Seeking Fun Things to Do with Our 2 1/2 Yr Old Daughter

Old Town School of Folk Music has great classes -- singing, dancing, instruments, etc. They have lots of classes on the weekend.

S.
mom of 6yo and 4yo

Hi E.,

Please check out my website, www.kidwinks.com - it's The site to know with kids in tow. There, you can find kid-friendly events, activities, restaurants (there's even a Dining Deals calendar in the Restaurant section where you can find out where kids eat free), shops and services throughout the Chicago area and suburbs. You can read parents' reviews of places they've visited and write your own (if you become a member, which is free). You can also get search results sorted in order of distance from your house (again, you must be a member for that benefit). Check the box to join our mailing list, and we'll do the work for you on finding fun things to do - we'll email to you twice a week links to upcoming fun, family-friendly events. We've received tremendous positive response to our emails - moms love them!

J.

Hi E.,
It's Mom I know that you will get many e-mails for ideas
for activities for Ariana.
The Chicago Parent Magazine has some great things to do and places to visits in the Northern suburbs.
Give Ariana hugs and kisses for dad and me.

Have a great day.

Love you,
Momma

E.,

Hi, My name is J. Koplin. I write & perform kid songs.
I have a show coming up the Friday after Thanksgiving at the Kohl's Children's Museum. If you've never been to Kohl's, it's in Glenview & It's a great Children's Museum.
Check out my web site for more info.
www.jigglejamproductions.com
I also have a fun interactive music class but I only teach on Wednesdays & Thurs.
I recommend checking out the Oaklee's guide & Chicago Parent Magazine.. They always have fun events listed.
If we get as much snow as last winter... you can always build a snowman :)
J. Koplin

I'm not sure where your looking to go, but Glenview has a terrific children's museum. It's not too costly and there's lots for them to do. There's also the children's museum down at Navy Pier. That can get costly. But again they have lots for the little one to do. Also the normal museums, Science and Industry and Shedd and Field, do have area's for the little guys to explore. Not to mention all the interesting stuff to look at. There's tons of stuff going on for the holidays. Lincoln Park has Zoo Lights. It's only at night but really cool. Navy Pier has Winter Wonderland that has a really good area for little ones. Lots of Blowup climbing things and slides and Trains. Some of the things can run into money, but I've figured out if we pack a lunch and some snacks, it brings the cost down a lot. Really makes it worth while.

wiggle worms in Lincoln Square or Musikgarten in Oak Park have great classes for little ones. Wonderworks the children's museum in Oak Park is fun as is Kohl's childrens museum further north. Also My gym in Forest Park is fun. Also the book "Einstein didn't use Flashcards" is really an interesting book on what children do and don't need to develop well. "The Irreducible needs of children" by Brazelton et al is not as easy a read but makes some interesting points. I think of the classes that I take my little one as partly for me. She loves them but from a developmental point, playing at home would be as good but both of us like the interactions in the classes. There are also a variety of books that give activity suggestions for little ones. Have fun.

Hi,
Ah, the never ending dilema of "what to do during the cold winter months?" I know it well. I joined the Kohls childrens museum & the Shedd Aquarium. It really is worth the money to become a member if you go more than 2 or 3 times a year. My daughter (3.5 years old) loves the childrens museum so we go a lot (but I have to admit that I find it a bit boring after awhile). However, we go to the aquarium A LOT & I never get bored. There is always something to see & they also have lots of activities geared towards children.

Also, check out your local park district for evening & weekend activities that aren't too expensive.

Enjoy!

A.

Hello E.,

May we suggest a great Music Together class with Merry Music Makers.
www.merrymusicmakers.com
Merry Music Makers offers Music Together® classes for children birth to age 6 in several northside Chicago neighborhoods.
We believe that all children are musical and can learn to sing in tune, keep a beat and participate in the music of our culture, provided that their early environment supports such learning.
Call or email for a FREE demonstration class.
###-###-####
____@____.com

Tim & M. T.

Check with our local Barnes and Nobel or Borders Books. They have story and craft time. Some of them do it on the weekends.

The Kohls Childrens Museum is good too.

Good Luck!

E.:

You don't mention where you live, but Skokie Library is great as is the Exploritorium in Skokie.

Hi E.,
Look into Gymboree or My Gym classes. They have a ton of classes at all times of the day & weekends.

Elk Grove Park Dist had tumbling at night (5:00-6:00p.m.). Each town is probably different. Classes are fit in according to availability of teachers, coaches, etc. How about swimming lessons?