Are you looking for a fun way to ring in the new year with your kiddos?  We’ve scoured the Chicago for the best parties for the under 10 crowd.

New Year’s Eve Fireworks – Families can ring in the New Year a little early with this spectacular fireworks display to end the New Year’s Eve Family Bash at Winter WonderFest.

• Where – Navy Pier
• When – 12/31 8:15pm
• Cost – FREE

Noon Year’s Eve at the Chicago Children’s Museum – The event will feature many traditional elements—party favors, confetti and the singing of Auld Lang Syne—all set in the family-friendly atmosphere of the museum. And because no museum event would be complete without an opportunity for collaborative family fun, visitors who choose to come early can make hats, crowns and other party favors.

• Where – Chicago Children’s Museum
• When – 12/31 11am
• Cost – free with museum admission

Pump It Up New Years Eve Party – Bring in the New Year at this family friendly celebration. Early afternoon event features play time, pizza, sparkling beverages, gifts and a countdown with balloon drop.

• Where – Pump It Up Chicago
• When – 12/31 1-4pm
• Cost – $5 adults, $15 kids

Berghoff Family Friendly New Year’s Eve Party – Grab the kids and ring in 2012 at the Berghoff with food, fun & festivities at the most family friendly New Year’s Eve party in Chicago!

• Where – Berghoff Restaurant
• When – 12/31 5pm & 7pm
• Cost – $59.95 adults, $16.95 kids

ComedySportz New Year’s Eve Family Show – ComedySportz is the longest running short-form improv show in Chicago. Now in our 24th year! It’s not stand-up comedy about sports…it’s improv comedy played as a sport!  Appropriate for all ages so bring the whole brood

• Where – ComedySportz
• When – 12/31 5pm & 7pm
• Cost – $22

Blue Man Group New Year’s Eve Performance – Blue Man Group is wishing Chicago a Happy 2012 with three performances on New Year’s Eve with toasts and party favors.

• Where – Chicago’s Briar Street Theatre
• When – 12/31 4pm & 7pm
• Cost – tickets start at $55

My Corner Playroom New Year’s Eve Party -Ring in 2012 family style! Healthy snacks and refreshments, hats and favors, noise makers, lights, dance music, balloon drop at “midnight”!

• Where – My Corner Playroom
• When – 12/31 3-6pm
• Cost – adults free, $19 children, $14 siblings

Dave and Buster’s Family New Year’s Eve Party – Party includes buffet, desert, $10 Power Card, magic show, balloon artist and more.

• Where – Dave & Busters
• When – 12/31 5-8pm
• Cost – $29.99

Ring in the New Year at Scoozi - Kids 12 and under can make their own pizza, create their own ice cream sundae and ring in the New Year with sparkling grape juice.

• Where – Scoozi
• When – 12/31 4-6pm
• Cost – $4.95 kids

Further Afield:

DuPage Children’s Museum Bubbles Bash – Musical performances by The Boogers, art activities, refreshments and three floors of Museum fun! Museum-wide countdown to noon led by Naperville Mayor A. George Pradel

• Where – Dupage Children’s Museum
• When – 12/31 9am-noon
• Cost – $20 members, $25 non-members

LEGOLAND New Year’s Celebration -This kid-friendly countdown has multiple balloon drops, confetti, sparkling grape juice, and party music.

• Where -LEGOLAND Discovery Center
• When – 12/31 & 1/1, doors open at 10am
• Cost – Free with paid admission

Zoo Year’s Eve - Rock in the “Zoo Year 2012″ with your friends at Brookfield Zoo! There will be music, games, party favors, and an early countdown at 8:00 p.m.

• Where -Brookfield Zoo
• When – 12/31 6-8pm
• Cost – Free with paid zoo admission

Discovery Center Museum Coutdown to Fun – Crafts, games, music and art come together as they count down to midnight—somewhere in the world! Ring in the New Year with music from Kantorei, the singing boys of Rockford. Join in the fun with party hats, confetti, favors and more!

• Where -Discovery Center Museum
• When – 12/31 12:30-4:30
• Cost – Free with paid admission

On the go will be at the Neighborhood Parent’s Network Pre-New Year’s Eve Bash on 12/30, which is unfortunately already sold out.  So if you want to celebrate the New Year with the little ones, make your reservations at one of these great events ASAP!

No matter how you celebrate, I hope you have a great time ushering in the New Year with your family.  May the upcoming year be full of fun, laughter, love and new adventures.

Happy New Year!

Have you been naughty or nice?  Well, if you are on the nice list this year, and want to tell the big guy in the red suit what you want for Christmas, here is a list of some of the best places to visit Santa this year in Chicago.

Santa House at Daley Plaza – Jolly Old St. Nick will again grace the plaza with his holiday cheer in his Midwest satellite workshop on Daley Plaza! Children can experience the wonder of the North Pole and have their picture taken with Santa Claus throughout the holiday season.

• Where – Daley Plaza
• When – 11/23-12/24 from 11-8pm
• Cost – FREE

Zoo Lights at Lincoln Park Zoo – Take a stroll through the Zoo one evening this December, and enjoy ice carving demonstrations, visits with Santa, warm drinks and cool crafts along with more than one million beautiful lights.

• Where – Lincoln Park Zoo
• When – December 2-4, 9-11 and every night after December 16
• Cost – FREE

Lincoln Square Christkindl Market - Lincoln Square will be transformed into a small German Village.  The “Kids Korner” will feature cookie decorating, arts and crafts (create wreaths and ornaments) and of course St. Nicholas will also make an appearance at the market everyday.  Tree lighting with carolers will be on Saturday at 4:30pm

• Where – Lincoln Square
• When – Friday, December 2nd noon-10pm, Saturday, December 3rd 9am-10pm and Sunday, Decemer 4th 10am-7pm
• Cost – FREE

Santa Comes to Flourish Studios – Enjoy a special Christmas Story Time, holiday treats and pictures with Santa.

• Where – Flourish (3020 Lincoln Ave.)
• When – December 3rd 10:30-11am story time, 11am-3pm Santa
• Cost – FREE

Roscoe Village Winterfest - Kick off the holiday season by gathering with friends and family at the annual tree lighting on Saturday. On Sunday afternoon, bring the family for children’s actvities, choirs, trolley and of course Santa!

• Where – Roscoe Village
• When – Tree Lighting December 3 at 5pm, Kids Fest December 4th 1-5pm
• Cost – FREE

Santa House at Daley Plaza – Jolly Old St. Nick will again grace the plaza with his holiday cheer in his Midwest satellite workshop on Daley Plaza! Children can experience the wonder of the North Pole and have their picture taken with Santa Claus throughout the holiday season.

• Where – Daley Plaza
• When – 11/24-12/24 from 11-8pm
• Cost – FREE

Holidays on the Square - Participating businesses will be celebrating the season with sweets, treats, tastings, delicious pop up shops, trunk shows, cupcake food truck, Santa, a tree lighting and more!

• Where – Logan Square
• When – December 3
• Cost – FREE

Do Division Holiday – The annual Do-Division Holiday is when the popular destination street comes alive with seasonal cheer, with horse-drawn carriage rides, trolleys and Santas and Elves helping weary shoppers find their way to the next deal!

• Where – Division between Milwaukee and Leavitt
• When – December 3 & 4 starting at 11am
• Cost – FREE

Little Beans Santa Visit – Santa visits Little Beans to listen to what your little beans want for Christmas. Pre-registration is required for pictures with Santa.

• Where – Little Beans Cafe
• When – December 6th from 4-6pm
• Cost – Admission plus $15 for pictures and digital prints

Breakfast with Santa or Hancock Observatory - Experience a magical holiday high more than 1,000 feet in the air as you enjoy breakfast.  And, make sure to get your picture taken with Santa while you are there.

• Where – Hancock Observatory
• When – December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 & 18 (call for reservations)
• Cost -Adult $39, Youth $29

Breakfast with Santa at Macy’s on State Street – Have yourself a merry little breakfast! Join Jolly Old St. Nick for a delicious meal of french toast,bacon,fruit, juice and more. Afterwards stay and play-we’ll have fun and games for the whole family. Don’t forget your camera so you can capture every moment.

• Where – Macy’s State St.
• When – December 3, 4, 12, 13, 17 & 18 at 9am (call for reservations)
• Cost -Adult $16.95, Children under 10 $12.95

Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier – Visit with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their elves.  Plus, enjoy Monday holiday movies, live entertainment and more.

• Where – Family Pavilion Stage at Navy Pier
• When - Friday, December 2 — Saturday, December 24 starting at 10am
• Cost – FREE (rides and attractions are an additional cost)

Christmas Bazaar and Bake Sale – The annual event includes mass, a breakfast, bake sale and visit from Santa Claus. The Fifth Province Pub will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland and will be decorated for the season.

• Where – Irish American Heritage Center
• When – Sunday, December 4, from 9am to 3pm
• Cost – Breakfast is $8 adults, $4 children

FURTHER AFIELD

Christmas on the Farm - Behold a Victorian Christmas, and learn the origins of several holiday traditions. Visit with an old-fashioned Santa, and take your picture in a sleigh. Stop by a warming fire for caroling, and sample homemade spice cookies.

• Where – Kline Creek Farm
• When – December 3 & 4 1:30-3:30
• Cost – FREE

Breakfast with Santa at the Morton Arboretum

• Where – Morton Arboretum
• When – December 22nd from 9:30-11:00am
• Cost – Adults $28, Children $24

Chicago Botanic Garden

Hot Chocolate with Ms. Claus

• When – December 19 at 11am or 2pm
• Cost – Adults $17, Children 2 and under Free

Dinner with Santa

• When – December 19  from 6:30-8:30pm
• Cost – Adults $43, Children 3-12 $37, 2 and under Free

Brookfield Zoo

Breakfast with Santa

• When – December 4, 10, 11, 17 & 18 at 9am and 11am
• Cost – Adults $39, Chidlren $27.50, under 3 Free

Brunch with Santa

• When – December 4, 11 & 18 at 11am and 1:30pm
• Cost – Adults $49, Chidlren $35, under 3 Free

Breakfast with Santa at Lambs Farm – Enjoy a delicious brunch with the one and only Santa Claus! After brunch, kids will enjoy a variety of crafts and activities, and a visit and photo with Santa.

• When – December 10, 11, 17 & 18 at 9am, 10:30am and Noon
• Cost $15.95

Now that your little ghosts and gobblins have picked out their costumes, its time to find some family-fun to wear them too. From spooky concerts to dog parades and trick-or-treating to scarecrow making, Chicago has something this season for everyone!

Following are some of the most creeptastic Halloween events happening this October in Chicago. I’ve listed them by date.  Happy Haunting!

Brick-or-Treat – From Frankensteins to LEGO jack-o-lanterns, the not-so-haunted festivities are perfect for all ages. During Brick-Or-Treat, guests can dress up and trick-or-treat for LEGO bricks that when completed, create a LEGO Frankenstein model, bring in a fresh, uncarved pumpkin and recieve 25% off admission, build a LEGO Ghost in the Model Builder Workshop, participate in our 8ft tall Scarecrow group build, see MINILAND taken over by hundreds of skeletons, search for pumpkins on the Dragon Ride and more.

• Where – Legoland Discovery Center, 601 N. Martingale Rd.
• When – October 7th-9th, 14th-16th, 21st-23rd & 28th-31st.
• Cost – Free with admission

Harvest Festival – Activities during our 20th annual Harvest Festival include a scarecrow building contest, storytelling, live music, farmer’s market, tours, and seasonal food and refreshments for sale. Event held on both Saturday and Sunday.

• Where – North Park Village Nature Center, 5801 N. Pulaski Rd.
• When – Sunday, October 15th, 10am-3pm
• Cost – FREE

Halloween Haunted Ghost Story Train – Jump on our Ghost Story Trolley and take a ride into the John Duerr Forest Preserve. Gather around the roaring fire and listen to spooky stories and sign campfire songs while eating scrumptious s’mores. Costumes are welcomed! Suitable for all ages. Reservations are required.

