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

8 Top Dual Language Preschools Near Chicago

Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on Fri, 10/21/2022 - 12:57pm

Photo courtesy of the Rayito de Sol Spanish Immersion Early Learning Center

If you’re interested in exploring the many benefits of a dual-language preschool in Chicago, you’ve come to the right place. Preschools in Chicago featuring dual language programs provide a curriculum that is either partly or completely immersed in a second language. The goal is to help students reach developmental, literacy, and language milestones in two languages. We’ve rounded up some great preschools in Chicago as well as the nearby suburbs. Some schools on this list continue through elementary school as well.

For more preschools in Chicago, check out our list of Top Montessori Preschools in Chicago.

20 Kid-Friendly Pumpkin Recipes for Fall and All Year Long

Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on Thu, 10/06/2022 - 1:21am

Pumpkin adds some sweetness to pancakes. Photo courtesy of Inspired Taste

Everyone loves a great pumpkin bread recipe, but pumpkin consumption shouldn't begin and end there—there are loads of tasty pumpkin recipes for every meal of the day. Although pumpkin is often found in rich desserts, it’s actually full of important nutrients for kids. Pumpkin is packed with iron, potassium, fiber, vitamin A, and vitamin C, and is made up of 94% water, making it low in calories. From pumpkin muffins to pumpkin pancakes, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite kid-friendly pumpkin recipes.

For more great recipes for children, visit our Guide To Easy Recipes for Kids, which includes fun fall recipes like these easy apple recipes and our favorite Halloween treats for kids.

Top Bat and Bar Mitzvah Venues in Chicago

Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on Sun, 09/25/2022 - 12:47pm

There are many popular bar and bat mitzvah venues in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Pinstripes

A bar or bat mitzvah is a special time and a special ceremony for Jewish teens ages 12 or 13, and there are lots of great venues and event spaces for bat and bar mitzvahs in Chicago. From hotels to city lofts and gaming spaces, these bar mitzvah venues in Chicago are sure to pack the fun for friends and family. For more great party resources, check out our Kids' Party Places in Chicago Guide and our Guide to Special Occasions.

20 Fall Day Trips from Chicago for Families

Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on Fri, 08/26/2022 - 11:25pm

When you’re looking for a fun and festive fall day trip from Chicago, a local farm is a great place to start. Photo courtesy of Pioneer Farm

If you're looking for an easy fall day trip from Chicago without a hotel stay or time off from work and school, this is your list. From farms to quaint towns, and fall leaves, we've rounded up some of our favorite fall day trips from Chicago. Pick pumpkins, stroll through shops in Galena or Savanna, hike the shoreline in Sheboygan, or check out a haunted house. Every trip on this list is located in Chicagoland or less than 2.5-hours away. Happy fall exploring. Visit our Fall Fun Guide for more trip ideas, guides, holiday crafts, and more.

Best Kid-Friendly Escape Rooms in Chicago

Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on Fri, 08/19/2022 - 1:00am

Family-friendly and voted one of the top 5 escape rooms in the USA! Photo courtesy of Escape Factor in Forest Park

If you’re looking for the ultimate escape room in Chicago, you’ve come to the right place. An escape room is an awesome and interactive experience for the entire family. Your entire group will need to work together to try and find an escape from the room you’re in. The coolest part about doing this challenge together is the different themes each escape room comes with. There is sure to be a room and theme to fit tweens, teens, and even the littlest member of your group. Check out our escape rooms in Chicago round-up below.

Escape rooms are fun all year round! For other indoor activities in Chicago, check out our Guide to Indoor Play.

End of Summer Bucket List: 15 Things to Do in Chicago Before School Starts

Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on Fri, 08/05/2022 - 8:41am

Playing on the Beach in Chicago photo by Don Harder (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

With the start of school just around the corner, we have everything you need to check off a few more items from your summer bucket list. From outdoor movies to summer day trip ideas, there’s still plenty of time to have a little summer fun and make some lifelong memories. Check out this list for all your end-of-summer bucket list ideas and more.

Here are a few of our favorite things to do in Chicago before school starts. For more things to do in Chicago this summer, check out our Summer Fun Guide for Chicago Kids.

Fishing Lakes Near Chicago and More Kid-Friendly Places To Go Fishing

Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on Fri, 07/22/2022 - 12:37am

There are plenty of fishing lakes in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District

If you’re looking for places to go fishing with the kids, we’ve got you covered. These fishing lakes near Chicago are perfect for a day of family fun, right in the heart of Chicago’s most historic neighborhoods. From the Chicago River to lagoons in Humboldt Park and Lincoln Park, there are plenty of cool fishing holes with a wide variety of fish and wildlife. Remember to check local fishing license requirements for adults and to keep life jackets on littles near the water. In Illinois, a fishing license is required for all bodies of water.

For more great family adventures, check out our 20 favorite day trips guide from Chicago.

Garfield Park Conservatory with Kids: Best Things to See and Do

Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on Sun, 07/17/2022 - 6:31pm

Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago. Photo by @zoblue, Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

In Chicago, there are amazing, unique, and free spaces to take your kids if you know where to look. The Garfield Park Conservatory is one of those hidden gems. For an optional donation, you and your family get transplanted into a pre-historic Chicago landscape, a lush dessert oasis, a tropical forest, and more. The best part is that almost all of the conservatory can be explored no matter what the weather is like outside. If you’re looking for a fun and inexpensive outing with your family on a rainy or cold day, this is the place. During the warmer months, you can take advantage of the beautiful and expansive 10-acre outdoor garden.

For more amazing places to explore with kids, check out our guide to the Top Tourist Attractions in Chicago: Best Things to See and Do with Kids.