Bonnie Broeren

Latest posts by Bonnie

Free Public Swimming Pools in Chicago for Summer 2023

Submitted by Bonnie Broeren on Thu, 06/29/2023 - 10:33am

Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District

Chicago's free swimming pools opened on June 23 and won't close for the season until August 20, 2023. So on sunny days, you can find Chicagoans swimming, floating, and soaking up the sun at one of Chicago’s fifty (!) free outdoor swimming pools. Many free Chicago public pools have separate splash pads, or kiddie pools with zero entry for the littlest swimmers—and a few even have water slides!

Here are a few of our favorite outdoor pools in Chicago for no-cost summer fun with kids. Looking for more ways to play in Chicago with kids this summer without breaking the bank? Check out our list of Free and Affordable Summer Camps for Chicago Kids, and also our complete Summer Fun Guide for Chicago Kids!

20+ Best Summer Day Camps in Chicago

Submitted by Bonnie Broeren on Sun, 03/05/2023 - 10:30am

Chicago has some great summer camps for kids coming up in 2023. Photo courtesy of the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Camp

Looking for summer camps in Chicago? Here's a list of our favorite Chicago summer day camps.

Summer is just around the corner, which means it's time to find a great summer camp for your kids. Whether you need summer camp so you can work or you just want to get your kid out of the house and into a structured activity with friends, there are lots of options available for Chicago summer camps this year. These camps offer a range of activities, and for kids who are into sports, science, theater, or just want to have fun—you're sure to find the perfect summer camp.

We also have a list of free and affordable camps, or you can also find our complete Chicago Summer Camp Guide here, including camps based on specific interests or for different aged kids.

Free and Affordable Summer Camps In Chicago

Submitted by Bonnie Broeren on Sun, 02/19/2023 - 9:59am

Tinkering Camp in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Dupage Children's Museum

Looking for free summer camps in Chicago? Look no further—we have a list of affordable and free summer camps in Chicago and the surrounding area.

School’s almost out, which means it's time for parents to figure out how to keep kids busy, happy, and entertained for the whole summer. Summer camp is a great way to help kids burn off energy, spend time outdoors, and make lifelong friendships ... but you gotta do it without breaking the bank. No need to panic: We've rounded up free and affordable summer camp options throughout Chicagoland.

Parents and caregivers should sign up for summer camp as early as possible to take advantage of early-bird discounts offered by most organizations. Also, many summer camps award scholarships or help with financial assistance. If there is a camp your child is interested in, it’s worth checking to see if they offer scholarships and/or financial assistance.

There are tons of different types of Chicago summer camps. Find the right one using our Chicago Summer Camp Guide.

Best Places to Trick-or-Treat in Chicago

Submitted by Bonnie Broeren on Fri, 10/14/2022 - 8:30am

Photo courtesy of the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce

Halloween is your annual excuse to get the family dressed up, sugared up, and out for a spooky adventure. You’ve got the perfect Halloween costume and trick or treat bag (plus an extra bag for when that one gets full). Now, you just need to find that extra-special neighborhood to trick or treat near Chicago.

Whether you’re looking for haunted mansions, festive parades, live entertainment, or over-the-top decor, we have the best neighborhoods in Chicago for trick-or-treating and Halloween fun for families. If you strategize, you can even hit up multiple events for maximum returns on that costume.

Need more Halloween ideas? Check out our Halloween Guide.

Make Virtual Hangouts 100% More Awesome with Fun Features and Ideas

Submitted by Bonnie Broeren on Fri, 05/22/2020 - 9:00am

Coco Palms has free downloadable zoom backgrounds to make you feel like you're in the tropics. Photo courtesy of Coco Palm/Cala Nighswander

With social distancing measures in place, most of us are keeping in touch with friends and relatives via virtual hangouts on Zoom, HouseParty, FaceTime, and other video apps. While nothing can replace real face time with friends and family, video conferencing can bring its own unique brand of fun. From virtual backgrounds to interactive games to special guests (who knew goats had such screen presence?), these tips and tricks will add some pizzazz to your next online gathering.

For more creative ways to connect while keeping socially distant, check out our ideas for car parades, neighborhood scavenger hunts, and more.

Illinois Reopening: What's Open and What's Closed in Chicago Now

Submitted by Bonnie Broeren on Wed, 05/20/2020 - 2:17pm

The McHenry Outdoor Theater is open for some much-needed entertainment. Photo courtesy of the theater

Governor J.B. Pritzker has rolled out the Illinois reopening plan, while Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has announced a separate framework for the Chicago metro area. After two months of lockdown, only seeing each other in car parades and during 8pm howls, giving our kids quarantine haircuts, and throwing virtual birthday parties, we finally have an Illinois reopening plan. We will (eventually!) be able to get out and enjoy some of the long-awaited warm weather.

The Restore Illinois plan divides the state into four regions and includes five phases. May 1 saw the beginning of Phase 2, a mostly stay-home-phase, with the reopening of some state parks. Locally, the Protecting Chicago plan also has five phases and is also currently in Phase 2. In positive news, Illinois regions beyond the metro area continue to flatten the curve and are on track to enter Phase 3 of reopening May 29. Chicago is close behind and expected to start reopening sometime in June. Read on to find out what this means for families, schools, and local businesses, as well as what outdoor spaces we can now visit, those reopening soon, and those that are still closed.

To enter Phase 3, we need to keep meeting certain milestones, which means continuing to socially distance and wear face masks. If you develop symptoms, find out how to get tested, and be sure to steer clear of close contact, particularly with vulnerable populations.

30 Daily Celebrations to Break the Monotony of #StayatHome

Submitted by Bonnie Broeren on Fri, 05/01/2020 - 11:30am

During these uncertain times, finding little things to celebrate each day can help lighten the mood and make time pass more quickly. Kids love holidays, and seeing little faces light up can bring grownups some much-needed levity. We have found a fun holiday for every day of May, along with some ideas for how you can celebrate with your family. If the daily holiday doesn’t appeal to you or your kiddos, try celebrating a random country by closing your eyes and pointing on a globe or map. Learn a few words in their language and make a snack inspired by the food they eat. Have fun!

For more at-home fun, check out our Stay-at-Home Guide: 100s of Activities and Resources for Families on Pause.

Chicago Restaurants Where Kids Can Play

Submitted by Bonnie Broeren on Fri, 02/14/2020 - 10:19pm

It might e hard to take a dinner break with all the games on offer at Gameworks.

Whether you’re looking for a special occasion spot or just don’t feel like cooking, going out to a restaurant where someone else prepares your food and cleans up afterwards sounds heavenly to hard-working parents. The idea of taking your kids to a restaurant, however, can be stressful. We have the perfect compromise: a place where your kids can play while you (and hopefully they) eat! Yes, these places really exist. In fact, we found 15 of them in Chicago and the nearby suburbs. Whether you have a tot, a tween, or a teen, there’s something for everyone.