• Where – Fox River Trolley Museum, 361 S. LaFox St., South Elgin, IL
• When – October 22, 23, 29, and 30 at 5, 6:15, and 7:30 p.m.
• Cost – $10

Spooky Zoo Spectacular – Spooky Zoo Spectacular! Spooky Zoo Spectacular, hosted by the Auxiliary Board, is an opportunity for children to celebrate Halloween in a free, safe and family-friendly environment. Guests are invited to learn fun facts about the animals in the Spooky Zoo Education Zone, stimulate their minds while making crafts, collect treats and enjoy entertainment throughout the zoo while dressed in their best or spookiest costume.

• Where – Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark St.
• When – Saturday, October 22nd, 11am-1pm
• Cost – Free

Boo at the Zoo – From a crazy costume parade to pumpkin-carving demonstrations, Brookfield Zoo’s annual Boo! at the Zoo festival is the perfect way to celebrate Halloween, and everyone is invited to attend! The not-so-scary event will include frightfully fun activities for the entire family!

• Where – Brookfield Zoo, 8400 31st St.
• When -Saturdays and Sundays, October 22-23 and 29-30
• Cost – Free with Zoo admission

1st Annual Bump Club & Beyond Halloween Party - Halloween pumpkin project, costume contest, entertainment, open play, photography from TK Photography, gift bags, giveaways + a FULL brunch!

• Where – Bubbles Academy, 1504 N. Freemont St.
• When – Sunday, October 23rd, 10am-12pm
• Cost -$50 Family Ticket (includes 1 child), $30 Single Ticket (includes 1 child), $10 Additional Child

Jeremy Plays Guitar Halloween Concert - Come join the award winning, dance partying, super spook-ifying Jeremy Plays Guitar for their Halloween BOO Show! Sing along to the hit songs from the album “Use Your Words” and laugh along to a spooky classic or two. Special halloween ‘trick-or-treats’ at the door for the first 40 people. Missing this Halloween Show would be terrifying!

• Where – Schubas, 3159 N. Southport Ave.
• When – Sunday, October 23rd, 4pm
• Cost -$7

Pumpkin Carving Workshop

• Where – Gethsemane Gardens & More, 5739 N. Clark St.
• When – Sunday, October 23rd, 1pm
• Cost – FREE

Decorate a Halloween Haunted House - Learn how to turn chocolate gingerbread into a “boo-tiful” haunted house! This festive activity includes everything your girl needs to make a delightfully frightful centerpiece, complete with colorful candies and other tasty treats. Appropriate for girls 8 and up. Reservations required.

• Where – American Girl Place, 835 N. Michigan Ave.
• When -Wednesday, October 26th, 5-7pm
• Cost -$45

Mummies Night: Tales and Treats for Halloween – Get up close and personal with a mummy, discover painted coffins and a Book of the Dead, and view “Mummies Made in Egypt,” an award-winning children’s film from the Reading Rainbow series. Browse the latest children’s books on ancient Egypt, try on an outfit from King Tut’s closet, and enter their “Guess the Mummy Lollipops” contest. Recommended for children ages 5 and up accompanied by an adult.

• Where – The Oriental Institute at the University of Chicago, 1155 E. 58th St.
• When – Thursday, October 27th, 6pm-8pm
• Cost – $3

Halloween Holiday Highlight: Night Life – Get to know some creatures of the night this Halloween. Join us in learning about nocturnal animals such as owls, bats and rats.

• Where – Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannon Dr.
• When – Thursday, October 27th, Saturday, October 29th and Sunday, October 30th  from 11:30am-1:30pm
• Cost – Free with museum admission  (Thursday are free day)

River North Moms Meet up group’s 6th annual Halloween Party – Enjoy a Mr. Singer concert, snacks, treats, costume contests, crafts a play area and free giveaways from their sponsor Building Block Toy store. Event is open to the public.

• When – Thursday, October 27th, 4pm-7pm
• Where – 900 Kingsbury (playroom)
• Cost – $15

Trunk or Treat  is a fun, safe way to pass out Halloween treats from the trunk of participating cars. Your child will have the opportunity to dress up in their costumes and “trunk” or treat in this fun and safe environment. Plus, there will be games, bobbing for suspended apples, crafts, face painting and more.

• When- Friday, October 28th, 6-8pm
• Where – Immanuel Lutheran Church, 300 S. Pathway, Crystal Lake, IL
• Cost – FREE to trick-or-treat, but a $2 per family charge for inside activities or a donation of 2 canned goods.

Franken Plaza – This Halloween, Daley Plaza becomes Franken Plaza for three days, October 28-30, with special performances, a Monster Bash – complete with prize give-aways, hayrides and trick-or-treating! Entertainment from Midnight Circus, Magic Matt, Dave Herzog’s Marionettes, Storyteller Oba King, the Batbuck$ game show, the Mad Science Show and fcbc educational theatre performing Thriller. Plus Arts & Crafts.

• Where – Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St.
• When – Friday, October 28th, Saturday, October 29th and Sunday, October 30th from 11am-8pm
• Cost – FREE

Haunted Indoor Drive-in Movie – The annual Wicker Park Halloween 3-day mini movie festival featuring the Mummy and the Mummy Returns and Abbott & Costello Meet the Mummy matinee.

• Where – Wicker Park, 1425 N. Damen
• When – Friday, October 28th at 6:30, Saturday, October 29th at 2pm & 6:30pm and Sunday, October 30th at 2pm & 6:30pm
• Cost – $2

Halloween Spooktacular - Monstrous amounts of goodies for all bats & ghouls, eerie entertainment & spooky music, freaky face painting & photo opportunity, creepy costume contest, trick out a treat bag! A batty good time for ALL! Admission is good all day

• Where – My Corner Playroom, 2121 N. Clybourn Ave.
• When – Friday, October 28th, 9am-5pm
• Cost – $19 (siblings $12), adults are free

Family Haunted Drive-in Movie: Monster House – Haunted Drive-In (in Gymnasium), includes hotdog dinner, drink, popcorn, and candy, costumes welcomed!

• Where – Margate Park, 4921 N. Marine, Dr.
• When – Friday, October 28th, 6:30-8:30pm
• Cost – $5

Kids Movie Night Out: Halloween Special – No need to find a sitter – drop the kids off at Smarty Party! They will enjoy pizza, watch a movie, snack on popcorn and have fun, more importantly parents have a few hours to themselves! Kids are welcome to bring a pillow or wear pj’s. Appropriate for kids 4+, must be potty trained. Registration required.

• Where – Smarty Party, 1846 W. Belmont
• When – Friday, October 28th, 5:30-8pm
• Cost – $25 per child (includes dinner)

Fairy Tale Trail – Mermaids, wizards, princesses and safari guides will welcome children to the Fairy Tale Trail’s popular lineup of interactive rooms, which feature costumed storybook characters and sensory-stimulating activities that will engage and enchant children with and without special needs. The fully accessible, fantasy-filled labyrinth is a fun, non-frightening alternative to the typical Halloween open house. Children are encouraged to join in the fun by coming in costume. Attendees also can buy light snack items and refreshments at the Trail’s Pumpkin Patch Café.

• Where – 1702 Chicago Ave., Evanston, IL
• When – Friday, October 28th from 4-7pm and Saturday, October 29th from 10am-2pm
• Cost – $5

Boo HAHA! – Raven Theatre invites the community to BOO HAHA!, their first Annual Fall Family Festival! The event features bounce houses, games, trick or treating, face painting, prizes and a costume parade.

• Where – Raven Theatre, 6157 N. Clark St.
• When – Saturday, October 29th, 2-5pm
• Cost – FREE

Supper with the Snakes -The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum will once again open its doors for a spooky costume dinner party where the guests of honor will be slithery, wriggly reptiles! This will be one spook-tacular evening that snake-lovers won’t want to miss!

• Where – Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannon Dr.
• When – Saturday, October 29th 5-7pm
• Cost – $15 members, $20 non-members, $10 children

Halloween Fest

• Where – Gethsemane Gardens & More, 5739 N. Clark St.
• When – Saturday, October 29th, 11am-4pm
• Cost – FREE

7th Annual Happy Howl-o-ween Dog Parade

• Where – 1744 W. Winona
• When – Saturday, October 29th, 1:30-2:30
• Cost – FREE

Creatures of the Night - Families can meet live nocturnal animals like fruit bats, spiders, owls and more, as they make a rare daytime appearance at the Conservatory. Visitors will learn about the creatures’ ability to learn adaptation tricks and get a very special treat at special critter stations and other fun activities.

• Where – Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave.
• When – Saturday, October 29th, 12-3pm
• Cost – $3

Colorful Halloween Silhouettes – Artist Bernadette Foch conducts a kid-friendly Halloween craft program. Using color diffusing paper, markers and a splash of water, Bernadette teaches attendees how to turn Halloween patterns into colorful, spook-tacular scenes. For children of all ages. This program takes place in the Children’s Program Room of the Thomas Hughes Children’s Library. Space is limited. Please call (312) 747-4200 to register.

• Where -Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State St.
• When – Saturday, October 29th, 1-3pm
• Cost – FREE

Bubbleween – Treat yourself to Bubbles most popular event of the year! Bubbleween will be tricked out with a real hayride, live music jams, open play and a music + motion activity for your little ghouls. Create some boo-tiful pumpkin crafts, haunt our face painting station, and be sure to creep by the Burger Bar and Suckers Candy table for a tasty bit. Registration required.

• Where – Bubbles Academy, 1504 N. Freemont St.
• When – October 29th from 2-4pm & 5-7pm, October 30th from 10am-12pm
• Cost – $25

Trains, Tricks & Treats – Families are invited to come in costume and trick-or-treat throughout the Model Railroad Garden to celebrate Halloween and the end of the railroad’s season. An array of small treats and treasures can be picked up throughout the Model Railroad Garden. Children will have the opportunity to pot up a Halloween plant.

• Where – Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe, IL
• When – Saturday, October 29th & Sunday, October 30, 10am-5pm
• Cost – $5 adults, $3 children (3-12 years), plus standard parking fee

Halloween Trick-or-Treating and Costume Contest - This annual event kicks off in Northcenter Town Square. Get your special bag, then set off with map in hand to trick-or-treat at local merchants. The fun continues in Town Square with refreshments and a costume contest for age groups 3 and under, 4 – 8, and 9 and older. Please help by making a generous food donation, benefiting the Common Pantry.

• Where – North Center Town Square, 4054 N. Lincoln Ave.
• When – Saturday, October 29th, 11am-1pm
• Cost – FREE

Halloween @ WONDER! – Come in costume and trick or treat throughout the store.  Enjoy pumpkin decorating, story time, ballon artist, face painters and more.

• Where – WONDER!, 250 S. Waukegan Rd., Deerfield, IL
• When – Sunday, October 30th during store hours
• Cost – FREE

Halloween Happenings – Trick or Treat at participating Lincoln Square businesses and participate in lots of other fun, free ghoulish activities!

• Where – Lincoln Square, Giddings Ave.  & Lincoln Ave.
• When – Sunday, October 30th, 10am-4pm
• Cost – FREE

Trick or Treat on Southport – It’s time again for the Annual Trick or Treat on Southport and the Pumpkin Party featuring Smarty Pants! Trick or treat from 1:00 – 3:00 on Southport from Belmont to Irving, and stay for the Pumpkin Party featuring Smarty Pants from 1:00 – 4:00 on Southport at Grace. The pumpkin party features, games, activities and pumpkin decorating. Smarty Pants and the Lovely Miss Dena will be on hand creating amazing balloon creations and spooky face painting designs. On the go will be there handing out special Halloween stickers too!

• Where – Southport between Belmont & Irving Park
• When – Sunday, October 30th, 1pm
• Cost – There is no charge to enter the Pumpkin Party, but some activities have a charge.  You can purchase an all access wrist band for $5.

Halloween Magic – Come witness the brilliant wizardry and hilarious antics of magician-illusionist Mark Kaschube and his ensemble of Mischievous Tricksters. Their characters generate a fun-filled energetic Halloween experience for the entire family.

