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GEMS World Academy Polar Play: STEAM the Winter Way! Join us for a Winter Wonderland of innovation, creativity, and exploration at GEMS World Academy Chicago! Meet some of their knowledgeable and passionate early childhood educators and discover how they engage young learners through inquiry and student agency. This event is best for kids aged 2 - 5 years old. Siblings are always welcome. Bring the whole family and make a day of it in downtown Chicago! Sunday, January 12, 2025 9:00 - 11:00 AM GEMS World Academy Chicago 350 East South Water Street, Chicago GEMS World Academy Chicago is located at 350 East South Water Street, Chicago, IL 60601. Please read the driving/parking instructions carefully, as GPS technologies sometimes have a difficult time finding the GEMS campus NPN is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Please support NPN's work by becoming a paid member or making a donation.

Perform, watch, and be the director of your own story. Spot videos and films throughout the museum. ASL interpretation is provided at this event. This is a free event, but RSVP is required. Please go here to register. Lot parking availalbe. The parking garage is located on Chicago Avenue just west of Fairbanks Court and adjacent to the museum. The garage does not provide direct access to the museum. When you exit the garage, simply turn right and walk west up Chicago Avenue. Our entrances face Mies Van Der Rohe Way. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: sypervaiz@mcachicago.org

The Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce and Purple Monkey Playroom will be hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially introduce Mouna Soumahoro, the new owner, to the community! We will have light food and refreshments and holiday-themed activities for children. Limited spaces. 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: mouna@purplemonkeyplayroom.com.

Come and enjoy time with your family and others at this NPN playdate at Chicago Waldorf School. ☕ Enjoy a delicious snack in the Community Room 🐝 Experience a Waldorf classroom with one of our teachers. Explore the materials and enjoy the toys and activities 🪴Enjoy some time together in the beautiful outdoor nature park and garden, weather permitting Chicago Waldorf School is located at 5200 N Ashland Ave. Questions? Email amy@npnparents.org. NPN is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. You help us keep these playdates free with your paid membership or donation. Thank you for supporting NPN!

A Spirited Holiday Social-Mixer hosted by kgPR's client, Chicago's Philanthropist, Senior Business Executive, Entrepreneur, and Mother, Rosella Bynum. As God is a blessing to us daily, I am The Way Truth Life Outreach Ministries seeks to be a blessing to others. 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: kweisigharreau@gmail.com.

Join us for an afternoon in the Baker Print Shop with Ms Beth Sycamore. Experience the Baker Print Shop while making custom photo books using all of the resources and materials we have to offer, under the guidance of our wonderful teacher, Ms. Beth. Your family is also welcome to explore the Baker Book Fair in our Library. We will also be offering complimentary family photos with our professional photographer. After the event, you will receive 2-3 professionally edited images. This is a free event, but RSVP is required. Please go here to register. Ample Parking in the school parking Lot This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: skinser@bakerdemschool.org.

Sonny Acres Farm hosts their “Big & Bright Trail of Lights Festival”, open November 22 - December 30. A complete holiday haven, the experience features everything from an enchanted mile-long walking trail with dazzling sites and sounds to fresh trees, handmade wreaths and photos with the Big Man by reservation in Santa’s Workshop. Enjoy delicious treats and eats including adult beverages and s’mores kits to roast over the fire pit.

Hyde Park Holly-Day is back for 2024 and better than ever with FREE holiday family activities throughout Hyde Park on Saturday, December 7 at select times between 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Don’t miss the ice carving demo & self-guided sculpture stroll, pictures with your favorite Santas, live reindeer & sleigh, ice skating, free screening of “Moana 2”, Buddy the Elf, costumed characters, dance performances, and holiday crafts. See you in Hyde Park! This is a free event, and no RSVP is required. But you can go here for more details. Paid parking is available at the following locations: Harper Court Public Garage - 5222 S. Lake Park Avenue, entrance just south of McDonald's. Harper Court Surface Lot - 5210 S. Harper Avenue. The Promontory Lot - 5311 S. Lake Park Avenue West. Metered and free street parking where available. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: acsrodon@uchicago.edu.

