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

Feeding Frenzy! Good Food for Your Family

by Caitlin Giles

April 28, 2009

Part of being a parent is feeding your child healthy food.  Easier said than done, right?  Every parent I know struggles with picky eaters, busy schedules that don't always allow for family meals and shrinking family food budgets.  To put it simply:  eating good food can sometimes be a hard thing to do.  But rather than throw up your arms and succumb to the lure of the golden arches, try to incorporate some strategies to simplify your meal planning and preparation.

Let the Food Come to You.  I don't know about you, but grocery shopping with three kids in tow can sometimes be more trouble than it is worth.  I have started using home delivery services for some of our groceries.  Check out Irv and Shelley's Fresh Picks for amazing organic produce and local, hormone-free meats.  When you are in a time crunch, another good standby is Peapod.  Sure, the prices aren't fabulous, but they have a decent selection of natural and organic products and most importantly, they bring the food you need to make a healthy dinner right to your door.

Shop Local.  If you are looking for fresh, healthy food for your family, make a local farmer's market your first stop.  My favorite market is the Green City Market which returns to its outdoor location on May 6th (we can't wait).  Stock up on all of spring's offerings including lettuces, radishes, and ramps.  If you are looking for a farmer's market near you, check out this list of farmer's markets in the city of Chicago. If you want farmer's market goodies but can't make it to the market yourself, visit the Green Grocer.   Owner Cassie picks up requested items from the Green City Market and you can pick them up from her store (how awesome is that?).

Join a CSA.  If you want to feed your family locally grown fruits and veggies all summer long, think about signing up for a CSA, which is short for Community Supported Agriculture. Here is how it works: you pay up front for a share of the crop over the growing season. Each week you get a box full of produce fresh from the farm.  This model is good for farmers and good for you and your family.  If you are looking for more information on CSAs in our area, check out Local Harvest. 

Grow Your Own.  Kids love to dig in the dirt.  Put them to work and start a little vegetable garden. You don't need to have a big yard -- a container, some sunshine and some inexpensive supplies will do.  Learn more from my story on gardening with kids in the spring issue of Going Places Magazine.

Feeding kids can be a struggle but keep in mind that if you are offering them delicious, healthy foods and you are modeling good eating habits, eventually they will give beets and artichokes a try.

Seeing Green in Chicago

by Caitlin Giles

March 17, 2009

Since today is St. Patrick's Day (and because I am a good Irish girl), I have green on my mind.  The weather is beautiful, spring is around the corner and little pockets of green  (like the beginnings of my daffodils) are popping up everywhere.  Here are a few ideas on places to get your "green" fix until spring really takes hold.

The Garfield Park Conservatory. This spot is one of my very favorite, family-friendly destinations.  Admission is free and the Conservatory offers tons of programming for kids.  We love the "digs" in the Children's Garden on Wednesday afternoons and the "Morning Glories" drop-in series for preschoolers on Monday mornings.  Be sure to check out theazaleas that are in bloom right now -- they are totally spectacular.  Your kids will have a blast and you will love the serene, beautiful surroundings.

The Green City Market.   If you are longing for summer mornings spent picking up fresh produce at your favorite farmer's market, you can get your "green" fix at the Market at the Museum at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum .  Although you won't be able to stock up on your favorite berries and summer veggies, you will be able to pick up lots of tasty supplies -- including breads, pastries, cheeses and jarred items.  The next market is scheduled for March 21st.

Green Parent Chicago. If you are looking to make some eco-friendly changes in your family and home this spring (like I am), you should check out the website Green Parent Chicago.   This site has information on all of the latest "green" family events around town, plus great ideas for "green," eco-friendly crafts and activities. 

The Green Grocer.   If spring has you in the mood to cook fresh, organic foods for your family, you must check out my favorite new grocery store.  The Green Grocer (located at Grand and Noble) has wonderful organic, local food offerings.  I love to stock up on really quality food here and know that I am feeding my family the healthiest food available.  Check out the website for their frequent tastings and in-store events.

The Green Mama Cafe Series at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum.  If you are a parent of a young child and looking to lead a more eco-friendly lifestyle, check out this series of classes by Manda Aufochs Gillespie (aka The Green Mama).   Topics include cloth diapering and safer toys.

Where do you go to get your "green" fix in Chicago?  Read more...

Must Reads for Cooking with the Kiddos

by Caitlin Giles

November 26, 2008

Some of you foodies out there may already be familiar with cook book author Mollie Katzen from her very popular The New Moosewood Cookbook -- all vegetarian recipes -- very yummy. But she is also the author of three excellent cookbooks geared towards young children. Her approach to cooking is so practical and fun that your kids will want to get in the kitchen and help you with dinner.  Read more...

Baking With Little Ones (Plus a Giveaway!)

by Caitlin Giles

November 07, 2008

The arrival of the holiday season means lots and lots of baking (with my little helpers of course). On chilly afternoons, we often find ourselves in the kitchen kneading dough, cutting sugar cookies into shapes and dipping our fingers into the frosting. As you start making your holiday baking plans, I have a few tips for including the kiddos that I wanted to pass along. Plus, I also have  Read more...