• Where – Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Rd., Rosemont, IL
• When – Sunday, October 30th, 2pm
• Cost – $20-$30 adults, $10 kids

Spooky Singalong – Calling all ghouls! Bring the whole family to this spooky, but not scary, sing-a-long featuring our Wiggleworms faculty. Be sure to wear your Halloween costume!

• Where – Old Town School of Folk Music, 909 W. Armitage Ave.
• When – Sunday, October 30th, 10am & 3pm
• Cost – $9

Mr. Singer & The Sharp Cookies Halloween Show

• Where – Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont
• When – Sunday, October 30th, 12pm
• Cost – $6

Space Park Spooktacular – Nestled inside the Northalsted Neighborhood is a secret garden called Space Park. Built and maintained by the Triangle Neighbors Association, this community park gets transformed into none other than a Halloween Spooktacular filled with childrens’ activities, including cookie decorating, contests, games and storytelling.

• Where – Space Park, 815 W. Roscoe St.
• When – Sunday, October 30th, 3-6pm
• Cost – FREE

Roscoe Village Halloween Parade - The parade will kick off at Leavitt and Roscoe, and follow the Lane Tech Marching Band down the street. Afterward, there will be trick or treating at the local merchants, and a pizza party at Audubon School.

• Where – Leavitt & Roscoe
• When – Sunday, October 30th, 1-5pm
• Cost – FREE

Halloween Bash – Annual Halloween dance party, including costume judging and prizes.

• Where – Indian Boundary Park & Cultural Center, 2500 W. Lunt Ave.
• When – Sunday, October 30th, 2-3:30pm
• Cost – FREE

Halloween Stop – Before you head out to go trick-or-treating, stop by Building Blocks Toy Store. They’ll fill your belly with some warm treats from Wishbone (Lakeview) & Letizia’s (Wicker Park) and stock your bag with some fun!

• Where – Building Blocks Toy Store, 2130 W. Division and 3306 N. Lincoln Ave.
• When – Monday, October 31st 3:30-5pm
• Cost – FREE

Gompers Park Halloween Party – Kids will play games, create an artcraft project, receive a small goody bag.

• Where – Gompers Park, 4222 W. Foster Ave.
• When – Monday, October 31st, 3:30-4:30pm
• Cost – FREE

Family Halloween Costume Party

• Where – Kid City, 1837 W. Grand Ave.
• When – Monday, October 31st, 9:30am-1:30pm
• Cost – $10 per child in costume

We spent the morning making our annual trip to Coulter’s Farm in Indiana.  We love the minimal frills and small town feel of Coulter’s.  Plus, I can’t help but marvel at how the girls have grown when we line them up in front of the “How Tall This Fall” sign each year. This year the girls were old enough to spend some quality time searching through the bumper crop of pumpkins.  As usual, we came home with a car full of pumpkins, mums and smiling kids.

Whether you are looking for a small family farm like Coulters or an elaborate carnival like production, we have the inside scoop on where to find your “Pick of the Patch!”  Following are the best pumpkin patches within 60-miles of Chicago.

Chicago

Chicago Park District Pumpkin Patches open today, and can be found throughout the city.  Entrance fees vary from free to a nominal fee for activities.  Activities differ by location, but may include pumpkin decorating stations, petting zoos, hayrides, pony rides, inflatables, games and harvest photo stations.

South West of Chicago

Heaps Giant Pumpkin Farm in Minooka, IL (52 miles South West of Chicago).

• Hayrides to u-pick pumpkin field
• Hours of operation: daily  from 9am-7pm
• Cost: free admission, but attractions are an additional fee
• Attractions: Papa Heaps Grill, live entertainment on October 8th and 9th, hayride, farm animals, kiddie corn box, corn maze

Butterprint Farm in Monee, IL (40 Miles South West of Chicago)

• Live Bluegrass music each weekend.
• Hayrides to u-pick field with over 15 varieties of pumpkins
• Hours of operation: Saturdays and Sundays in Oct. from 10am-6pm
• Cost: $9 per person for adults, $6 for children 3+ includes all attractions accept barrel car rides ($1) .
• Attractions: barrel car rides, petting zoo, duck races, puppet show, nature trails, make a bird house, early farm demonstrations, Butterprint Prairie Museum, and scarecrow maze.

Bengston’s Pumpkin Fest in Homer Glen, IL (31 miles form Chicago).

• They sell pumpkins and offer hayrides, but you can’t pick your own pumpkins.
• Hours of operation: 10am-8pm daily
• Cost: kids 3-10 $10.99, 12+ $11.99 includes all attractions except pony rides ($5) and carnival rides ($2 each). Click here for a $1 off coupon.
• Attractions: pig races (10X a day), fun barn, haunted barn, feeding and petting zoo, hayride, corn maze, pony rides and carnival rides

Johansen Farm in Bolingbrook, IL (32 miles from Chicago).

• They sell pumpkins and offer hayrides, but you can’t pick your own pumpkins.
• Hours of operation: open daily from 9am-7pm
• Costs: weekdays $7.50, weekends $10.50 (under 2 are free). $1 off coupon available on their website if you sign up for their mailing list.  All attractions are free and unlimited with paid admission.
• Attractions: pony rides, train rides, hayrides, toddler and standard inflatables and slides, Noah’s Ark Challenge, hold baby chicks, corn maze, hay tunnel, goat mountain, and over 500 animal petting zoo

Siegel’s Cottonwood Farm in Crest Hill, IL (37 miles from Chicago).

• Hayrides to u-pick pumpkin field
• Hours of operation: 10am-6pm daily
• Cost: $12 weekday/$14 weekend per person 3yrs+ includes all attractions except rock wall ($6), mining ($5), Spooky Spiral ($1) and pony rides ($4).  $2 off coupon available on their website if you take their survey.
• Attractions: corn maze, straw maze, John Deere Maze, toddler and standard inflatables and slides, haunted barn, petting zoo, playgrounds, train, rock wall, baby chick nursery, pony rides, gem mine and Spooky Spiral.

Dollinger Family Farm in Channahoon, IL (56 miles from Chicago).  If you have any Civil War buffs in your house, you won’t want to miss the reenactment on Oct. 15 and 16.

• They sell pumpkins and offer hayrides, but you can’t pick your own pumpkins.
• Hours of operation: daily  from 10am-6:30pm
• Cost: free admission, but some attractions have a nominal fee.
• Attractions: Live entertainment every Sunday at 1pm, train ride ($3), corn maze ($3), face painting ($3), petting zoo, and playground.

Odyssey Fun Farm in Tinley Park, Il (30 miles from Chicago).

• They sell pumpkins and offer hayrides, but you can’t pick your own pumpkins.
• Hours of operation: M-F 10am-6pm, Sat. & Sun. 10am-5pm
• Cost: $10 per person, kids 2 & under are free.  Includes all attractions except pony rides ($3) and Corn Cannon ($3 for 3 shots).
• Attractions: The Odyssey Petting Zoo, The Inflatable Kidz Zone, corn cannons, pig races, a cow train, hay rides and pony rides (weekends only)!

Pumpkin Patch @ The Children’s Farm in Palos Park, IL (26 miles from Chicago).

• Free hayrides to u-pick pumpkin field
• Hours of operation: M-F 3pm-5pm, weekends. 10am-4pm (Pumpkin Playland and hayrides are weekends only)
• Cost: free admission to pumpkin patch and hayrides, $7 for Pumpkin Playland,
• Attractions: Pumpkin Playland – barn tours, petting zoo, The Straw Bale Climber, The Giant Corn Box, and The Crazy Maze-y

West of Chicago

Sonny Acres Farm in West Chicago, IL (33 miles from Chicago).

• They sell pumpkins and offer hayrides, but you can’t pick your own pumpkins.
• Hours of operation: daily 10am-6pm
• Cost: free admission, but rides and attractions have a fee. Wednesdays you can buy a wristband good for unlimited rides for $10.
• Attractions: Kiddie Koral ($2), Pony Rides ($3), Petting Zoo ($2), Spook Shed ($1), Dizzy Zone ($2), Haunted Barn ($4), Wagon Rides ($4)

North West of Chicago

Wagner Farm in Glenview, IL (19 miles form Chicago). Wagner Farm is the closes Farm Pumpkin Patch, but they don’t have many attractions or pick your own pumpkins.

• They sell pumpkins, but don’t offer pick your own
• Hours of operation: M-F 10am-6pm, Sat. & Sun. 10am-5pm
• Cost: free admission

Didier Farm in Prairie View-Lincolnshire, IL (33 miles from Chicago).

• Hayrides to u-pick pumpkin field
• Hours of operation: daily 9am-5pm weekdays, 10-5 weekends
• Cost: Weekends – free admission, but most attractions have a separate fee. Weekdays – from 9am-12pm $13.00 entrance fee that includes the Hayride, Petting Zoo, corn maze, straw maze, pony rides, sunshine crafts, moon bounce, all mechanical rides, bird exhibit and white tiger exhibit.  Same price for Adult and Child. After 12pm there is no admission fee, but attractions have separate fees.
• Attractions: corn maze, straw maze, Scarecrow Alley, pony rides, tractor hayride, horse drawn hayride, petting zoo, Indian teepee, animal show, Woody’s Menagerie, bird exhibit, tiger exhibit and carnival rides

Goebbert’s Farm in South Barrington, IL (33 miles North West of Chicago).

• Goebbert’s Animal Land has 55 different types of animals including your barn yard favorites and exotic animals like camels, kangaroos, llamas, zebras, tigers, bear cubs and even a giraffe.
• They sell pumpkins and offer hayrides, but you can’t pick your own pumpkins.
• Hours of operation: weekdays 9am-7pm, weekends 9am-6pm
• Cost: Animal Land M-F $5, Sat. & Sun. $8. Admission to Animal land includes all attractions except the haunted house $5, wagon ride $5, jumping pillow ($5), pony ride$5, and camel rides $5.
• Attractions: pig races (Sat & Sun only), animal land, straw maze, corn stalk maze, pony rides, camel rides, inflatable, haunted house and wagon ride.

Susanna Farms in Lake Villa, IL (51 miles from Chicago).

• They sell pumpkins and offer hayrides, but you can’t pick your own pumpkins.
• Hours of operation: daily  from 10am-6:00pm
• Cost: free admission, but some attractions have a nominal fee.
• Attractions: Hayrides (antique hand crank tractor) & corn mazes ($7 for both hayride and maze), face painting ($2) and farm animals.

Richardson Adventure Farm in Spring Grove, IL (60 miles from Chicago).

• Hayrides to u-pick pumpkin field
• Hours of operation: daily  from 9am-6:00pm
• Cost: $12.95 13 and up, $9.95 4-12, kids 3 and under are free.  Includes everything but zip line, wagon rides, and ORBiting.
• Attractions: world’s largest corn maze, 700′ zip line ($15), 50′ observation tower, ORBiting ride ($20), pig races, jumping pillows, giant slides, pedal cards, wagon rides ($4), picnic area and campfires.

Northern Indiana

Coulters Farm in Westville, IN (60 miles from Chicago) is a small town farm with the charm and prices to match!

• Free hayrides to u-pick pumpkin field ($0.20/lbs.)
• Hours of operation: daily from 8am-6pm, but hayrides and attractions are only open on weekends
• Cost: free admission, but some attractions have a nominal fee
• Attractions: haunted bus, kiddy hay maze, wooden train, corn maze ($3 adults, $2 kids over 5), pony rides ($3), tractor train ride ($2) and face painting (prices vary)

County Line Orchard in Hobart, IN (42 miles from Chicago).

• Free hayrides to u-pick pumpkin field ($0.30/lbs.)
• Hours of operation: daily from 9am-6pm
• Cost: $1 (under 2 are free) includes tractor ride to U-Pick, Observation Bee Hives and picnic area.
• Attractions: Tractor rides, Moo-Choo Train ($2), group camp fires ($60 for up to 35 people) and maze.

