KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Mon, May 4: Special Olympics Spring Games at Dunbar Park Wed, May 6: Kids Adventure Storytime Event at B&N Wicker Park: Meet 11-yr-old Author Bella Olson
Fri, May 8: CHICAGO the Musical at the
Auditorium Theatre
Sat, May 9: 2026 Opening Weekend at Coyote Crossing Mini Golf
Sun, May 10: Mother's Day Brunch
at the Chicago Botanic Garden Wed, May 13: Playdough Playtime at the Exploritorium
Fri, May 15: Dad and Daughter
Date Night at Blackberry Farm
Sat, May 16: Rocky In Concert 50th Anniversary at the Auditorium Theatre
Sun, May 17: Hidden Lives of Fungi at Little Red School House Nature Center Wed, May 20: Animal Show: Mammals of N. America (Show B-Ages 6+) at Annerino Community Center
Sat, May 23: Summer Fireworks at the Navy Pier 2026
Sat, May 23: Summer Kickoff at Lincoln Park Zoo at Lincoln Park Zoo
Sun, May 24: Dinos at the Brookfield Zoo! Mon, May 25: Kid's Kitchen: Hands-On Fresh Pasta-Making 101 at Eataly Chicago
Fri, May 29: Backyard Adventure at Blackberry Farm
Sat, May 30: Summer Fireworks at the Navy Pier 2026
Sun, May 31: Falconry at the Forge
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: When they were handing out high school yearbook awards, some of my classmates unofficially, though cheerfully, voted me Least Likely to Become a Professional Cheerleader. I couldn’t really disagree: After all, I was a nerd before being a nerd came into fashion, much more comfortable in a library than at a pep rally. So much for teenage
predictions! Yesterday, my daughter Ella turned 25, which means KidsOutAndAbout turns 25, too. When Ella was imminent, and her sister Madison was one-and-a-half, I was realizing just how many incredible experiences for kids and families were all around us in Rochester, NY. Back then, before web calendars were a thing, finding out about stuff happening meant you had to know where to look. So during maternity leave from my old technology consulting firm, I
decided to build a place to make invisible opportunities visible, to celebrate the people who create them, and to build audiences for these great things. We’ve grown to a dedicated team of 20 people doing work that matters, serving 52 regions with 15 million readers per year and 750,000 weekly newsletter subscribers. So yes, I’m a professional cheerleader, and I love it. I love this. I love that my job is to help build an audience for the remarkable experiences
people are bringing to life. I love that our mission is to shine a light on the concerts, camps, classes, festivals, trails, museums, libraries, theaters, and local treasures large and small that become family stories and memories. Far from slowing down, we’re heading into hyper-drive for our Silver Anniversary, so stay tuned! Thank you for being part of the journey, and for giving us so much to cheer about.
—Debra Ross, publisher of
KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities
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KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more. If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes from Deb" section of our site. |
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Wednesday, May 6 at 6pm: Meet 11-year-old author Bella Olson at Barnes & Noble - Wicker Park in Chicago, as she celebrates the release of her debut adventure novel, TRAPPED. Bella will share how she came up with the story, read a short passage, answer questions from young readers, and meet fans during a book signing.
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Explore, interact, and enjoy a fun-filled day with the animals! Open Farm visits offer a relaxed, self guided experience where families can explore at their own pace. For paid guests, hayrack rides are available (weather permitting). Visitors can cross the walking bridge over Southwest Hwy, wander along scenic trails, or pack a lunch to enjoy in the picnic area. Farm volunteers are available to guide guests through the animal pens, sharing interesting facts about the animals. Guests are encouraged to pet and care for the animals! The animals change with the seasons but you'll often find a variety of chickens, ducks, rabbits, pigs, goats, cows, sheep, horses, ponies, and donkeys!
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The Glow Wild lantern festival transforms the night into a glowing celebration of art, culture, and conservation. Wander illuminated pathways surrounded by handcrafted lanterns inspired by wildlife global traditions and mythical worlds. This breathtaking outdoor experience is perfect for families couples and anyone who loves immersive nighttime events. Please purchase tickets in advance of this event.
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Join Nowhere Collective at the Trashy Craft Market, May 1–3, during the Fiber + Fabric Craft Festival, a four-day event from the organizers of h+h americas. This lively market features Midwest “Trash Smashers” transforming reclaimed materials—like bubble wrap, denim, and circuit boards—into one-of-a-kind goods, with 25 artisans exhibiting and collecting materials from attendees for future creations. In the lobby, experience Hung Up, a large-scale, community-driven installation led by artist Lauren Busiere, inviting visitors to collaborate using reclaimed textiles. Guests can also create their own modular mobiles while contributing to the evolving piece. Visit Nowhere Collective for a promo code for free festival access.
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Learn how to build an A-frame fire! Each participant will learn how to safely build and light their own fire, then use that fire to roast a marshmallow or two. The class will take place outdoors. For children ages 8-12. Fee per child: $10 (resident) / $13 (non-resident).
