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 Ice Cream Near Chicago: 12 Ice Cream Parlors and Ice Cream Shops Kids Adore

Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on Fri, 07/15/2022 - 11:37pm

The Original Rainbow Cone is unlike any other ice cream out there. Photo courtesy of Rainbow Cone

Ice cream shops and kids go together like, well, ice cream and kids. There’s something about the cool, sweet treat, that kids go crazy for, any time of the year. If you’re looking to take your kids on a special ice cream trip, you’ve come to the right place. From the North side to the South side and every neighborhood in between, we’ve rounded up the best ice cream shops in Chicago for kids.

For more places to eat with kids, try our Kid-Friendly Chicago Restaurants Guide.

40 Classic Outdoor Games for Kids: Backyard Games, Playground Games, and More

Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on Tue, 06/21/2022 - 12:33pm

Jump rope solo, skip with siblings, or round up the whole gang for double dutch.

It's hard to beat classic outdoor games for kids when it comes time to entertain them during the long school-free summer months, at birthday parties, or when they've spent too much time on screens. From hide-and-seek to ghost in the graveyard, these outdoor games are sure to keep your crew, and whichever neighborhood kids stop by, busy for hours. Best of all, you can play almost all of these playground and backyard games listed below without spending any money. Time to load up the sunscreen, head outdoors, and play!

If you don't mind getting wet, check out these Favorite Water Games to Play With Kids, and keep the party going in the great outdoors with one of the activities from our Guide to Outdoor Activities for Kids.

Chicago Hotels and Fitness Centers with Pool Passes

Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on Fri, 06/17/2022 - 10:14pm

You can enjoy a little staycation and hotel experience without the expensive hotel stay, long road trip or airport travel.

If you’re looking for the amenities of a hotel pool without the hotel stay price tag, these Chicago hotels and fitness centers offer family swims and pool passes for a fraction of the cost. Many of the pools on this list are also indoors which makes them great options for rainy or cold days any time of the year. Some of these hotel pools also come with rooftop views making them a fun change from your neighborhood pool. You can enjoy a little staycation and hotel experience without the expensive hotel stay, long road trip or airport travel.

For more kid-friendly pools, check out our picks for the best free pools in Chicago as well as our round-up of water playgrounds and splash pads.

15 Things to Do on Father’s Day: Father's Day Events in Chicago

Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on Sun, 06/05/2022 - 1:47pm

For the ultimate summer weekend with dad, try a lakeside resort or camping trip this Father’s Day. Photo by Josh Willink, Pexels

Father’s Day is quickly approaching and it’s time to celebrate Dad. To help you plan a Father’s Day in Chicago full of fun for Dad, Grandpa, and the entire family, we’ve rounded up some dad-friendly ideas. These Father's Day events in Chicago are sure to show the special people in your life just how much they mean to you. Happy Father’s Day, Dads!

For other fun Chicago events in June, check out our Best of June.

10 Swimming Lakes near Chicago You Need To Discover

Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on Sun, 05/22/2022 - 12:54pm

Photo courtesy of the Whoazone at Whihala Beach

Summer in Chicago means making the most of the beautiful weather. When you want to get the kids outside and dip them into a cool lake, there’s no shortage of swimming lakes near Chicago to splash around in. From Lake Michigan to Wisconsin, we’ve rounded up 10 of the best swimming lakes near Chicago. Most of the swimming lakes, quarries, and swimming holes listed below are located in a suburb within 30 miles of the city. Grab your beach towels and enjoy a day in the sun at one of the Chicago swimming lakes below.

For more fun by the water check out our round-up of the Best Beaches in Chicago for Families as well as our favorite Sprinkler Parks and Water Playgrounds near Chicago.

Best Water Parks and Amusement Parks for Toddlers Near Chicago

Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on Sun, 05/08/2022 - 2:28pm

Santa's Village is an amusement park that brings Christmas all summer. Photo courtesy of Santa's Village in Dundee, Illinois

While the big kids are tall enough for roller coasters, drop slides, and water rides, there are also plenty of water parks and amusement parks for toddlers near Chicago. If you have a little thrill seeker, we’ve rounded up the best water parks and amusement parks for toddlers near Chicago. This list below features amusement parks and water parks that are designed with little ones in mind. We've separated them into amusement parks, water parks, and combination theme parks. Happy summering, little ones.

For more amusement park adventures, check out our list for the Best Amusement Parks in the Chicago Area for Families and our favorite Water Playgrounds and Spraygrounds for Chicago Kids.

Taco Tuesday: The Only 5 Taco Recipes You’ll Ever Need

Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on Thu, 04/28/2022 - 10:27am

Taco Tuesday makes meal planning easy and dinner kid-pleasing.

Taco Tuesday makes meal planning and cooking on a busy weeknight fun and easy. It's one night a week that you know for sure what’s for dinner and that your kids will actually eat! Here's my secret: master a basic taco seasoning recipe (the best one ever is below) and anything can turn into tacos. I've also included my favorite recipes for a few more easy taco meals: shrimp tacos, chicken tacos, fish tacos, and classic beef tacos. Consider Tuesday night's dinner planned with these quick, easy, and delicious tacos. You can go from "Mom, I'm hungry" to eating in under 30 minutes.

Find more yummy (and quick) things to make for dinner, like No Cleanup Necessary Sheet Pan Dinners Kids Love or Easy Crockpot Recipes for Family Dinner in our Easy Recipes Guide.

Best Tot Lots and Toddler Playgrounds in Chicago

Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on Fri, 04/22/2022 - 8:33am

Maplewood Park in Bucktown is made entirely for little ones. Photo courtesy of the author

There are many amazing parks and toddler playgrounds in Chicago for kids. If you have a little one, however, a visit to a park with 15-foot slides and climbing walls can be stressful. Watching your toddler try to follow a 10-year old up a rock wall is anything but a walk in the park for parents and caregivers. This is why we’ve rounded up our favorite tot lots and toddler playgrounds in Chicago that are made just for little fun-seekers.

For more playground fun, check out our list for the top destination playgrounds in Chicago that are worth the trip.