There is something about the arrival of Peeps on the shelves that solidifies that Spring is finally here.  Not to say the cold weather is over.  I for one leave my snow shovel out until May.  For some reason I fear that if I put it away sooner, I will jinx the good weather and Mother Nature will punish me with a little Spring fluffy stuff.  I prefer fluffy cotton tails to fluffy snow this time of year!  In fact, we have a little cotton tail bunny living in our yard who has been making quite a few appearances the past few weeks.  My kids have appropriately named him/her Hoppy!

If you don’t have a Hoppy of your own, here are a few of the places in Chicago where you can see the Easter Bunny and celebrate Easter:

Storybook Square – Spring is here and Patch the Pirate Dog has invited his nursery rhyme friends to celebrate. Together they’ve set up Storybook Square, an enchanted park where the Storybook Villagers act out stories & lead children of all ages in a whole host of games. The villagers have also brought along an extra special visitor: Bonny Bunny, a furry friend who will be poised atop Hippity Hop Hill, a popular picture-taking spot bedecked with beautiful spring blooms.

• Where – Navy Pier Family Pavillion
• When – Friday, April 15-Sunday, April 24 11am-5:30pm
• Cost – FREE

Hop Around the Shops

• Where – Southport shops between Belmont and Addison
• When – Saturday, April 16th from 10am-2pm
• Cost – FREE

Soldier Field Spring Egg-Stravaganza – The largest candy grab in the city takes place on the stadium field.  The stadium will open at 9am to the general public to enjoy all types of kid and family friendly activities (face painters, fun inflatables, balloon artists, etc.) including a Radio Disney Show on the South Courtyard Stage!

• Where – Soldier Field
• When – Sunday, April 17th starting at 9am
• Cost – FREE

Brookfield Zoo Breakfast with the Bunny - Enjoy an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet in the zoo’s Discovery Center with a special appearance from Mr. and Mrs. Bunny costumed characters that will be on hand for photo opportunities. Additionally, there will be visits from some of Children’s Zoo’s furry critters. Seating is limited and reservations are required.

• Where – Brookfield Zoo
• When – Sunday, April 17 & 23rd at 9am & 11am
• Cost – $38 for adults, $26.50 children 3-11  years

Easter Bunny – Join the library as they conduct a science experiment to determine the freshness of an egg.  Then kids will listen to a story and create a craft.  If time permits, they will even do the bunny hop!  For ages 6-13.

• Where – Chicago Bee Library (3647 S. State St.)
• When – Wednesday, April 2o from 3:30-4:30
• Cost – FREE

Easter Stories & Crafts – Hop on in for a fun program of stories, games and more!  Recommended for ages 3 and older.

• Where – Mount Greenwood Library (11010 S. Kedzie Ave.)
• When – Thursday, April 21 at 6pm
• Cost – FREE

Bubbles Academy Egg Hunt – Your little bunnies will go hippity-hop around Open Play and get embelished at the face-painting station.  Then they can enjoy the Music + Motion activity before going on the egg hunt scramble, where they will search for eggs filled with candy or prize and make an egg-cellent craft.

• Where – Bubbles Academy (1504 N. Freemont)
• When – Thursday, April 21 from 5-6:30pm, Friday, April 22 from 5-6:30pm and Saturday, April 23 from 1:30-3pm.
• Cost – $20 per child

Bunny Brunch – Join Lambs Farm for some food and fun with the Easter Bunny! After feasting on a delicious meal, kids can hop on over to the Garden Patch for a variety of activities including a photo with the Bunny. For reservations, please call the Country Inn Restaurant at 847.362.5050.

• Where – Country Inn Restaurant of Lambs Farm (Libertyville)
• When – Friday, April 22 and Saturday, April 23rd at 10am and Noon
• Cost – $15.95 per person

Meet the Easter Bunny at Village Paperie

• Where – Village Paperie (2217 W. Roscoe St.)
• When – Saturday, April 23rd at 11am-4pm
• Cost – FREE

Easter Craft Drop-in Program – Hop, hop, hop in and make a simple Easter craft.
All ages welcome!

• Where – West Town Library (1625 W. Chicago Ave)
• When – Saturday, April 23rd from 11am-1pm
• Cost – FREE

Easter Bowl and Brunch – In celebration of Easter, they will have special pink pins. Those who knock down the pink pins will win Easter Eggs filled with goodies.

• Where – 10Pin (330 N. State St.)
• When – Sunday, April 24th at 11am and 2pm
• Cost – $36.95 per guest includes food and bowling (children under 4 are free)

Spirit of Chicago Easter Brunch Cruise – Celebrate the holiday aboard the vibrant Spirit of Chicago with a plentiful buffet, engaging DJ entertainment, dancing and a totally festive celebration!  On this special Easter Cruise, there will be Goodie Bags for the children and an appearance by the Easter Bunny!

• Where – Spirit of Chicago Cruises Navy Pier
• When – Sunday, April 24th from 12:30-2:30pm
• Cost – $51.90 adults, $31.90 children 3-12 years

Easter Brunch Cruise – Cruise incldues complimentary glass of champagne or mimosa for adults, goodie Bag and a special appearance by the Easter Bunny for kids, live entertainment and spectacular Chicago skyline views.

• Where – Odyssey Cruises Navy Pier
• When – Sunday, April 24th from 12-2pm
• Cost – $66 adults, $40.90 children 3-11 years

Easter at the Signature Room - Invite your family and friends to enjoy an unforgettable brunch buffet at The Signature Room on Easter Sunday.  There will be live music throughout brunch while Executive Chef Patrick Sheerin cooks up a delicious array of fresh menu selections for an unforgettable feast. The Easter Bunny will be paying a visit to pass out treats to younger attendees.

• Where – Signature Room (875 N. Michigan Ave.)
• When – Sunday, April 24th from 10am-3pm
• Cost – $65 adults, $25 children 12 and under

Easter Brunch – Don’t hop away from this Lambs Farm tradition! Their elegant buffet features freshly carved meats, breakfast classics, fresh fruit, garden vegetables, and a country dessert table filled with treats from our very own bakery. For reservations, please call the Country Inn Restaurant at 847.362.5050.

• Where – Country Inn Restaurant of Lambs Farm (Libertyville)
• When – Sunday, April 24th at 10am, 12pm and 2pm
• Cost – $19.95 adults, $10.95 children

Easter Eggs-travaganza! – Following play time, egg dyeing, and a story, the hunt begins! Found eggs are then redeemed at the “Bunny Market” for a wide selection of Easter Treasures children are sure love!

• Where – My Corner Playroom (2121 N. Clybourn)
• When – Saturday, April 23rd starting at 9am
• Cost – $19 per child ($14 siblings)

Easter Day Play – Grab your family members and hop on over to their Easter hours.

• Where – Pump It Up (821 Eastman)
• When – April 24 9-11am or 11:30am-1:30pm
• Cost – $10

Easter Brunch – Enjoy a sumptuous brunch at the Garden and spend the rest of the day viewing all that spring has to offer. The all-you-can-eat buffet includes a carving station, made-to-order omelets, and an abundance of scrumptious selections.

• Where – Chicago Botanic Garden
• When – April 24 at 11am or 1pm
• Cost – $54.94 adults, $27.95 children

Chicago Park District Easter Activities – Meet the big white Bunny and look for hidden eggs! In addition to egg hunts, most events will feature face painting, arts and crafts plus photo opportunities with the bunny (bring your camera). Some activities may require pre-registration due to limited space.

• Chicagoland Parks – Click here for a list of parks and details
• When – April 15th through the 23rd
• Cost – Many are free, but some have a nominal entrance fee

Looking for a way to inspire the tree hugger in your little one?  Try one of these family-friendly Earth Day celebrations in and around Chicago!

Friends of the Parks 22nd Annual Earth Day Parks & Preserves Clean-up -Friends of the Parks believes every day should be Earth Day.  In order to come together as a community each spring, Friends of the Parks hosts its annual Parks & Preserves Clean-up.

• Where – Click here for a list of participating locations
• When – Saturday, April 16 at 9am
• Cost – FREE

North Lake Shore Earth Day 2011: Saving Green Together - Join in the various workshops, presentations and panels and hear about green gardening, going green with electronics and more.  Don’t miss the Osterman Kid’s Corner where kids can do yoga, make a nature diorama or mask, decorate a flower pot, watch worms make compost and listen to the “Sweet Pea and the Pig”.

• Where – Loyola University, Quinlan Life Center (1050 W. Sheridan)
• When – Saturday, April 16 from 10am-3pm
• Cost – FREE

Celebrate Earth Day! – Join the library for a celebration of Earth Day through stories and music presented by musician Candy Heitner.

• Where – Beverly Library (1962 W. 95th St.)
• When – Wednesday, April 20 from 3:30-4:30
• Cost – FREE

Who Lives Here? An Earth Day Program - Families can join the librarians for stories, songs, games and eco-friendly crafts to celebrate the Earth. Please call 312-747-6094 to register for this program.

• Where – Garfield Ridge Library (6348 S. Archer Ave.)
• When – Thursday, April 21st at 6pm
• Cost – FREE

Earth Day Story & Craft - Celebrate Earth Day with stories and a craft. For children ages 5 and up. Children under age 7 must be accompanied by an adult caregiver.

• Where – Sherman Park Library (5440 S. Racine Ave.)
• When – Thursday, April 21st from 4-5pm
• Cost – FREE

Preschool Story TIme: Earth Day – During this 40 to 45 minute program librarians will share storytelling, picture books, stretches, fingerplays and music about Earth Day. For ages 3 to 5 year olds. For additional information, please call (312) 747-4200.

• Where – Harold Washington Library Center: Children’s Program Room of the Thomas Hughes Children’s Library (400 S. State St.)
• When – Friday, April 22 at 10am
• Cost – FREE

Children’s Potting Workshop

• Where – Anthropologie (3532 N. Southport Ave.)
• When – Friday, April 22 from 10-2pm
• Cost – FREE

Earth Day Concert: Children of the Earth – Joe Reilly, a singer, songwriter and environmental educator, will be performing an interactive musical program. Joe helps people of all ages deepen their relationships with themselves, each other, and with their natural environment.

• Where – Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
• When – Saturday, April 23rd at 11am and 1pm
• Cost – $6 Children, $9 Adults

5K Run/Walk Green Living Expo – Family friendly 5k run/walk, the race will culminate at the Humboldt Park Boat House with a free Green Living Expo. All runners, walkers, and their families are invited to the green living expo and farmers market steps from the finish line. The expo will include various health and environmental organizations as well as local farmers with organic produce.

• Where – Humboldt Park Boat House
• When – April 23rd (7:50am opening ceremonies)
• Cost – $35 race day (under 10 are free)

11th Annual Earth Day at the North Pond Nature Sanctuary -Celebrate spring!  Come out and get your hands in the earth at the North Pond Nature Sanctuary in Lincoln Park. Volunteer for one of the many activities they have planned to beautify the park and sanctuary including mulching trees, removing litter, restoring a nature trail, cleaning signs, repairing fencing around new planting areas and more!

• Where – North Pond Nature Sanctuary
• When – Saturday, April 23rd from 10am-12pm
• Cost – FREE

Family Story Time: Celebrate Earth Day – Join the librarians for books, songs and crafts about Earth Day and Arbor Day. This program is recommended for families. Registration is required.

• Where – Scottsdale Library (4101 W. 79th St.)
• When – Tuesday, Aprl 26th from 6-6:45pm
• Cost – FREE

It’s Earth Day!  Let’s Come Together to Make a Difference - Join the Northtown Branch for a special Earth Day story and craft.

• Where – Northtown Library (6435 N. California Ave.)
• When – Thursday, April 28th at 4:30pm
• Cost – FREE

Looking for a fun way to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your little cupid?  Check out one of these great family-friendly events happening this week in Chicago.

I love you Tutu Much - Event includes tutu making lesson, mini ballet class to twirl around in the new tutu, completed tutu to take home and 5×7 professional photo of your little one.

• Where – Baby Take a Bow (2223 W. Roscoe)
• When – Saturday, Feb. 12 (4 time slots available)
• Cost – $65

I Heart Art – Join the MCA in celebrating your love of art. Explore emotions through hands-on projects and enjoy the MCA’s beloved collection.

