Chicago Parent September 2017

SEPTEMBER 2017

| FREE

CONNECTING WITH FAMILIES

Ditch

DIY Traditions to start now Hands-on Meet the Bears’ new QB CP_Cover_September_2017.indd 3

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Your child is our mission.

Apply now for Kindergarten 2018-19 and Kindergarten Early Decision 2019-20 Sacred Heart is a Catholic, independent, K-8 school that warmly welcomes children of all faiths. Inspired teaching, personalized learning, and a supportive community ensure that our students thrive academically and grow in goodness, self-knowledge, and service to others.

In Chicago since 1876 and 200 years around the world

Join us for an Admissions Coffee October 4, 13 or 25 9:15-11 am To register, call (773) 681-8418 or admissions@shschicago.org 6250 North Sheridan Road, Chicago, Illinois 60660 | shschicago.org

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OUR MIDWIVES REALLY DELIVER Convenient appointments in the South Loop

Our Certified Nurse Midwives (from left): Sierra Bushe, Emily Kuhn, Erin Irwin, Morgan Michalowski, Wendy Allen and Cynthia Jacinthe

» General gynecology services, including well-woman exams » Prenatal care » Childbirth in spacious, comfortable state-of-the-art suites at our Family Birth Center in Hyde Park

›

Traditional and natural birthing options — including warm water immersion during labor

› ›

Practice of 24/7 care for midwife patients

Make an appointment with a midwife today Call 877-336-5667 or email

womenshealth@uchospitals.edu uchospitals.edu/south-loop Now in the South Loop!

To learn more, visit uchospitals.edu/birth-center

South Loop 1101 S. Canal Street, Level P1, Suite 202 Near P1 Elevators Free 90-minute parking

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There is no limit to what your child can achieve!

Dream big! Our personalized approach to learning enables students in Preschool through High School to reach their highest potential. Learn more at our open houses!

Visit www.bischicagosl.org for details.

Preschool-Grade 5 Open House: Sept. 27 Grade 6-12 Open House: Oct. 7

www.bischicagosl.org admissions@bischicagosl.org (773) 998-2472 2 September 2017 ChicagoParent.com

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Dr. Purnendu Gupta leads the hospital program for the treatment of infantile, juvenile and adolescent scoliosis.

Clinic visits provide teaching moments to educate patients on their condition, and discuss their progress.

Shriners Hospitals for Children — Chicago, offers a premier pediatric orthopaedic service for a range of neuromusculoskeletal conditions, including those related to complications of the upper and lower limbs, hand, foot, joints and spine. Every day, our care provides healing to meet the hopes of children and their parents, and offer life-changing results.

Those hopes are met in our other areas of expertise as well. For over 90 years, families with children in need of plastic surgery, cleft lip and palate repair, spinal cord injury care, and physical rehabilitation have seen their hopes realized right under our roof — by physicians, nurses, and specialists using the latest technology, innovative research, and a collaborative, family-centered approach. It’s how the 22 Shriners Hospital locations provided care to over 121,000 children last year alone. facebook.com/shrinerschicago twitter.com/shrinerschicago shrinerschicago.org

Do You Know a Child Who Needs Expert Specialty Care?

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For a consultation, or to refer a patient, call:

Shriners Hospitals for Children — Chicago 773-385-KIDS (5437) 2211 N. Oak Park Ave., Chicago, IL 60707

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Discover your capable, confident Montessori child.

At Guidepost Montessori School, your child will enter a wonderful world of activities, tools, and learning materials designed to captivate her and inspire her budding intelligence in remarkable ways. Early childhood is a brief moment in time when your child’s mind develops rapidly, and she establishes foundational character traits.

Take advantage of this critical age!

Opening fall 2017!

Visit us online to RSVP for an upcoming event or info session today!

Spanish Immersion programs available!

Check out our website or give us a call for more details.

GP071017

wickerpark.guidepostmontessori.com (773) 663-4732 1530 N. Damen Ave., Chicago, IL 60622

Toddler • Preschool • Kindergarten

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contents IN THIS ISSUE

24

12

INSIDE VOICE

17

GET OUT OF TOWN

20

YOU

22

CRAFT

51

CALENDAR R

Keep the party going in to fall Doing Derby C City i ity Hot looks forr cool days Apple spice dough Hundreds of ways w to entertain thee kids k this month

ON THE COVER Cover dad: Bears QB Mike Glennon and his son, Brady

SEPTEMBER 2017 | VOLUME 33 | NO. 9

FEATURES PAPA BEAR 24MEET Chicago’s new QB talks tball fatherhood and football

30 GOODBYE DIY

Tasks you don’t have to do yourself anymore

AND 32 NAKED NOT AFRAID

Photography: Thomas Kubik of TK Photography

P Pros and cons of ditching cclothes when you have kids

34 MEMORY MAKERS

8 family traditions to start this year

Design: Claire Innes

THE BRIGHT 36 ON SIDE Parenting perspective: ‘If he can smile, so can I’

Available this month

GOING PLACES Your best guide to fall fun ChicagoParent.com September 2017 5

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EDITOR’S NOTE SPONSORED

Sweet and sour When you think of apples, you probably think of something large, red, sweet, and juicy.

Yet apples can also be green, yellow, brown, pink, or orange. An apple can be as big as a softball or smaller than a marble. It can be as sweet as cider or so sour it will force you to make a face.

Why are there so many different apples? Partly it’s because lots of species of apple trees evolved naturally.

But people have played a role, too, by farming apples for a long, long time, picking out the trees with the sweetest fruit and breeding them with other kinds to try for sweeter ones.

Thousands of years ago, in a mountainside forest in Asia, someone picked some wild apples. They were probably small, hard, and sour—but maybe just a bit less sour than the fruit on other trees. Starting with the seeds of those apples, people grew apple trees for many centuries. They learned to keep trees short so it would be easier to pick the fruit. They crossbred trees to get apples with more sugar. They spread sweeter apple trees all over the world.

