All Activity

This is an opportunity to get together and network with other kind humans (many who are business owners) who want to make a difference in a laid-back and positive space (bring plenty of business cards!). You'll also get a visibility refresh, with an updated headshot/portrait (not the boring, corporate type of headshot either!). And (as if it couldn’t get any better) your registration directly contributes to the greater good of humanity. The registration fee is a suggested donation of $50 and 100% goes to a cause contributing to the greater good. Registration is required - there is a maximum number so that it remains a positive, easy-going experience for all. Here is the link to learn more and to register: https://maijamartinphotography.com/headshots-and-humanity/. The exact location of this event will be sent to you upon registration. Street parking is available. Or only a five-minute walk from the Blue Line. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: maija@maijamartinphotography.com.

Come dance with us! Ballet Chicago's Junior Intensive gives students the foundation necessary to excel and build self-confidence. Placement is based on age, amount of prior training, and level of advancement. The program culminates with an in-studio viewing.

Join The Writing Workshop at Hemingway Birthplace Museum, for separate Workshops for Writing and Poetry by Grade Levels. These are consecutive writing workshops based on age, rising 6-8th graders or rising 9-12th graders, students are welcome to register for one, two, or all three writing workshops within their given grade level, we also have two poetry workshops by grade level, class size is no more than 12 students, each workshop is different, please consult our website for specifics for each workshop session. Each workshop takes place in the birthplace of Ernest Hemingway one of the 20th century's most renowned writers, in Oak Park IL.

During your preschool and elementary school search, you may be looking for a school where your child will feel a sense of belonging. In this session we will cover what it means for a school and classroom to be inclusive of all students, why it is important, and how to identify an inclusive school during your school search. We will discuss how schools create a welcome environment for families from a variety of cultures, backgrounds, identities, developmental and physical differences and intellectual disabilities. Come with questions! There will be time for Q & A at the end. This session will take place over Zoom. RSVP for the link. Our panelists include experts from Park West Cooperative Nursery School, Immaculate Conception St. Joseph School, and Blue Bird Day School. Stay tuned for more!

St. James Lutheran School (2101 N Fremont St., Lincoln Park) invites you to bring your children (ages birth-4) for a fun and enriching experience designed to foster new friendships and develop social skills. Enjoy interactive toys, simple crafts, and engaging storytime in a warm, welcoming environment. From 8:45am to 9:15am, children can explore and develop their gross motor skills with open play on our playground. Then, from 9:15am to 10:15am, head to our Library for a creative seasonal art project followed by storytime. Caregivers must accompany children. This event repeats every Friday morning (with the exception of April 18, 2025) until June 6, 2025. FREE for all families, friends, and neighbors and no RSVP is required. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: jcampbell@stjames-lutheran.org.

German International School Chicago looks forward to welcoming you on Saturday, March 29, at our campus for a special open house event: From 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. we will welcome families on our new nature playground for a fun family time. Please join us for events including: Free pretzels and hot drinks Meeting staff, faculty & current GISC families Complimentary face painting Shop the GISC flea market The event takes place on our playground at GISC Campus at 1726 W Berteau Ave, Chicago, IL 60613. Inclement weather? The event will move indoors to the gym if weather conditions require. This is a free event, but RSVP is required. Please go here to register. Street parking available. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: dvogel@germanschoolchicago.com.

Hey Chicago families and future explorers! Get ready to mark your calendars, because Summer is in the air. Edgewater is hosting a free Kids Activity Open House to showcase and discover the best camps for kids (0 to 17). This exciting event is your golden ticket to discovering the coolest camps around, all in one place. Whether your kiddo dreams of diving into science experiments, exploring the world of nature, creating a masterpiece artwork for the fridge, or just making awesome new friends, this camp extravaganza has something for everyone! Don’t miss this chance to make your child’s summer the best one yet! Enjoy a one-stop-shop of summer camps at one event! This is a free event, and no RSVP is required. Lot and street parking available. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: david@edgewater.org.

With children and adults confronted with AI search results and information coming from an unending supply of sources in an ever-more complicated world, critical thinking skills are considered more important every day. How can parents help their children develop critical thinking skills? Can schools play a role in this? Join us for this discussion to find out. In this session we will cover what critical thinking is, why it is important, and where it fits in the timeline of child development. You will learn how schools view their role in helping students develop critical thinking skills, and what that looks like in the classroom and all aspects of school life. We will discuss ways that parents can support their child's critical thinking skills at home and how to evaluate school's educational approach to critical thinking during your school search. Come with questions! There will be time for Q & A at the end. This session will take place over Zoom. RSVP for the link. Our panelists include experts from St. Andrew School and West Suburban Montessori School. Stay tuned for more!

Summer Camp on a farm complete with animals, gardens, commercial kitchen, pizza oven, space to explore and discover. Air conditioned cabins, clean bathrooms, always hot showers, healthy food.

