Lauren LaRoche

Lauren LaRoche has been a working writer and journalist for more than 12 years. When she’s not writing, she and her husband are chasing after their dog and three children in Chicago. Her career includes work in marketing, in graphic design, and as a lifestyle and events editor for CBS Chicago. To check out more of her writing, visit her website at ldesignchicago.com.

Latest posts by Lauren

Themed Restaurants in Chicago for Family-Friendly Interactive Dining

Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on Fri, 02/24/2023 - 8:44am

Photo courtesy of Enterrium in Schaumburg

Looking for themed restaurants in Chicago? Here are our favorite themed restaurants for kids.

These themed restaurants in Chicago turn a regular meal into a whole event. You can head to one of these themed venues to celebrate a birthday or other special occasion, or just to entertain your kids for a few hours while you eat. With interactive animals, trains that bring your dinner, and jousting knights, these themed restaurants for kids in Chicago are more of an experience than a restaurant. Whether you’re after an arcade, high tea with dolls, or a milkshake as big as your head, there’s something for everyone on this restaurant round-up below.

For more great Chicago restaurants for kids check out these unique restaurants for outdoor dining and our Kid-Friendly Chicago Restaurant Guide.

Best Ninja Warrior Gyms and Climbing Gyms in Chicago for Kids

Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on Fri, 02/17/2023 - 10:34am

Obstacle courses and climbing gyms provide indoor fun for big kids. Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Boulders

Looking for ninja warrior classes in Chicago? We have a list of the best ninja warrior gyms and climbing gyms in Chicago.

If you have a little one who is prone to climbing the furniture, walls, and anything else they can, this is a round-up for you. We've gathered up the best ninja warrior courses and climbing gyms in Chicago. In addition to the drop-in play, each ninja warrior location or climbing gym below offers weekly training classes and monthly membership options. Many also have after-school care or summer camps. You can also host birthday parties and private events for a ninja warrior birthday party. Adults can also get in on the ninja or climbing action.

For more indoor activities, check out our Guide to Indoor Play Spaces for Chicago Kids.

Best Indoor Water Parks Near Chicago

Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on Sun, 02/05/2023 - 11:30pm

Have some fun in the water even in the winter at one of these indoor water parks near Chicago. Photo courtesy of the Kalahari Resort

Indoor water parks near Chicago will let you have a fun day swimming with your family without a plane ticket to a tropical destination. There are plenty of indoor water parks near Chicago with tube slides, lazy rivers, and even wave pools to help you beat those winter blues. We’ve grouped these indoor water parks by location so you can see which are easily done in a day trip and which would require a mini-road trip or staycation.

For more indoor family fun, check out our guide to indoor play spaces for Chicago kids. And if you're just looking for swimming without a bunch of slides, we also have a list of Best Indoor Swimming Pools in Chicago.

3 Days in Chicago with Kids: Ultimate Itinerary by a Local Mom

Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on Fri, 01/27/2023 - 1:06am

The Chicago Skydeck offers kids a great view of the city. Photo courtesy of the 360 Chicago Skydeck

Looking for things to do when visiting Chicago with kids? We've got you covered with this three day itinerary packed with kid-friendly activities in Chicago.

Chicago is a great city to explore with kids. From the food to the museums and parks, there is something for everyone to do, see, and eat. To help you plan the ultimate 3-day trip with your family, we’ve rounded up our favorite kid-friendly activities you can pack into a long weekend.

When visiting Chicago, it’s always wise to have a few alternate and indoor options mapped out as well. In one weekend, you could see a little of all four seasons. Check out our Free Things To Do in Chicago On Cold and Rainy Days for bad weather alternatives that won't cost you extra cash. And while we list many food options below, you can also peruse our Kid-Friendly Chicago Restaurants Guide. Lastly, you'll probably want to check out our Kid-Friendly Hotels in Chicago.

If you're staying in town and plan to visit multiple attractions in the Chicago area (we’re looking at you, people with visiting relatives you’ll be squiring around town), it’s worth it to look into a Go City - Chicago sightseeing pass to save money on entrance fees to attractions like the Navy Pier, Field Museum, the aquarium, and the planetarium.

Best Coffee Shops in Chicago to Bring Your Kids When You Need Caffeine

Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on Sun, 01/15/2023 - 11:21pm

Looking for the best coffee shops in Chicago that are also kid-friendly? These Chicago coffee shops have kid-friendly environments AND caffeine.

Some days you just want to treat yourself to a nice cup of coffee out of the house, or stop to rest with a beverage during a busy afternoon with family activities. Before you look to convenient chain drive-thru locations to power you through, read on.

You don't have to stop going to cool local coffee shops just because you have kids! And with the right coffee shop kid-friendly entertainment, you might even get to drink your coffee while it's still hot. The city and suburban coffee shops below are all kid-friendly and great for getting some much-needed caffeine. Some are indoor play areas with attached cafés, and others are award-winning coffee shops that happen to have kid-friendly environments.

Check out our recommendations here for indoor play spaces for kids and 50 awesome things to do indoors in Chicago with kids.

Best of 2022 - Chicago Kid Edition: Top Openings, Happenings and Other Awesome Stuff We Loved

Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on Sun, 12/25/2022 - 8:05am

2022 in Chicago was a fun year. From museum openings to new exhibits and play spaces, there were some great additions to the Chicago kids space this year. To help ring in 2023, we’ll take a look back at some of the top openings, happenings, and other stuff we loved about 2022 in both Chicago and the rest of the country.

If you didn’t get to visit some of these great new spaces, they are great additions to your bucket list in 2023. For more kid-friendly fun in the new year, check out our round-up all things family in Chicago here.

Exploring the Sloomoo Institute in Chicago: What to Expect at a Slime Museum

Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on Mon, 12/12/2022 - 8:05am

There are so many textures to explore at Sloomoo Institute Chicago.

If you have any little slime lovers in your family, the newly opened Sloomoo Institute in Chicago is a must. This hands-on space lets you touch, smell, feel, and explore slime textures, colors, and scents unlike any other. Sure, you can always make slime at home, but Sloomoo takes that experience and makes it much, much bigger, plus keeps the slime inside their space and off the walls of your kitchen.

The Sloomoo Institute Chicago is located at 820 N. Orleans and offers timed admission tickets to ensure every group has an enjoyable sensory experience. And if you're looking for a museum with a little less mess, check out our Museum Guide.

Explore Ice Castles Across America with Kids this Winter

Submitted by Lauren LaRoche on Sat, 11/19/2022 - 10:00am

Explore the colorful Ice Castles in Midway, Utah. Photo by AJ Mellor/Ice Castles

If you’re looking for some great winter fun for your family, consider visiting Ice Castles. These amazing structures, made up of over 20 million pounds of ice, are a sparkly, magical experience for both grown-ups and kids. And with Ice Castles in New Hampshire, Minnesota, New York, and Utah—as well as the famous Lake Geneva Ice Castles in Wisconsin—there just may be one near your home or within a short drive for a quick getaway.

From what to wear to what to expect, we have all the details about visiting these magical Ice Castles with kids. For more ideas on what do this winter, check out our favorite outdoor winter activities for kids and our Skiing, Snowboarding, and Snow Sports Guide.

Lauren LaRoche

Latest posts by Lauren

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