Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in chicago, IL

Other Great Savvy Source Things to Do

Add Your Review of:

Find out more about:

Christmas

We Wish You A Merry Christmas

December 25, 2008

I wish you and your family only the best as you marvel in the magic of Christmas through your children's eyes. The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. ~Burton Hillis Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall. ~Larry Wilde, The Merry Read more...

Dashing Through the Snow in a One-Horse Open Sleigh!

by Caitlin Giles

December 24, 2008

When I was about eight years-old, my aunt surprised my brother and I with a horse-drawn carriage ride down Michigan Avenue. I thought that the whole experience was positively magical -- I still do, really. I was totally captivated by the sights and sounds of the city at Christmastime. The holiday season is the perfect time to take your little ones on a horse-drawn carriage ride. You and Read more...

Last-Minute Holiday Decorating Ideas

by Caitlin Giles

December 23, 2008

The stocking are hung by the chimney with care . . . or maybe they aren't. With all of the hustle and bustle during the holiday season, I know that I never get to all of the things that I was hoping to. If your house could use a little last-minute decorating, put the kiddos to work helping you create simple, homemade decorations to get the family in a festive mood. Here are some of my favorite Read more...

Christmas Around the World at the Museum of Science and Industry

by Caitlin Giles

December 22, 2008

I strongly encourage you to make a visit to the Christmas Around the World and Holiday of Lights Exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry an annual tradition for your family. This exhibit started with only one tree in 1942 and has grown to over fifty trees - including a newly added tree from Bulgaria. The centerpiece of the exhibit is a 45-foot tree decorated with ornaments Read more...

Let There Be Light: Celebrating the Winter Solstice

by Caitlin Giles

December 19, 2008

Sunday, December 21st marks this year's winter solstice in the Northern hemisphere. The significance of the winter solstice is in the reversal of the gradually lengthening nights and shortening days. Woo- hoo ! That means that those long, dark winter afternoons indoors with restless kids are getting shorter, rather than longer! In my opinion, this holiday is very under-celebrated in our Read more...

Family-Friendly Holiday Performances

by Caitlin Giles

December 18, 2008

When I was younger, my Mom always organized a special outing downtown to see a show around Christmastime each year. Between my fancy Christmas outfit, taking the train, and walking around big-eyed on the streets of Chicago, I found each year's event nothing short of thrilling. Here are a few recommendations for local holiday performances that your little ones will enjoy. The Nutcracker Read more...

Sing, Choirs of Angels!

by Caitlin Giles

December 17, 2008

With Christmas fast approaching (only a little over a week now!), many kids are already out of school and those regular extracurricular activities have been cancelled. But there are still lots of great holiday activities to take advantage of before the actual holiday arrives. The City Hall Holiday Concert Series presents a different choral group singing holiday tunes every day this week Read more...

Give the Gift of Free Admission to the City's Best Attractions for Little Ones

by Caitlin Giles

December 16, 2008

Well-meaning family and friends inundate my children with gifts during the holidays. It gets obscene, really. When I look around our playroom, I can't help but think that the last thing my kids need is more toys. So this year, when relatives ask for gift suggestions for the kids, I am telling them that they could use year-long passes to some of their favorite local hot spots. Here is Read more...

Giving at the Holidays

by Caitlin Giles

December 15, 2008

I think that it is difficult for young children to really get the concept of charity and need. My daughter and I have had some confusing conversations about homeless people and why there are children who don't have any toys. At this age, I think that the most important thing that parents can do is model charitable behavior, explain difficult situations as best we can, and answer any questions Read more...

Fa La La: Caroling at Cloud's Gate

by Caitlin Giles

December 11, 2008

I have not been blessed with a good voice -- but my kids don't seem to know this or care. And I certainly don't want my bad voice to deprive my little guys of some good ol' holiday caroling. We have been listening to Jingle Bells , We Wish You a Merry Christmas , and lots of other holiday favorites and now we are ready to show off our vocal skills in public! Cloud Gate at Millennium Read more...

Fancy-Schmancy Holiday: Children's Tea at the Four Seasons Hotel

by Caitlin Giles

December 10, 2008

Around this time of year, many families plan special outings or traditions to mark the season. If you are looking to really indulge your little elf on a holiday outing this year, you should consider the Children's Storytelling Tea at the Four Seasons Hotel . The event sounds like a little girl's dream come true. Dress up in your finest and head downtown to hear popular Christmas tales, sip Read more...