That’s how we got the big, yummy apples we eat today. We call little apples “crabapples,” maybe because they’re usually sour (like a sourpuss is crabby). But all apples have the flavor of history.

Taking a pause

My family is always on the go, so much so that every space on the kitchen wall calendar is now filled until a random Tuesday in late November.

I’ve been feeling especially melancholy about time passing so quickly these day and questioning whether I’ve done enough to give TAMARA L. my kids good memories. I also often O’SHAUGHNESSY worry that we’re so busy going in too many different directions that we’re losing our connection with each other.

So when wonderful PR rep Pat Kramer invited us to visit her newest client, Edge Adventures Aerial Park in Northwest Indiana, I found five open hours on the calendar and hit the road, heading just about 50 minutes from the Loop to Merrillville.

It turns out it was just what my family needed.

After the staff guided us into our safety harnesses and through the shaky first walk over a tightrope-like cable to the practice zip line, we set off, climbing ladders up trees, navigating over suspended beams and zip lining back down.

It was challenging, especially for me since most of the exercise I get these days is in my fingers.

But it was something we’ve never done before and the effort—sometimes way outside our comfort zone even on the aerial trail labeled as “easiest”—had us working together to get from point A to point B. It was exactly what I was looking for in making

u Read more about Edge Adventures-Northwest Indiana online at ChicagoParent.com.

happy memories. Those five hours and the ice cream afterward will be remembered as the best thing we did this summer.

Adventure Park Manager Brian Niksch, a dad of two boys, shared our smiles (and politely ignored our helmet hair and sweaty faces), telling me that creating really good family time in nature, 20 to 40 feet high in the trees, is what Edge Adventures is all about.

This month’s issue, like every issue of Chicago Parent, is packed full of ways to help you make really happy moments with your kids. I hope you can make time for a pause in your busy schedules. I’m planning to take many more from now on.

Happy September.

4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, Ilinois 60532 mortonarb.org • 630-968-0074 6 September 2017 ChicagoParent.com

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CONTRIBUTORS

What makes September great?

EDITOR

Tamara L. O’Shaughnessy SENIOR EDITOR

Elizabeth Diffin DIGITAL EDITOR

Jackie McGoey INTERN

Brooke McKenzie ART DIRECTOR

Claire Innes EDITORIAL DESIGNERS

Jacquinete Baldwin, Javier Govea IT AND DIGITAL DEVELOPER

Mike Risher CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Danielle Braff, Matt Boresi, Megan Murray Elsener, Keely Flynn, Cheryl Leahy, Marianne Walsh DISPLAY ADVERTISING SALES

Annette Coffee, Christine Griffith, Lourdes Nicholls, Karen Skinner MEDIA COORDINATOR

Kristen Benford ADVERTISING PRODUCTION MANAGER

Philip Soell

ADVERTISING DESIGN MANAGER

It’s a new beginning. The fall breeze replaces the stagnant summer air; the kids trade sandy flip-flops for new school shoes; and I swap iced coffees for hot chai lattes. We’re excited for everything this new year can bring.

Danielle Braff

After a long summer of jamming the minivan with inflatables, shovels and kids, Joe and I visit the beach one last time. Just us and a cooler. Heaven.

Marianne Walsh

September is peak season to celebrate office supplies and hoodies! (Did I just totally tip my nerd hand?)

Keely Flynn

September is my New Year—I make resolutions for myself, one of which is resolving not to sweat the small stuff.

Cheryl Leahy

Andrew Mead

ADVERTISING DESIGN

Debbie Becker, Mark Moroney CIRCULATION MANAGER

Jill Wagner DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR

Caleb Thusat BUSINESS MANAGER

Joyce Minich CREDIT MANAGER

Laurie Myers PUBLISHER Dan Haley COMPTROLLER Ed Panschar FOUNDERS

Natalie Goodman, Carolyn Jacobs

HOW TO REACH US 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 (708) 386-5555 ChicagoParent.com EDITORS

chiparent@chicagoparent.com TO FIND A COPY

circulation@chicagoparent.com ADVERTISING

dhaley@wjinc.com

9/30/17.

Chicago Parent is published monthly by Wednesday Journal, Inc. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Chicago Parent, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL, 60302. © 2017 Wednesday Journal, Inc. All rights reserved.

(847) 619-1900

ChicagoParent.com September 2017 7

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The AHSS Early Learners Group is a structured, small group, classroom environment tailored specifically to help your child begin learning age-appropriate skills that will develop their social, academic, and transitional abilities. Designed for those students who are not quite ready for, or who are struggling in, a traditional classroom.

AHSS uses evidence-based methodologies to promote skill acquisition that enhances the individual therapy your child receives. The curriculum and goals for each Learners Group are developed based on the specific needs of each child.

By providing structured training, in a group setting, each child can learn the needed skills to more fully participate in future outside social and academic situations.

AHSS Autism Center 8 September 2017 ChicagoParent.com

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ON THE WEB

Summer send-off

on ChicagoParent.com Back on track

JACKIE MCGOEY

By now, school bells are ringging again for just about every Chicagoland kid. Visit bit.ly/ CPBTS2017 to find tips on everything rything from confronting jitters and forming rming good friendships to tackling Common ommon Core and dealing with head lice. ce.

Plus, we’ve found fun new prodducts kids (and parents) can’t wait to get their hands on.

ENTER TO WIN

The winner’s ci circle irccle

Head to bit.ly/CPContests this month to enter to win a Target gift card (offset some of those school supply costs), a Hugaboo Baby Seat (a busy mom’s best friend) and tickets to “The Lego NINJAGO Movie.”

Road trippin’ Say goodbye to summer and get out of town this Labor Day Weekend! We’ve rounded up some quick last-minute getaways for families.

Check them out at bit.ly/CPHitTheRoad.

Tiptoe into our enchanting world of dance this Fall!

Our Exclusive Fairytale Ballet class combines cherished childhood litrature with Costumes & Props.

Each week a new Fairytale awaits!

Fairytale Ballet:

18months-6yrs / Mom & Me too!

Academy Ballet:

6-17yrs / advanced training with pointe

Enroll Now!