Help I am The Way Truth Life Outreach Ministries spread Holiday Joy with Rosella Bynum's Holiday Toy & Coat Drive! The drive takes place until Sunday, December 8th. Please drop off new unwrapped toys, new coats/jackets, mittens/gloves, hats (for all ages), hygiene kits and new socks. Poverty makes it arduous for struggling families to access their most basic of needs like food and water, let alone gifts for the holidays. So, as the holidays arrive, some parents are faced with some disconcerting choices from paying the rent, food on the table, new winter clothes or presents for their children. Your support during these most challenging of circumstances can help us provide parents with hope and joy for their families this holiday season. Drop Off Location: Take Flight Spirits 8038 Lincoln Ave. Skokie, IL 60077 https://www.takeflightspirits.com/ Drop Off Times/Tasting Times: Tuesday & Wednesday: 4pm-10pm/Thursday: 4pm-11pm/Friday & Saturday: 3pm-11pm/Sunday: 4pm-10pm. Don't have time to attend or drop off, go here for Rosella Bynum's Holiday Toy & Coat Drive Social-Mixer Digital Donation link. Sunday, December 8th, 1P-4P: Open Mic/2P-3P, POETRY PEACE & A PRESENT featuring kweisi, THE POET @kweisithebrand All family friendly artists (singers, hip-hop, country, folk, painters/sculptures & tap dancers) are welcome to share your gifts. Featuring complimentary appetizers by International Chef, Chef Jeff --- Follow on Instagram @fashion_lights_camera_action @takeflightspirits @islandtingschicago @kweisithebrand Our mixer is a free event, but RSVP is required. Please go here to register. Street and lot parking available. Perhaps you time does not avail to attend or drop off a present, you can make your digital contribution. SPONSOR: Rockwell Jones Single Mothers Car Layaway Assistant Program. For more information about Rockwell Jones Single Mothers Car Layaway Assistant Program call: 414-578-7188. Purpose: Your donations to this Holiday Toy & Coat Drive are reserved for providing compassionate relief and meeting critical needs for single parents with children in the most urgent and dyer situations. Our gratitude for your time, love and generosity. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: kweisigharreau@gmail.com.

Learn how to interact musically with your child, and Meet The Music Playhouse! Sing, dance, play, and learn! *This is an in-person class offered indoors at Purple Monkey Playroom.* Engaging and interactive songs and activities are designed and modified to benefit little ones. We use play-based and research-based techniques, gamification, and hands-on, interactive activities that keep students engaged and excited to learn. Our primary goals are to foster development, parent/child bonding, and independent music accuracy, and to instill a lifelong love and understanding of music through variety, repetition, and fun! Research shows that exposure to a variety of sounds and rhythms in the first few months of life creates the strongest foundation for developing communication skills and musical aptitude as they grow. Research also shows that singing to and dancing with your baby enriches emotional and social development. This is a free class, but RSVP is required. Please go here to register. Free neighborhood street parking, or metered parking available. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: erin@themusicplayhouseofchicago.com.

Join us this Fall at Northwestern University for Imagine U: The Wong Kids in the Secret of the Space Chupacabra, Go! (OCT 24. -NOV. 3). Check out this special preview video highlighting this production coming together. The Wong Kids is about Violet and Bruce Wong who just don’t fit in with the other Earth kids. Sure, they have superpowers; they’re just not very good ones. But when an evil beast called the Space Chupacabra appears, intent on universal destruction, the Wong kids must travel to far reaches of outer space to stop it ...if they can only stop bickering. Violet and Bruce ultimately realize that being different isn’t just okay; it might just be the most important thing ever. Using a mix of action-driven storytelling, puppetry, and visual magic, The Wong Kids transports its audience into the galaxy’s far reaches. Suggested Ages 7+ Approximate Run Time 70 minutes, no intermission Learn more about the play Learn more about the costumes and the sets No RSVP is required. Tickets are available, please go here for dates, times, and tickets. This is a repeating event, with shows until November 3, 2024. Special sensory showing, November 2, 2024. Discounted tickets for NPN members. Go here for more information. Lot parking available. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: pete.brace@northwestern.edu.

