Lauren LaRoche

Lauren LaRoche has been a working writer and journalist for more than 12 years. When she’s not writing, she and her husband are chasing after their dog and three children in Chicago. Her career includes work in marketing, in graphic design, and as a lifestyle and events editor for CBS Chicago. To check out more of her writing, visit her website at ldesignchicago.com.

Latest posts by Lauren

Best of 2022 - Chicago Kid Edition: Top Openings, Happenings and Other Awesome Stuff We Loved

Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on Sun, 12/25/2022 - 8:05am

2022 in Chicago was a fun year. From museum openings to new exhibits and play spaces, there were some great additions to the Chicago kids space this year. To help ring in 2023, we’ll take a look back at some of the top openings, happenings, and other stuff we loved about 2022 in both Chicago and the rest of the country.

If you didn’t get to visit some of these great new spaces, they are great additions to your bucket list in 2023. For more kid-friendly fun in the new year, check out our round-up all things family in Chicago here.

Exploring the Sloomoo Institute in Chicago: What to Expect at a Slime Museum

Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on Mon, 12/12/2022 - 8:05am

There are so many textures to explore at Sloomoo Institute Chicago.

If you have any little slime lovers in your family, the newly opened Sloomoo Institute in Chicago is a must. This hands-on space lets you touch, smell, feel, and explore slime textures, colors, and scents unlike any other. Sure, you can always make slime at home, but Sloomoo takes that experience and makes it much, much bigger, plus keeps the slime inside their space and off the walls of your kitchen.

The Sloomoo Institute Chicago is located at 820 N. Orleans and offers timed admission tickets to ensure every group has an enjoyable sensory experience. And if you're looking for a museum with a little less mess, check out our Museum Guide.

Kid-Friendly Local Restaurants Open on Christmas in Chicago

Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on Sun, 12/11/2022 - 6:37pm

The Peninsula knows how to do Christmas. Holiday decorations by Kehoe Designs, photography by Mark Segal

Looking for restaurants open on Christmas in Chicago? We have a great list.

This Christmas, it’s OK to let someone else do the cooking. If you’re looking for kid-friendly restaurants open on Christmas in Chicago (or on Christmas Eve!) you’ve come to the right place. We’ve rounded up restaurants with beautiful Christmas displays, special Christmas menus, and holiday treats that will add a little magic to your kid's Christmas meal. With no clean-up required, you and the kids can head home, sit back, and relax in your matching Christmas pajamas.

For more holiday ideas, check out our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Activities for Chicago Families.

Spectacular Neighborhood Holiday Lights and Christmas Lights in Chicago

Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on Fri, 12/09/2022 - 12:35pm

There are many beautiful Christmas lights in Chicago neighborhoods. Photo courtesy of Lights on Easton

If you’re looking for the ultimate list of holiday and Christmas lights in Chicago neighborhoods, we’ve got you covered. From the city to the 'burbs, these houses, streets, and neighborhoods go all out with their impressive self-made holiday and Christmas lights displays. Some homes on this list are best viewed from the car, while others encourage you to get out and walk. Many homes and streets feature light-up tunnels, visits from Santa, and treats for the kids. We’ve also noted which shows on the list are synchronized to music and what radio stations to tune into.

For more holiday light displays, check out this mega list, Where to See the Best Holiday and Christmas Lights in Chicago. More holiday fun at our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Activities for Chicago Families.

Explore Ice Castles Across America with Kids this Winter

Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on Sat, 11/19/2022 - 10:00am

Explore the colorful Ice Castles in Midway, Utah. Photo by AJ Mellor/Ice Castles

If you’re looking for some great winter fun for your family, consider visiting Ice Castles. These amazing structures, made up of over 20 million pounds of ice, are a sparkly, magical experience for both grown-ups and kids. And with Ice Castles in New Hampshire, Minnesota, New York, and Utah—as well as the famous Lake Geneva Ice Castles in Wisconsin—there just may be one near your home or within a short drive for a quick getaway.

From what to wear to what to expect, we have all the details about visiting these magical Ice Castles with kids. For more ideas on what do this winter, check out our favorite outdoor winter activities for kids and our Skiing, Snowboarding, and Snow Sports Guide.

Holiday Volunteering Opportunities for Kids and Families in Chicago

Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on Fri, 11/18/2022 - 7:25am

Kids can volunteer alongside parents at these Chicago charities. Photo courtesy of the Greater Chicago Food Depository

Holiday volunteering opportunities are a great way to show your children that there’s more to the season than parties and getting gifts. This year, show them how good it feels to help someone in need. To help you find the right volunteering opportunities in Chicago for you and your family, we’ve rounded up several holiday (and year-round) volunteer opportunities in Chicago for families. Many of these groups even have events and opportunities for kids as young as 5. It’s never too early to show your kids the importance of helping our community.

For more holiday events, happenings, and festive fun, check out the Mommy Poppins Guide to Holiday and Christmas Activities for Chicago Families.

Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks in Chicago for Kids and Families

Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on Sun, 11/06/2022 - 4:38pm

Long, cold winters mean more ice skating in Chicago, and many of the beautiful outdoor ice skating rinks here are FREE. Not all ice skating in Chicago need polar-vortex temperatures to stay open; some refrigerated rinks are available for skating as long as the temperature is less than 40 degrees. Many rinks offer hockey, broomball, figure skating, or speed skating programs. And not all rinks are your standard oval, either: Maggie Daley Park’s Skating Ribbon lets figure skaters enjoy a different kind of figure 8.

For all the details on where to enjoy ice skating in Chicago, read on. And for more winter activities to enjoy with your family, check out our Winter Activities Guide.

Most rinks on this list offer a website or app for skaters to check conditions before they head out to the rink. Families should also check to make sure skate rental is available if needed and obey all rink safety rules.

Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving in Chicago

Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on Fri, 10/28/2022 - 11:12pm

Photo courtesy of Joe's Seafood and Prime Rib

Don't feel like cooking? Check out our list of restaurants open on Thanksgiving in Chicago.

If spending days and hours in the kitchen preparing for Thanksgiving isn’t your thing, there are plenty of kid-friendly restaurants open on Thanksgiving in Chicago where you can dine-in or order a take-home meal. From traditional Thanksgiving menus to family-style brunch and more, we’ve rounded up some of the best restaurants open on Thanksgiving in Chicago. These are also kid-friendly with special kid's menus and pricing for all your little turkeys.

For year-round dining, check out our Kid-Friendly Chicago Restaurants Guide.