• Where – Museum of Contemporary Art (220 E. Chicago Ave.)
• When – Saturday, Feb. 12 11am-3pm
• Cost – FREE

Valentine’s Day Party Cooking Class - Join the Kids Table for a special 2-hour class in honor of Valentine’s Day. It will be loads of chocolate-y fun!

• Where – The Kids Table (2337 North Ave.)
• When – Saturday, Feb. 12th from 2-4pm (4-6 yrs) & 4:30-6:30 (7-10 yrs)
• Cost – $35

Sweet Saturdays at the Garfield Park Conservatory – Sweet Saturdays will focus on plants that provide the key ingredients to some favorite sweet treats.  Activities include Tropical Treat Stations, Live Music, Hands-on Activity Stations, and more.

• Where – Garfield Conservatory – (300 North Central Park Ave.)
• When – Sat., Feb. 12 from 11am-4pm
• Cost – $3 suggested donation per person

Valentine Day Social at My Corner Playroom - Make new friends, listen to love songs, have tea and sandwiches, and make a lantern or Valentine’s Day card.

• Where – My Corner Playroom (2121 Clybourn)
• When – Fri., Feb. 11am-5pm
• $19 Child, $14 siblings.  FREE for members.

Sweets and Treats Valentine’s Day Celebration at Pump It Up

• Where – Pump It Up (821 W. Eastman)
• When – Saturday, Feb. 12 from 7-10pm
• Cost – $15 Child & $5 Adult or Dropp-off for $25

Valentine Card Craft – Inspire your girl to give something extra-special to her Valentine: a cute handmade card and matching envelope! Recommended for girls 8 and up.

• Where – American Girl Store (835 N. Michigan Ave.)
• When – Sun., Feb. 13 at 11am
• Cost – FREE

Kids Movie Night Out “Valentine’s Day Special” - No need to find a sitter – drop the kids off at Smarty Party!  They will enjoy pizza, watch a movie, snack on popcorn and have fun, more importantly parents have a few hours to themselves!

• Where – Smarty Party (1846 West Belmont)
• When – Sat., Feb. 12 from 5:30-8pm
• Cost – $25 per child

Bubbles Academy Sweetheart Soiree – Join Bubbles for music, motion, open play and yummy cookie decorating.  You can also make a valentine for your sweetie.

• Where – Bubbles Academy (1504 N. Fremont)
• When – Sunday, Feb. 13 from 10-11:30am
• Cost – $20 per child (under 3 are FREE)
• Reservations – Call 312.944.7677

Valentine’s Day Chocolate Brunch – Enjoy a Valentine’s brunch with a touch of chocolate throughout the whole meal.

• Where – Morton Arboretum Ginkgo Restaurant (4100 Illinois Rote 53, Niles)
• When – Sunday, Feb. 13, seatings at 9:30, noon and 2:30
• Cost – Adults $36 ($42 non-members), Child $25 ($30 non-members), children under 2 are free

Valentine Events at the Chicago Public Libraries - Valentine themed crafts at several libraries throughout the city.  Click here for details.

Valentine’s Day Dance – Chicago Park District as 17 Valentines Day Dances going on throughout the city this week. Cost varies by location (Free to $10).  Click here for more details.

Looking for some family fun to help you ring in the New Year?  Check out one of these kid-sized New Year’s celebrations in Chicago and the burbs.

CHICAGO:

NPN Pre-New Year’s Eve Family Celebration – Kick in the New Year (a day early!) with NPN and Lil’ Kickers! This party’s for the whole family so grab the kids and head over for an evening of FREE celebration and fun!

• When – December 30th from 4:30-7:30pm
• Where – Lil’ Kickers Bradley Place
• Cost – FREE for NPN members
• Visit NPN’s site to RSVP

New Years Eve Party at Pump It Up – Bring in the New Year with friends at this early afternoon family friendly celebration. Event features music, play time, pizza, sparkling beverages, gifts and a countdown with balloon drop.

• When – December 31st from 1-4pm
• Where – Pump It Up (821 W. Eastman)
• Cost – $15 children, $5 adults

New Year’s Eve Party at My Corner Playroom – Ring in 2011 family style! Event includes healthy snacks and refreshments, hats and favors, noise makers, lights, dance music and balloon drop at “midnight”.

• When – December 31 from 3pm-6pm
• Where – My Corner Playroom (2121 Clybourn)
• Cost – $19 Children ($14 siblings), adults free

Navy Pier’s Family New Year’s Eve Bash – Families can ring in the New Year at Navy Pier…a little bit early! Navy Pier presents a spectacular all ages showcase of hip hop dancers, live band, human beat box, and more! The celebration culminates with a special 8:15pm Family Fireworks show outside on Dock Street.

• When – December 31st from 6-8pm
• Where – Navy Pier
• Cost – Free

ComedySportz New Year’s Eve Family Show - Includes a full main stage show and a special early countdown. Appropriate for grade school children and teens. This event has sold out for the past 4 years. Reservations are recommended.

• When – December 31st from 5-7pm
• Where – ComedySportz Theatre (929 W. Belmont)
• Cost – $22

SUBURBS:

Bubble Bash 2010 – Event includes musical performances by Mr. Singer and the Sharp Cookies, art activities, photo Oops, refreshments, three floors of museum fun, museum-wide countdown to noon led by Naperville Mayor A. George Pradel and lots and lots of BUBBLES!

• When – December 31st from 9am-12pm
• Where – DuPage Children’s Museum (301 N. Washington St., Naperville)
• Cost – $15 members, $20 non-members
• Reservations required

New Year’s Eve Party at Wonder Works - Come join in the fun and ring in the New Year with Wonder Works. This family event allows you to celebrate all the excitement of New Year’s with even the youngest of children. Countdown with countries across the world as you learn some very interesting traditions, enjoy the special New Year’s crafts, games, prizes and cocktails (kids), snack food and fun. This event is free with general admission, no registration is required.

• When – December 31st from noon to 5pm
• Where – Wonder Works (6445 E. North Ave., Oak Park)
• Cost – Free with admission ($5 per person)

Noon Year’s Eve at Legoland – Bring in the New Years at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago! Here, the balloons drop at 12:00pm with the chance to win a Family 4-Pack of Annual Passes. They will also have a Creationary Tournament, Series 3 Minifigure Swap, and special New Years giveaways while supplies last.

• When – December 31st 9am to noon
• Where – Legoland Discovery Center (601 N. Martingale Rd., Schaumburg)
• Cost – Free with admission ($19 adults, $15 children)

Zoo Year’s Eve – Rock in the “Zoo Year 2011″ with your friends at Brookfield Zoo and Radio Disney! There will be music, games, party favors, and an early countdown at 8:00 p.m.

• When – December 31st from 6-8pm
• Where – Brookfield Zoo
• Cost – Free with admission ($13.50 adults, $9.50 children)

Are you looking for some fun outdoor fun, and still need to get your Christmas Tree?  Try cutting dow your own tree at a Christmas tree farm.  This past weekend, we visited two tree farms, Gengel (38614 North Fairfield, Lake Villa) & Family Christmas Tree Farm (24774 W Petite Lake Road, Lake Villa).  The plan was not to visit two farms originally, but truth be told, Gengel had a VERY small and “Charlie Brown”collection of trees.  We had a great time walking the wooded path to the trees, and had our first family snowball fight, but decided to head down the road to Family Christmas Tree Farm to actually get our tree.

Family Christmas Tree Farm is a great little family farm. You can borrow a sled, take a hay ride to the fields, feed goats, visit their 1837 barn and cut your own tree or by a precut tree. My kids had an amazing time being pulled on a sled around the farm.  There are winding paths between fields with lots of trees, streams and plenty of fresh air.  It was a great escape from the city, and the fresh snow added to the fun!

Unlike the standard store bought tree, cut-your-own trees tend to not be as “perfect.”  What the trees lack in symmetry, the overall experience makes up for in fun!  Plus, if you want a more perfect tree, they offer pre-cut ones that are amazing! The staff (owner & family) were very friendly and helpful.  They trimmed, shook, netted and helped us get the tree on top of our car.

All of the tree farms in Chicagoland are an hour plus from the city.  Most, including the two I mentioned above, don’t have their own website, so the best place to find one near you is Pickyourownchristmastree.org.  Last year we visited Richardson Farm, and had a great experience too.  Click here to check out my blog post from that visit.

To see our 2011 list, click here.

Looking for the best place to see the old guy in the red suit this year in Chicago?  Well, I’ve scoured the net and found some old favorites and some less traditional options for celebrating the holidays and visiting with old St. Nick.  Even better…most of them are FREE!

Lincoln Square Christkindl Market - Lincoln Square will be transformed into a small German Village with strolling musicians, holiday lights and ice sculptures adorning the streets in the square at Leland and Western.  The “Kids Korner” will feature entertainment, arts and crafts, cookie decorating and ornament making.  St. Nicholas will also make an appearance at the market everyday.

• Where – Lincoln Square
• When – December 3-5
• Cost – FREE

Roscoe Village Winterfest - Kick off the holiday season by gathering with friends and family at our annual tree lighting on Saturday. Then continue your festive evening shopping at our one of a kind boutiques. On Sunday afternoon, bring the family for children’s actvities, choirs, trolley and of course Santa!

• Where – Roscoe Village
• When – Tree Lighting December 4 at 5pm, Kids Fest December 5 at 5pm
• Cost – FREE

Santa House at Daley Plaza – Jolly Old St. Nick will again grace the plaza with his holiday cheer in his Midwest satellite workshop on Daley Plaza! Children can experience the wonder of the North Pole and have their picture taken with Santa Claus throughout the holiday season.

• Where – Daley Plaza
• When – 11/24-12/24 from 11-8pm
• Cost – FREE

Breakfast with Santa or Hancock Observatory - Experience a magical holiday high more than 1,000 feet in the air as you enjoy breakfast.  And, make sure to get your picture taken with Santa while you are there.

• Where – Hancock Observatory
• When – December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 & 19 (call for reservations)
• Cost -Adult $39, Youth $29

Breakfast with Santa at Macy’s on State Street – Have yourself a merry little breakfast! Join Jolly Old St. Nick for a delicious meal of french toast,bacon,fruit, juice and more. Afterwards stay and play-we’ll have fun and games for the whole family. Don’t forget your camera so you can capture every moment.

• Where – Macy’s State St.
• When – December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 & 19 at 9am (call for reservations)
• Cost -Adult $16.95, Children under 10 $12.95

Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier – Visit with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their elves.  After Santa returns to the North Pole, family-friendly entertainment at the stage includes performances by magicians, jugglers, circus artists, and more.

• Where – Family Pavilion Stage at Navy Pier
• When - Sunday, December 5 — Friday, December 24 from 11:00am — 7:00pm, December 24: 11 a.m. — 3 p.m.
• Cost – FREE

Zoo Lights at Lincoln Park Zoo – Take a stroll through the Zoo one evening this December, and enjoy ice carving demonstrations, visits with Santa, warm drinks and cool crafts along with more than one million beautiful lights.

• Where – Lincoln Park Zoo
• When – December 3-5, 10-12 and every night after December 17
• Cost – FREE

Christmas Bazaar and Bake Sale – The annual event includes mass, a breakfast, bake sale and visit from Santa Claus. The Fifth Province Pub will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland and will be decorated for the season.

• Where – Irish American Heritage Center
• When – Sunday, December 5, 2010 from 9am to 3pm
• Cost – Breakfast is $8 adults, $4 children

FURTHER AFIELD

Christmas on the Farm - Behold a Victorian Christmas, and learn the origins of several holiday traditions. Visit with an old-fashioned Santa, and take your picture in a sleigh. Stop by a warming fire for caroling, and sample homemade spice cookies.