Hosted in collaboration with MCA’s Teen Creative Agency, make and read zines (small, DIY magazines). ASL interpretation is provided at this event. This is a free event, but RSVP is required. Please go here to register. The parking garage is located on Chicago Avenue just west of Fairbanks Court and adjacent to the museum. The garage does not provide direct access to the museum. When you exit the garage, simply turn right and walk west up Chicago Avenue. Our entrances face Mies Van Der Rohe Way. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: sypervaiz@mcachicago.org.

We apologize for the inconvenience. This playdate has been CANCELED. NPN's Screenless Saturday Family Playdates are for children approximately 6-9 years old and their parents. At this Screenless Saturday Family Playdate, you and your child will explore a new activity together while learning about the grade school, middle school and high school programs at Chicago Waldorf School. ☕ Enjoy a delicious fall snack of homemade Apple cake, cider, and coffee in our Community Room. ✏️ Work with a group of current middle school students on art activities, including drawing and bracelet making. 🐝 Experience a Waldorf classroom with one of our grade school teachers, as she tells a story and guides beeswax modeling. Parents can opt to stay in the classroom or have a brief school tour during this time. 🪴Enjoy some time together in our beautiful outdoor nature park and garden Chicago Waldorf School is located at 5200 N Ashland Ave. NPN's Screenless Saturday Family Playdates are for children approximately 6-9 years old and their parent(s) to have screen-free fun together and learn about middle and high schools. This is not a drop-off playdate. A parent must be present at all times. We promise you'll have a great time. We can't wait to see you! Questions? Email amy@npnparents.org. NPN Playdates are free for NPN members. We ask non-members to contribute $10/adult, which comes with a one-year NPN membership, giving you free access to every playdate! If you are experiencing financial hardship, please feel free to contact us at director@npnparents.org to ask about our fee-waived memberships.

The iconic Tony Award-winning musical ANNIE is returning to Chicago this holiday season with a limited three-week engagement at The Chicago Theatre from November 12 through December 1. ANNIE is a heartwarming musical that for generations has reminded audiences that “the sun will come out tomorrow.” And now the best-loved musical of all time is set to return in a new production that celebrates family, optimism, and the American spirit as the ultimate cure for the hard knocks life throws your way. The original production of ANNIE opened on Broadway on April 21, 1977, and went on to win seven Tony Awards including Best Musical (Charles Strouse), Best Book (Thomas Meehan) and Best Score (Martin Charnin). Tickets for ANNIE at The Chicago Theatre start at $39 when purchased in person at the Ticketmaster Box Office at The Chicago Theatre and at $54.50 when purchased online at chicagotheatre.com/ANNIE. For groups of nine or more, please contact the Group Sales Department at 212-465-6080 or Group.Sales@msg.com. Accessible and companion seats are available via the Accessibility Services Department at 888-609-7599 or AccessibilityServices@msg.com. This is a repeating event from November 12 through December 1. Please go here for further information. Lot parking is available, please go here for details. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: maggie@silvermangroupchicago.com.