Lakeview

773-477-4488

Bucktown/Wicker Park 773-606-0318

North Evanston 773-477-4488

AFairytaleBallet.com ChicagoParent.com September 2017 9

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DePaul University School of Music | Community Music Division Music instruction for all ages in a university setting

The Community Music Division offers the highest quality music instruction to students of all ages and levels.

Our school provides the opportunity for serious musical study and growth in a nurturing environment.

• Individual Instruction* Traditional and Suzuki • Early Childhood classes: Dalcroze Eurhythmics (3-6 years) • Prelude Choir, grades 1-2 • Chicago Children’s Choir at DePaul University, grades 3-9 • DePaul Youth String Orchestra • DePaul Community Chorus • New Horizons Concert Band, String Orchestra, and Ensembles • Music Theory *Reduced tuition rates available for certain instruments.

For more information, call 773.325.7262 or visit music.depaul.edu/cmd

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u Linc ncol o n Pa Park rk Zoo, Robertt and d Maaya y ri Pritzker Penggui u n Cove u $6 $60 0 per peers rson on u Re R gi gist s err st onli on lin li ine ne at lp lpzo zoo. o. org/ g/pe g/ peng pe ngui ng uin n en nccoounte unter. r r.

Some So me day a -o -off spot sp otss mayy be ot avai aillab ble. e.

Life in black and white African penguins getting up close and personal

A

t Lincoln Park Zoo, Phil is the class clown, Erik the rebel and Aje the best friend. And this trio of outgoing African penguins are the first to waddle forward during the daily Malott Family Penguin Encounters when families come to visit.

Because the zoo leaves it up to the penguins to decide whether or not to participate in the upclose encounter, Jillian Braun, public relations director at the zoo, says these three really enjoy

meeting new people. Maybe it’s because they are younger or because they don’t have a mate that keeps them otherwise occupied, if you know what we mean.

During the 45- to 60-minute

encounters, families share the penguins’ space inside the exhibit while getting to know them on a more personal level.

Malott Family Penguin Encounters occur twice a day at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. through Oct. 31. Kids 6-13 must be accompanied by an adult.

Remember, no touching, no matter how much these cute tuxedoed birds tempt you.

Best in Chi

Malott Family Penguin Encoun nterrs

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INSIDE VOICE

Keep the party going into fall

KEELY FLYNN

Sure, school might be back in session, but there’s absolutely no reason why summer’s whimsy and straight-up fun can’t extend all the way through September. Bedtimes might be earlier and you might need to pack a hoodie, but these three highly entertaining picks will keep your family loving the energy of the arts all month long.

Takashi Murakami: The Octopus Eats Its Own Leg While many artists—and their artwork— can be a little tricky to understand the casual connoisseur, iconic for th Takashi Murakami has an Tak instant appeal and welcoming in eentry point into the world of contemporary art. A striking blend of pop art and traditional Japanese painting, this highly anticipated retrospective of three decades showcases 50 works, some of sh which have never been seen wh before by the public. Fashionistas befor him through his collaboration know h with Louis V Vuitton and music aficionados recognize his pieces for Kanye West, but we’re pretty sure the takeaway for your tiny art lover will be those beaming, technicolor daisies, the likes of which grace everything from canvases to stickers. (Backpack makeover, anyone?)

Through Sept. 24; Museum of Contemporary Art, 220 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago; mcachicago.org

Rock of Ages Parents: This is what we’ve trained for. If you grew up with a love of big hair and even bigger guitar solos, here’s the perfect opportunity to show your tweens and teens what real party music was all about. Nominated for five Tony Awards (and featuring 28 classic ’80s hits from the likes of Pat Benatar, Bon Jovi and Poison), the plot concerns aspiring rocker Drew and small town girl Sherri as they fight to save Hollywood’s Sunset Strip. But an equally important subplot concerns you, the audience member, knowing in your heart that you can hit those high notes in “Don’t Stop Believin” and “The Final Countdown.”

Through Oct. 15; Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace; drurylanetheatre.com

Distant Worlds: Music from “Final Fantasy” Gamers—and the artistically inclined people who love them—unite! Just in time for the 30th anniversary of everyone’s favorite hypnotic video game, a new orchestral experience will play Chicago’s famed Symphony Center. Not only will the scores you know and love be performed, but music from the newly released “Final Fantasy XV” make this a must-attend, especially since revered “Final Fantasy” composer Nobuo Uematsu will be there, alongside a massive Distant Worlds Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus. Need a little eye candy with that ear joy? Exclusive (and stunning) HD video direct from Square Enix, developers of many a heart-soaring game, will be showcased for your viewing pleasure.

Sept. 16; Chicago Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago; cso.org 12 September 2017 ChicagoParent.com

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Oui

“

”

are the world.

What will the world look like in 20 years?

We’re not waiting to find out. The Lycée is an international school for the 21st century.

By combining the rigor of the French education system with American school life, the Lycée gives students a passport to a once-in-a-lifetime learning journey. Even our youngest students become fluent in French as they learn to navigate numbers, friendship and the world.

When they graduate, students leave with an internationally-recognized diploma from the Lycée. And the experience to put their stamp on the world.

Open House Saturday, November 4 Register at lyceechicago.org

Pre-K through grade 12 • 1929 W. Wilson Ave. 773 665 0066 • admissions@lyceechicago.org

Lycée student Class of 2028

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BEST IN CHI THE BEST PLAYGROUNDS: CHICAGO

Berger Park

P

arks are an essential part of life if you’re a city parent. Really, it’s either schlep off to the ‘burbs, stare at an iPad all day or go to a park. My 5-year-old, Viva, and I spend a lot of time in them, and if there aren’t a lot of other kids around to smush, I’m more often than not hanging upside down on monkey bars and the like with her.

Here is one of my favorites:

Berger Park 6205 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago Best for: Ages 4-11 Why kids love it: There’s a play area that looks like a pirate ship, which can make for some imaginative play, and kids love being right on Lake Michigan.

