Festivals
Get Greener at the Green Festival!
May 14, 2009
I love an event where EVERYONE in the family has a great time and gets something out of the experience. These types of outings are hard to come by (when is the last time you heard your husband and your three-year-old declare the same thing a really good time?). Mark your calendars for this weekend (May 16th and 17th) for the third annual Green Festival because it is that type of "good times for the whole gang" event.
The Green Festival is a joint project of Global Exchange and Green America, two leading nonprofits dedicated to environmental and social justice. The festival aims to show our community just how economical and attainable aneco-friendly lifestyle is.
Adults can learn about everything from local sustainable business to green building to vegan food. In my opinion, the programming highlight is an appearance by Alice Waters (yipee!). Not just an event for grown-up green enthusiasts, the Chicago Green Festival provides engaging activities for the next generation of budding activists in the Organic Valley Green Kids’ Zone. Planned programming includes making salad in a jar, learning about vermicomposting, and storytelling.
The event takes place at Navy Pier on May 16th and 17th. Admission is $15 for two days/$10 for students or those who arrive by bike or public transit. And the kiddos are free. For more details check out the website www.greenfestivals.org.
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Whatcha Doing This Weekend (March 20th-22nd)?
March 19, 2009
Now that we got a peek of the warm weather headed our way, I am more and more eager for spring every day. I found lots of great, family-friendly activities going on this weekend that will get you into a spring mood too!
Bin There, Dump That. Did you know that you can use worms to eat your garbage and create compost for your garden? I swear, you really can. It's calledvermicomposting and its simple. And your kids will think it is totally awesome. Stop by the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum on Saturday for a workshop on setting up your own bin. For $8, your child can learn the basics of vermicomposting and walk away with his own, shoebox-sized bin. We went last weekend and my kids really enjoyed it (plus we have new "pets" under our kitchen sink).
Maple Syrup Festival. Have your kids ever seen how maple syrup is tapped from trees? Check out the Maple Syrup Festival at the North Park Village Center on Saturday, March 21st. The event is FREE and runs from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Kids get to see the maple syrup-making process, enjoy a story and make a craft.
Neighborhood Sportsfest. If you are looking for a way for the kiddos to burn off some energy, check out the Neighborhood Sportsfest at Hamlin Park (3035 N. Hoyne). Activities include soccer and jumping on inflatables. The event runs from 10:00 until 2:00.
Have a wonderful spring weekend (it's official -- Friday is the first day of spring).
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The Family Farmed Expo
November 12, 2008
Mark your calendars for the Family Farmed Expo from November 22nd through 23rd. This event is a must for every family interested in local, sustainable and delicious food. Our family made the trip to the Expo last year and we all really enjoyed it (plus Millennium Park is just across the street for the kids to enjoy a little outdoor time afterwards). The Family Farmed Expo is Read more...
Your No-Spook, No-Scare Guide to Halloween in Chicago
October 21, 2008
After weeks of deliberation, your little one has chosen the perfect costume. All of your carefully-chosen pumpkins have been carved into the best jack-o-lanterns on the block and the trick-or-treat bag is ready to Read more...
Mark Your Calendar for the Chicago International Children's Film Festival
October 03, 2008
One of the benefits of raising a family in Chicago is the opportunity to take advantage of some of the one-of-a-kind events that take place in our culturally diverse city. One good example is The Chicago International Children's Film Festival (CICFF) which comes to town later this month. The CICFF is North America's largest film festival devoted to films for and by kids. This year's Read more...
Chicago Park District Fall Events You Should Know About
September 17, 2008
I am a big fan of the Chicago Park District . In addition to the fall programming, the CPD has many family-oriented fall programs that you should take advantage of. These events are all either FREE or very affordable. Here are some of the highlights. Toddler, Tunes and Turtles. My kids have a blast at these low-key gatherings. A few more of these fun events Read more...
