Calling all Bluey fans! Bluey’s Big Play is coming back to Auditorium Theatre on May 3-5, 2024. Join the Heelers in their first live theatre show made just for you, featuring brilliantly created puppets, this is Bluey as you’ve never seen it before, brought to real life. We’re giving away a pack of four tickets to the Bluey’s Big Play show on Friday, May 3 at 6 p.m. Fill out the below form by Wednesday May 1, 2024, for your chance to win Bluey’s Big Play tickets. No purchase necessary to win. Read our contest terms and conditions to learn more. Follow Chicago Parent on Instagram ..read more

Discovering inner talents and passions is one of life’s great rewards. By the time kids reach middle school, they probably are starting to identify some interests and exhibit certain strengths.  As parents, we want to help our kids along this path of discovery. The question is, how? “One of our taglines is ‘Explore. Discover. Excel.’,” says Dr. Susan Corwith, director of the Center for Talent Development at Northwestern University. “You have to be open to exploration to eventually excel at something.” Here are some action steps you can take as you help your middle-schooler discover their ..read more

A family cruise vacation can be just as action-packed as your kids wish and as relaxing as parents and grandparents want when you set sail with Royal Caribbean. Their wow-worthy ships are packed with incredible entertainment options, plus you can seamlessly visit various amazing destinations with ease. My family recently sailed Wonder of the Seas on a Western Caribbean cruise, stopping at Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas; Cozumel, Mexico to bounce on water inflatables; Roatan, Honduras to zipline through the jungle and Costa Maya, Mexico to swim in a ceno ..read more

Before having kids, my husband and I loved to travel. When our family grew, we agreed that we wanted to continue to prioritize exploring the world as much as we could. Unlike it may seem on Instagram, no one comes with a magic wand and whisks us away on vacation — we make sacrifices to design these experiences, and we work hard to make them happen. Now that we’re paying for four, credit cards play a major role in our ability to swing our travel, but perhaps not in the way you might think. We don’t rack up debt, and because we pay our bills in full each month, we don’t pay any interest. Instead ..read more

Chicago is home to stunning architecture, a massive lakefront, world-class cultural institutions and unique tourist attractions. Foodies, sports fans, photographers and avid travelers love Chicago for reasons that are diverse as the city’s 77 neighborhoods.  Whether you’re a local or a first-time visitor, getting to play tourist in Chicago is always exciting. On your next day out in the city, use this list of 101 kid-friendly things to do in Chicago to check off iconic bucket list items or discover a new-to-you hidden gem.  Check something off your Chicago bucket list Photo credit: N ..read more

Whether you’re in the midst of your child’s meltdown in the grocery aisle or managing your own crash and burn, it’s true what they say: Put the oxygen mask on yourself first. The answer to cultivating a healthier, happier, less stressed, more connected relationship with our kids is simple: It starts with self-compassion. Join Chicago Parent on May 1, 2024 at 3 p.m. CST, for this free ParentEd Talk with mindfulness mavens Yaffa Maritz and Kelly Moore, Ph.D., LICSW. Learn how to: Prioritize your well-being Regulate your nervous system Feel and process your emotions Unlock your wisest self  ..read more

Located close to Chicago in Caledonia, Wisconsin, Jellystone Park Camp-Resort offers a unique blend of outdoor excitement and cozy accommodations, making it an ideal getaway for families. From luxurious glamping cabins to traditional tent sites, Jellystone Park provides a variety of options. “We have so many ways to stay with us. There’s something for everyone!” says Cindy Grzyb, reservations manager.  Family-friendly glamping for a deluxe experience For those who love the idea of camping but prefer the comforts of home, Jellystone Park’s glamping cabins are a perfect choice. These cabins ..read more

Jana Richards is a Black mother who is deeply concerned about the health and well-being of her peers here in Chicago. She’s acutely aware of the statistics because she’s also an obstetrician and gynecologist with the University of Chicago Medicine. “This country’s maternal death rate continues to increase and is three to four times higher than other developed nations,” says Dr. Richards. The U.S. is the only developed country that has a rising maternal mortality rate, according to the Black Maternal Health Caucus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that more than 60% of pregna ..read more

Tulip lovers, your time has come! If you can’t make it to Holland, we’ve got the next best thing right here in Illinois: The Tulip Festival at the Richardson Adventure Farm. Located in Spring Grove, this celebration of spring runs from mid-April through mid-May, prime tulip season in Illinois. “The Tulip Festival is a chance to spend a day in nature surrounded by a sea of beautiful colors,” says George Richardson, one of the farm’s owners. “It’s a great place to take pictures and make family memories. Kids get so excited about seeing all the different colors and varieties of tulips. It’s a fea ..read more

The French have their bistros. The English have their pubs. And the Americans have their steakhouses.Going out for a steak has been a pivotal part of American culture for more than a century, but it wasn’t always considered a high-class, expensive meal. In New York City in the 1800s, working-class folks would down pints of ale and feast on slices of beefsteak (usually without utensils and atop white or French bread) for celebratory meals. Soon, fine-dining establishments opened up to take those steak dinners up a notch, like Delmonico’s in 1837, Old Homestead Steakhouse in 1868, and Carl Luger ..read more