Camp Galileo’s acclaimed curriculum combines STEAM exploration and outdoor fun for kids in grades K–10. Give your K–10th grader the summer of a lifetime at Camp Galileo, where every week is a new adventure. With an imagination-sparking curriculum, hands-on learning, and plenty of outdoor play, it's endlessly enriching and unforgettably fun.

Samantha Alloway, Executive Director of The Arc of Illinois talks with Amy about Medicaid. We discuss what it is, what it provides, and who uses it. Parents might be surprised to learn that Medicaid benefits families at all income levels and it makes disability services possible in Illinois. Hear about what services will be lost and who will be at risk if Medicaid funding is cut. Learn how to advocate for full funding and how you can support your neighbors with intellectual and developmental disabilities in your daily life. Important links: The Arc of Illinois Take Action and Contact Your Legislators Share Your Medicaid Story Plus, ask specific questions about Medicaid to The Arc of Illinois' Director of Family to Family Health Information Center here: Susan@thearcofil.org See also: NPN's Developmental Differences Resource Fair - coming up April 27, 2025! NPN's Developmental Differences Resource Directory NPN's Developmental Differences Parent Support Group This recording is the ninth episode of NPN's podcast, Chicago Style Parenting. It was published on 2/13/25.

Martin Moran, lead designer of Middle and Upper School at Bennett Day School talks with Amy and Sitaara about preparing children for the age of artificial intelligence. We discuss how a progressive educational philosophy allows for a healthy approach to AI. Learn some ways teachers and students use AI to increase efficiency and enhance their work, when parents should allow or discourage the use of AI in completing homework, and how parents can help their students learn skills that AI can't replace, like empathy, ingenuity, and critical thinking. This recording is the ninth episode of NPN's podcast, Chicago Style Parenting. The podcast episode will be published on 2/14/25.

You've achieved a lot of Maslow's Pyramid for your kiddos: Housed, check Eating, check Sleeping – well, mostly check. But what are the money moves you need to make sure that you're taking care of their financial needs and your financial needs, and protecting the new layers of risk that exist in your life? Join us for a lively discussion of five important money moves to make when your children are young, including: Saving for college and saving for retirement, at the same time Updating your insurance (and not get scammed in the process) Preparing the documents that would protect your family if something happened to you (or both of you) Whether you'd rather step on loose Lego than think about your retirement accounts or whether that piggy bank in "Toy Story" has nothing on you, we welcome you to join us for our 30 minute presentation followed by open Q&A. We also warmly welcome attendees who don't have children today but are gathering information for future decisions. Interested in the content but can’t make this time? Register for this online webinar to receive a recording and a copy of the handouts afterwards. This is a free, online event, but RSVP is required. Please go here to register. Please go here for more information and disclosures. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: categoebel@gmail.com.

Join us for this special presentation on nutrition.First, we will have Ariana Luster, MS, RD, LDN aschool nutrition specialist and registered dietitianfrom CPS kick us off. Ariana will talk about thecommitments CPS is making towards nutrition.Livia will follow up with a presentation on FourSecrets to Improving Your Child’s Picky EatingHabits. Livia Ly, MS, RD, LDN is a registered &licensed dietitian, nutritionist and one of ourwonderful Lincoln Park ELC parents. "If you're facing challenges with your child’s eating habits, join us on Wednesday, February 19, from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. I understand how frustrating it can be when kids refuse to eat the healthy foods we offer—even dietitians face these struggles! But we should never give up. With persistence and creative strategies, we can foster healthier eating habits for the whole family." This is a free, online event, and no RSVP is required. Join here: meet: google.com/fqd-xpyy-rbz This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: Livia.ly@nutri.ly.