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Watch out as you explore the Conservatory – you may run into a Budding Botanist! On Saturdays and Sundays from 11:000am to 3:00pm, Nature Educators will provide activities for kids of all ages at our Budding Botanists stations. This program is included in all reservations to visit the Conservatory. You can stop by and interact with the materials at the station for as long as you want to. Budding Botanists station will be posted in different areas of the Conservatory on different days. Ask where we are at the front desk! These stations are interactive and are all about scientific exploration, to help your family to see plants in new ways. Adults and young ones of all ages can stop by and let the learning begin! These programs are drop in and no preregistration is required.
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This musical based on Margaret Wise Brown’s beloved children’s book is drenched in primary colors that pay homage to Clement Hurd’s vivid illustrations in an all-new, immersive setting. Catchy songs, delightful dancing, a technicolor set, the quiet poetry of the original tale, and the humorous antics of one very nocturnal bunny all play a part in this fun, family-friendly celebration of one of the most iconic children’s books of all time.
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Families will love the interactive Kids Court, a dedicated space filled with engaging, hands-on activities. Participate in our free scavenger hunt and win fun prizes. Explore over 100 booths showcasing unique, handcrafted treasures including jewelry, paintings, sculptures, ceramics, photography, and fiber arts created by talented Midwest artists. Enjoy a variety of artisan food vendors alongside community partner and sponsor displays, all set against the picturesque backdrop of Wilder Park.
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Please sign up everyone in your group, both adults and children. No one will be sitting on the sidelines! This is a cozy family class where baking and storytelling come together! Families will work side by side to create classic strawberry shortcake from scratch—mixing tender biscuits, whipping fluffy cream, and layering it all with juicy, ripe strawberries. Once your biscuits are in the oven, everyone will gather for a read-aloud of Berry Song, a lyrical story that celebrates nature, family, and the beauty of simple moments. With something delicious in hand and a story in the air, this class is all about slowing down, connecting, and savoring the season together.
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Bring puzzles and take as many as you like up to the number you brought. Puzzles of at least 300 pieces and kids' puzzles of any size are accepted in their original packaging; the pieces should be secured in a resealable bag within the box.
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Throughout history, nature has inspired all facets of human advancement. Our focus will be on insects and the impact they have had on the development of some of our latest technologies.
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Join us in our Kids Discovery Zone from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM for nature-themed stories, hands-on crafts, and a meet-and-greet with Sawyer and Cindy Squirrel. During this event, the featured children’s book will be read aloud, followed by a themed craft activity. Each Sawyer Sunday Fun Day also features a special animal guest presentation at the Mount Lawn stage area. We host two shows on event days featuring our special animal guests. Please visit the website for specific show times.
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- Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - Chicago - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, USA, Friday, May 1, 2026 to Sunday, May 3, 2026, See link for times
- WPB First Friday in May - Wicker Park-Bucktown Chamber of Commerce, North Ashland Avenue, Chicago, IL, USA, Friday, May 1, 2026, 6 pm - 8 pm
- Early Bird Walks at NPV -
North Park Village Nature Center Park, 5801 North Pulaski Road, Chicago, IL, USA, Saturday, May 2, 2026, 8 - 10 am
- Art in Wilder Park - Wilder Park, South Prospect Avenue, Elmhurst, IL, USA, Saturday, May 2, 2026 to Sunday, May 3, 2026, 10 am - 5 pm
- Mythical Forest Series: Toadstools at Little Red School House Nature Center - Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, 9800 Willow Springs Rd, Willow Springs, IL 60480, United States, Saturday, May 2, 2026, 10:30 am
- Flea Market Frenzy at Oakton Community Center - Oakton Community Center, Oakton Street, Skokie, IL, USA, Saturday, May 2, 2026, 9 am - 4 pm
- Puzzle Exchange at Jefferson Memorial Park - Jefferson (Thomas) Memorial Park, North Long Avenue, Chicago, IL, USA, Sunday, May 3, 2026, 12 - 3 pm
- Insect Inspired Innovations at Little Red School House Nature Center - Little Red
Schoolhouse Nature Center, 9800 Willow Springs Rd, Willow Springs, IL 60480, United States, Sunday, May 3, 2026, 1:30 pm
- Skokie S'Mores Walk 2026 at Emily Oaks Nature Center - Emily Oaks Nature Center, Brummel Street, Skokie, IL, USA, Sunday, May 3, 2026, 9 - 11 am
- Bike Safety Day at Oakton! at Oakton Community Center - Oakton Community Center, Oakton Street, Skokie, IL, USA, Sunday, May 3, 2026, 11 am - 1:30 pm
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The KidsOutAndAbout annual guide to summer camps in the Chicago area is back! You can search by date, age, or categories like day/overnight, sports, drama, music, theatre, arts & crafts, technology, robotics, horseback riding, preschool, & more. Our
guide puts summer fun right at your fingertips!
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Parents have an abundance of choices when it comes to PreK and day care options in the Chicago area! Use our Big List to help find the best one for your kiddos and check our events calendar to find Open Houses where you can meet teachers and tour the
schools.
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Looking for a thrilling family-friendly adventure in the Chicago area? Escape rooms are interactive, puzzle-packed experiences where you and your team work together to solve clues and complete your mission-all before time runs out! Whether you're escaping a
spooky cabin, cracking a high-stakes heist, or breaking a magical curse, escape rooms offer exciting, screen-free fun for kids, teens, and adults.
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Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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