A Few Fun Ideas for Halloween Dinner

by Caitlin Giles

October 31, 2008

Do you have something special planned for dinner tonight after all of the trick-or-treating fun has been had? Your little ghosts and goblins will surely be hungry and I think that Halloween night is the perfect time to share some "fun food" for dinner. Here are a few clever ideas that I have come across while trying to plan our Halloween  Read more...

The New USDA Food Pyramid for Preschoolers

by Caitlin Giles

October 29, 2008

Every single mother I know worries about nutrition. Whether she is fretting over the fact that her child's lunch comes home uneaten every single day or feeling frustrated by her child's insistence on only eating "white" foods (you know, the mac & cheese and toast diet), moms worry about what their kids are putting in their mouths. The  Read more...

A is for Apples

by Caitlin Giles

September 25, 2008

Apples are one of the great joys of fall. Yum. Yum. Yum. Why not let the kiddos pick their very own apples this year? The Chicago area has some wonderful apples orchards that also offer family-friendly activities. (One can only pick apples for so long before a petting zoo or other attraction beckons). If an apple picking trip sounds good to you, here are  Read more...

More Ideas for Homemade Fun

by Caitlin Giles

September 22, 2008

Some Moms are so damn clever with their do-it-yourself ideas and I like to copy them. From time to time I need a good reminder that my own house and yard are full of things that my children will find fascinating. These are some of the more brilliant ideas for preschooler activities that I have come across recently. Homemade Puffy Paint. We are  Read more...

Best Ways to Cool Off in Chicago

by Caitlin Giles

August 26, 2008

After all of the running, jumping, climbing and general non-stop activity that my monkeys engage in on a daily basis, we are all looking for ways to cool off especially during the month of August. Here is how we like to take a break from the summer heat. Out and About. In my opinion, the absolute best place in Chicago to cool off is Lake Michigan. We are so fortunate to  Read more...

Why Your Kids Will Love Trader Joe's

by Caitlin Giles

August 18, 2008

Grocery shopping with kids can be . . . . hard. But it can also be a fun learning experience for everyone. Really, I swear it can be. Whenever I have to bring my kiddos along for a trip to the grocery store, I try to head to Trader Joe's . This place is seriously kid-friendly. Plus, Trader Joe's offers many, many affordable organic products (always a plus). Here are a few of the more  Read more...

Children's Programming at the Lincoln Park Zoo

by Caitlin Giles

August 15, 2008

I am quite sure that you know that a trip to the Lincoln Park Zoo means lions, gorillas, polar bears, and maybe even a ride on the carousel. But did you know that the Lincoln Park Zoo also has wonderful programming and events for children, ranging from story times to cooking and education classes? Here are some of the upcoming highlights. Story Time. We often find  Read more...

Make Your Own Fun

by Caitlin Giles

August 06, 2008

Looking for some new activities for these last few dog days of summer? Make your own bubbles or play dough. The beauty of making your own materials is that you actually get two activities instead of one because the process of creating is as much fun as the playing itself. Make Your Own Bubbles. Here is a simple recipe to make lots and lots of bubbles (because as you know,  Read more...

Dinner Table Destinations: Eat and Learn

by Caitlin Giles

July 22, 2008

Not planning on bringing the whole family to China for the Olympics this year? Does the thought of dragging your brood to Mexico make you want to down three or four margaritas? Most kids won't step foot in a foreign country until they are much older - but that doesn't mean that our little ones don't want (and need) to know about the world outside of the good ol' USA. Take advantage of  Read more...

Bringing the Kids to the Green City Market: What You Need to Know Before You Go

by Caitlin Giles

June 19, 2008

On Wednesday mornings in the summer and fall, Lincoln Park 's Green City Market is teeming with Mamas and their babes. But I have found that in order to have a successful outing to the Green City Market with the kiddos in tow (and actually have a moment to buy anything), you have to have a plan. Here is my recipe for a successful and fun trip to the Green City Market with little shoppers.  Read more...

Little Gourmets: Chicago Kid's Restaurant Week

by Caitlin Giles

June 09, 2008

Could your little ones use some practice in the fine dining department? Would you like to be able to go out for a family dinner that doesn't include macaroni and cheese? Have I got the event for you! Gourmet and Cookie Magazine have partnered together with some of Chicago 's best restaurants for the first ever Chicago Kid's Restaurant Week . From June 21st through the 28 th  Read more...

How to be A Princess for a Day

by Caitlin Giles

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...

Five Things to Do Outside When Winter is Over (Finally) and the Sun Shines!

by Caitlin Giles

May 15, 2008

Chicago winters can be miserable and endless. When April rolls around and the temperature finally gets above sixty, my kiddos and I are truly desperate to get out of the house ! Here are our top warm-weather must-dos when the sun finally shines. Pack a Picnic. Eating outside is fun no matter what age you are! Work with your kids to plan and pack a picnic lunch. Gather together  Read more...

How to cultivate a green (and very tiny) Chicago thumb

by Caitlin Giles

May 13, 2008

Spring has sprung in Chicago (finally). Time to get your garden going! Don't plop the kiddos down in front of the television while you mulch your flower beds --- let your little helpers dig alongside you! Gardening is a wonderful activity for keeping little hands busy and dirty. Plus, growing vegetables helps kids connect the leafy plants in the yard with the food on their dinner plates.  Read more...