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

This Week's Must Do: The Modern Wing

by Caitlin Giles

May 15, 2009

As you have no doubt heard or read, the much-touted Modern Wing at the Art Institute of Chicago opens tomorrow. Everybody is talking about it. I think that some parents don't think of the Art Institute as a great destination for younger children, but that isn't the case. I have written before about ways to make your child fall in love with the Art Institute and have made many trips there with my art-lovin' five-year-old.  Kids love this place, trust me.

If you haven't taken advantage of the family-friendly programming at the Art Institute, now is a great time to check it out.  To celebrate the unveiling of the new Modern Wing, admission is FREE from May 16th through the 22nd (in lieu of admission, the museum is asking that food donations be made to the Chicago Food Depository).  The new education space is prominently located on the first floor of the Modern Wing and promises to offer tons of new programming options for families (truthfully, I found the old education space to be a bit lacking and uninspiring so I am excited to make a visit to the new facilities).  Over the next few months, the Art Institute is adding some great new programming for families so check out the calendar to see what works for your family. Also, beginning the week of Memorial Day, admission on Thursday and Friday evenings fro 5:00 until 9:00 is free. Another great cultural opportunity for us lucky Chicagoans!  Read more...

Whatcha Doing This Weekend (May 9th-10th)?

by Caitlin Giles

May 08, 2009

As always, there is so much good stuff for families to do in Chicago this weekend (or for Dad and the kids to do while Mom enjoys a spa day).  Here are your best bets.

Family Days at the Museum of Contemporary Art.   Collaborate on a community-based mural and learn more about creating public art in your own neighborhood (cool, right?).  The event takes place on Saturday, May 9th from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

A Family Affair at the Menomomee Club.  If you haven't ever taken advantage of any of the great programming for kids at the Menomonee Club, this weekend is a good time to check it out. This is an event for the whole family featuring an appearance by Ms. Lori, a sing-a-long, storytelling and arts and crafts.  Tickets and more info available on the website.

Celebrate National Train Day!  Head on over to Union Station for a day of train celebration.  Events include train tours, train driving simulators, model train displays, face painting, juggling, and face painting. 
Visit the National Train Day website for more details.

Happy Mother's Day to all you Chicago Mamas!

Great Chicago Places and Spaces

by Caitlin Giles

May 05, 2009

Great Chicago Places and Spaces

by Caitlin Giles

May 05, 2009

Petite Picassos: Art Classes for Preschoolers

by Caitlin Giles

April 06, 2009

If you have a budding artist at your house (like I do), you might be looking for an outlet for his or her creative energies.  Chicago has lots of art class options for young artists.  Here are three good choices.

Old Town School of Music.   I know, you probably think of Wiggle Worms and guitar lessons when you hear Old Town School of Music, but the truth is that they have lots more to offer than tunes -- like art classes.  My daughter is taking a class here now.  The class size is small and each kid seems to have the space to make their own unique creations.  The teacher reads a book to start the class and the students make a project based on the story.  Although the projects certainly aren't elaborate, the kids have had anopportunity to work with several different mediums.

The Paintbrush. This art studio focuses on art inspired by music (and what kid doesn't love both?).  Kids are promised a hands-on art experience plus lessons about the lives and works of influential composers and artists (frankly, I 'd like to sign myself up for this). The Paintbrush has classes for a range of age groups plus some cool summer camp offerings.

The Easel Art Studio. This Bucktown art studio is a newcomer to the kiddie art scene.  The Easel is owned by an art school grad and former nanny and cool offerings include Sibling Art Classes, Story Art, and a Friday Night Drop-Off.  I also love the "drop-in" option for many of the classes.

What art hot-spots do your kids love?  Read more...

Kids at the Art Institute

by Caitlin Giles

February 16, 2009

You may not think that your rambunctious four-year-old and the Art Institute of Chicago are a good match, but I am here to tell you that you are wrong.

The Art Institute has lots of family-friendly programming that your preschooler will love.  And here is the best part -- the Art Institute is free (you heard me -- FREE) for the whole month of February (kids under 12 are always free but you'll save yourself $12 for each adult).  Make a plan to take your little ones on an art expedition.  Here are a few tips on how to make the most of your visit.
 Read more...

Kids at the CSO: Tchaikovsky's Tales

by Caitlin Giles

January 15, 2009

I love that most of the major cultural centers in Chicago have family-friendly offerings. To me, these types of events are one of the biggest benefits of living in an urban area. Take advantage of these wonderful opportunities to introduce your preschooler to the arts. If you have little music lovers in your house, you won't want to miss the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's Tchaikovsky's  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...

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...

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...

If All The World Were Paper: A Review

by Caitlin Giles

November 06, 2008

If All The World Were Paper is exactly what is purports to be -- theater intended for children. And that fact makes this production decidedly different from much of the children's theater fare out there. From the crayons and paper handed out to keep little hands busy while waiting for the show to start to the many opportunities for audience participation, this production is an excellent  Read more...

Mark Your Calendar for the Chicago International Children's Film Festival

by Caitlin Giles

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...

Cultural Offerings for Little Ones

by Caitlin Giles

September 29, 2008

When you think of some of Chicago 's cultural centers, you are probably thinking more ?date night? than family outing with preschoolers. But the truth is that many of Chicago 's high brow cultural centers offer special programming designed for little ones. Here are a few ways to introduce your little one to the arts. Chicago Chamber Musicians Family Concert. Head down  Read more...

Museum Free Days

by Caitlin Giles

September 15, 2008

Now that the weather has turned cooler, a trip to a museum sounds fun, doesn't it? Why pay admission for the whole gang when you can go for free? Here is some (hopefully very helpful) information on the free days at some of Chicago 's most popular museums. Obviously, be prepared for some crowds. Notebaert Nature Museum . Free admission on Thursdays. Museum of  Read more...

Renegade Craft Fair

by Caitlin Giles

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...

Flourish Studios: Manis for Mommies and So Much More

by Caitlin Giles

July 30, 2008

Have you heard about Flourish Studios in Lakeview? This is a wonderful new family resource that has lots of offer your preschooler (and you too). Flourish Studios is a multi-faceted space offering therapeutic guidance, inspirational products, and positive community-focused events. Here are some of the most family-friendly events and offerings that I came across in the beautiful  Read more...

Children's Theater in Chicago

by Caitlin Giles

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...

The Budding Art Critic: How to Make the Art Institute a Place Your Child Loves

by Caitlin Giles

June 02, 2008

A trip to the Art Institute with a preschooler or two in tow might seem like a daunting endeavor. However, with ample preparation and patience, you can (and should) take the time to introduce your little one to fine art in Chicago . Plan, Plan, Plan . Before you go, talk to your preschooler about what the Art Institute has to offer. Look at some of the collections together  Read more...

5 Best Ways to Enjoy Millennium Park

by Caitlin Giles

May 21, 2008

A visit to Millennium Park is on every family's summer to-do list.   Admit it you are totally planning to bring your in-laws here when they visit, right?   Here are my five tips on what to see and do when you head down to Chicago's most popular outdoor destination.   Check out the Bean .    Touch it.   Stare at it.   Kids love this thing.   Adults love this thing.   It is  Read more...

The Littlest Picasso

by Caitlin Giles

May 20, 2008

My daughter's single favorite activity is an art project. Sometimes we work collaboratively on a big project (such as painting markers for our vegetable garden). Other times she works independently for a long stretch of time on a creation of her own (like a pipe cleaner family portrait). I try to encourage her interest, but also leave her lots of space to come up with ideas and work on her  Read more...