Why parents love it: You’ll love to watch boats on the lake and the ubiquitous Geico and Coors banner planes, and Berger Park gives you access to the Waterfront Café, and many theater events in the Coach House.

You’re just a short walk from some amazing

(kid-friendly) eats in Edgewater, including Pete’s Pizza and Bakehouse, Dak Wings, Flaco’s Tacos, Ann Sather and Lickety Split.

Oh, and there’s Metropolis Café to gas up on caffeine before you play.

Onsite Enrichment Classes

Excited Kids

Good to know: There are water fountains and a fieldhouse with a bathroom, open the following hours: Monday-Friday: 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday: Closed.

Matt Boresi

More Family Time

Enroll now, and you’ll no longer have to run all over town for karate class or soccer practice!

The Gardner School offers numerous onsite enrichment classes to students ages 2 and up. thegardnerschool.com/enrichment Chicago’s academically-focused preschool Ages 6 weeks to 6 years

Lincoln Park 773.661.0232

Bucktown 773.661.0151

West Loop 312.229.4299

Naperville 630.657.5029

Glenview-Northbrook

Oak Brook

847.770.6260

630.576.4740

14 September 2017 ChicagoParent.com

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THE BEST PLAYGROUNDS: SUBURBS

Knoch Knolls Park Naperville has an abundance of wonderful parks (140, in fact!).

There are a few standouts that make for a great day of play and this is one of my favorites.

Knoch Knolls Park 336 Knoch Knolls Road, Naperville Best for: Nature-loving kids and big kids. (There is equipment for kids from 2-12 with separate sections for little kids and bigger kids.)

Why kids love it: There is something for all ages at this nature-themed playground, and it appeals to big kids as well as little ones. There are traditional playground staples like swings, slides and a teeter totter, and there are some new takes on classics, like a net swing and a jungle gym.

The climbing walls have dinosaur fossils waiting to be discovered.

Why parents love it: This playground is nestled on the banks of the DuPage River, and Knoch Knolls Nature Center is right next door. The Nature Center is a great place to learn, a refuge in the rain and the location of clean restrooms. The wildflowers, the paths through the woods and the bridges over the river all make it easy to disconnect and relax. It’s also a beautiful location for a picnic. I’ve seen more parents playing with kids on the equipment here than at any other playground in Naperville.

Good to know: An 18-hole disc golf course is also located at the park, and you’ll also find a launch for kayaks and small boats.

Shannan Younger

ALWAYS LEGENDARY

GIVE YOUR FAMILY SOME LEGENDARY “ABE-SPIRATION” WITH A TRIP TO SPRINGFIELD.

Like no other destination, Springfield offers the best of Lincoln, the nostalgia of Route 66 and so much more! Exciting family memories are waiting for you in Abraham Lincoln’s hometown. Plan on Springfield for a legendary family experience.

VISITSPRINGFIELDILLINOIS.COM

800-545-7300

Visit Springfield: Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau

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BEST IN CHI

Playdate brings fun for all Chicago Parent Playdate is Oct. 22

H

ey Naperville, we’re coming to play with you!

The biggest playdate Naperville has seen is set to take over Naperville Yard Indoor Sports Complex Oct. 22. Since the city is always tops as one of the nation’s most family-friendly communities, we’re hoping families from all over Chicagoland will come out to play, too.

Our favorite playtime guru, The Playground Games, will be there, rolling out its new Hamster Bowling (kids climb into a bubble and roll toward bowling pins for a strike—no gutter balls here), perfect for those Instagram moments. Plus, they are bringing a giant inflatable Kick Darts game families discovered they loved at Chicago Parent’s Kids Eat Chicago this summer.

Naperville Yard also is blowing

up its bounce houses and holding sports games for all ages.

Some of our favorite entertainers will perform, including Royal Princess Parties, Mary Macaroni, Super Stolie and magician Rob Nacu, just to name a few.

Of course, our trusted advertisers will be on hand with all sorts of fun activities for little hands while they share great info with parents.

See you there!

Photo by TK Photography

Chicago Parent Playdate u 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 22

u Naperville Yard, 1607 Legacy Circle, Naperville u Admission: $8 kids 4-14, $4 kids 2-3, free for kids 1 and younger and parents. Prices go up $2 each Oct. 20 u ChicagoParent.com/playdate

16 September 2017 ChicagoParent.com

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8/17/17 4:18 PM

GET OUT OF TOWN

Doing Derby City

6 reasons to make the five hour drive to Louisville

L

BY KATE ROCKWOOD ong considered only a stopover for Chicagoans on their way to Nashville, Louisville has become a destination in its own right. That’s thanks to an explosion of eclectic shops, fantastic food and cultural attractions—and all less than a gas tank from Chicago.

Any itinerary will include the Louisville Slugger Museum and Muhammad Ali Center (as they should!), but here are six underthe-radar finds you’ll want to cram into yyour weekend trip: p

3

1

Cruise aboard the Belle of Louisville

Built in 1914, the Belle of Louisville is the oldest river steamboat in operation. It’s also a fun perch for a meandering trip down the Ohio River. We opted for the lunch cruise, with a tasty biscuits-and-gravy buffet followed by an energetic dance party. Watching

2

Play with pneumatic tubes at the Kentucky Science Center Fans of the Chicago Children’s Museum might think the smaller Kentucky Science Center Scienc worth a isn’t w visit, but b they’d mistaken. be m Nestled into a Ne cute stretch of cu downtown coffee do shops and cafes, this sh three-story space is brimming th with w hands-on, interactive play.

My preschoolers were obsessed M with the 5-foot-tall Lite-Brite wi board, the design-your-own race boa track area and the section of elabotrac rate pneumatic tubes that shoot colorful scarves overhead. Take a colorf lunch break, and you can easily spend full day here. kysciencecenter.org the ful

Get wild at the Louisville Zoo

Pony rides. Petting zoo. Playground.

