Maureen Wilkey

Latest posts by Maureen

Best Chain Restaurant Kids Menu Deals - Including FREE Meals for Kids!

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Tue, 10/22/2024 - 11:36am

Check out our impressive list of children's meal deals at chain restaurants! Photo by RDNE via Pexels

Too busy to cook but don't want to break the bank? Kids eat free or cheap at many chain restaurants across the US! Most of these kids eat free deals offer a free entree from the kids menu for children ages 10 or 12 and under with the purchase of an adult entree. Some restaurants offer other deals like half-off or 99-cent kids meals.

Here are 29 chain restaurants where kids can eat free or cheap on one or more days of the week, including the popular IHOP kids eat free and Denny's kids eat free deals.

For more freebies, visit our Guide to Free Activities, Events, Classes, and Camps for Kids. You can also find more kids eat free deals on our list of 64 birthday freebies for kids.

20 Quirky and Small Museums in Chicago Kids Will Love

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Fri, 10/18/2024 - 9:51am

Test your mind! Photo courtesy of the Chicago Sports Museum

Chicago is home to world-class museums like The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, the Art Institute of Chicago, The Field Museum, and the Adler Planetarium. But did you know that dozens of small museums in Chicago have quirky and cool attractions for locals and visitors alike? We hit the pavement to find the most unique small museums in Chicago because if there's one thing kids love, it's weird and out-of-the-ordinary things. And who knows? Your kids might even develop a new hobby after visiting one of the off-the-beaten-path museums on our list.

Is your favorite missing from the list? Let us know, and we'll make sure to get there soon!

13 Things To Do to Celebrate Diwali in Chicago

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Sun, 10/13/2024 - 12:00pm

Diwali celebration. Photo courtesy of Canva

In Chicago, there are multiple opportunities to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu holiday celebrating the victory of light over dark, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Sometimes Diwali events are more like a festival or a party, some are based on learning the legends and traditions surrounding the holiday, and some are unique events like cooking classes—but all of them will give kids the chance to experience and appreciate a different culture.

We've rounded up more than a dozen special Diwali events filled with music, dancing, food, and fun that kids in the Chicago area can attend to learn about and celebrate this colorful holiday.

Indigenous Peoples Day Weekend: Best Things To Do in Chicago With Kids

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Wed, 10/09/2024 - 9:00am

Boo at the Zoo, Brookfield Zoo. Photo courtesy of the author.

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 weekend.

The weekend formerly known as Columbus Day weekend now celebrates a variety of cultures throughout Chicago. If you can get around the Chicago Marathon street closures, you can celebrate Italian Americans at the Columbus Day Parade, Hispanic Heritage Month at College of DuPage's Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl, and Native American culture with SOARRING's Harvest Pow Wow.

With the approach of Halloween, it's a good time for Wheaton's Halloween Happening, Brookfield Zoo Chicago's Boo at the Zoo, or Lemontster Days Drive-in Movie. Over 100 handmade scarecrows will be on display at this weekend's St. Charles Scarecrow Festival, or if you're looking to build your own, visit Long Grove's DIY Scarecrow Day.

And that's just the start of a long list of fall fun things to do this weekend in Chicago with kids. Good thing there's an extra day—you'll need it. Looking for more things to do with kids? Don't miss our ever-expanding event calendar and our roundup of Free Things to Do This Fall with Chicago Kids.

Oktoberfest in Chicago: The Best Oktoberfests for Families in Chicago

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Fri, 10/04/2024 - 10:30am

Dad and son at Oktoberfest. Photo courtesy of St. Benedict's Oktoberfest

Step aside, pumpkin spice latte. It's time to celebrate fall with the original autumn beverage: Oktoberfest beer! And luckily for us Chicagoans, the Bavarian tradition is strong and there are lots of Oktoberfests in Chicago to help you celebrate.

Like the original Oktoberfest, these local festivities have live music, carnival games, and other fun and family-friendly activities, and as a bonus, most are free (minus food and drinks) or super affordable to attend. Look out for Oktoberfests in traditional German neighborhoods and suburbs like Lincoln Square and Schaumburg, and feel free to don the traditional Bavarian garb—you won't be the only one! And of course, don't forget to snag a pretzel or two.

Best Baby Classes in Chicago: Mommy & Me, Baby Yoga, and More

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Sun, 09/22/2024 - 11:21am

Wiggleworms! Photo by Dan Kasberger for the Old Town School of Folk Music

Chicago's baby and toddler classes give parents and little ones something enriching to do before preschool starts. Chicago parents can choose from dozens of mommy & me and parent & me classes for babies, from swimming lessons to yoga classes, dance classes, and outdoor activities. Many of these classes require parental involvement, but some have drop-off classes available as children get older. These classes provide great opportunities for the littlest of kids to learn lifelong skills.

Check our guide to the Best Classes for Kids in Chicago for more kids' activities and programs.

Best Classes for Preschoolers and Toddlers in Chicago

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Sun, 09/15/2024 - 10:06am

Baby crawling through tunnel. Photo courtesy of Canva

Classes for preschoolers and toddlers are a step up from parent-tot classes. If your Chicago preschooler wants to pursue their interest, even if it's just for 30-45 minutes once a week, then this list is for you! We've found a variety of fun things for kids who aren't in kindergarten yet but could use a little more time away from their caregiver during the day. Whether they're interested in music, movement, swimming, or the arts, when it comes to preschool classes in Chicago, we've found a little something for everybody.

If your kid isn't big enough to be dropped off yet, check out our Best Baby Classes in Chicago. As your preschooler gets older, check out our Guide to the Best Classes for Kids in Chicago. And have fun with your child's newfound interests and hobbies!

10 Hispanic Heritage Month 2024 Activities to Celebrate with Kids

Submitted by Maureen Wilkey on Tue, 09/10/2024 - 10:04am

Get ready to celebrate Dia de Los Muertos, right after Hispanic Heritage Month. Photo by Maureen Wilkey

Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off in September and lasts into October. Here we've assembled some Hispanic Heritage Month facts and activities for kids to celebrate and honor the Latin culture and roots of many Americans.

Beginning as Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968, Hispanic Heritage celebrations now encompass an entire month to celebrate the accomplishments and culture of people whose ancestors come from Latin America, Mexico, Spain, and the Caribbean. With more than 62 million Americans claiming Hispanic heritage, that's a lot to celebrate!

Read on for facts, foods, and fun that are perfect for kids and the whole family.

Maureen Wilkey

Latest posts by Maureen

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