This playdate has been canceled and is in the process of being rescheduled. Please check the NPN calendar soon for the new date. We are sorry for this inconvenience. Thank you for your understanding. Join LEEP Forward and NPN for Autumn Adventures! This sensory-friendly, inclusive event is designed for all children, ages 2-5, with siblings of all ages welcome to join in the fun! Embrace the magic of autumn with a variety of engaging activities that promote exploration and creativity: Children can dive into our Leaf Sensory Bin filled with dried leaves, acorns, and other textures, or enjoy the Apple Sensory Bin where they can scoop and discover hidden treasures. We’ll have a Pumpkin Painting station where little artists can decorate mini pumpkins with non-toxic, washable paint, and a playdough Station featuring autumn colors for creative molding and shaping. For imaginative play, kids can dress up our friendly scarecrow using old clothes and hay, and relax in our Autumn Story Corner with cozy blankets and captivating fall-themed stories. Plus, don’t miss our guided Nature Walk, where everyone can collect autumn treasures! We will also have a bounce house for our little adventurers seeking more movement activities. Our event will also include a ball pit and sensory tables for more hands-on exploration. Finally, we’ll provide healthy, allergy-friendly snacks to keep everyone energized, and every family will be entered into a raffle for a night of respite or babysitting! Join us for a morning of sensory exploration, connection, and autumn fun in an inclusive environment. We can’t wait to see you there! Location: 1447 W Montrose NPN Playdates are free for NPN members. We ask non-members to contribute $20, which comes with a one-year NPN membership giving you free access to every playdate! Non-members, RSVP and then contribute HERE. If you are experiencing financial hardship, contact us at director@npnparents.org to ask about our fee-waived memberships and playdates.

In today’s digital age, screens are an integral part of daily life, but managing screen time for children can be a challenge for many parents. Excessive screen time has been linked to various issues, including poor sleep, decreased physical activity, and even negative effects on mental health. Fortunately, there are a variety of resources available to help parents guide their kids towards healthier screen habits. 1. Educational Websites and Apps Several websites and apps are designed to help parents monitor and manage screen time effectively. Tools like Circle Home Plus and Qustodio allow parents to set limits on screen time, monitor usage, and even filter content. These apps can be a good starting point for creating a more balanced digital environment at home. Even some home internet service providers have tools to help you shut down internet access to specific devices at a certain time. I personally have Xfinity home internet and use many of the tools in their Parent Hub and home app. 2. Books on Screen Time Management Will Smith once said: And that's true for learning how to free our children from screens! Books can offer deeper insights and practical strategies for managing screen time. Some recommended reads include: Reset Your Child's Brain: A Four-Week Plan to End Meltdowns, Raise Grades, and Boost Social Skills by Reversing the Effects of Electronic Screen-Time by Dr. Victoria Dunckley: This book delves into the science behind screen time and offers actionable strategies and a four-week plan. The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place by Andy Crouch: This book provides steps to making conscientious choices about technology as a family. 3. Online Parenting Communities Connecting with other parents who are facing similar challenges can provide support, ideas, and a reminder that we are not alone in our parenting experiences. It's no secret that NPN is a great resource for parents but there are a plethora of additional resources like Common Sense Media, which provides resources on managing screen time and promoting digital well-being. 4. Professional Guidance Sometimes, professional advice can be invaluable. Child psychologists and family therapists can offer personalized strategies for managing screen time and addressing any underlying issues at a level that is more specific to your needs. Here are a few additional professional resources that can help: American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP): Provides guidelines on screen time and offers resources for parents to help balance digital media use. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): Offers information on how excessive screen time can affect mental health and provides guidance for parents. 5. Family Activities and Alternatives Engaging in screen-free activities can help children develop a healthy balance and see just how much fun they are missing out on in the real world! We are excited to launch Screenless Family Playdates! These are playdates for older children that are dedicated to learning something new, exploring a new school or space, and taking a much needed break from screens. Click here to learn more about our upcoming playdate on October 12, 2024. Additional resources for finding screen-free activities include: The Family Dinner Project: Provides ideas and resources for family activities that encourage face-to-face interaction and can be a great alternative to screen time. Outdoor Family: Offers suggestions for outdoor activities that can replace screen time and help kids stay active and engaged with nature. Even in Chicago! Managing screen time is an ongoing process that requires patience and consistency. By leveraging educational tools, seeking professional advice, engaging with parenting communities, and exploring screen-free activities, parents can help their children develop healthier digital habits. Balancing screen time with other activities not only supports better physical and mental health but also strengthens family relationships and enriches children's lives.