• Where – Kline Creek Farm
• When – December 4 & 5 1:30-3:30
• Cost – FREE

Breakfast with Santa at the Morton Arboretum

• Where – Morton Arboretum
• When – December 4, 5, 12, 18, 19 & 23 from 9:30-11:00am
• Cost – Adults $28, Children $24

Chicago Botanic Garden

Hot Chocolate with Ms. Claus

• When – December 20 at 11am or 2pm
• Cost – Adults $15, Children 2 and under Free

Breakfast with Santa

• When – December 11, 12, 18 and 19 at 8:30 or 9:30
• Cost – Adults $26, Children 2 and under Free

Dinner with Santa

• When – December 19 & 20 from 6:30-8:30pm
• Cost – Adults $38, Children 3-12 $32, 2 and under Free

Brookfield Zoo

Breakfast with Santa

• When – December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 & 19 at 9am and 11am
• Cost – Adults $38, Chidlren $26.50, under 3 Free

Brunch with Santa

• When – December 5, 12 & 19 at 11am and 1:30pm

Breakfast with Santa at Lambs Farm – Enjoy a delicious brunch with the one and only Santa Claus! After brunch, kids will enjoy a variety of crafts and activities, and a visit and photo with Santa.

• When – December 11, 12, 18 & 19 at 10am and Noon
• Cost $15.95

Do you need a little something to get you jump started into the Christmas spirit?  A traditional tree lighting will do the trick!

The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival - The 19th Annual Magnificent Mile Lights Festival® is on Saturday, November 20, 2010, and is gearing up to be bigger, better and brighter than ever! Enjoy live music from 11am-3:45pm at the Harris Stage (401 N. Michigan).  Stroll thoroughfare of holiday booths. Decorate (and devour!) an Eli’s Cheesecake, savor a Cuties Clementine, warm up with Lavazza Italian drinking chocolate, take a photo with Santa and more! The lighting procession on Michigan Ave. starts at 5:30, and is lead my Mickey and Mini Mouse.  Fireworks start at 6:55.

97th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony – The Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is a highly-anticipated event drawing people of all ages to the heart of Chicago’s downtown “Loop.”  On Wednesday, November 24, musical performances and festive holiday music begin at 4:30 pm and the holiday season officially commences at 5:00 pm, when the switch is flipped and the lights begin to dazzle in Daley Plaza.

Christkindlemarket Tree Lighting Ceremony - On November 24th at 4:30pm help officially open the Christkindlemarket in Lincoln Square by lighting the tree. Ceremony starts at 3pm with the official Christkind from Nuremberg, Germany, as well as musical performances.

Roscoe Village Tree Lighting & WinterFest - Kick off the holiday season by gathering with friends at the annual tree lighting on Saturday, December 4, at 5pm, and then enjoy late night holiday shopping and libations at all your favorite boutiques and restaurants. On Sunday, December 5 from 1-5pm, bring the family for children’s activities and of course, Santa!

Looking for fun ways to celebrate Thanksgiving with your little turkeys?  Try out one of these turkey-tastic ideas:

McDonald’s Thanksgiving Day Parade – Santa Claus, Ronald McDonald and a cast of thousands bring you the 77th Anniversary of the McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade, marching down State Street on Thanksgiving Day, November 25th from 8:30am to 11am.

Drop & Shop Family Turkey Jump at Pump It Up (821 W. Eastman) – Friday, November 26 from 7-10am and 10:30am-1pm. Eat a lot of turkey? Want to jump some of those stuffing calories off? Jump as a family from 10am-1pm for $10/child. This jump is open to all ages. Need to get some Black Friday shopping done? Drop and Shop is perfect for you! Drop off your children, ages 4-9, for a three hour supervised program that includes a meal. Sessions begin at 7am and 10am. Admission is $25/child per session. Save $5 by reserving your tickets in advance.

Thanks4Giving Global Rhythms Concert – Give thanks this Thanksgiving season by giving back! Just by attending Global Rhythms – November 26 – 28 – you, your friends and family can make a difference in Chicago by designating 50% of your ticket price to worthy charitable organizations around Chicago.

If you are like me, the sooner this Halloween candy leaves my house the better. I was just munching on a piece before I started typing this post, so lets just say will power is not high on my list of attributes.

Don’t get me wrong, we had a great time collecting it, and the girls and I are thankful to all who handed it out, but really…how much candy do two toddlers really need to eat!  That’s why we are wrapping up all of our remainng candy tomorrow and shipping it along with two homemade cards to the troops via Operation Gratitude. Check out their cool YouTube video showing the 21 tons they collected last year and the troops enjoying it.

Not only will I be removing temptation, but I can teach my kids a little something about giving back to the community to boot!

Here’s how it works.  Operation Gratitude welcomes all left over Halloween Candy for their care packages.  All you have to do is wrap it up and ship it prior to December 3rd to:

Operation Gratitude/California Army National Guard

17330 Victory Blvd.

Van Nuys, CA 91406

Are your little ghost and goblins ready for some Halloween fun?  Are you looking to get your money’s worth out of their costumes?  Fill up your calendar and your candy sacks with these fantastic trick-or-treating and parties your ghosts and goblins are sure to love.

PARTIES & EVENTS:

All Over Chicago Land

Chicago Park District Halloween festivities include more than 50 parties, fun runs, pumpkin patches, haunted houses (and not so haunted houses) and haunted drive-in movies.  Many of the pumpkin patches also have pony rides, pumpkin decorating, petting zoos, and more.  Nominal fees apply for activities. Click on the link above to find out what is happening at your local park.

Downtown

Franken Plaza – This Halloween, Daley Plaza becomes Franken Plaza for three days, October 29-31, with special performances, a Monster Bash –complete with prize give-aways, hayrides and trick-or-treating! Lucky number 13 strikes again! Thirteen performers from Chicago’s very own Midnight Circus perform at the 13th annual Chicagoween celebration. Watch as Midnight Circus defies gravity and amazes audiences of all ages with heart-stopping feats of acrobatics & spooktacular theatrics!

Hyde Park

Spooky Science – Daily until October 31st, families can visit the Science and Industry Museum and check out one of their many hair-raising activities, events and exhibits that will help you ring in the Halloween season in style including the Haunted Cole Mine, Haunted Zephyr Tours, Trash for Treats, Idea Factory Fun House and Trick-or-Treat with museum scientist.

Streeterville

Carnival of Curiosities – Every weekend in October, Navy Pier presents the amazing and strange Carnival of Curiosities. A traveling sideshow will overtake Navy Pier, transforming Pier Park into a spectacle of living human wonders. Every Saturday and Sunday witness with your very own eyes the wild, weird, and wonderful.

Near North Side

Bubbleween – On October 30 and 31st, join Bubbles Academy for a fun Halloween party with a gourd patch, mini-burgers, reptiles from the Lincoln Park Zoo, craft projects and music and motion activities and open play.  Best costume wins an 8-week session. Cost is $25 per child.

Lincoln Park

Spooky Zoo Spectacular – On October 23rd from 11-2pm, children can celebrate Halloween in a free, safe and family-friendly environment.  Guests are invited to learn fun facts about the animals in the Spooky Zoo Education Zone, stimulate their minds while making crafts, collect treats and enjoy entertainment throughout the zoo while dressed in their best or spookiest costume.

Halloween Spooktacular at My Corner Playroom – On Friday, October 29th from 9am-5pm kids can enjoy monsterous entertainment, spooky face painting, costume contest, goodie bags, feast of fall favorites and more. Cost is $19 ($12 siblings).

Roscoe Village

Kids Movie Night Out at Smarty Party – Monsters Inc will be playing on Saturday, October 30th from 5:30-8:00pm. Wear your costume. Cost $25 per child, must be 4+.

Lakeview

Friends of Agassiz Halloween Party - On October 31st kids can enjoy face painting, pumpkin decorating contest, and other activities.  Festivities start at 10AM and run until noon.

South Lakeview Playground (Blue Park) Halloween Party – On Sunday, October 17th from 3-5pm kids can enjoy moon bounce, face painting, hay hunt, pumpkin patch, and more.

Andersonville

Howl-O-Ween dog parade/costume contest on Saturday, October 30th.  The parade starts at 1:30 in the fenced area at the corner of Ravenswood and Carmen and heads east on Carmen.

Children’s Fall Festival at Gethsemane Garden Center on Saturday October 30 from 11am-4pm families can enjoy pony rides and petting zoo, Tony the Balloon Man, Amazing Corn Maze, Face Painting, Scales and Tales - Chicagoland’s Traveling Zoo (12:30pm & 2:30pm) and Magic by Jeanette (12:00pm & 2:00pm).

PERFORMANCES:

Downtown

Hallowed Haunts – On October 23rd at 3pm, join the Chicago Symphony for a spine-chilling afternoon of Halloween fun at Symphony Center! Perfect for trick-or-treaters of all ages, their annual Hallowed Haunts concert features the Civic Orchestra of Chicago performing some of the most deliciously spooky music ever composed. Don your Halloween costumes and come early for fun activities in the “Haunted Ballroom” from 1:30 to 2:30. Recommended for ages 5 and up.

Lincoln Square

Spooky Singalong at Old Town School of Folk Music on Sunday, October 31st at 11am.  Tickets are $12.

Roscoe Village

Mr. Singer and Sharp Cookies Halloween Costume Concert at the Beat Kitchen on October 24th at 12pm. Tickets are $7.

Iriving Park

Kids Dance will be performing “Midnight on Halloween” October 26, 27 & 28.  Tickets are $5.

TRICK-OR-TREATING:

Gold Coast

Trick-or-Treat at Ghouly Park – On October 31 from 4-7:30, kids can enjoy huge, inflatable, mobile characters; noisy skeletons, ghosts and witches swinging from trees; a ghouly graveyard; and bones buried in the park’s sandbox.  Plus, Puppetbike, a colorful entertainer on stilts, and a roaming magician will entertain the kids and grownups alike. Adults in Halloween costume will pass out candy and toys galore.

Northcenter

Trick-or-Treat in Northcenter & Costume Contest – On October 30 from 11am-3pm, Trick-or-treat local businesses and then come back to the Town Square for a spooky costume contest.

Lakeview

Trick-or-Treat on Southport - Sunday, October 24th from 1-4pm. Dress in costume and grab treats from businesses along Southport from Roscoe to Irving Park between 1 and 3pm. And make sure to visit the Pumpkin Party on Southport between Grace and Byron from 1 to 4 pm where, for just $5 a wristband, your child can decorate a pumpkin; enjoy a giant double slide and a pumpkin bounce house; plus, explore a haunted maze and play tons of fun games for prizes!

Triangle Neighbors’ 14th Annual North Halsted Halloween Parade – On October 31 at 6pm. This parade draws thousands of spectators, so be prepared for big crowds.  Kids can also trick-or-treat on Halsted (Grace to Belmont) from 3:00-5:00pm.  Kids must register for the parade if they plan to participate, and can do so during the kids event at Space Park from 4:00-6:00pm.

Buena Park

Buena Park Pumpkin Neighbors on Sunday, October 31 from 5-7pm.  Event includes trick-or-treating on Kenmore between Irving Park and Montrose and a performance by the National Pastime Theatre in the Buena Circle Play Lot.

Lincoln Square

Lincoln Square Halloween Happenings on Saturday, October 30 from 10am-4pm. Trick or Treat at participating Lincoln Square businesses and participate in lots of other fun, free ghoulish activities!

As always, Chicago has lots to offer families looking for something fun to do this Mother’s Day.  Here are a couple of the great ideas I’ve found.  Enjoy!

Mother’s Day Craft Workshop at Pottery Barn Kids – Make colorful tissue-paper flowers for mom.

• Where – Pottery Barn Kids (2111 N. Clybourn)
• When – May 8 and May 9 from 2-4pm
• Cost – FREE

Mother and Daughter Fun Flourish Day – Event includes hair up-do’s by Sweet & Sassy, crafts by Caravan Beads, tasty treats and photography by Shay Feeney Photography.

• Where – Flourish Studio (3020 N. Lincoln)
• When – May 8 at 10:30am
• Cost – $20 per duo

Pre-Mother’s Day Bash – Booger’s concert and kids can make their own pizza.

