25 Things to Do in Chicago Before School Starts
Submitted by Bonnie Broeren on
Just weeks left in the summer, but still plenty of fun things to do.
Bonnie Broeren
Latest posts by Bonnie
The Best Free Swimming Pools in Chicago for Families
Submitted by Bonnie Broeren on
Chicago's free swimming pools typically open in the middle of June and close at the end of August. So on sunny days, you can find Chicagoans swimming, floating, and soaking up the sun at one of Chicago’s fifty (!) free outdoor swimming pools. Many free Chicago public pools have separate splash pads, or kiddie pools with zero entry for the littlest swimmers—and a few even have water slides!
Here are a few of our favorite outdoor pools in Chicago for no-cost summer fun with kids. Looking for more ways to play in Chicago with kids this summer without breaking the bank? Check out our list of Free and Affordable Summer Camps for Chicago Kids, and also our complete Summer Fun Guide for Chicago Kids!
Best Summer Day Camps in Chicago
Submitted by Bonnie Broeren on
We've rounded up the best day camp options throughout Chicagoland.
Affordable and Free Summer Camps in Chicago
Submitted by Bonnie Broeren on
No need to break the bank this summer to keep kids happy and occupied.
Best Places to Trick-or-Treat on Halloween in Chicago
Submitted by Bonnie Broeren on
Trick-or-treating in Chicago is here! You know, that annual excuse to get the family dressed up, sugared up, and out for a spooky adventure? You’ve got the perfect Halloween costume and trick-or-treat bag (plus an extra bag for when that one gets full). Now, you just need to find that extra-special neighborhood to trick-or-treat near Chicago.
Whether you’re looking for haunted mansions, festive parades, live entertainment, or over-the-top decor, we have the best neighborhoods in Chicago for trick-or-treating and Halloween fun for families. If you strategize, you can even hit up multiple events for maximum returns on that costume.
Need more Halloween ideas? Check out our Halloween Guide.
The Best Chicago Restaurants Where Kids Can Play
Submitted by Bonnie Broeren on
Good restaurants are one thing, but for parents, kid-friendly restaurants in Chicago are something else altogether. A place where someone else cooks and cleans up while the little ones are entertained for long enough that a conversation between partners (and enjoying your dinner) is possible? Yes, these places exist!
We found the best restaurants in Chicago and the nearby suburbs where kids can play or have something extra special to keep them busy while you dine. From playgrounds to bowling and even planes landing and taking off, whether you have a tot, a tween, or a teen, there’s something for everyone.
Make Virtual Hangouts 100% More Awesome with Fun Features and Ideas
Submitted by Bonnie Broeren on
With social distancing measures in place, most of us are keeping in touch with friends and relatives via virtual hangouts on Zoom, HouseParty, FaceTime, and other video apps. While nothing can replace real face time with friends and family, video conferencing can bring its own unique brand of fun. From virtual backgrounds to interactive games to special guests (who knew goats had such screen presence?), these tips and tricks will add some pizzazz to your next online gathering.
For more creative ways to connect while keeping socially distant, check out our ideas for car parades, neighborhood scavenger hunts, and more.
Illinois Reopening: What's Open and What's Closed in Chicago Now
Submitted by Bonnie Broeren on
Governor J.B. Pritzker has rolled out the Illinois reopening plan, while Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has announced a separate framework for the Chicago metro area. After two months of lockdown, only seeing each other in car parades and during 8pm howls, giving our kids quarantine haircuts, and throwing virtual birthday parties, we finally have an Illinois reopening plan. We will (eventually!) be able to get out and enjoy some of the long-awaited warm weather.
The Restore Illinois plan divides the state into four regions and includes five phases. May 1 saw the beginning of Phase 2, a mostly stay-home-phase, with the reopening of some state parks. Locally, the Protecting Chicago plan also has five phases and is also currently in Phase 2. In positive news, Illinois regions beyond the metro area continue to flatten the curve and are on track to enter Phase 3 of reopening May 29. Chicago is close behind and expected to start reopening sometime in June. Read on to find out what this means for families, schools, and local businesses, as well as what outdoor spaces we can now visit, those reopening soon, and those that are still closed.
To enter Phase 3, we need to keep meeting certain milestones, which means continuing to socially distance and wear face masks. If you develop symptoms, find out how to get tested, and be sure to steer clear of close contact, particularly with vulnerable populations.