You’re invited to: Bubblespalooza Kids’ Music Fest & Block Party! Your family will not want to miss out on this exciting day packed with fun for the whole family! Enjoy live music, art activities, a bounce house, photobooths, a magical bubble show, face painting, airbrush tattoos, delicious bites from local vendors, and more! We’ll also feature activity stations from over 20 local small businesses, outdoor kids’ concerts, indoor sample classes, and open play areas. We'll also be raffling off awesome gifts from local businesses. Tickets: $15/child in advance $20/child at the door Go here to purchase tickets. Proceeds will go towards, Whole Child Arts, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing transformative arts education to children from birth to five years in underserved areas of Chicago and beyond. Lot parking available. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: bigbubble@bubblesacademy.com.

Join us for Sunday play at Bennett Day School! Calling all explorers ages 2-5 and their siblings! Join us for a STEAM Sunday playdate on Sunday, September 8 from 9:00 - 11:00 am. Bennett Day School is so excited to be partnering with Neighborhood Parents Network of Chicago (NPN) again to bring Chicago-area families this playdate. There will be fun STEAM activities for kids and light snacks. Parents – grab a cup of coffee and enjoy as your kids have fun and engage with peers! Bennett Day School is located at 955 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60642 Parking/Public Transportation Info: If you are planning to drive, there is limited parking available in the gravel lot on the NW corner at Morgan and Hubbard (across the street from Bennett's campus). There is also free parking available on the west side of Morgan and south side of Hubbard, or metered parking on Grand Ave. Bennett Day School is two blocks west of the Grand Blue Line stop and the Halsted 8 bus, and 2 blocks north of the Pink/Green Line Stop at Morgan if those options are convenient to you. NPN Playdates are free for NPN members. The non-member fee is $20/adult. Non-members: May we suggest becoming a member for $20? Then you can attend all of our playdates for free. We'd love to have you. Use promo code join45off if you'd like to join. If you are experiencing financial hardship, contact us at director@npnparents.org to ask about a fee-waived membership.

Merit School of Music is expanding! Join us for an Open House at Merit Near North, our new branch in Old Town. Stop by our Open House to: *Experience an instrument petting zoo 🎻 *Watch performances 👏 *Explore the new space 🏫 *Learn about fall programming 🍂 *& more! 🤗 Performance schedule: 10:00am - Suzuki Student Performance 10:30am - Musical Storytime 11:00am - Faculty Fiddle Trio This is a free event, but RSVP is required. Please go here to register. Street parking availalbe This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: lstillman@meritmusic.org.

Stop by our Open House to: *Experience an instrument petting zoo 🥁 *Enjoy a musical storytime (10:00am in Mary Bartelme Park) 📖 *Explore Merit's building 🏫 *Learn about fall programming 🍂 *& more! 🤗 This is a free event, but RSVP is required. Please go here to register. Street parking availalbe This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: lstillman@meritmusic.org.

Free bookstore Books4Cause and Chicago Non-profit Share Our Spare are hosting a family storytime reading of Where The Wild Things Are! This event will be a storytime with themed parent and child activities afterward. Share Our Spare is also collecting donations at this event of baby/toddler clothes, books, toys, and baby gear (like strollers, bassients, pack n plays, seats/highchairs, swings and more). Bring your little ones and all the items they have grown out of! The items will be passed on to a family that needs it. We are also collecting back-to-school supplies and will accept all items for children aged newborn - five or sizes nb-youth small. Come to meet new parents, inspire literacy in your children, have some fun, and pass along items your children are no longer using to a good home! No RSVP is necessary, but please go here for more information. Street parking available. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: Sydney@shareourspare.org

