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‘School of Rock’ at Paramount Theatre will Rock Your Family’s Socks Off!
My family was invited to see School of Rock at the beautiful Paramount Theatre in Aurora and it was such a high energy and fun-filled musical delight!. If you haven’t been to the Paramount Theatre before, it’s an absolutely gorgeous venue and we have always been impressed with not only the talent that they cast, but the amazing sets that are coupled with it.
36 Skateboard Parks for All Ages in the Western Suburbs
Nothing tests your child’s coordination and balance quite like being on a skateboard. Throughout the western suburbs, you can find plenty of skateboard parks where kids can ride, slide, or maybe even ollie. Our list below makes it easy for you to venture to a city nearby or find a hometown park you didn’t know about. Whether your child is a seasoned skater or giving it a try for the first time, there’s a ramp for everyone at these skate parks in the western suburbs.
The (Free!) Discovery Center at Christ Church of Oak Brook is a Local Best-Kept Secret for Indoor Play
With three little ones, I’m always on the hunt to find places to take them that are unique, entertaining, and cost-effective. The Discovery Center at Christ Church of Oak Brook checks all those boxes and more! On a day when you’re looking for a opportunity for indoor play, this destination is definitely worth visiting. Find more information about this FREE play space below.
New Lombard Library! Photos of Helen Plum Library
When you walk into the new Helen Plum Library building, you know you’re entering somewhere special. The original stained glass from the home of Colonel and Mrs. Plum, where the first library started in Lombard. We were invited to tour the new building on Main Street to give everyone a sneak peek of what you have to look forward to!
Heritage Park: Playground, Ninja Park, Nature Playground All Rolled Into One
Wow. This park is amazing! Heritage Park is the flagship park of Homer Glen. It sits on 103 acres and is located behind Village Hall. Heritage Park was completed in 2020 and completely blew me away. Since it’s situated on so much land, it’s peaceful and has enough space for tons of fun.
40 Local 5K Races and Kids’ Fun Runs to Support Amazing Causes and Get Your Family Moving
What better way to build community, support local and national charities, and encourage healthy lifestyles for your family than participating in an upcoming fun run or 5K? There are several opportunities to join in on trail runs, a 2K, or a full 5K. Even if running isn’t for you, walking, jogging, and stroller pushing is encouraged at several runs included on our list. You could also join in on the fun and dress up for themed races, make signs to cheer on your friends and neighbors along the way, or partake in the post race festivities with live music and prizes. Cross the finish line as a family of change-makers, empowered to take on the next race ahead. Meet us at the starting line!
The Chicago Children’s Museum’s Water City is My Water-Loving Child’s New Favorite Exhibit
The Moen Presents Water City Exhibit at the Chicago Children’s Museum is probably one of the best children’s exhibits my son and I have visited. As a long-time nerd, now mom who literally looks for the lesson in everything, this exhibit did not disappoint! This uniquely crafted exhibit encompasses everything from Chicago history to STEM to geography, and if you’re willing to take the dive, even math concepts and lessons intertwined throughout.
Raising Financially Aware Kids in the Internet Age
Today’s kids have more information at their fingertips than past generations could ever have dreamed—but not all this information is always accurate. And when it comes to financial literacy, the ability to weed out misinformation is crucial when it comes to developing healthy financial habits. What can parents do to encourage their kids to become financially aware adults?
Sorry, Kids: These 10 Adult Easter Egg Hunts are for Grown-Ups Only
Adult Easter egg hunts are trending, and we’ve found events around the suburbs where you can find a grown-ups-only hunt. Who says the kids get to have all the fun? At these adult-only events, you’ll find eggs filled with raffle tickets, cash, candy, and other prizes. Many of them happen after dark and include refreshments, too. Some are outdoor adventures lit by flashlight, while others are indoor affairs complete with a cash bar. Sign up in in advance for an extra-special night out with friends, a memorable date night, or a chance to meet new friends in your area. We hope this trend catches on!