• Where – Reggies (2105 S. State St.)
• When – May 8th at 3pm
• Cost – $5 per person or $15 per family ($5 for make your own Pizza buffet)

14th Annual Celtic Fest - Includes a Mother’s Day limerick contest.

• Where – Millennium Park  Jay Pritzker Pavillion
• When – May 8 and 9 from 11am-9pm
• Cost – FREE

Mom’s Get In Free at the Shedd

• Where – Shedd Aquarium (1200 S. Lakeshore Dr.)
• When – May 9
• Cost – FREE with another paid admission, must bring coupon.

Mother’s Day Out at Pump It Up

• Where – Pump It Up (821 W. Eastman)
• When – May 9 from 10-2pm
• Cost – with chaperone $10, drop off $20 (includes lunch)
• Registration required

Family Arts and Crafts Workshop – Event includes creative workshops for the whole family – mural painting, character illustrations, gift-making, family portraits, and more.

• Where -Rumble Arts Center (3413 W. North Ave.)
• When – May 8 from 11am-3pm
• Cost – FREE

Decorate and Plant with Wonder Works – Decorate your own 6″ planter with a variety of different materials then fill it with your choice of flowers. This gift will last all summer long.

• Where – Wonder Works (6445 W. North Ave., Oak Park)
• When – May 7 from 11am-4pm
• Cost – General admission +$5

Mother’s Day Brunch at Lambs Farm

• Where – Lambs Farm Country Inn Restaurant (14245 W. Rockland Rd., Libertyville)
• When – May 9 at 10am, noon and 2pm
• Cost – $19.95 adults, $10.95 Children
• Reservations required – 847.362.5050

Mother’s Day Odyssey Cruise – Mother’s Day brunch or dinner cruise

• Where – Odyssey Cruise Navy Pier
• When – May 9 at 9:30, 1:30 or 5:30
• Cost – Early brunch $64.90, late brunch $69.90, dinner $79.90 (kids 1/2 price)
• Reservations required – 866.305.2469

Click here for our 2011 list!

As part of my Go Green series in honor of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22nd, I’ve compiled a list of family friendly Earth Day events happening around Chicago this month.  Like all special events and holidays, there is no shortage of fun things to do with your kids to help celebrate the Earth and inspire them to preserve it. I’ve listed events by date and then by cost (FREE first).  I also listed some further afield activities that looked like they would be worth the drive.

Check out my other Go Green posts, Where to buy used Children’s books in Chicago and Do you want to be “greener” on the go?

Earth Day in the Parks – Celebrate Earth Day by cleaning up our parks and learning more about our planet and its resources. Join in with a couple hundred volunteers to celebrate Earth Day at various park locations throughout the city.

• Where – More than 75 parks and preserves.  Click here for a complete list.
• When – Saturday, April 17 from 9am-noon
• Cost – FREE

Irish American Heritage Center’s Green Family Festival – The festival will feature  experts, celebrity chefs, demonstrations and exhibitors all focused on the importance of raising children in a balanced, holistic way.  The day will be filled with entertainment, live music, family activities and food.

• Where – Irish American Heritage Center (4626 N. Knox)
• When – April 17 10am-6pm and April 18 10am-5pm
• Cost – FREE

Eco Expo/Earth Day Celebration - Want to make your life a little greener? Want your family to learn more about recycling, energy efficiency and organic foods? Join ChicaGO Green at Lincoln Park Zoo to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. This free event will feature fun activities for kids and information for everyone about carbon footprints and solar power.

• Where – Lincoln Park Zoo (2200 N. Cannon Dr.)
• When – April 17 & 18 at 10am – 5pm
• Cost - FREE

Celebrate the Earth with Lakeshore Learning Store – Hands-on activities, crafts and plant our own flower seed.  Plus, buy one get one at 50% off sale.

• Where – Lakeshore Learning Store (2255 W. 95th St.)
• When – April 17 from 11am-3pm
• Cost – FREE

North Lake Shore Community Earth Day 2010 - Join in the various workshops, presentations and panels and hear about neighborhood food policy, making stock from vegetable scraps, making your own baby food, and learning the basics of edible landscaping.  Children will have fun as they learn about seed planting, nature’s creatures, eating organic, yoga, collaging and composting and a full day of additional activities at State Representative Harry Osterman’s Kid’s Corner.

• Where – Layola University, Quinlan Life Science Building (1050 W. Sheridan Rd.)
• When – April 17 from 9am-4:30pm
• Cost – FREE

Lurie Garden Family Workshop: Re-Purpose Planters – Learn how to turn a Ziploc bag, pop bottle and newspaper into a fun and functional planter. Then add seeds to make your own home garden.

• Where – Chicago Cultural Center (78 E. Washington St.)
• When – April 17 from 2-4pm
• Cost – FREE, Advance registration required.

Super Family Earth Day Dance Party at Eugene Park - Bring your kids under five for music, Earth Day-themed crafts and exhibits, and face painting.

• Where – Eugene Field Park Field-house (5100 N. Ridgeway)
• When – April 17 from 3-4:30pm
• Cost – $5 per family

Celebrate Earth Day with Miss Candy at Walker Library – Join our Earth Day celebration with folksinger Candy Heitner. Families with young children will have fun singing and playing interactive musical games about our earth and how we care for it. All participants will make a colorful rainbow while sharing with each other the things they love about our earth.

• Where –  Walker Library (11071 S. Hoyne Ave.)
• When – April 20 at 6:30pm
• Cost – FREE, call to register – 312.747.1920

Celebrate Earth Day at The Beverly Library - Earth Day stories and activities

• Where – Beverly Library (1962 W. 95th St.)
• When – April 21 from 3:30-4:30pm
• Cost – FREE

Earth Day, Our Way – Children’s Potting Workshop – Let kids get their hands dirty while having some good, clean fun.  They’ll help spread the gardening bug to your budding botanist!

• Where – Anthropologie (3532 N. Southport Ave.)
• When – April 22 from 10am-12pm
• Cost – FREE, reservations suggested 773.935.2693

Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day at Chicago Lawn Library – Listen to stories and songs about the Earth. Each child will start their own plant to take home.

• Where – Chicago Lawn Library (6120 S. Kedzie Ave.)
• When – April 22 from 6-7pm
• Cost – FREE, to register call 312-747-0639

Celebrate Earth Day with Miss Candy at Mount Greenwood Library - Join our Earth Day celebration with folksinger Candy Heitner.  Families with young children will have fun singing and playing interactive musical games about our earth and how we care for it.  All participants will make a colorful rainbow while sharing with each other the things they love about our earth.

• Where – Mount Greenwood Library (11010 S. Kedzie Ave.)
• When – April 22 at 3:30pm
• Cost – FREE, call the library to register

Kids in Action: Earth Day, Every Day – With this “Kids in Action” interactive program, you can celebrate Earth Day 2010 with Sue Black, Queen of Green Tales, and learn to teach Melbourne and others how to share and make this Earth a better place for everyone every day. For children ages 4 to 10 years old.

• When – Harold Washington Library Center Children’s Program Room (400 S. State St.)
• When – April 22 at 11am
• Cost – FREE

Earth Day Celebration at Pottery Barn – Earth-friendly giveaways, activities and storytime througout the day.

• Where – Pottery Barn Kids (2111 N. Clybourn Ave.)
• When – April 22 at 11am and 3pm
• Cost – FREE

Celebrate Earth Day at the Notebaert Nature Museum

• Where – Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum (2430 N. Cannon Dr.)
• When – April 22 from 9am-4:30pm
• Cost – Free with admission (adults $9, children $6, under 3 free)

Green Sprouts Earth Day Family Workshop – Bring your toddler for this hands-on green workshop for both baby and parent. While your toddler enjoys story time with local author, Jennifer Murphy, join the other parents for an informative workshop on making natural body products for your baby, lead by local green expert Eleanor Riley.

• Where –  Greenheart Shop (1911 W. Division)
• When – April 22 from 10-11am
• Cost – $15 per parent, RSVP at info@greenheartshop.org or call 312-264-1625.

Green & Growing Fair – Kick off the growing season, and celebrate Earth Day, at the 18th Annual Green & Growing Fair at the Garfield Park Conservatory. This urban gardening fair plunges into spring by hosting a variety of vendors, workshops, demonstrations, and family activities to get your rusty green thumb up and running.  Family take-home planting activities, such as rot pot seed starting activities, and grow a pizza garden!  Live music in the Green Cafe.

• Where – Garfield Park Conservatory (300 N. Central Park Ave.)
• When – April 24 from 10am-3pm
• Cost – FREE

Chicago 5K for Earth Day/Green Living Expo – Family friendly 5k run/walk, the race will culminate at the Humboldt Park boat house with a free Green Living Expo. All runners, walkers, and their families are envited to the green living expo and farmers market steps from the finish line. The expo will include various health and environmental organizations as well as local farmers with organic produce.

• Where – Humbolt Park Boat House (14oo N. Sacramento)
• When –  April 24 at 8am
• Cost – $35 adult, $20 youth, kids under 10 are FREE

Earth Day Story Time at REI - Join REI and guest Author Helen Foster James for a wonderful eco-conscious story time to celebrate earth week! Event is located upstairs on our second floor. A big tent will be set up for the kids to play in!

• Where – REI (1466 N. Halstead St.)
• When – April 25 from 1-2:15pm
• Cost – FREE

FURTHER AFIELD

Celebrate the Earth with McHenry County Conservation District -Event includes special performance by Green E , the environmental Elvis; Square Drum Circle and Off Square Music.  Your family can also enjoy a guided nature hike, puppet show, games and crafts.

• Where – Prairieview Education Center (18140 US Highway 14, Woodstock)
• When – April 17 from 11am-4pm
• Cost - FREE

Heritage Prairie Farm Earth Day Dinner - Earth Dinner is a new way for family and friends to come together to appreciate the remarkable role food plays in our lives, in our family histories, and on our planet. Heritage Prairie Farm’s Earth Day Farm Dinner is intended to connect people to the earth, their food, and each other.  Bring the kids! We will be offering free babysitting in the farmhouse. Kids can watch a movie, play games & have a kid-friendly dinner!

• Where – Heritage Prairie Farm (2N308 Brundige Rd., Elburn)
• When – April 23 at 6pm
• Cost – $65 per person and can be purchased online, or call 630-443-8253.

Olmstead Nature Shack Earth Day Celebration - Connect with nature at this wonderful and wild event. Camp under the stars, catch and release fish, frogs and insects, climb a tree, plant a flower, play in the mud. There will be cold blooded reptiles to see and touch. Dress for a mess. You have had a good time if you come home dirty.

• Where - Olmstead Nature Shack (920 Cypress Lane, Elk Grove)
• When – April 24 from 1-4pm
• Cost - FREE

Morton Arboretum Earth Day Necklaces & Substainable with Style - Celebrate Earth Day by making a mini greenhouse inside a necklace and get ideas on how to live a green lifestyle with a showcase of eco-friendly products and services, from landscape architecture to eco-fashion to cleaning products. Event also includes free garden lectures from local vendors.

• Where – Morton Arboretum 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle  (Necklaces -Children’s Garden, boutique Visitor Center)
• When – April 24 & 25 from 11am-4pm
• Cost – Free with admission (adults $11, kids $8, under two FREE)

Party for the Planet featuring the ChicaGO Green Expo - The Chicago Zoological Society’s mission is to inspire conservation leadership by connecting people with wildlife and nature, and what better way to do this than at Brookfield Zoo’s Earth Day extravaganza! Celebrating the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, the event will have everyone thinking “green” with Earth-themed activities.

• Where – Brookfield Zoo (8400 31st St., Brookfield)
• When – May 1 & 2 10am-5pm
• Cost – Zoo Admission (Adults $13.50, Children $9.50, parking $9)

Click here to check our our 2010 holiday post on where to visit Santa.

Looking for fun things to do with your family this Holiday season in Chicago?  Well, look no further.  I have compiled a LONG list of fun activities for you and your little elves.