Fairytales Can Come True – The Princess and the Frog We all know our family would have a great time on vacation at The Most Magical Place on Earth, but does a STAYcation have the same spellbinding appeal? With a few simple tricks, you too can enchant the kids and keep everyone’s spirits high. A Little Thought for Others Makes all the Difference – Winnie the Pooh The first rule of thumb for any time off is to plan ahead. Enlisting suggestions from everyone in the family helps create a schedule that makes all feel included. Then have choices in the event you need to switch up your plans. And don’t forget to note transportation options and remember your Ventra card! What… are you eating? - Ratatouille Have a good supply of snacks on hand and do your restaurant research. Modern-style food courts like Aster Hall at 900 North Michigan Shops offer something to suit all palates. Alternately, head over to Hamburger University on West Randolph and sample some of McDonald’s global menu items for the surprise factor. Or combine neighborhood exploration with cuisine sampling, such as traveling to Chinatown and taking in a post-lunch stroll in Ping Pong Memorial Park. Have a Nice Day - Hercules Do you have an actor-in-the-making or a budding scientist? Be sure to focus on their interests when looking for activities. There are plenty of children’s show venues in Chicago such as Apollo Theater or Chicago Children’s Theater. For artists or engineers, check out the Free Museum Days for Illinois residents or reserve a Digital Museum Pass online through Chicago Public Library. Don’t forget that the staycation is your vacation too! The current immersive experience craze can be enjoyed by littles dancing to the music and grown-ups appreciating the graphic interpretation. You’re Never too Old to be Young - Snow White Sloomoo Institute offers slime making for all (surprisingly therapeutic), while a trip to Lincoln Park Zoo (free) will always bring out the child in you. Haven’t yet ridden the Ferris Wheel? Head over to Navy Pier and act like a tourist. Just strolling and watching the boats alone is a relaxing activity. Our lakefront should never be underestimated as an inexpensive destination. The Cold Never Bothered Me Anyway - Frozen Don’t let the weather get you down during a winter staycation. Chicago has two beautiful conservatories where you can warm up: Garfield Conservatory and Lincoln Park Conservatory, both with inspiring exhibits that would appeal to the whole family. Movies are another good option for snuggling up inside. Check out the free screenings at Chicago Public Libraries, or the Kid Flix series at Gene Siskel Film Center. And if the icy climes don’t bother you, there is ample ice-skating to be had both indoors (at McFetridge Sports Center) and outdoors (at venues throughout the city). Fill the World with Sunshine - Snow White Who cannot take pleasure in a sunny day in Chicago? During the summer months the beaches are a treat. Favorites include the child-friendly Montrose Beach with its good parking, bathrooms, and proximity to Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary. At sunset, grab your lawn chairs and take in something on the schedule with Movies in the Parks. Another firm favorite is Millennium Park with the Crown Fountain ‘splash pad’ and the neighboring Maggie Daley Park, providing everything from mini golf to a play garden. Adventure is Out There - Up Isn’t a traditional vacation all about going and trying something new? So, seek out somewhere you’ve never been before or something you’ve never tried. Have you camped out in a Chicago park? You can do that through the Chicago Park District! What about trying your hand at fishing? You can do that with them too! Or how about hopping on a water taxi and following your nose? The Only Limit is Your Imagination - Big Hero 6 So, never feel like a staycation is second best to a vacation. It can truly be the best of both worlds; you get out and about while having home comforts greet you at the end of the day. In the words of Merida, in Brave: “you control your destiny – you don’t need magic to do it.”

Summer is a time for joy and play, but for families with disabilities, it can sometimes bring unique challenges, especially when juggling the needs of multiple children. Often, siblings of individuals with disabilities can feel overlooked or struggle to connect and understand their brother or sister. Join us for a warm and inclusive playdate designed to nurture strong, meaningful relationships between siblings! Led by our compassionate team at Leep Forward, kids will engage in delightful activities and games aimed at fostering genuine connections. Meanwhile, parents will have the opportunity to observe and learn valuable techniques for creating supportive environments at home that encourage sibling play and interaction. Our panel of siblings, spanning different ages, will share their own experiences and offer practical advice to parents on cultivating healthy sibling relationships and ensuring that each child receives the support they need. Plus, families will enjoy community connections, delicious food, open play, and exciting giveaways! Come join us for this FUN and enriching event, where every child is celebrated and valued for who they are! Onsite and street parking available. This is a free event, but RSVP is required. Please go here to register. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: ttjeanbaptiste@cps.edu.

