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Maureen Wilkey

Latest posts by Maureen

17 Mini Golf Courses Near Chicago for Kid-Friendly Putt-Putt

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Sun, 07/23/2023 - 8:02pm

Try one of these fun Chicago mini golf courses. Photo courtesy of Diversey Driving Range and Mini Golf

There's no shortage of mini golf near Chicago—and putt putt might just be one of the better summer and fall activities for kids. It offers a chance for some physical activity and a bit of fresh air. These 17 Chicago mini golf courses are fun for kids and adults alike, combining skill and luck for a friendly competition among family members. We've also included indoor putt putt in Chicago for inclement weather, so those are always a solid backup plan (or primary plan!).

Read more.

Harry Potter: Magic at Play at Water Tower Place in Chicago

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Fri, 07/21/2023 - 8:54am

The entering class of Hogwarts.

Do you have a kid who knows what house the sorting hat would place them in and could identify a blast-ended skrewt or a mandrake? If so, you might want to take them to visit Harry Potter: Magic at Play at Water Tower Place. The pop-up experience has extended its stay in Chicago through Labor Day weekend, giving kids plenty of chances to check it out before school starts again. Explore the magical wizarding world to ignite your kids' imaginations and encourage reading and story-telling over the summer break.

Harry Potter: Magic at Play is the perfect Indoor Activity for a rainy day or bad air quality day. Here's what to expect from the experience.

Read more.

Best Boat Rides in Chicago for Families

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Tue, 07/11/2023 - 12:35pm

Wendella offers themed sightseeing boat rides in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Wendella Sightseeing Company

Ready to hit the water? Families can celebrate the season by boarding a variety of boats on Lake Michigan or the Chicago River. Some may even want to venture further west for an old-fashioned river boat ride on the Fox River in St. Charles or a kid-powered paddle boat ride along the Naperville Riverwalk. A wide variety of boat rides are available for enjoying the water throughout the city and suburbs.

Check out some of our favorite boat rides near downtown Chicago and beyond. Families who are interested in relaxing dinner cruises, adventurous sailing, or architecture are sure to find something here that floats their boat.

Read more.

Free Camps and Classes for Kids at a Store Near You

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Tue, 07/04/2023 - 12:00pm

Kids can learn coding, video skills, and more during free Apple Camps at the Apple Store. Photo courtesy of Apple

Classes and camps are a big part of growing up for many kids. They are fun, enriching, and provide parents with some much-needed alone time on weekends or during school breaks. But as every parent knows, the cost of camps and classes can add up quickly.

Luckily, not every class your kid takes has to cost an arm and a leg. Many national chain stores offer fun and free camps and classes for kids that will teach them something new and show them a great time. These include cooking classes, coding and tech lessons, arts and crafts workshops, and more.

Here are 11 nationwide chain stores that offer free classes and camps to help fill kids' schedules without breaking the bank—even if your child does ask you to buy something while you're there! Check out our Guide to Classes for Kids and our Summer Camp Guide for even more fun ways to fill your kids' days.

Read more.

37 Best Things to Do in Chicago July 2023 with Kids

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Fri, 06/30/2023 - 8:38am

CircEsteem is back this July 2023. Photo courtesy of the CircEsteem Facebook page

July in Chicago is a great month for all things outdoors, kicking off with fireworks and continuing with movies, concerts, street festivals, and more! In addition to fireworks downtown and in the suburbs, you can taste Chicago, Lincoln Avenue, or Oak Brook. Celebrate different cultures at the World Music Festival in Highland Park, or  International Festival of Life in Washington Park. Or, listen to music along the Mag Mile or at Brookfield Zoo.

Read more.

4th of July Weekend in Chicago: Fireworks, Festivals, and More Things to Do with Kids

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Wed, 06/28/2023 - 10:00am

Chicago has lots of parades and fireworks for July 4th weekend. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Parks Department

Looking for the best things to do in Chicago this 4th of July weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend.

Not sure what to do with the kids this Fourth of July weekend in Chicago? We've rounded up tons of events this weekend, including fireworks, parades, festivals, and carnivals for patriots of all sizes! And plenty of the things to do in Chicago this 4th of July weekend are perfect for littles who can't stay up late enough to see fireworks: Kids can enjoy parades in Hyde Park, Hinsdale, or Arlington Heights; concerts in Rosemont, Grant Park or Cantigny Park; or festivals in Washington Park or Oak Brook.

Beat the heat this weekend in Chicago at one of the best free public pools or lakeside beaches. Or get out of town for the Fourth of July weekend with a Chicago-area day trip, by staying at a local campground, or discovering one of the best children's museums in the country.

Did we mention we’re running weekly giveaways all summer long? This week we’re giving away a Mommy Poppins beach towel. Plus, each entry also counts as an extra entry into our Ultimate Summer Giveaway, an all-included trip to Nick Resort Punta Cana! Find out how to enter on our Facebook page!

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Where to See 4th of July Fireworks in Chicago 2023

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Sun, 06/18/2023 - 11:21am

Don't miss the Fourth of July fireworks display in Chicago at Navy Pier. Photo courtesy of Navy Pier

Fourth of July fireworks in Chicago are a hallmark of summer. Because the Fourth of July is on a Tuesday this year, some spots have opted to have their Fourth of July fireworks displays on July 3 to celebrate Independence Eve—and some places are having fireworks displays even earlier. Those who are late to the party can also see post-4th fireworks at Soldier Field at the Chicago Fire soccer game, or at Navy Pier for its Wednesday fireworks display on July 5. Be sure to check our list of the most spectacular Fourth of July fireworks displays in Chicago carefully so your family doesn't miss your favorite July 4th fireworks display.

From the beaches to the parks to the lake, these are the best places to view fireworks in Chicago for the whole Fourth of July weekend. In addition to seeing some super sparklers, consider celebrating the holiday with one of these Fourth of July activities that aren't fireworks.

Read more.

Best Places to Hike with Kids Near Chicago

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Fri, 06/16/2023 - 4:00pm

There are both woodland and paved trails at the Morton Arboretum. Photo by Maureen Wilkey

Hikes in Chicago are a fun family outing that's outdoors, close to home, and doesn't break the bank. Hiking with kids in one of Chicago's forest preserves or parks is a great way to get everyone outside, and there are many shady trails where you can beat the heat while getting some exercise.

We’ve rounded up 15 of our favorite Chicago-area hiking spots, all within an hour's drive of the city, for a perfect family day trip. While some hiking trails may be better suited to bigger kids who can walk a mile or more on their own, plenty of these paths are stroller friendly—in fact, we’ve hiked a few with two preschoolers in a double stroller.  Who knows, maybe a local hike will inspire your family to take a trip to a national park this year or next.

Read more.

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