This 154-acre zoo offers way more than animals (though it’s also got plenty of those—including an outdoor elephant exhibit that puts you within arm’s reach of the gentle giants). In addition to riding the cutesy train that circles a small section of the zoo, make use of the larger tram that can help schlep your family between the more farflung spaces. louisvillezoo.org

preschoolers line dance alongside a geriatric tour group—with Kentucky vistas floating by in the background? Surprisingly fun. belleoflouisville.org

4Feast morning, noon and night

Every local we asked had a different recommendation for a restaurant we just had to try—and with good reason. Louisville is bursting with noteworthy eats, including inventive brunch options at Wild Eggs, killer barbecue at Feast and truly memorable chocolate chip cookies in a vintage-cute café called Please and Thank You. Doc Crow’s almost always has a wait, but stick it out: The pimiento cheese chips and smokehouse sampler are worth it, and food hits the table lightning fast (and gets eaten just as quickly). wildeggs.com; feastbbq.com; pleaseandthankyoulouisville.com; doccrows.com

5

Lounge in the heart of Louisville

Comfort and convenience can sometimes be hard to find together without a major splurge, but the Galt House manages to have it all: nice-sized rooms and an accommodating staff, a location less than a block from the Ohio River (where you can rent all sorts of tandem, trainer and four-seater bikes by the hour through Wheel Fun Rentals) and just a few blocks to all manner of downtown attractions. Don’t dismiss the hotel pool, either: It’s outdoors, overlooking the river and an absolute dream. galthouse.com

6

Play underground

The Mega Cavern is as weird in person as it sounds: A former limestone mine, it’s now the largest building in America … underground. Its operators have turned it into something of an amusement park: There are zip lines, a mountain bike park and a Jeep tour for those who want to gawk without feeding their adrenaline. In the winter months, the 4 million-square-foot structure is filled with holiday lights, for a festive (if somewhat surreal) experience. louisvillemegacavern.com ChicagoParent.com September 2017 17

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Playdate Fall

Sports Thrills • Character Visits • Bounce Houses Train Rides • Obstacle Courses

Sunday, October 22 • 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Naperville Yard Sports Complex 1607 Legacy Circle • Naperville

Thanks to our Sponsors!

Visit ChicagoParent.com/playdate for advance tickets and info!

18 September 2017 ChicagoParent.com

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8/17/17 11:33 AM

FAILING WITH GUSTO

I love me some Steve Harvey like no other, so I obviously watch a lot of Family Feud.

Yet a recent question left me reeling.

“Name the worst grade of MARIANNE WALSH grammar school.”

Being a Family Feud devotee, I naturally scored the number one answer: Seventh grade.

Zero hesitation. And it had everything to do with the dawn of the bully.

The causes of bullies are historically varied: insecurity, unstable home lives, malicious strains in the DNA, to name a few. The result is the same: indiscriminate attacks throughout junior high school, leaving kids in an anxiety-induced state of alert, needing to decide: Run, fight or follow.

For those who follow, the statistics aren’t good.

Bullies face much h higher rates of substance abuse, se, depression, unemployem mploym ploy pl oyoy ment, incarceration, ncarceratiion, divorce aand suicide. nd suici ide.

So when my first son aappproached sseveventh grade, e, he was warned. ed. ed Prepare to walk away from friendss who will follow. low.

Prepare for kkids ids being total jag-offs. g-offfs.

But the toughest hest warning he of all?

Prepare to have ave your h heart broken. Again and nd again.

It was a difficult ult year for him and me. I fought ught the urge to march over to the stoops of parents: DO YOU U KNOW WHAT YOUR KID IS DOING? OING? DO YOU KNOW WHAT HE E IS SAYING? IS ANYBODY PAYING NG ATTENTION IN THERE???

My sane husband and talked me down. It didn’t stop top me from giving the side-eye whenever never I spotted certain parents, but I tried not to be obvious.

Fine. I was completely obvious.

So as my second son geared up for seventh grade, I started having the same talk with him. He cut me off.

“My grade doesn’t have a bully. Whenever a kid tries to be one, someone stops them.”

“A teacher?” I asked, astonished at the prospect that some miracle educator had finally found the cure to this horrible multi-generational ill. Who could this Marie Curie be? How had she eviscerated bullydom? Give me her name, son!

“Jake Brady.”

Wait. Jake Brady wasn’t a teacher. He was a kid!

An always-smiling, slightly shorter-than-average kid.

Sure, he was good at sports, but there was nothing terribly intimidating or scary about him. How was this even possible?

“He just stops it. Right when it starts. And everyone listens.”

Call it leadership. Call it confidence. Call it the gift of true humanity finding itself in a 12-year-old boy. that Jake stuck up My son claimed tha for everyone, n not just his friends. stuck up for kids He even stu he didn’t like because he thought it was unfair for bullies to go after them being different. for bei And suddenly, my 12-year-old girl inner 1 with th the awkward perm, eye and stack of lazy ey wanted to hug books w Brady. For someone Jake Br who has never known a cool in her life, it day of co was hard to believe that people such as this existed. exist So thank you, kid.

S You have shown us Yo aall that empathy lives. That kindli ness lives. That n good exists. g Please don’t ever cchange.

Marianne Walsh is a Chicago mom of three boys. Want more? Go to ChicagoParent.com and webandofmothers. blogspot.com.

Life in Chi

Bully me this

ChicagoParent.com C hic hi ic September 2017 19

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YOU

Hot looks for cool days

I

CHERYL LEAHY

am always sad to see my breezy summer wardrobe relegated to the back of my closet, trading in floaty dresses for wool sweaters.

September is a transition month for fashion, so don’t retire those warm weather wears just yet.

Whatever your style this fall, enjoy all of the family fun this season brings. It doesn’t hurt to look good while jumping in that pile of leaves!

Here are three pieces to invest in that will take you from sultry summer nights to crisp fall days.

Wide leather belt

My summer staple is a midlength dress paired with ankle tie sandals and a little boho jewelry. For fall, I add a wide leather belt and knee high leather boots with more substantial metal accessories to transition the look.

Florals for spring are an obvious choice, but what about fall or winter florals? In muted tones, anchored with a wide leather belt, it is a fresh and unexpected way to keep fall fashion from feeling flat.

