MommyPoppins

Latest posts by MommyPoppins

Things to Do in Chicago This Weekend: Polar Days, Orchids

Submitted by MommyPoppins on Wed, 02/19/2020 - 8:27am

The Chicago Architecture Center hosts Engineering Fest, featuring exhibits and interactive workshops for the whole family! Photo courtesy of the center

This weekend's best activities for Chicago families are all about appreciating nature and the great outdoors. Polar Adventure Days on Northerly Island this Saturday means plenty of FREE outdoor winter action, including snowshoeing, hot cocoa, and live animals in their winter habitats. Or duck into a lush, fragrant greenhouse for a welcome taste of the tropics at the Chicago Botanic Garden's gorgeous Orchid Show. Then, skate with Princess Anna and Queen Elsa all weekend at Rocket Skate in Bolingbrook.

STEM-loving kids will find exciting things to build and make at the Chicago Architecture Center's Engineering Fest. And Black History Month celebrations continue this weekend with underground railroad hikes and performances at Washington Park. Music lovers shouldn't miss The Music of the Beatles for Kids in Elmhurst.

For even more winter family fun in Chicago, don't forget our roundup of 50+ Free Things to Do With Kids This Winter and our helpful "winter bucket list" of 50 must-do winter activities in Chicago. The event calendar is full of fun ideas, too.

Things to Do in Chicago This Weekend: Lunar New Year, Chocolate Fest

Submitted by MommyPoppins on Tue, 02/04/2020 - 8:41pm

Enter a world of play and creativity as Filament Theatre transforms into a play-space for children and parents to build Forts! Photo courtesy of the theater

February fun is just getting started for Chicagoland kids. This weekend, continue to celebrate Black History Month with a girl-powered musical experience, ring in the Chinese New Year - the Year of the Rat - in Wrigleyville, and enjoy a Beatles tribute concert aimed at kids.

The Greatest Story Never Told is also running through this month, full of silly improv fun. For something a little on the sweeter side, the Morton Arboretum hosts Chocolate Weekend with plenty of samples and chocolates just in time for Valentine's Day (or a snack). And speaking of Valentine's Day, this weekend you'll find lots of themed fun, including chances for kids to make special Valentine's gifts at jewelry-making and crafting workshops.

For more winter fun ideas, check out our (updated) list of FREE Things to Do in Chicago This Winter, and our ultimate winter fun bucket list of Things to Do Indoors With Chicago Kids. Our event calendar is updating every day, too.

Things to Do in Chicago This Weekend: Black History Month, Disney On Ice

Submitted by MommyPoppins on Tue, 01/28/2020 - 11:12pm

Wake Up, Brother Bear! is a highly interactive show that will take you and your cubs on a fun-filled journey through the four seasons with a playful pair of bears. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Children's Theater

Start the weekend off right with National Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day! There is a wide array of fun happening around town - pick from special sea lion events and activities at Shedd Aquarium during Family First Saturday, a step back in time at the Chicago Children's Museum Castle Exhibit and an extra sweet Daddy Daughter Candy Land Ball.

Celebrate Black History Month at Douglas Park's beautiful art exhibit showcasing local talent or the Chicago History Museum's exhibit on Dr. Martin King Luther, Jr. and his influence on the city. And for kid-friendly entertainment, check out Disney On Ice: Road Trip Adventures and the Enchanted Tales Film Series where you can catch your favorite classics - this weekend is "The Lion King."

For more fun ideas for this weekend, see our Event Calendar or our roundup of FREE things to do with kids in Chicago this winter.

Things To Do this Weekend in Chicago with Kids: Family Shows, Free Zoo Days

Submitted by MommyPoppins on Wed, 01/08/2020 - 9:08am

Get ready for another hair-raising adventure when Poppy, Branch and their friends come to life on-stage in Trolls LIVE! Photo courtesy of the production

This weekend, Chicago parents can take a well-deserved break from entertaining the littles, with kid-friendly shows and theater all over town. Disney classics take to the stage with Beauty and the Beast at the Paramount Theater in Aurora, and Mary Poppins at the Drury Lane Theater in Oakbrook Terrace (plus a proper afternoon tea inspired by Ms. Poppins). Wild-haired sprites show off their best dance moves at Trolls! Live at the Chicago Theater, while Harry Potter fans can relive all seven books in just over an hour at Potted Potter. And story-loving preschoolers will be cheered by the new musical Bunny's Book Club at the Lifeline Theater.

On Saturday, the Chicago Architecture Center hosts Girls Build!, a special STEM-focused event just for girls ages 11-17. And on Sunday, join revelers at the Swedish American Museum for Julgransplundring, or "dancing the tree out," the Swedish tradition of rocking around the Christmas tree one last time before the decorations come down.

