Maureen Wilkey

Latest posts by Maureen

Best Places to Hike with Kids Near Chicago

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Fri, 06/16/2023 - 4:00pm

There are both woodland and paved trails at the Morton Arboretum. Photo courtesy of Canva

Hikes in Chicago are a fun family outing that's outdoors, close to home, and doesn't break the bank. Hiking with kids in one of Chicago's forest preserves or parks is a great way to get everyone outside, and there are many shady trails where you can beat the heat while getting some exercise.

We’ve rounded up 15 of our favorite Chicago-area hiking spots, all within an hour's drive of the city, for a perfect family day trip. While some hiking trails may be better suited to bigger kids who can walk a mile or more on their own, plenty of these paths are stroller friendly—in fact, we’ve hiked a few with two preschoolers in a double stroller. Who knows, maybe a local hike will inspire your family to take a trip to a national park this year or next.

St. Joseph with Kids: Best Things to Do in St. Joseph, MI

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Sun, 06/11/2023 - 8:09am

White, sandy beaches line St. Joseph. Photo by Maureen Wilkey

Summer in the Chicago area is all about Lake Michigan. The Third Coast has lots of great beaches, but sometimes, it's fun to get out of the city and take your family somewhere more relaxing. We decide to try out St. Joseph, Michigan, and we loved it so much we ended up going back the next summer, too. The town has a beachy feel with a few less crowds than Lake Geneva. And it's less than two hours away, even from the western suburbs. Stay two nights for a quick getaway, or move up to three nights if you feel like a couple of relaxing beach days.

Here are some of our favorite things to do in St. Joseph and the surrounding areas! For beaches even closer to Chicago, try our Best Beaches in Chicago for Families article, and don't forget to plan a few more Family Day Trips and Weekend Getaways this summer as well.

The Best Amusement Parks Near Chicago for Families

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Sun, 05/14/2023 - 8:04am

Ride high on Maxx Force at Six Flags Great America.

With so many great amusement parks near Chicago, you can skip the trip to Orlando or Los Angeles this summer and save it for when you need to beat the cold. There are plenty of places to get a day of rides, games, and greasy foods right near Chicago. Whether your kids are thrill-seekers looking for big roller coaster drops or beginners just learning about going on rides, the Chicago area has the perfect amusement park for everyone in the family.

If your family is looking for more thrills and rides in the great outdoors, try zipping through the trees at one of Chicago's aerial adventure parks or riding down the Chicago River on a power or paddle boat. And be sure to keep an eye on our event calendar, which is rapidly filling up with more events every day.

Best Outdoor Dining in Chicago at Family-Friendly Restaurants

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Fri, 05/12/2023 - 11:03am

The Royal Grocer is a Bucktown neighborhood family-friendly restaurant (with tiki torches)!

Chicago restaurants with patios offer a way for families to enjoy a meal out without worrying about their kids making messes or noise. And it's the perfect time of year for outdoor dining in Chicago. Many restaurants vastly expanded their outdoor seating areas (and tricked them out!) during the pandemic, and now families can take advantage of the gorgeous weather and outdoor seating to dine out in style.

From grilled sausage to whole roasted duck and lazy coffee-fueled brunches to late afternoon pretzel-fueled beer breaks, these are our favorite Chicago-area outdoor restaurants where families can enjoy a delicious meal outside their own four walls. And don't forget to check our Kid-Friendly Chicago Restaurant Guide for more recommendations.

Best Montessori Preschools in New York City

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Tue, 04/25/2023 - 5:43pm

Battery Park Montessori's authentic trilingual Montessori approach provides an immersive language experience. Photo courtesy of the school

Picking out a preschool in NYC is no simple feat. From dual-language and immersion programs to outdoor and nature-themed classes, there are so many options and, as always, so little time. But, if you're considering sending your child to a Montessori school, we've got the details on some of the top Montessori preschools in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens.

For the uninitiated, Montessori is an educational philosophy developed more than a century ago that encourages kids to be independent and learn at their own pace. Typically students are grouped by ability rather than age, classrooms are outfitted with specific learning materials, and specially trained teachers act as observers and facilitators. Read on to see what makes these 12 Montessori preschools in NYC extra special, and you just might find the perfect fit for your little one.

Find more options in our Preschool Guide and Directory, where you can search for NYC preschools by program type, philosophy, or neighborhood.

Best Places for Kids Haircuts in Chicago For Baby or Toddler’s First Cut

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Sun, 04/16/2023 - 9:05pm

Try one of these Chicago salons for baby's first haircut. Photo courtesy of My Kids Place

The first baby haircut or kid haircut can be a little scary! Each baby or toddler reacts differently to seeing those scissors for the first time. Baby haircuts can be fun or traumatic, so we decided to put together a list of kid haircut places in Chicago where parents can go to get their child's first haircut and make it relaxed. Because you know you're going to need dozens more haircuts before they get big enough to go to a regular salon or one of these kid-friendly spas.

Here are some great places for kids haircuts in Chicago and the suburbs.

Celebrate Earth Day! 25 Tips for Living More Sustainably Every Day

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Tue, 04/11/2023 - 11:44am

Our guide to living a more earth-friendly life.

Celebrate Earth Day with Earth Kids; our monthly column and newsletter with activities to educate and inspire kids about the environment.

Earth Day is a great time to talk to kids about what we can do to make an impact on the environment and resolve to change our habits to live more sustainably.

Kids may ask whether their individual actions matter. The short answer is: Yes, individual actions make a big difference! You don't need a million followers on YouTube to have influence. When we change our behavior and talk about it, we influence our friends and family. If they change their behavior, this creates a ripple effect of change coming from the behavior of one person. And don't forget that consumer action is power. When we demand change through our purchasing decisions, corporations change their behaviors and products to meet the demand. Every little thing we do can add up to really big changes.

With that in mind, we've gathered a list of things kids and families can do differently to live more earth-friendly lives. See how many of them you can do! Read more ideas in our Earth Kids Guide and sign up for our Earth Kids newsletter for more ideas and activities every month.

The Chicago History Museum with Kids: Top Things to See and Do

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Tue, 03/14/2023 - 8:15am

The Chicago History Museum is free for kids 12 and under.

The Chicago History Museum is off the beaten path of Chicago's Museum Campus and downtown area in historic Old Town, and gives kids an idea of how this great metropolis got here and why its people are so interesting. It's the only museum in Chicago that focuses on how the Windy City got to be what it is today. Just like the city itself, the museum is a little eclectic and a lot of fun. It's great for kids because most of its exhibits have interactive elements, and you can get through most of the exhibits in about three hours.

The Chicago History Museum is open Tuesdays through Sunday and is always free for kids 12 and under. It's also relatively affordable to adults at $19, with a $2 discount for students and seniors. It's easily accessible via the Brown Line and several buses, or you can park nearby for $10 a day with validation. And if your kids like this museum, check out more in our Museum Guide for Kids and Families in Chicago.

What makes Chicago such an awesome city? Here are our favorite parts of the Chicago History Museum for kids:

Maureen Wilkey

Latest posts by Maureen

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