KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
|
|
|
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 Mon, Jun 1: Movie Mondays at the Forge: Jurassic Park
Fri, Jun 5: Summer Bash at Chasers Laser Tag
Fri, Jun 5: Kickoff to Summer Picnic at Museum of Science Industry Chicago
|
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers: There’s a sign on the New York State Thruway heading west that marks 70 miles to where I live. For Rochesterians driving back to Western New York from the east or southeast, that marker elicits both a sigh of relief and a groan: You’re close, especially relative to where you started. But in that final stretch, each mile is somehow psychologically
longer. Over the years, this became a useful metaphor in my family: You're pushing through to the end of a project, you'd love to see the finish line, but the murky distance between you and that goal is in your way. "Ugh, it's those last 70 miles," one of us will say to the person suffering, and we'll all nod sympathetically. At this time of year, families with kids in school are experiencing those last 70 miles: The end of the school year is in sight, yet
not quite here. The energy reserves are low, and the end point seems stuck in the distance. We feel like we’re sprinting but not getting closer fast enough. As in any journey, that’s precisely when it’s worth keeping in mind that these last miles may feel long, but they’re also the most meaningful: They become the lens through which we look back at the whole experience, so these final steps really count. Remembering this can provide the last surge of energy to press
forward. So whatever final 70 miles you and your kids are facing, remind yourself and the people traveling with you that if you put your best self into it now, the rewards will feel sweeter, and the memories of success will help fuel you next time. You’re on the last leg. You're almost there. And you have lots of company.
—Debra Ross, publisher of KidsOutAndAbout.com, co-author of The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
|
Explore science after hours with the whole family! Join us for an evening celebrating the Grand Opening of the Pokémon Fossil Museum at the Field Museum! Receive exclusive, after-hours access to the exhibit and embark on your own fossil adventure through the exhibit halls of the Field Museum. You’ll want to catch all this event has to offer, including demonstrations by our team of scientists, hands-on activities, crafts, and of course, plenty of fossils! Guests must register in advance and will receive a timed-entry ticket for the Pokémon Fossil Museum at check-in. Access to all other museum exhibitions, including the Crown Family PlayLab and After the Age of Dinosaurs, are included with admission. All sales are final.
|
|
|
|
Have you ever wanted to help take care of animals on a farm? Well, now is your chance to get a first-hand experience. Join the staff as you help clean and bed stalls, feed some farm animals, and try your hand at grooming.
|
|
|
|
Over 3,000 athletes 8 years and older with intellectual disabilities will compete in 50, 100, 200, 800, and 1,500 meter races, standing long jump, shot put, softball throw, pentathlon, tennis ball throw, 100, 400 and 800 meter road races. Wheelchair events will include 25 and 100 meter races, 30 meter slalom, softball throw, tennis ball throw and shot put.
|
|
|
|
Use GPS, a map, and clues to find all six hidden caches around the Emily Oaks trails! The class will take place outdoors. For children ages 6-12. Fee per child: $10 (resident) / $13 (non-resident).
|
|
|
|
Join legendary singer-songwriter Natalie Merchant, members of the CSO and special guests for a joyful singalong with Mother Goose. This captivating program features traditional nursery rhymes adapted by Merchant and orchestrated for an array of instrumental groups. Be a part of this magical musical world of learning and imagination. Perfect for ages 3-12 Mother Goose & the Cabinet of Wonder is a co-production of Natalie Merchant, Chicago Children’s Theatre and the Negaunee Music Institute at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
|
|
|
|
The 30th Annual Plant Sale will be held in-person at the Kilbourn Park Greenhouse! All of our seedlings are grown in our greenhouse with the help of community volunteers, ensuring they are always healthy and hardy for our seasonal surprises. We cultivate a diverse selection of heirloom, organic, open-pollinated, dwarf, and hybrid annual and perennial vegetables—all available for just $4 each!
|
|
|
|
The Rutherford Sayre Mommy & Me Tea Party invites families to enjoy a special event of crafts, treats, and togetherness. This warm and welcoming event offers creative activities and shared moments, making it a perfect opportunity to celebrate the bond between parent/caregivers and children while creating lasting memories. Please register each child, cost is per child.
|
|
|
|
Winter's finally over and it's time to hit the (miniature) links! Putt 18 holes and then sit back and chill at Coyote Crossing Mini Golf! Play some family games. We have bags, ladder ball and washer toss games. Buy a S’mores kit for the fire pit to be lit up in the evenings (weather dependent). We have a fun menu of prepackaged items to include candy, cotton candy and mini melts ice cream, and snacks like chips, popcorn and nachos.
|
|
|
- Free spring mini photo session with Shoott! - Chicago - Shoott - Broadway, New York, NY, USA, May 8-10, 2026, See link for times
- Special Olympics Spring Games at Dunbar Park - Dunbar Park, East 31st Street, Chicago, IL, USA, May 6-7, 2026, 8 am - 4 pm
- Early Bird Walks at NPV -
North Park Village Nature Center Park, 5801 North Pulaski Road, Chicago, IL, USA, May 9, 2026, 8 - 10 am
- Annual Plant Sale at Kilbourn Park - Kilbourn Park Organic Greenhouse, North Kilbourn Avenue, Chicago, IL, USA, May 9-10, 2026, 9 am - 1 pm
- Mothers Day Adventure! at Northerly Island - Northerly Island Park, South Linn White Drive, Chicago, IL, USA, May 9, 2026, 10 am - 1 pm
- Celebrate
Mother's Day at Gallagher Way! - Gallagher Way, N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60613, United States, May 9, 2026, 11 am - 5 pm
|
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Have a great weekend!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
|
|