Easter Activities Near Me: Easter Events and Resources for Families
Easter activities are coming up faster than you think as spring returns to Chicagoland! Don’t put all your eggs in one basket: take a peek at all the local events going on for Easter 2023. Then, sign up for your family’s favorites, or to try a new Easter egg hunt or Easter Bunny photo session. We’ve also got local fish fry events going on throughout Lent, as well as adult Easter egg hunts for those of you wanting to try this fun new trend. Many Easter events fill up quickly, which is why we recommend you hop to it.
Your Ultimate Guide to Chicagoland Children’s Theater and Live Performances 2023
There’s nothing quite like live theater for kids, especially enjoyed with the whole family. It’s a beautiful way to experience music and stories together! We’re lucky to have a plethora of local performances both in the city and the suburbs that are tailored just for kids. From professional children’s theater with adult performers to plays for kids with children actors, we have a fantastic line-up of productions for you to check out with your family in the year ahead. And, as the season goes on, be sure to refer back to this list for updates as theaters continue to announce their plans!
Top 10 Local Libraries for Kids 2023
We are extremely excited to announce 2023’s list of top 10 libraries for kids in the western suburbs, as voted by our readers. Thank you to all our Kidlist readers for your votes! These libraries were chosen for their kid-friendly play areas including kitchens, sensory play areas, STEM toys, dress-up areas, puppet theaters, games, and more. A trip to one of these spots is a fantastic, free way to keep your kids entertained. As a mom to twins who need constant entertaining, I love that in most libraries, organized programs and events are ever-changing, too.
New! Scene75 Entertainment Center in Romeoville for Arcade Games, Laser Tag, Go-Karts, and More
The new Scene75 Entertainment Center recently opened in Romeoville with more than 135,000 square feet of indoor fun for kids. Pay-as-you-go attractions include arcade games, laser tag, go-karts, an indoor tsunami roller coaster, bumper cars, drop tower, two mini-golf courses, inflatables, and much more. Find all the details below on what you’ll do and tips for enjoying an outing to Scene75 Entertainment Center in Romeoville.
Top 10 Best Indoor Play Spaces in Chicago’s West Suburbs, Picked By Our Readers
First, we owe a huge thank you to all our readers who voted to help create our newly updated list of best indoor playgrounds! There were so many great votes for local indoor play areas, children’s museums, play cafes, and more. So much has changed since we last polled the Kidlist community in 2020, and we can’t wait to share the results with you. We hope to see everyone out and about at these fantastic locations.
New! Book a Kids Birthday Party at Lowe’s Naperville and Beyond
Looking for a new kids birthday party option? Lowe’s corporate announced an in-store kids’ birthday party program that takes it’s monthly kids’ workshops to a new level. Now you can book a paid, private party called Build a Birthday in 10 Lowe’s stores across the United States, including Naperville! Kids can choose to build projects like wooden castles, race cars, or custom wall shelves, and more.
Want to Join the Kidlist Team? Kidlist has Job Openings
Kidlist is hiring! We are looking to fill some positions, so if you are enthusiastic about Kidlist, enjoy writing, researching, doing fun things with your kids, and keeping up with what’s going on in the area for families, read through the job description below and apply. I look forward...
Local Open Gyms: Where Kids Can Bounce Off the Mats (Instead of the Walls)
Open gym sessions will give your children the space to run, jump, climb, flip, and balance all with the comfort of mats and foam pits. Many locations offer tot-friendly sessions for safety of your tiniest tumblers, and also have options for your school-aged kiddos, too. This is a great list to bookmark for bad weather days when you just can’t stay home any longer. Before you go, check websites for any additional requirements such as waivers or payment options. Many only accept cash, so plan ahead.
Vote for Your Favorite Family-Friendly Places
It’s been a while since we published our “best of” and “reader favorites” lists and it’s time to get back to it! Kidlist is full of lists of places to take your kids and highlights what is going on in the area, but we love hearing from you about what you like best and can’t wait to see what your favorites are.
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Your resource for kid-friendly activities, events and classes in the west and southwest suburbs of Chicago.
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