“The moment we choose to love we begin to move against domination, against oppression. The moment we choose to love, we begin to move toward freedom, to act in ways that liberate ourselves and others. That action is the testimony of love as the practice of freedom.” —bell hooks Liberation is defined as the act of being freed from imprisonment, slavery, or some type of captivity. Love and liberation are two things that go hand in hand. One cannot exist without the other. There are different kinds of love: self, familial, platonic, romantic, community, cultural—the bounds are limitless. How has love acted as a liberating force in your life? Contributing youth artist are asked to consider the theme of “Love and Liberation” broadly and to interpret this prompt creatively in their submissions. About 21Minus 21Minus is a one-day showcase curated and produced by Teen Creative Agency (TCA) with support from Lead Artists Olive Stefanski and Miguel Limon, and Ahmad Bracey, Manager of Youth and Schools. This is a free event for people ages 21 and under and their families, but RSVP is required. Please go here to register. The parking garage is located on Chicago Avenue just west of Fairbanks Court and adjacent to the museum. The garage does not provide direct access to the museum. When you exit the garage, simply turn right and walk west up Chicago Avenue. Our entrances face Mies Van Der Rohe Way. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: sypervaiz@mcachicago.org

As soon as we arrived at Family Camp in Michigan last summer I started to lose track of time. We had decided to take a family vacation at a kids sleep away summer camp for a few days. Ostensibly it was to introduce our two kids to camp. But I was also curious to experience the classic American summer camp that I had seen in movies like “The Parent Trap” for myself—the kind with cabins and scenic ponds and bonfires around which we’d roast marshmallows and sing camp songs. We arrived at camp a bit late and so we dropped our stuff off in our cabin and headed to dinner at an array of outdoor picnic tables. As we started talking about the next few days and all the activities we wanted to try, I instinctively reached for my phone to check the time. And, I realized I’d left it at the cabin—something that I would do for the rest of family camp. How relatively easy it was for all of us to disconnect from our devices was one of the happy surprises from camp. At home, my boys typically default to watching screens or playing video games during down time. We set screen time limits but then find ourselves having to play screen time police, a role we do not relish. At family camp, the only devices available were the phones my husband and I had brought with us. And, because all meals and activities were already arranged and on-site it was easy to break the habit of constantly checking them. No need to look up directions, make dinner reservations, text the babysitter, or even keep track of time—our days revolved around a loose schedule of participating in various sporty activities, eating meals and, yes, roasting marshmallows around a bonfire! For the boys, the chance to try new things made them forget their devices quickly. When I asked my kids recently whether they had missed their screens at camp my older son replied “it just wasn’t on my mind.” And, it’s true. With so many activities within walking distance of our cabin, we all discovered newfound interests. My younger son discovered his love of archery and spent hours trying to hit a bullseye. And, the boys and I all tried water skiing for the first time– an exhilarating and slightly terrifying experience. At night, we’d all fall into our twin beds exhausted from our active days. We also quickly learned that the best way to discover things at camp was to explore. One night, we emerged from our cabin and noticed a number of families heading through a path in the woods that we hadn’t seen before. We decided to follow these families and discovered a shortcut to dinner! This tiny discovery felt huge, like we’d gained inside camper knowledge. And the fact that we’d gained it through our own powers of observation—not our phones—felt so satisfying. With more space from our screens, we all surprised ourselves and each other. My boys invented an imaginary game, incomprehensible to adults, that completely absorbed them for long stretches (and which they continue to play to this day). And, I slowly gained confidence that I was ready to re-enter the paid workforce after five-and-a-half years as a stay-at-home mom. Something about radically changing the scenery and rhythms of our day, and finding out we could adapt, made me feel confident that I could do this in other areas of my life too. For families looking to plan an unplugged vacation, the best advice that I have is to approach it with a sense of adventure. Embrace getting out of your comfort zone and try to find somewhere with lots of things to keep you occupied during the day. We loved attending family camp at Lake of the Woods and Greenwoods Camp. But there are plenty of other places that offer family camp including the YMCA Family Camp Nawakwa in Wisconsin and YMCA Family Camp Pinewood in Michigan. For those families wanting a true camping in a tent experience, the Chicago Park District offers a Family Camping program with campfires and s’mores of course!