You can score summer dresses on major sale at this time of year since stores have moved their official fall lines in.

I found this handmade Moroccan belt at a farmers market

Something red

over the summer and this faux leather bag with coordinating metals for under $10 in the juniors section. The dress? Target!

They are the perfect pairing to wear to fall festivals and upscale tailgates.

Red is the unofficial color for Fall 2017.

Thankfully, this is one color that is fairly flattering on most skin tones. We often think of gray, camel, black or olive for fall, but adding in a burst of red can brighten up some of those blustery days.

My favorite pairings are red sweater + camel pants or skirt, red scarf + gray monochrome top and bottom, and all black with cherry red shoes and lipstick.

Want to really make a statement? Grab a red wool coat—many times, I don’t even remove my coat if it is chilly so it is often the only thing people see. Try to find a fitted style or a belted waist for ultimate flattery.

There are so many shades of red—from an orangey poppy to deep scarlet, so see which one works with your skin tone.

Mad for plaid The Burberry scarf is a classic, of course, but this season’s plaid prints are more of the “That 70s Show” style. Since plaid has been in style for decades, I shop for mine at vintage or thrift shops.

I scooped up a wool plaid mini skirt at Goodwill for $5—easy to pair with knee-high boots and that something red you also picked up for this fall. A plaid trench coat is a fresh take on the khaki topper and helps set you apart from the thousands of black coat-clad Chicagoans that huddle against the breezy gusts. How about a plaid fedora for fall?

This can be another vintage store score that will have you happily giving in to hat hair.

20 September 2017 ChicagoParent.com

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VIVA DADDY

Fall forward

MATT BORESI

Kids don’t like fall. Why would they?

“Back to School” is only fun for pencil case manufacturers and pompom salesmen. Kids go from delightful camps and frolicking on beaches to sitting in math class and being checked for ticks every time they come in from jumping in the leaves. For dads, though, autumn is the best season of all.

Fall means liberation from physical discomfort.

You don’t have to spend every day marinating in your own perspiration.

While summer is one giant, rolling sweat, the fall means crisp air and a handsome jacket—loosefitting so you needn’t fret about how your T-shirts fits over your ever-burgeoning paunch.

Regardless of how the Bears will play this season, fall brings back the great scam of dad existence: the holiness of football Sundays—when the rest of the world is obliged to give us space each weekend while we pretend to watch sports but really just enjoy not being spoken to for a few hours.

And fall means warm, savory foods: stews and venison and steaks and pies and other celebrations of harvest and hunt. Summer can have its marshmallow salads and watermelons filled with watermelon; pass me a pumpkin ale, a loaf of bread and perhaps some sort of crossbow.

The children got to gambol about in meadows all summer while we parents wore suits in hot L cars to go pore over dreadful spreadsheets (or whatever it is grown-ups do). Let our offspring be broken on the wheel of standardized

er eptemb S , t s u g Au ber & Octo

ILLUSTRATION BY STEPHEN SCHUDLICH

testing, at least we can continue go to work while not weeping for the baseball games and barbecues we’re missing.

Sure, there are leaves to pull out of gutters! Of course we used up all our vacation days on that family reunion where too many spritzers were consumed and Christmas was canceled in a spasm of domestic dysfunction! Yes, we have to see the school’s fall production of “Harvey” where the walls shake every time someone closes a door on the set!

At least we can drink hot coffee outside again and stop wondering what “the song of the summer” is this year.

The song of the fall is contentment.

Viva Autumn. Viva Viva.

Viva Daddy.

Enjoy Farm Fun! Kids Korral Play Area, Pedal Cart Rides, Fun Mazes, Farm Animals, Giant Slide, Tractor Drawn Orchard Tours & Golden Goat Bridge.

WEEKENDS - Live Music, Pony Rides, Applewood Grill & More

Viva is 5. Daddy is about 8x that age.

They live happily with Mommy in Chicago.

ChicagoParent.com September 2017 21

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CRAFT

Apple spice

dough Try this easy play dough recipe with a fall twist STORY AND PHOTOS

BY MEGAN MURRAY ELSENER

N

othing says fall like apples.

Think apple pie, apple cinnamon doughnuts, applesauce and even bobbing for apples. So take that love for apples and create apple-scented play dough h that can even be turned into apples themselves with a few leaves and twigs.

Materials: Flour Salt Cream of tartar Vegetable oil Food coloring Water Cinnamon, nutmeg or allspice Leaves and twigs (optional)

Directions: i ns

1

In a medium pot, mix 1 cup flour, Âź cup salt and 2 Tablespoons cream of tartar. Then add 1 cup water, 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil and food coloring to suit you.

Stir well. We did one batch with red and repeated another with green.

2

To create fall scents, add 2 Tablespoons cinnamon or allspice or 1 Tablespoon cinnamon and 1 Tablespoon nutmeg.

3

With adult supervision, put the pot on medium-low heat on the stove and stir occasionally for 3 to 5 minutes as the dough forms together.

4

Remove the pot from heat and remove the dough to cool thoroughly on a counter.

5 6

Once cool, knead the dough for a minute or two.

To create apples, roll your dough into fist-sized balls and create a stem with a small leaf and twig. Store dough in an airtight container or sealed plastic bag.

Megan Murray Elsener is a Chicago Parent columnist and mother of three.

22 September 2017 ChicagoParent.com

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Open House Saturday October 21 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Connecting Students to the Future GEMS World Academy Chicago prepares students in preschool through high school to solve next-generation challenges. Our rigorous International Baccalaureate curriculum, innovative use of technology and integrated Field Studies program give students the skills and richness of thought they need to be transformative global leaders.

Meet GEMS administrators, teachers and parents at our fall Open House.

RSVP today at gemschicago.org/openhouse

ChicagoParent.com September 2017 23

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Brady Glennon, 1, proudly wears his dad’s number while playing outside the family’s home.

