Maureen Wilkey

Latest posts by Maureen

21 Best Things To Do in Chicago April 2023 with Kids

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Sun, 03/26/2023 - 10:29am

Bunny Rock at Grant Park this April in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Bunny Rock Race Series

Spring has sprung and it's time to go outside! April 2023 kicks off with all the Easter egg hunts you can handle, plus pictures with the Easter Bunny. There's also plenty of non-bunny related fun, like a favorite returning Chicago Children's Theater production, a new immersive experience at Lighthouse Art Space, and a new Art on the Mart exhibit. For Earth Day, you can help clean up litter in Cook County's forest preserves, make a recycled craft at Gallagher Way, or go for a run in Brookfield. We've got tons of ideas for spring break, which is April 3-9 for Chicago Public Schools.

Spring break is also the perfect time to play tourist in your own city with our top 25 Chicago tourist attractions, or get out of the city to take a family hike. And don't forget to get booking those summer camps, which are filling up fast in the city and suburbs.

Here are our top things to do in Chicago with kids this April!

37 Easter Egg Hunts in Chicago

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Fri, 03/24/2023 - 8:34am

Easter Egg Hunt in Chicago, complete with Bunny photos! Photo courtesy of the Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance

Easter egg hunts in Chicago: when we line up all our kids along the edge of a soccer field covered in Easter eggs, waiting for the moment when they can dash out and grab as many plastic orbs as possible in 45 stress-filled seconds. It's that time of year again, and the Easter egg hunts near Chicago are back in full force!

Some Chicago Easter egg hunts now require little bunnies to register in advance, and some fill up quickly. Also, be aware that not everyone is filling their eggs with candy—some are trading eggs in for prizes instead, so plan ahead if you have a little one who's just in it for the sugar. If the thrill of the hunt is still a little too much for your family, there are also plenty of places where you can take pictures with the Easter bunny and other Easter activities near Chicago, too. For even more events in the week leading up to Easter, check out our list of fun spring break activities.

Meet the Easter Bunny at Bunny Brunches and Easter Bunny Pictures in Chicago

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Sun, 03/19/2023 - 9:40am

Hop to It! It's time for Easter Bunny pictures near Chicago at Woodfield Mall. Photo courtesy of the mall

Easter Bunny pictures are about to be on every fridge in the Chicago area. Easter is just weeks away, and the Easter Bunny is ready for his close-up with kids of all ages. And he's not just around for mere pictures—he's popping up at delicious brunches, 5K runs, pizza parties, bowling centers, and more.

You know where else you can often find the Easter Bunny? At Easter egg hunts! There are plenty of egg hunts taking place all over the city, and we know just where to find them. For even more spring events in the week leading up to Easter, check out our list of fun spring break activities.

The Chicago History Museum with Kids: Top Things to See and Do

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Tue, 03/14/2023 - 8:15am

The Chicago History Museum is free for kids 12 and under.

The Chicago History Museum is off the beaten path of Chicago's Museum Campus and downtown area in historic Old Town, and gives kids an idea of how this great metropolis got here and why its people are so interesting. It's the only museum in Chicago that focuses on how the Windy City got to be what it is today. Just like the city itself, the museum is a little eclectic and a lot of fun. It's great for kids because most of its exhibits have interactive elements, and you can get through most of the exhibits in about three hours.

The Chicago History Museum is open Tuesdays through Sunday and is always free for kids 12 and under. It's also relatively affordable to adults at $19, with a $2 discount for students and seniors. It's easily accessible via the Brown Line and several buses, or you can park nearby for $10 a day with validation. And if your kids like this museum, check out more in our Museum Guide for Kids and Families in Chicago.

What makes Chicago such an awesome city? Here are our favorite parts of the Chicago History Museum for kids:

Best Art Summer Camps for Chicago Kids

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Sun, 03/12/2023 - 11:30am

Art summer camps are popular in Chicago. Photo courtesy of ChiArts

Our list of art summer camps in Chicago will entertain your little artist this summer 2023.

Got a kid who doodles all day in school, even when they're supposed to be working on math equations? Give them a week or more of creative time this summer by signing up for one of our favorite art summer camps in Chicago and the surrounding area. While younger students may be best suited for a mixed-media art camp that introduces multiple art concepts, bigger kids can find specialties to help them prepare for high school or college art classes. From drawing and painting to digital arts and fashion design, we have a little something for everybody on our list of favorite art summer camps near Chicago.

Looking for summer camps that are free or affordable? We have a list of camps for that. Or you can check out our Chicago Summer Camp Guide to find lists of camps for the different interests of each of your little ones.

Best Indoor Swimming Pools Near Chicago for Families

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Fri, 03/10/2023 - 9:30am

One, two, three, jump into one of these indoor swimming pools in Chicago! The Peninsula—Gold Coast, Chicago

Swimming can be fun year round at one of these indoor swimming pools in Chicago.

Chicago is called the Third Coast for a reason, and all summer long kids here enjoy our plethora of beaches; but come winter, those swimming options dry up (sorry, bad pun). Sledding, skating, and winter sports are great, but sometimes kids want to go for a swim, and in Chicago, that means an indoor swimming pool. That's why we found a whole bunch of places kids can go swimming right now, safely.

Whether you're just looking for a place to dip your toe in or dive into a full weekend away, the Chicago area has many choices for indoor swimming pools for the whole family. Discover hotels with private indoor pool times or day passes, theme park-like adventures, and awesome indoor pools with water parks for a mini-staycation—here's how to get kids in the pool in Chicago anytime.

25 Creative Ways To Celebrate Pi Day With Kids

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Mon, 03/06/2023 - 11:00am

There's nothing like pie on Pi Day! Photo by Mommy Poppins

Of course, you celebrate Pi Day with pie! But we've got loads of other activities and treats for celebrating this infinitely fun mathematical holiday. Why is Pi Day celebrated on March 14? The circumference of a circle divided by its diameter is always the same number: Pi, aka 3.14159265...

On Pi Day, many restaurants across the US offer deals on all kinds of pie—pizza pie, cherry pie, pot pie, you name it. There are even events that celebrate Pi, pie, or other punny Pi-related things. We've gathered up some fun deals and activities to help you and your kids celebrate this unique math-centered holiday. And if your child happens to be celebrating a birthday on or near Pi Day, check out these 60 birthday freebies for kids, including a free slice of pizza pie from Sbarro's!

Old Town with Kids: What to Do Just North of Downtown Chicago with Kids

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Fri, 03/03/2023 - 11:54am

Chicago History Museum located in Old Town. Photo by Maureen Wilkey

Every generation seems to pick a new neighborhood that will be trendy in Chicago, but for many decades, Old Town has been an interesting mix of old school Chicago and fun, new places. Bordered by Division Street on the south, Armitage on the north, Lake Michigan to the East, and Clybourn Avenue and Halsted to the West, Old Town was originally know as The Cabbage Patch during its early development by German settlers in the 1800s. Today, its proximity to both downtown and interesting north side neighborhoods like Lincoln Park and Wicker Park make it a favorite for city dwellers and tourists alike. And, there's plenty of things to do with kids within this single square mile of the city.

Old Town has a history of great art and architecture, which is being built on today with the growing popularity of Lighthouse Art Space. It's also home to classic Chicago locales like the Chicago History Museum and The Second City, the birthplace of sketch comedy. To find out more about what's going on in Old Town, check out our handy Chicago family calendar.

If you're visiting Chicago and feel like exploring other great neighborhoods, check out our 3 Days in Chicago itinerary.