Not surprisingly, there are WAY more things to do in Chicago and the surrounding area than one family could ever get to.  I’ve organized the list below by neighborhood and then by date of event in the hope of making it less overwhelming, but…it is too long to be anything but overwhelming.

I am working on two additional posts on where you can visit with Santa and holiday craft fairs.  Keep an eye out for them later this week or next.

SOUTH SIDE

Polar Express Family Holiday Event at the Shedd – Enjoy cups of cocoa before boarding the Polar Express 4-D Experience.  Kids can also have their pictures taken with Santa, decorate cookies and enjoy treats.  Price includes access to the entire aquarium, a gift from Santa, and reserved seats for Fantasea.

• When – November 28, December 5, 19 & 22 from 8:30-10:30
• Where – Shedd Aquarium (1200 S. Lake Shore Dr.
• Cost – $39.95 per person/$35.95 members

Historic Holidays at Prairie Avenue – Spend the afternoon at one of Chicago’s oldest houses making holiday crafts, playing Victorian parlor games, listening to stories and visiting with Santa Claus.  Light refreshments are included.

• When – December 12 from 1-4pm
• Where – Glessner House Museum (1800 S. Prairie Ave.)
• Cost – $10 per child, $2 per adult (reservations recommended)

Polar Adventure Days - Three days of family fun at Northerly Island.  Explore Northerly Island, come face to face with live animals, engage in winter activities, watch ice carving and create nature inspired crafts.

• When – 12/13, 1/17 and 2/21 from 12-4pm
• Where – Northerly Island (1400 S. Lynn White Dr.)
• Cost - FREE

GARFIELD PARK

Holiday Flower Show – Marvel at the shear number of poinsettias on display.  Great place to take an annual holiday photo.  You can also visit the small children’s garden or take advantage of one of the family programs they offer during your visit.  Check their website for details.

• When – November 28 – January 10 from 9am-5pm daily
• Where – Garfield Conservatory (300 N. Central Park)
• Cost - FREE

LOOP/GOLD COAST

Christmas Around The World & Holidays of Light – Enjoy holiday singers and dancers as you stroll through dozens of trees decorated to represent global cultures. A 45-foot tree takes center stage.

• When – November 20-January 3 (Closed Christmas Day) from 9:30am-4pm Mon.-Sat. and 11am-4pm Sunday
• Where – Museum of Science and Industry (57th Street & Lake Shore Drive)
• Cost – Free with general admission – $13 adults, $9 children (3-11)

2009 Redmoon Winter Pageant

• When – November 20-December 27 (Thurs & Fri. at 7:30, Sat. & Sun. at 4pm & 7:30pm)
• Where – Redmoon Central (1463 Hubbard St.)
• Cost – $15 adults, $10 children

The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival - For more than 40 years the holiday season has been kicked off by the illuminating of more than 200 trees and one million lights along Michigan Avenue.  The festival will include a full day of musical performances on the Harris Stage.  Mickey Mouse and friends will lead the lighting procession down Michigan Avenue and the night will end with fireworks over the Chicago River.

• When – Starts Saturday, November 21st at 11am-7pm
• Where – North Michigan Avenue between Oak and Chicago River
• Cost - FREE

The World’s Highest Coloring Competition – The Observatory will provide the crayons and holiday pictures and your kids provide the talent and creativity.  Winner receives a free Birthday Party ($600 value)

• When – November 21 & 22 from 11am-1pm
• Where – John Hancock Observatory (875 N. Michigan)
• Cost - Included in admission to Observatory ($20 adults, $15 children)

Chicago’s 96th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

• When – November 25th at 4pm
• Where – Daley Plaza (50 Washington St.)
• Cost - FREE

Caroling at Cloud Gate – Every Friday evening enjoy traditional Christmas carols at Cloud Gate.

• When – Fridays 11/27-12/18 from 6-6:50pm
• Where – Cloud Gate at Millennium Park
• Cost - FREE

City Hall Holiday Concert Series – Get into the spirit of the holidays by enjoying holiday classics sung by children’s choirs from throughout the city.  For a complete list of the more than 14 weekday concerts click here.

• When – 14 concerts held between December 1-18 from 12-1pm
• Where – City Hall Lobby (121 N. LaSalle St.)
• Cost - FREE

AMERICAN GIRL STORE

Make a Gingerbread House – Design and decorate your own gingerbread house.  Proceeds benefit HomeAid.

• When – December 2 & 8 at 5pm
• Where – American Girl Chicago (835 N. Michigan Ave.)
• Cost – $45 (Girls 8+)

Holiday Wishes – Create holiday wishes for each other, enjoy a meal at the store and take home a commemorative photo.

• When – December 3, 10, & 17 at 5:30
• Where – American Girl Chicago (835 N. Michigan Ave.)
• Cost – $50 (Girls 6+)

Holiday Concerts at the Chicago Public Library – Visit their website for complete descriptions and list of performers.

• When – December 3, 4, 7, 8-11, & 14-18, at 12pm
• Where – Harold Washington Library Center (400 S. State Street)
• Cost - FREE

Lurie Garden Family Workshop: From Brrr to Beautiful: Winter Magic - Enjoy the garden’s stunning winter beauty, then warm up with hot cocoa and make a seasonal decoration to bring home. Group will meet at the Cultural Center to make the craft before taking a walk through the Garden.

• When – December 5 from 2-4pm
• Where – Garland Room at the Chicago Cultural Center (78 E. Washington St.)
• Cost - FREE (kids 6+, registration required)

Dance-Along Nutcracker – This interactive holiday event will feature jugglers, acrobats, dancers and even the audience.  Audience members are encouraged to come in their tutus and join the performance.

• When – December 6 at 12pm and 3pm
• Where – Chicago Cultural Center (78 E. Washington St.)
• Cost - FREE

The Joffrey Ballet’s Nutcracker – The performance features the full Joffrey company, local children’s choruses and 120 young dancers from around Chicagoland.

• When – December 11-27 (visit website for performance schedule)
• Where – Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University (50 E. Congress Parkway)
• Cost – $25-$145

Cookie Time – Show off your best holiday cookie decorating skills.

• When – December 12 & 13 from 11am-1pm
• Where – John Hancock Observatory (875 N. Michigan)
• Cost – Included in admission to Observatory ($20 adults, $15 children)

Holiday Around the World – Chicago Community Chorus

• When – December 16 at 7pm
• Where – Harris Theater at Millennium Park (205 E. Randolph Dr.)
• Cost – $10

Welcome Yule – The high-spirited Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus have created a program of traditional carols, endearing moments and musical surprises.

• When – December 18-23rd (times vary)
• Where – Chicago Symphony Orchestra (2200 S. Michigan Ave.)
• Cost – $20-$98

STREETERVILLE

CHICAGO CHILDREN’S MUSEUM:

Passport to the World: Celebrations – Learn through songs and performances how different cultures celebrate important holidays.

• When – December 3 from 5:30-8pm
• Where – Chicago Children’s Museum (700 East Grand)
• Cost – Kraft FREE Family Night (5-8pm)

Holiday Ecology – Transform your old greeting cards into a unique gift or keepsake box.

• When – December 16-20 at 2:30pm
• Where – Chicago Children’s Museum (700 East Grand)
• Cost – Included with admission ($10)

Little Miss Ann Band & Irish School of Music – Enjoy a night of musical performances by Little Miss Ann and the Irish Music School.  They will perform traditional folk music and holiday favorites.

• When – December 17 from 6pm
• Where – Chicago Children’s Museum (700 East Grand)
• Cost – Kraft FREE Family Night (5pm-8pm)

Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier – The Winter WonderStage will feature family friendly entertainment through out the day during the festival. You can also visit with Santa Clause and Mrs. Clause at the Family Pavilion Stage through Christmas Eve.  Santa will arrive by boat at the Grand Staircase (near the Ferris Wheel) on December 4th at 7pm.

• When – December 4th through January 3rd
• Where – Navy Pier (600 East Grand Ave)
• Cost - FREE

NEAR NORTH SIDE

Winter Wonder Jumps – Bring friends and family to climb, jump, bounce and play together.  Enjoy your favorite inflatables with holiday decor and a special rate.

• When – December 21-24 and 28-30 from 9-10:30am and 12:15-1:45pm
• Where – Pump It Up (821 W. Eastman St.)
• Cost – $8

WICKER PARK/BUCKTOWN

Wicker Park Choral Singers’ “A Christmas Rose” – The concert will include carols, spirituals, and more modern works.  There will be a small reception following the concert

• When – December 5th at 3pm
• Where – Wicker Park Lutheran Church (1502 N. Hoyne Ave.)
• Cost - FREE

LINCOLN PARK

A Nutty Nutcracker Christmas presented by the Emerald City Theatre

• When – November 14 – January 2
• Where – Apollo Theatre (2540 N. Lincoln Ave)
• Costs – Adults $15, Kids $12 (Recommended for kids 3+)

Zoo Lights – In addition to the beautiful holiday lights throughout the zoo, you can also enjoy a visit with Santa in the Lion House, musical light show on the South Lawn, ice carving, create your own festive craft, sip hot cocoa and spiced wine, and ride the LPZOO Holiday Express Train.

• When – November 27-29, December 4-6, 11-13 & 18-31, and January 1-3 from 5-9pm
• Where – Lincoln Park Zoo (2200 N. Cannon Drive)
• Cost - FREE

ECO-FRIENDLY HOLIDAYS AT THE PEGGY NOTEBAERT NATURE MUSEUM

Gifting Green – Make eco-friendly gifts and ornaments

• When – November 27-29 and December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 & 20 at 11am & 3pm
• Where – Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum (2430 N. Cannon)
• Cost – Free with Admission ($9 adults, $6 children 3+)

Marshmallow Snowman – Make your own snowman out of marshmallows.

• When – December 5 at 11am & 2pm
• Where – Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum (2430 N. Cannon)
• Cost – Free with Admission ($9 adults, $6 children 3+)

Trash to Treasure – Transform your holiday wrapping paper trash into treasured works of art.

• When – December 26-31 at 11am and 3pm
• Where – Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum (2430 N. Cannon)
• Cost – Free with Admission ($9 adults, $6 children 3+)

It’s a Wonderful Life: Live at the Biograph

• When – Thurs.-Sun. November 27-December 27 (visit their site for performance schedule)
• Where – Victory Gardens Biograph Theatre (2433 N. Lincoln Ave.)
• Cost – $32-$40

Those Silly Reindeer – A family holiday musical

• When – November 28-December 27 (Sat. & Sun) at 1pm
• Where – Greenhouse Theatre Center (2257 N. Lincoln)
• Cost – $15 adults, $10 children

Holiday Storytime at Pottery Barn Kids

• When – Tuesday in December at 11:00
• Where – Pottery Barn Kids (2111 N. Clybourn Ave.)
• Cost – FREE

LAKEVIEW

Gingerbread Workshop at Emerald City Theatre – Make your own candy house and then join in on “A Nutty Nutcracker Christmas” theatre games.

• When – November 28, December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 & 27 from 3-4:30pm
• Where – Emerald City Theatre School (2933 N. Southport Ave.)
• Cost – $15 adults, $30 children (2+)

14th Annual Southport Holiday Stroll – Enjoy holiday carollers, horse-drawn sleigh rides and special shopping deals.

• When – December 4 from 5pm-9pm
• Where – Southport (between Belmont and Irving Park
• Cost - FREE

Sheil Park Holiday Party – Visit with Santa, enjoy face painting, holiday crafts and entertainment.

• When – December 4 from 6:30-8pm
• Where – Sheil Park (3505 N. Southport)
• Cost - FREE

ROSCOE VILLAGE

Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Stroll - After the tree lighting you can enjoy food, cocktails and special shopping deals.

• When – December 7 from 5-9pm
• Where – 2058 W. Roscoe
• Cost - FREE

Winterfest – Event includes children’s activities, horse drawn sleigh rides, trolley and Santa.

• When – December 6 from 1-5pm
• Where – Roscoe Village (2058 W. Roscoe)
• Cost - FREE

Smarty Party Kids Movie Night Out – Watch Elf, enjoy