24 September 2017 ChicagoParent.com

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Meet Papa Bear Chicago’s new QB talks fatherhood and football

BY ELIZABETH DIFFIN PHOTOS BY THOMAS KUBIK hen Mike and Jessica Glennon began looking for their first home in the Chicago area, they did what any parents do when they want to make sure their child will have playmates in the neighborhood: they snooped.

“We were looking to see if there were young kids’ toys in yards— the plastic swingsets and things—to kind of gauge how old the children were around us,” Jessica says with a laugh.

W

But of course, the Glennons’ move to the area wasn’t your runof-the-mill job transfer. Mike is the new quarterback of the Chicago Bears, taking the spot of the oft-controversial Jay Cutler, so the shift from Tampa Bay to Chicago was significant, to the Glennons and to scores of victory-starved Bears’ fans. And the temperature alone—moving from Florida’s temperate climate to Chicago’s more ferocious one—may prove to be a major challenge, especially considering that the family doesn’t currently own any winter coats.

From the moment Mike signed a contract with the Bears in early March, life has been a bit of a whirlwind for the young family, who arrived in Illinois and immediately jumped into a high-profile life, even throwing out the first pitch at a Cubs’ game in April.

“It’s been great,” says Mike, 27, talking from the family’s sparsely decorated home (the furniture had yet to be delivered) on the Northshore. “Everyone has been really friendly. You just feel the level of importance of the Bears tradition around here.”

It’s a tradition he hopes to pass

along to his son Brady, 1. Although the little guy isn’t quite ready to start tossing the pigskin with his old man—most toys nowadays go directly into the baby’s mouth— both Mike and Jessica agree that if Brady wants to follow in his father’s footsteps and play football, that would be OK with them.

“We’re not against it like some parents are,” Jessica says. “If he wants to play, that’s his sport.”

The way Mike describes his minime—“he’s got a lot of energy; he’s nonstop, always moving around, always playing” —makes it sound like Brady might be a QB in the making. And while the Glennons insist that he wasn’t named after Mike’s New England counterpart, sharing a name (and birthday) with the reigning Super Bowl MVP certainly can’t hurt his prospects.

(For the record, Jessica’s love of HBO’s “Sex and the City” actually inspired his moniker.)

But even if Brady doesn’t want to play football, Mike hopes he can share his love for the game with his son in other ways.

“One of the things I always CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

ChicagoParent.com September 2017 25

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PAPA BEAR

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25

thought was cool is when you see players bring their kids after practice and then play out on the field with them,” he says. “That’s something that I think will be good memories and something that we will do.”

Timing-wise, at least, Brady is a football baby. He was born last August, in the middle of preseason training camp, making the first month or so of his life tricky to juggle, since Mike wasn’t home for much of it. But now they’ve settled into a normal routine, with Jessica handing off the baby when Dad gets home from work, just like many other families. Although in their case, Dad is coming from Halas Hall, not a corner office.

“It is so helpful having him around because he’s a great dad and so hands-on,” Jessica says. “It definitely strengthened [our] relationship, I would say.”

Brady’s arrival was a happy surprise for his parents, who had been married for less than a year when they found out Jessica was pregnant. Both Mike and Jessica come from families with three kids, and they knew they wanted three or four children. But Mike, for his part, didn’t actually have much experience with babies. At 26, he was the first one

of his family and in his friend group to have him reach different milestones, from the kids. first smile to the first step.

“The first time I held [Brady] was essenMike has especially appreciated how tially the first time I held a baby,” he says.

Brady’s cheerful demeanor helps him on “Our handoffs were a little rough the first hard or stressful days. two or three days,” Jessica “When he starts giggling, it’s adds with a laugh. like everything could be wrong “When he starts Despite his rookie status in the world and it immediately as a dad, Mike already is makes you happy again,” he says. giggling, it’s applying football principles “Say I have a bad game—everylike everything to fatherhood—although one has a bad game—you come he says holding a baby is home to him smiling, everything’s could be wrong OK. That will be something I look not like holding a football, forward to.” despite what his former in the world and Of course, Bears’ fans hope, quarterback coaches might it immediately as does Mike, that those bad have said. For instance, are few and far between working together with makes you happy games for the Monsters of the Midway.

Jessica to raise Brady has But fatherhood has also afgiven him a new outlook on again.” fected Mike’s perspective on teamwork.

“Football teaches you Mike Glennon winning and losing.

Now that he has a wife and a lot of good qualities for a child, he’s motivated to make life,” he says. “There will definitely be a lot that I’ll try to pass on to them proud through his work on the field. him through my experiences.”

And seeing as Bears brass, including head Both Mike and Jessica say their favorite coach John Fox, have repeatedly praised his thing about having Brady—apart from work ethic and leadership qualities, it seems “everything,” of course—has been seeing that motivation is working.

FOR YOUR LITTLE

BEARS FAN! Children under the age of 12 can stay connected with their favorite team through two great fan clubs. Membership for both clubs is FREE and offers young Bears fans behind-the-scenes access to the Bears.

ALL MEMBERS RECEIVE THE FOLLOWING:

Exclusive invitations to Member-only events, contests and sweepstakes Special Discounts and offers Ticket giveaways Plus much more!

Join today at ChicagoBears.com/KID-ZONE 26 September 2017 ChicagoParent.com

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“It just feels like you have a higher level of responsibility,” Mike says.

Good news, then, that Jessica and Brady plan to be at Soldier Field on Sept. 10, when the Bears take on the Atlanta Falcons in the first home opener of Mike’s tenure as quarterback.

“I think playing at Soldier Field will be awesome,” Mike says. “The main thing [I’m looking forward to] is playing, going on with the team, going to battle, and playing for such a historic franchise with great, loyal fans. … I hope we win a lot of games and that people have a good time watching us.”

And although no one knows exactly how long the Glennons will be in Chicago, they’re already thinking about the future.

Jessica, a North Carolina native, is looking forward to a white Christmas for the first time in a while, while Mike is excited to play basketball with his son on their house’s driveway (once the toys-in-the-mouth phase is over, of course). And Jessica openly admits that she can already envision walking Brady to school

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in a few years’ time, past all those neighborhood swingsets they so carefully staked out.

