunHoliday
Bob Cushman

Recipe for a Summer Day Trip

Oaklee’s guest post by Diane Malinowski with Elk Grove Park District   So all winter you are promising to take  the kids to that place you promised to take them last summer.  It’s not too late, get out the calendar and make a commitment. Summer goes fast.   Ingredients: 1... Read More

Sounds of Summer in Mount Prospect

The Village of Mount Prospect is the place to be this summer to enjoy outstanding live musical performances, delicious food, refreshing beverages and FREE family-fun amusement rides and games. The Village in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce continues the annual tradition of throwing what has become known as... Read More