Maureen Wilkey

Latest posts by Maureen

Not-S0-Scary Halloween Events in Chicago for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Sun, 10/16/2022 - 10:48am

Pumpkin Party photo courtesy of Gallagher Way

Parents of little pumpkins all over Chicago can sometimes feel left out of all of the Halloween fun that big kids get to enjoy throughout October. Even the scared-of-the-dark crowd can enjoy some of the less scary aspects of the ghost and ghouls themed holiday. We have rounded up more than 30 parties, concerts, storytimes, pumpkin patches, and trick-or-treating Halloween events in Chicago for toddlers and preschoolers to enjoy.

Toddlers and preschoolers can enjoy Halloween events in Chicago during the daylight hours at one of the many trunk-or-treats throughout the Chicago area. Looking for recommendations on where to get a pumpkin, how to dress up, where to trick-or-treat and more? Check out our Chicago Halloween Fun Guide.

Here is our list of top Halloween events in Chicago for toddlers and preschoolers in 2022!

Trunk-or-Treat in Chicago: 31 Fun Halloween Events

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Sun, 10/09/2022 - 12:25pm

Trunk-or-Treat in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Winnetka Park District

Is it too cold, too hot, or too far to walk this Halloween? Fear not, toddler parents, there are plenty of trunk-or-treat events in Chicago available for your little ghosts and goblins. Trunk-or-treat in Chicago involves local families, businesses, or organizations decorating their cars and lining them up in a parking lot so kids can go from trunk to trunk gathering sweets, just like trick-or-treating. And many neighborhoods and suburbs have them, sponsored by their park district, local church, school, or toy store. Trunk-or-treating in Chicago also offers kids an extra opportunity to grab some candy before Halloween, while supporting local businesses and non-profits.

13 Haunted Houses in Chicago for Brave Kids and Families

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Fri, 10/07/2022 - 12:45pm

Haunted Hayride photo courtesy of Sonny Acres Farm

If you're looking for the thrills and chills of the season, we've put together this list of haunted houses in and near Chicago. Do you have a littler kid who might get a kick out of being just a little scared? We have a few options for tiny horror lovers as well.

Many of these haunted houses in Chicago (and haunted factories, prisons, forests, and maybe even a haunted office building) are super-scary and not recommended for kids under a certain age. Parents should make sure they know their children's (and their own) tolerance for gore and fright before heading out to one of these haunted venues.

These haunted houses in Chicago are just a few of the fun Halloween experiences for kids and families. Be sure to also check out our list of free Halloween events and many other Halloween happenings in our Halloween Guide.

Best Free Halloween Events In Chicago For Kids

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Sun, 10/02/2022 - 5:46am

Lincoln Park Spooktacular is one of the most popular free Halloween events in Chicago. Photo courtesy of the event

Parents already spend a load of money on Halloween, from costumes to candy to decorations. Luckily, families have many options for fun, FREE Halloween events in Chicago for kids. We've put together a list of our favorite free Halloween events in Chicago, including trick-or-treating or trunk-or-treating from Lincoln Square to Lemont, parades downtown, in Lakeview, and in the suburbs, and outdoor movies near Wrigley Field or at Oak Brook Center.

Best of October: Halloween, Fall Fests, and More Fun Things To Do in Chicago

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Fri, 09/30/2022 - 6:18am

Photo courtesy of Midnight Circus in the Parks, Facebook

Halloween is always exciting, and October in Chicago is delivering a whole lot of treats: We have apples and pumpkins to pick; there are Oktoberfest events in North Center and Wheaton, and kids can check out two different circuses—UniverSoul Circus and Midnight Circus—throughout Chicago parks. Kids can also celebrate their ancestors at Day of the Dead events in Schaumburg and Pilsen.

Of course, we’ve got you covered for Halloween events in Chicago, too. If you'd rather trick-or-treat at businesses than at houses or apartments, visit Lincoln Square, Ravenswood, Bucktown or Wicker Park, or trick-or-treat with the animals at Brookfield's Boo at the Zoo. And if you're more comfortable staying in for the holiday, we have some fun Halloween games to recommend.

Check out our full line-up of favorite fall festivals here, or read on to see the best of October!

How To Make a Piñata at Home: Easy Paper Bag Piñatas

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Thu, 09/29/2022 - 11:45am

It's easier than you'd think to turn a simple paper lunch bag into a festive piñata!

Piñatas are undeniably fun, no matter what you're celebrating. But buying one at a store can get expensive, and making one out of papier-mâché can be time-consuming (plus it's a recipe for a Pinterest fail). But we can tell you how to make a piñata out of materials you may already have at home—paper bag and tissue paper.

Whether you're planning a birthday party (these make great party activities for kids to take home as a non-traditional goody bag), a Halloween bash, or just a random weekend activity, paper bag piñatas are a great bang for your buck. We made ours in about an hour, and filled them with our favorite candy. My kids added googly eyes and sequins; your decorations are limited only by your imagination!

For more crafty fun, check out our list of 100 awesome art projects for kids and more crafting fun on our Guide to Boredom Busters for Kids.

Top Halloween Events in Chicago for Kids and Families

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Fri, 09/23/2022 - 1:00pm

Boo at the Zoo photo courtesy of the Brookfield Zoo

Looking for the best Halloween events in Chicago for kids? Read on for our top picks for the spooky season.

It's time to break out a different kind of masks! Even if you choose not to go trick-or-treating, there are still plenty of fun Halloween events in Chicago for kids.

We've got you covered with more than 60 kids' Halloween events in Chicago that get you into the scary spirit. From neighborhood trick-or-treating to parties to parades to movies, there's something for everybody this Halloween. When you're done going apple picking and visiting the pumpkin patch, check out one of these happenings. Find lots more must-do events in our Halloween Events and Activities Guide for Chicago Kids.

How to Pack a Zero-Waste School Lunch

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Tue, 09/20/2022 - 11:57am

What kid wouldn't want to eat a lunch this adorable?

Packing a zero-waste school lunch sounds like lots of extra work, but it doesn't have to be hard, and it's worth the effort to create a better planet and Earth-friendly habits for our kids. Wrappers, chip bags, applesauce pouches, milk cartons, juice boxes—there's a lot of waste associated with school lunches. By making school lunches as zero-waste as possible, you can help keep extra packaging and food scraps out of landfills. Luckily, there are lots of ways to easily reduce or eliminate waste in your kids' lunchboxes, and many of them will actually save you money.

Here are our top 12 tips for packing a zero-waste school lunch. For more ways to save the planet, including water conservation tricks and ways to live more sustainably every day, check out our Earth Kids Guide.