Keisha is a mom of two, therapist, coach, activist, parent, and the founder of radicallyBLended Services, PLLC. A few months ago, Keisha spoke with us on about raising a queer child in Chicago. We’re sharing some of our conversation here. This conversation has been edited for clarity and length. Listen to the full conversation on NPN’s podcast, Chicago Style Parenting. How can parents create a safe environment for our children to talk to us about anything? First, I'll say that a lot of the tips that I'm going to share I’ve learned through the relationship I have with my oldest child who identifies as transmasculine, born a girl. Even though I have years of professional experience working with all types of people, listening to my child has been the greatest start. Have open communication and pay attention to body language, listen for inflections. They could say one thing, but their body is doing another. For example, you can say, “Is it okay if I ask you, you’re fidgeting, but you're telling me you're okay?” Respect their privacy. Sharing whatever they share with you with random people, even a family member, is to say, “I don't value your privacy. I don't value your sense of safety with me.” Give them space to share their experience without adding your own. When we respond with something like, “Oh, I know that experience. Let me tell you about the time I went through this,” we are saying that their experience is not that valuable. Instead ask them, “What is it that I can provide to you?” What should a parent do when their child comes out to them or they suspect that their child is queer? Congratulate them on sharing this with you. It took a lot of bravery. Bring in your community to support you on this. I'm very much an ally, but I still felt very inexperienced in this area of parenting, so leaning on my support system and asking them to be supportive of my child was really helpful. Check in with your partner about their feelings. You shouldn’t go through this alone just like your child shouldn’t go through it alone. You need support too. Ask your child how you can support them. How can parents ensure that their child feels safe outside of the home? Be mindful of the friends that they're around and if they are allies or not. Communicate with your school. Reach out to the support systems within the school to help advocate for your child's safety. Talk with your child daily. Notice their demeanor when they come home. Seek out resources that help you understand what your child needs. How can parents advocate for their child at school? Institutions respond very quickly to documentation. If you write an email to the administrator about something that is going on, include dates and times. Understand your rights. When you can, point to a page in the school code of conduct that is relevant. When you send emails, cc whoever is valuable for that email. It ensures that everyone who is involved has the same information. Use soft language like, “I mean no harm, but this is my child, and I'm going to advocate for them. I trust your judgment as leader of this school to do what's right, and the right thing to do is in your school code of conduct. So I would like for you to do that.” Find someone who is a good balance and can help. If you're hot headed, reach out to someone who is calm. Have them read the email before you send it. If you're someone who has a hard time speaking up, reach out to someone who can help you speak up. What resources do you suggest for parents? There's so many organizations within the city that you can be a part of to volunteer your time or learn from. NPN has great resources. I've seen a lot of resources in Chicago Parent leading up to Pride month. Here are some other resources that are helpful. Resources within Chicago Public Schools The Trevor Project Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) Howard Brown Health Center on Halsted Good Kids Mad City These resources are for any adult who wants to be an ally. I'm sure there's a young person that would benefit from just knowing someone like you cares and really wants to impact change. I also want to share that my husband, our children, and I will each be sharing our wisdom and well read knowledge on topics we are passionate about on our new podcast, The radicalBLend Podcast which launches Thursday, February 6th on Spotify. Thank you, Keisha!

GLA programs focus on developing leadership skills, cultural exploration and learning what it means to be a global citizen--plus, adventure, of course! Volunteer in a small community while soaking in the best of what the country has to offer. From ziplining through forest canopies to snorkeling in vibrant waters to learning to cook local cuisine from scratch, there is something for everyone.

Our passion for creativity and self-expression runs deep here at Dynamic Lynks! We have designed a wide variety of summer programs to make music, learn new skills, and engage in structured socialization every day. We offer full day summer programs for children ages 5-18. Our summer programs are designed for individuals of all ages and abilities! After submitting your registration form, a team member will reach out to make sure Dynamic Lynks is the best therapeutic and recreational environment for your child through a free interview.

i9 Sports offers full-day, multi-sport camps as well as half day sport-specific camps for kids. Summer Camps are coed and designed for all ability levels. Camps are offered at various times and locations on the northside of Chicago. Our highly organized program promotes skill development, leadership, hustle, self-confidence, and most of all fun! Our ultimate goal is to make your kids happy and confident! Your kids will have a blast and be taught and supervised by our professional and experienced sport instructors who have a common vision to help kids succeed in life through sports.

Hi-Five Sports Chicago is family-owned and operated and has been serving Chicago since 1999, providing safe, cutting-edge, skill-developing programs, mainly our 8-week summer camp! For you, summer is about keeping your child active, healthy and happy. For them, it means no school, lots of fun and sports all summer long. And that’s exactly what we’re all about at Hi-Five Sports Camp Chicago offering a full menu of team sports designed for boys and girls from Pre-K (4 years old) to 9th grade. Hi-Five Sports Camp Chicago is about so much more than winning and losing – it is about teamwork, playing hard and playing fair. And it is about making new buddies and enjoying the camaraderie. A camp that is as encouraging as it is challenging. As safe as it is high-energy. And as instructional as it is fun. No matter the skill level of the child, the goal remains the same: to have fun, while learning the value of teamwork and good sportsmanship. All of which results in a positive, self-esteem boosting experience! No two days at Hi-Five are the same. There are theme days, field trips, tournaments, award extravaganzas and Friday cookouts! Oh, and did we mention, we offer roundtrip AM & PM bus service, a hot lunch program, an instructional swim program, cuz hey...we know what parents want!

St. Thomas the Apostle School is hosting a series of preschool drop-in days. This presents a wonderful opportunity to learn more about our early childhood program. Our first drop-in will take place on March 4, 2025. Please reserve your spot today. This is a free event, but RSVP is required. Please go here to register. Free lot parking available. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: sisssa@stapostleschool.com.