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Arlington Heights Frontier Days Festival
Entertainment – Main Stage Wednesday, July 3 | 8:00 PM 7th Heaven Chicago’s own 7th Heaven is celebrated as one of the Midwest’s leading independent bands. Enjoy their most popular original songs alongside top hits from the ’80s to today. Thursday, July 4 | 8:00 PM... Read More
How to Make Halloween Less Scary for Young Children
Are your young children scared by all the ghosts, skeletons and masks of Halloween? Here’s an easy solution: create your own “anti–monster spray!” “After a young child watches a scary movie or is frightened by a Halloween costume, parents should reach for a can of ‘anti–monster... Read More
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
Are Handheld Devices Hurting Our Children?
How many hours in the day are your children in front of a screen? Here are the guidelines by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Canadian Society of Pediatrics for the recommended time of exposure: Infants up to two years old: Zero exposure to technology... 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
Winter means time to hit the slopes in the suburbs
Now that winter weather has officially arrived, it’s time to make the most of the snow. Hit the road to enjoy skiing, snowboarding, tubing and more at slopes throughout the area. Whether you’re a beginner or are looking to introduce the kids to some active seasonal... 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
Summer Festivals for Families in Chicagoland
Starts before Friday McHenry County Fair: Noon to 10 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2; 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 3-4; 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 5; 8 a.m. to midnight Saturday, Aug. 6; and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug.... 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
Ride Thomas the Train at the Illinois Railway Museum
Thomas the Tank Engine invites little engineers to join him and his best friend Percy for a day of big adventures and even bigger memories at “Day Out with Thomas: Big Adventures Tour 2021” at the Illinois Railway Museum. Children are invited to spend the day... 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
10 Tips to get the most from your Water Park Experience
By Colette House, Daily Herald Correspondent Dive into one of the suburbs’ many water parks to beat the summer heat and keep kids entertained all day long. Numerous water slides, concession stands, and out of water activities appeal to a variety of age groups and offer up... Read More
Suburban Water and Spray Parks, Outdoor Pools and Beaches
Don’t just stand there – go get wet and cool down this summer! Here’s a list of the water fun areas in Chicago’s suburbs. For more summer fun on the water, see these posts: Lake Michigan beaches Alphabetical by town Family Aquatic Center (Addison Park District)... 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
Oaklee’s Friday Fun Five May 13, 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! Glen Ellyn Carnival May 19 – 22 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm Just in time for an end... Read More
Tryout Tips for Parents: 5 Tips for Helping Your Child Make the Team
Oaklee’s Guest Post by Jordan Fliegel, founder and CEO of CoachUP. As the upcoming sports season approaches, our throats begin to tighten. Fall sports tryouts are underway, and our children are stressed. Chances are, you’re feeling just as anxious for tryouts as your kids. Best case scenario,... 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
Best Things to do over Memorial Day Weekend
Memorial Day is a time to reflect on those who died in service to their country. A variety of events are being held over the weekend throughout the suburbs to honor their memory. Blue Star Memorial Celebration and Unveiling: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 28,... Read More