Renegade Craft Fair
September 08, 2008
Sometimes I feel like my kid's world is so full of things (you know . . . the toys, the games, the clothes) that I don't know how to best teach them the value of special items particularly homemade ones. For example, how do you teach a four-year-old that the sweater her Grandmother knit for her is a very different thing from the racks of machine-made, mass-produced sweaters you see at Read more...
Whatcha Doing This Weekend? (August 23rd-24th)
August 21, 2008
Okay, this is getting serious now. Our summer weekends are truly limited. Are you making your plans wisely? Here are a few of the family highlights for this coming weekend. Don't go summer! Don't go! Bucktown Arts Fest . This event stands out from the crowded summer neighborhood festival line up in terms of its focus and atmosphere. The free festival highlights local Read more...
Kidzapalooza: Rocking Out With the Kids
July 28, 2008
If you have a little wanna-be rock star living under your roof, this year's Kidzapalooza festival is a must for your family. Kidzapalooza is a part of the Lolapalooza festival in Chicago from August 1 st -3 rd . Now, this is not your average children's festival (don't expect petting zoos or inflatable jumping houses). Here are some of the (very cool and unconventional) Read more...
Whatcha Doing This Weekend? (July 26th-27th)
July 24, 2008
I wasn't planning on doing a weekend activities post this week until I realized how many wonderful family-friendly events were going on. So I threw a quick post together with some of the weekend highlights. Venetian Night. This annual event gives families the chance to see some pretty incredible boats up close. Last week, the Chicago to Mackinaw Yacht Race wasn't much of Read more...
Whatcha doing this weekend? (July 19th -20th)
July 18, 2008
There is SO MUCH to do in Chicago this weekend! We are having a hard time choosing which activities to put on our schedule. Here are a few of the family-friendly highlights. Sheffield Garden Walk. Mom and Dad will love the gorgeous gardens on the self-guided garden walk (I would leave strollers behind because spaces can be tight). Your kid will love the activities in Read more...
The Essential Summer Playlist: Can't Miss Music in Chicago
July 01, 2008
We Chicagoans are lucky in a number of ways one of them being the multitude of awesome opportunities to enjoy live music (particularly in the summer). I want to tell you about three family-friendly musical events coming up in July that you don't want to miss. Get your calendars so you can mark these down they are that good. Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players in Read more...
Taking the Kids to the Taste
June 26, 2008
I have a confession to make. The Taste of Chicago isn't my favorite event. I worked at the Taste for two summers when I was in college and let's just say that I am not rushing down to Grant Park each year to relive the experience (in fact I still have the occasional nightmare about people walking around eating turkey legs and corn on the cob). But I do recognize that, for many, an Read more...
Children's Theater in Chicago
June 18, 2008
To date, my daughter's only theater experience is attending my cousin's high school performance of Beauty and the Beast (which was fantastic, if you are reading this Nora). But we are looking to take the theater experience to the next level. In researching local children's theater in Chicago , I was totally delighted (and a little bit surprised) to find so many wonderful options. Here is Read more...
Whatcha Doing This Weekend? (June 14th-15th)
June 11, 2008
More great stuff to do with the kiddos this weekend almost too many events to choose from. Here are a few highlights. Old Town Art Fair. Expose your little one to some local art work this weekend. This annual event is a rite of summer on the North side. The Old Town Art Fair has more to offer than artwork. Live music, food and a kid's corner will keep everyone in the family Read more...
Whatcha Doing This Weekend? (June 7th-8th)
June 04, 2008
From time to time, I am going to give you a heads up about great local kid's events that you may or may not know about. Particularly in the summer, Chicago has great (and often free) family activities nearly every single weekend. Here is what is on our family schedule for this coming weekend. Wicker Park Kid's Karnival. How does face painting, jumping houses, inflatable obstacle Read more...
More of Our Favorite Activities and Things to Do in chicago
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Do, Re, Mi! Places to Hear, Sing & Play a Tune
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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
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