Anything Silly
Blaze a Trail to the Trailside Museum
January 19, 2009
Sorry about the corny title, but The Trailside Museum of Natural History really is a little gem located in River Forest (738 Thatcher Avenue, 708/ 366-6530). It is really more of a hands-on nature center than a museum. I grew up in River Forest and we made frequent trips to this little building located in the Cook County Forest Preserve. The Trailside Museum used to take in and Read more...
A Teddy Bear Hootenanny
January 12, 2009
Have you ever taken advantage of the great children's programming or concerts at the Old Town School of Music ? From Wiggleworms classes for tiny babes to private instrument lessons and art classes for older kids, Old Town has lots and lots to offer families (plus cool class offerings for adults as well). The Old Town School of Music is having a Teddy Bear Hootenanny on Sunday, January 18 Read more...
Laughing Out Loud: Favorite Funny Stories
November 18, 2008
I love that my kids have a sense of humor now. Nothing is cuter than seeing your little one get the joke for the first time. Because it is just so darn enjoyable to watch them belly laugh, I think that it is a good idea to have a decent collection of funny tales on hand. These are some of our funny faves. Bendemolina (or the Girl Who Wore a Pot on Her Head) by Jan Slepian is a great book. Our Read more...
What is Your Favorite Word?
November 10, 2008
I think that we parents sometimes unnecessarily complicate the learning process for our preschoolers (despite our best intentions). Their little lives are full in unplanned, unscheduled, unscripted opportunities for learning each and every day. I wanted to share a story about my four-year-old daughter as an example. While driving home after school one day last week, my daughter said, Read more...
The Local Lingo
November 04, 2008
Learning the alphabet (and how to turn it into words, and then sentences) is a big part of being a preschooler. Take your kids on a trip through the alphabet using our great city as inspiration. Here are the Chicago-inspired words that I was able to come up with. A is for . . . The Alderman (never too early to learn about the corruption that characterizes Read more...
Where to go to Inspire Their Imaginations
October 14, 2008
One of my favorite things about preschoolers is that they don't seem to need much help in the imagination department. In fact, I think that my little ones have inspired my imagination and creativity in ways that I could never reciprocate. When we are in the mood for dreaming and creating, here are some of our favorite "imagination hot spots." Chicago Children's Museum. We are big fans of Read more...
Fairies, Lions, and Dinos, Oh My: Resources for Halloween Costumes
October 07, 2008
My daughter has been talking about what she wants to be for Halloween since last Halloween. One day she says definitely mermaid. And the next day she seems to be leaning more towards princess. And then sometimes she comes up with something that is really out of left field like "a swimming dog." The time has come to decide on a costume because pretty soon the stores are going to have slim Read more...
Imaginary Friends
September 18, 2008
From what I can tell, it seems like imaginary friends are the very best kind of friends to have. An imaginary friend is always there when you need him. He is flexible and lets you do what you want to do (I've never heard of an imaginary friend not sharing). And when you are done with him -- Poof! -- he is gone as fast as he arrived. My daughter Ellie has an imaginary Read more...
Baby Loves Disco!
September 05, 2008
Do your kids love to dance? Do you love to watch your kids dance? Have you heard about Baby Loves Disco ? Baby Loves Disco is an afternoon dance party featuring real music spun and mixed by real djs blending classic disco tunes from the 70s, & 80s. This event is guaranteed to get those little booties moving and grooving! These popular little parties have popped up in cities all over Read more...
Splish Splash! Having Fun in the Bath!
August 28, 2008
The nighttime bath ritual can be more than a much-needed head-to-toe scrub down. Throw in a few toys and some imagination, and bath time can be the perfect opportunity for creative play. I must confess that I love bath time at our house because my kids can play in a contained space and Mom gets to sit down on the step stool for a few minutes while they entertain each other (yeah!). Read more...
It's a Bird! It's a Plane! It's a Super Hero in Training!
August 27, 2008
You think your kid is super in all sorts of ways, right? Why not encourage him to think that same thing about himself by planning a 'super hero day. Devote a day to celebrating your child's greatness while he practices his super skills (maybe his x-ray vision or her ability to climb tall buildings). Here are some ideas to get you started. What to Wear. Start with the cape. Read more...
Calling All Mermaids!
August 20, 2008
Do you have a preschooler who knows all of the words to Disney's The Little Mermaid by heart? I sure do. My daughter Ellie is a big fan of Ariel and her friends Flounder and Sebastian. She was hoping to name our new baby Ariel if she was a girl (thank goodness we are having a boy rather than a baby mermaid). I wanted to tell you about a fun event for the little mermaids in Read more...
Ayyy Matey!: Resources for Little Pirates in Chicago
August 07, 2008
Do you have a sea-faring, swashbuckling sailor in your house? Why not indulge his or her love for the pirate life by having a Pirate's Day around town? Here are a few ideas to get your planning started. Read Like a Pirate. Check out some pirate reading from your local library for inspiration. Good selections include How I Became A Pirate by Melinda Long, the 2007 Read more...
How to be A Princess for a Day
May 16, 2008
When I started researching this topic, I came across some pretty indulgent princess activities for your preschooler (for example, a shocking variety of princess camps). The truth is I would never take my daughter to an activity like that so I don't want to make those recommendations to you. Yes, we do the requisite Disney princess obsession at our house. And sure, my Read more...
More of Our Favorite Activities and Things to Do in chicago
Creatures & Critters:
Our Urban Jungle
Do, Re, Mi! Places to Hear, Sing & Play a Tune
Artistic Endeavors:
Our Favorite Art Venues
Room to Run:
Run, Jump & Wiggle Outdoors
Rainy & Quiet Days:
Cozy & Crazy Indoor Fun
A Sense of History:
Our City's Stories
Tot's Science Fair:
Science & Nature Sites
Splash, Spray, Play! Local Spots to Get Wet
The Most Fun in Life Is Free!
The Best of... Our Top Can't-Live-Without Spots
The Voice of Being Savvy chicago:
Caitlin Giles
Read more Being Savvy for:
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Favorite chicago Lists
- Books Essential to Chicago Kids
- The Local Lingo
- It Takes Two: Things That Are More Fun With a Friend
- Ice Cream in Chicago
- Dinner Table Destinations: Eat and Learn
- Signs of Summer
- 5 Best Ways to Enjoy Millennium Park
- Ways to Learn About Math in the Windy City
- Hey Kid, You Got the Time?
- 99 Things To Do in Chicago Before Your Child Grows Up
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