Holiday Giving Guide: Five More Toys We Love

by Caitlin Giles

December 09, 2008

With so many toys on the market, I always get overwhelmed trying to distinguish between the really great ones and all of the junk. Savvy Source has done some of that hard work for me by highlighting some great choices in its Toys and Books Section. If you are still working your way through your holiday list, take a look at some of the great gift ideas. Here are five toys that caught my eye. Read more...

Best Holiday Events Around Town for Little Ones

by Caitlin Giles

December 09, 2008

The month of December is just packed with holiday events (I listed a few other worthwhile goings-on last week ). Here are a few more local holiday events that the little people in your life will be wild about. Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier. This event runs from December 5th through January 4th (so it is a great activity to keep kids busy on their break from school even after Read more...

Reading List: Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!

by Caitlin Giles

December 08, 2008

With the snow on the ground, now seems like a perfect time to head to the library with snow in mind as the inspiration for a wintery reading list. These are some of our favorite tales about the enchanting white stuff. Emmett's Snowball by Ned Miller. This is the tale of a boy and his really, really big snowball. The kiddos will love the charming illustrations. Snowmen At Night by Read more...

Savvy Holiday Giveaways!

by Caitlin Giles

December 08, 2008

It is Holiday Giveaway time at Savvy Source ! Check out the Holiday Guide for Twelve Days of Giveaways. In addition to giving you the opportunity to win some really cool prizes (plus a really, really cool grand prize), the Savvy Source Holiday Guide also has tips on the things that really matter most at the holidays -- you know, baking, creating homemade gifts, family activities and Read more...

Season's Greetings

by Caitlin Giles

December 05, 2008

Around this time of year, busy Moms and Dads are scrambling around, trying get all of the holiday shopping, decorating, and baking done. And the family holiday card is always part of a long to-do list. Why not incorporate your child's artwork into the family card this year? Use this project as an opportunity to teach your preschooler that sending holiday wishes means more than just signing your Read more...

Holiday Activities at the Peggy Notebaert Museum This Weekend

by Caitlin Giles

December 05, 2008

In case you haven't already checked it out, the Peggy Notebaert Museum has some really amazing family programming. Seriously, have a look at the website and see what programs sound like a good match for your family. And this weekend has lots of family (and eco-) friendly activities that sound perfect for getting the whole gang in the holiday mood. Highlights include the following: Santa Read more...

Holiday Giving Guide: Five Toys We Love

by Caitlin Giles

December 02, 2008

I am sure that most of you are deep into your holiday shopping list at this point. Savvy Source has some great recommendations for toys for the little ones on your list. If you haven't checked out their savvy suggestions, definitely pop over and have a look. Here are a few of our favorites: (1) Spanish Bingo We love this game. We also have Spanish Flash Cards from eeBoo that use Read more...

My Five Favorite Chicago Holiday Traditions

by Caitlin Giles

December 02, 2008

There is certainly no shortage of holiday activities in Chicago. These are five of my family-friendly faves. (1) Zoo Lights. It just doesn't seem like the holidays without a walk around the zoo in freezing weather with cold, whining kids. (2) Ice Skating at Millennium Park. See yesterday's post for more info (and don't forget the obligatory hot chocolate afterwards). (3) Read more...

Holiday Giving Guide: Five Books We Love

by Caitlin Giles

November 24, 2008

It is holiday shopping time. If you have a lot of little ones on your list, you can't go wrong giving a book. Savvy Source has an awesome Toys and Books section where they have done a lot of the hard work for you and selected some excellent options. Here are a few of our favorites. (1) How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague We love this book at bedtime -- Read more...

The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival

by Caitlin Giles

November 20, 2008

Are you starting to get that holiday feeling? I know that I am. The stores have their decorations up. The twenty-four-hour-a-day holiday music station is at it already. What do they say . . . . it's the most magical time of the year, right? If you are looking for a family event to get your gang in the mood, head down to the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival on November 22nd. Let Read more...

The Wreathing of the Lions

by Caitlin Giles

November 17, 2008

You know the lions in front of the Art Institute, don't you? Well, they are getting ready to get their holiday spirit on. Stop by the Michigan Avenue steps to the Art Institute on Friday, November 28th at 10:00 a.m for the annual Wreathing of the Lions ceremony. Following the wreathing ceremony, families can stop in the Art Institute to make their own wreaths. And while you are there, check out Read more...