Featured

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... Read More

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,... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More

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.,... Read More

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,... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More

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:... Read More

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... Read More

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... Read More

Woodfield Spring Fling Carnival

North American Midway Entertainment’s Woodfield Summer Fling Carnival is open and runs through May 12th – May 21st (Closed Tuesday May 16th), in Parking Lot G of Woodfield Mall, at the corner of West Frontage and Woodfield roads in Schaumburg. Weekday hours are 5:30 p.m. to... Read More

Sign Up for 2022 Summer Camps Now!

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... Read More

Where to Observe Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a time to honor those who lost their lives serving our country. Services, observances, parades and ceremonies throughout the suburbs offer a chance to reflect on the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice. Friday, May 28 Memorial Day Pantry: 10 a.m.... Read More