There's also plenty of FREE outdoor and indoor fun to be had: The Brookfield Zoo is free all weekend, and the Kid Lit Fest of Highland Park features a full roster of FREE readings.

It's the last weekend to slip down the ice slides at Navy Pier's Winter Wonderfest, but there's plenty more indoor winter fun to be had in Chicagoland. Our event calendar is updated with fresh picks daily. Enjoy the weekend!

Things To Do in Chicago This Weekend With Kids: Indoor Play, Kid-Friendly Shows

Submitted by MommyPoppins on Wed, 01/01/2020 - 10:00am

At Toys R' Us Adventure, the toys (and the fun) are larger than life. Photo courtesy of the event

Happy new year! The first weekend of 2020 is full of indoor and outdoor fun for Chicago kids. Catch the last weekend of holiday farmhouse tours at Klein Creek Farm, or the final performances of Corduroy at the Emerald City Theater. Chicago kids have their pick of immersive indoor playscapes this winter, from Toys R Us Adventure to Cloudbuster to Winter Wonderfest. And see our list of Chicago's best indoor play spaces if you still have energy to burn!

It's your last weekend to catch some of Chicago's best holiday sights and lights, including Lightscapes at the Chicago Botanic Gardens, Holidays of Light at MSI, Illuminations at Morton Arboretum, and the holiday flower show at the Garfield Park Conservatory. And if you haven't been to see the Mesmerica 360 exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry, this weekend's your last chance, and it might be just the thing to release all that holiday season stress.

For more weekend fun, check our event calendar for fresh picks daily.

Best Things To Do with NYC Kids: January GoList

Submitted by MommyPoppins on Fri, 12/27/2019 - 11:00am

Get your calendars ready. Here are the top 10 things to do with kids in New York City this January, half of which are FREE.

While January traditionally is a mellow time—especially when compared with the nonstop action of the holidays—there's no way you can hibernate all month, not with kids around. Luckily, you don't have to. Our January 2020 GoList is packed with annual favorites such as the Three Kings Day Parade in East Harlem, Thomas the Train Engine at the NYBG, and the Black Comic Book Festival, plus some new shows, concerts, and other special experiences for kids (including the return of ice rink bumper cars to Bryant Park—exact dates are still to be announced). Don't forget that Martin Luther King Jr. Day is coming up, too, and the Brooklyn Children's Museum and others will host events just for families.

Find more seasonal fun in our NYC Winter Guide for Families.

Things To Do in NYC This Weekend with Kids: Free Nutcracker, Tree Lighting, Holiday Fun

Submitted by MommyPoppins on Wed, 12/04/2019 - 12:30pm

Visit Grand Central Terminal for a special train show. Photo by Janet Bloom

Here we go, holiday season! The weekend features a full slate of kid-friendly holiday fun, starting with a free Nutcracker at Brookfield Place, a performance of Peter and the Wolf narrated by Isaac Mizrahi, and screenings of holiday classics at The Paley Center. Santa is already on the scene, too: In East Flatbush, he'll trot into town on a horse and in Washington Market Park, he arrives in a pedicab with a large elf in the driver's seat. If you're in prep mode for Hanukkah, hit the 14th Street Y's PAUSE/PLAY on Saturday.

Holiday lights all over town blaze to life this weekend—see our roundup of holiday lightings for the one nearest you. Main events include the tree lightings in Fort Greene Park and Carroll Park in Brooklyn, the Astoria Park community tree lighting in Queens, and the tree lighting and holiday bash at the Queens Botanical Garden. In Manhattan, there's the Tompkins Park lighting, Holiday on the Hudson, and the tree lighting event in Carl Schurz Park. And, of course, Park Avenue lights up on Sunday, a little later than usual this year.

For little holiday revelers, see our rundown of the best holiday events in NYC for preschoolers, and don't miss our guide to the best holiday shows for NYC kids. For even more fun with NYC kids, see our new December GoList, consult our jam-packed Holiday Fun Guide, and keep an eye on the bursting-with-fun Event Calendar.

Best Things to Do with NYC Kids: December GoList

Submitted by MommyPoppins on Fri, 11/29/2019 - 2:30pm

Santa isn't the only one making a list and checking it twice. Our carefully curated December GoList is packed with the absolute best things to do with kids in NYC throughout the month. Our top picks include holiday traditions like the quirky Unsilent Night musical procession in Greenwich Village, great holiday theater, and cool family activities.

Many festive picks from our November GoList continue through December too, including holiday lantern shows in all five boroughs, the Dyker Lights holiday displays, Macy's Santaland, and the New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show—plus various Nutcracker performances around the city.

Keep checking our Event Calendar and Holiday Guide for the most up-to-date celebrations, including tree lightings, Santa sightings, and totally FREE holiday events for NYC kids.