Maureen Wilkey

Latest posts by Maureen

25 Easy Camping Snacks for Kids That Are Healthy and Portable

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Tue, 05/14/2024 - 11:07am

Homemade granola bars with chocolate chips will keep your little ones filled with energy. Photo by Annelies Brouw via Pexels

Camping snacks are essential for a successful stay in the great outdoors with kids. My family loves camping, but when it comes to building a campfire and actually cooking a meal on it, our success rate is hovering around 70%. So we always make sure to have plenty of camping snacks on hand.

We've rounded up our favorite easy camping snacks to keep your family's energy up while hiking, climbing, and exploring. Most of these camping snacks are healthy, but we mixed in a few treats, too. We tried to include mostly snacks that need little to no refrigeration or additional prep. Don't forget to properly dispose of any food waste—even orange peels and apple cores can take years to decompose in colder climates.

Our Camping Travel Guide includes loads of other ideas for making your next family camping trip a success, from fun camping games to kid-friendly ghost stories.

Flyover Chicago: Experience the City from Navy Pier

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Sun, 05/12/2024 - 8:49am

Have you ever wanted to make like a bird and soar above the Chicago skyline? Flyover Chicago, Navy Pier's latest attraction, gives families the chance to coast through the air above the Loop to take in all the sights and sounds of the city (without the hassle of actually being up there). Best for kids ages 5 and up, this unique local ride-and-show combination is 30 minutes of wow-worthy scenery from angles you might not have even imagined.

Read on to get all the details on Navy Pier's latest attraction, and when you're done, check out this list of all other awesome things to do at Navy Pier with kids.

Mother’s Day Weekend 2024 in Chicago: Brunches and More Things To Do with Kids

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Wed, 05/08/2024 - 8:27am

Our Chicago Calendar Editor, Maureen Wilkey, loves to visit the Lilac Festival on Mother's Day.

Looking for the best things to do in Chicago this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this Mother's Day weekend.

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms and grandmoms, and may your breakfast in bed include bottomless coffee and minimal burnt toast. We've got a lot of fun activities on our calendar for this Mother's Day weekend in Chicago: Sporty moms can see a Chicago Dogs game or run a 5k. Nature mothers can help clean up the Chicago River for Chicago River Day or celebrate World Migratory Bird Day on Saturday. And stage moms might like to see Mamma Mia! or Ruth Page Dance Company this weekend.

If you need more plans for Mother's Day weekend in Chicago, we've got a list of our favorite Mother's Day brunch and dinner spots and a roundup of mom-related events happening this weekend, too. Planning for summer? Check out our newest day trip ideas—Springfield or the Bristol Renaissance Faire.

Here are our favorite things to do with kids in Chicago this Mother's Day weekend!

Springfield with Kids: Best Things to Do in Springfield, IL

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Fri, 04/19/2024 - 12:05pm

Kids at the Lincoln Museum in Springfield. Photo by Maureen Wilkey for Mommy Poppins

Springfield, IL is just three hours south of Chicago, and while you might know it as the home of Abraham Lincoln, there are tons of other exciting and fun family things to do in Springfield. Wander the halls of the State Capitol, check out the inspiring street art and murals, and check out the latest exhibits at the Kidzeum of Health & Science. Visit just a few places on this list, and your kids will impress you with their new-found knowledge all the way home!

Springfield can be a great educational and fun weekend trip for Chicago kids looking to learn more about history. It can be a fun stop on an excursion to St. Louis or even play a part in a full tour of historic Route 66. If you're looking for other easy trips, check out this guide to family day trips and weekend getaways for Chicago kids.

Popular Preschool Summer Camps Near Chicago for Your First Time Camper

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Sun, 04/07/2024 - 8:34am

Pedalheads uses summer camp to teach preschoolers how to ride a bike. Photo courtesy of Pedalheads Bike Camps

Summer camps near Chicago are essential for parents. They keep kids engaged and give parents much-needed time for work or a break from the daily summer grind. And while there are plenty of summer camps near Chicago for school-aged kiddos, what about preschoolers?

Whether they're about to head to a classroom for the first time or need something to break up their day, preschoolers benefit from summer camps, too. They'll meet new friends, explore a new skill or sport, and spend time with grown-ups who aren't related to them—something that'll happen frequently once they head to school.

We've rounded up popular summer camp options throughout the city and suburbs that offer academic enrichment and physical activities to build endurance and encourage active play. If you need other fun things to do with preschoolers in the summer, check out the best indoor playspaces for kids, 25 of the best things to do with kids in Chicago before they turn five, and the best parks and playgrounds in Chicago for kids.

Top Sports Summer Camps Near Chicago: Soccer Camps, Baseball Camps, Hockey Camps, and More

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Sun, 03/24/2024 - 10:45am

Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District

So your kid wants to get better at soccer, baseball, or basketball by attending a sports summer camp. Or you've got a preschooler who has never tried sports before and you want to introduce them to everything at a summer camp. Or you have a kid who has exhausted all the possibilities and needs the most unique and special summer camp near Chicago. No matter what you're looking for, we've got you covered with this list of our favorite sports summer camps near Chicago.

Try a camp with a professional sports team like the Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Cubs, or Chicago Red Stars. Introduce your kid to new sports at Hi-Five Sports Club or Blue Moose Sports Camps. Or try something new, like ninja warrior courses, climbing, or yachting. Summer goes by fast, and before you know it, the new school year will be on the horizon, so a summer sports camp is the perfect way to encourage kids to get out, get active, try something new, or get better at their favorite sport.

If you're looking for other summer camps in Chicago, check out the best summer camps for teens and our ultimate summer camp guide.

Best Drama Summer Camps on Long Island for Kids

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Sun, 03/24/2024 - 9:15am

Immerse yourself in the world of acting this summer with Stage to Screen's Summer Intensives in Huntington. Photo by Andy Levenberg

Summer camps focused on the performing arts are a great way for kids to build confidence while having fun, and Long Island has some terrific ones to choose from. These camps not only build confidence in children but can also improve verbal skills.

We've compiled this list of Long Island camps with performing arts programming for you and your budding thespian. Be sure to check out our Long Island Summer Camp Guide for a comprehensive look at camps in the area.

Should Kids Learn Cursive Writing? Plus, How To Write in Cursive

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Thu, 03/14/2024 - 12:00pm

Less than half of US states currently require that kids be taught cursive writing in school. But most parents still want their children to learn the skill.

Here's a question we would have never thought to ask 25 years ago: Should kids learn cursive writing?

In a world that increasingly relies on technology, there's no question that kids can—and should—learn to type on a keyboard. But after some internal chat among the Mommy Poppins team, we wanted to know: Do parents still want their kids to learn how to write in cursive?

The answer to our social media poll was an overwhelming yes! About 90% of parents said they do think kids should learn cursive writing. About 8% didn't care, and only 2% didn't think it was necessary anymore.

Here's what our readers said about why they think cursive writing should still be taught in schools, as well as some tips on teaching kids how to write in cursive. Stay on top of other hot parenting topics with our Mommy Poppins Parenting Guide, which includes everything from types of parenting styles to parenting tips from dads.

Maureen Wilkey

Latest posts by Maureen

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