“I want to be here for the next 20 years!” she says.

They’re also impressed with the plethora of family-friendly activities in the area, from Kohl Children’s Museum to the Lincoln Park Zoo and the Chicago Botanic Garden, and are looking forward to experiencing them with Brady when he’s a little bit older.

“This would be an awesome place to raise a family,” Mike says.

But before they get all those outings on the family calendar, they’re probably going to want to schedule a shopping trip.

Because as any true Chicagoan knows, Soldier Field can get downright freezing during the season. And to really fit in in Chicago, three winter coats—for Papa Bear, Mama Bear and Baby Bear—are most definitely in order.

Elizabeth Diffin is the senior editor of

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ChicagoParent.com September 2017 27

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Learning Disabilities Association of Illinois

Has your child been diagnosed or do you suspect that your child has a learning disability?

For Information contact:

BOOST YOUR CHILD’S CONFIDENCE AT SCHOOL

LDA of Illinois

10101 S. Roberts Rd, Ste 205 Palos Hills, IL 60465 (708) 430-7532 ldaofil@ameritech.net

www.ldail.com

2017 Fall Workshops

Integrated Pediatric Interventions Give your child tools for a successful academic year!

Sept. 9 - What is a Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate IEP?

ENHANCE

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problem-solving, self-regulation and social skills

Sept. 23 - Navigating the IEP Process Oct. 14 - Why Kids Hate School: ADHD, Anxiety, Depression Oct. 21 - Putting the Bite in the BIP: Writing Effective Behavior Intervention Plans

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speech, language & information processing

Nov. 18 - Child-Family-Community: The Power Trio for English Learners with Disabilities

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Session I: Sept. 19th to Oct. 24th Session II: Nov. 7th to Dec. 5th Class Rates: Session I: $75 Session II: $62.50 Adult classes also available

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28 September 2017 ChicagoParent.com

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ChicagoParent.com September 2017 29

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Goodbye DIY Tasks you don’t have to do yourself anymore

W

BY DANIELLE BRAFF hen your life gets overwhelming (isn’t it always?), it’s time to outsource. These days, you can outsource just about anything, from adulting (now officially a word, according to the Oxford Dictionary) to registering. We found a few ways to simplify your life.

Outsource: Adulting They’ll do it Outsourced Adulting What they’ll do for you They shop for groceries (and put everything away), prep meals, change sheets and towels, fold laundry and put it away, drop off and pick up dry cleaning, pick up and wrap gifts. Basically, they’ll do anything that comes with being an adult. “I had seen a number of moms posting about their guilt surrounding having their kids in day care all day, coming home and trying to get dinner on the table all while pushing these same kids away,” says owner Beth Cohen-Dorfman. “Then a friend posted a picture of her couch covered in a mountain of clean laundry—this is totally mom life, and I’d love to help make it easier.”

Cost $50 per hour with a one-hour minimum. outsourcedadulting g.com

Outsource: Annoying tasks They’ll do it Fancyhands.com What they’ll do for you They will do anything that doesn’t involve them leaving the office. So they’ll research flights, sort out your cable bill, shop online for birthday gifts, book restaurant reservations or anything else you would be doing during naptime aside from binging on reality TV. Cost Starts at $29.99 for five requests per month. fancyhands.com

Outsource: Potty training They’ll do it Oh Crap Potty Training What they’ll do for you They can do everything from creating a personalized plan to hooking you up with other parents going through the same thing. The owner has a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering from Northwestern, and she was an environmental, health and safety professional—so we’re pretty sure potty training isn’t the hardest thing she’s conquered (hopefully?). Now, she devotes her time to raising her children and helping hundreds of parents get through potty training. She knows all the tricks.

Cost Starts at $120 for 60 minutes of phone support. jamieglowacki.com

30 September 2017 ChicagoParent.com

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Outsource: School lunches They’ll do it Wise Apple What they’ll do for you They deliver ready-to-eat school lunches to your door.

You can choose from the current menu or you can customize your own meals for pickier eaters. Lunches can include such things as sliced green apples with sunbutter, barbecue chicken tacos, pita pizza, mini pasta shells with cheddar cheese sauce and chocolate veggie brownies (with carrots and spinach hidden inside.)

Cost Starts at $34.95+shipping for five lunches. The more you order, the lower the price. getwiseapple.com

Outsource: Finding a camp for your kid They’ll do it Camp and Teen Travel Consultants What they’ll do for you They know everything about sleepaway camps.

Seriously. They live and breathe sleepaway camps. So when you meet with these experts and tell them that your child would love to learn about horses and glassblowing next summer, you can rest assured that they’ll be able to tell you exactly which sleepaway camp will be perfect.

Cost Free. campandteentravel consultants.com

Outsource: Baby registry Outsource: Babyproofing They’ll do it A&H Child Proofers What they’ll do for you Babyproofing a home is overwhelming because if you do it wrong, it can have serious consequences. The experts will come to your home and do the measuring, the buying and the installing. They’ll tell you what you need for every room of the house, they’ll customize it for your home’s décor—and you don’t need to lift a finger.

Cost The average price of these installations is about $2,000. ahchildproofers. com

Outsource: Furniture assembly They’ll do it Task Rabbit What they’ll do for you They will put together the crib, the dresser, anything from Ikea ever. They’ll also do home repairs, yardwork and packing.

It’s almost like Uber for handymen, but you get to choose the person by seeing the percentage of positive reviews and the number of tasks they’ve done to date. You plug in the date you want the work done, and the people who are available will pop up.

Cost Each handyman has a different hourly price, and it can range from about $35 to $75 per hour. taskrabbit.com

They’ll do it Chicago Mommy Concierge What they’ll do for you They’ll do the entire thing, researching and registering for everything you’ll need based on your personal style.

Cost $325. chicago mommyconcierge.com

Outsource: All annoying stuff that comes with moving They’ll do it CMF Transitional itiona n l na Organization What they’ll do for you They’ll pack your stuff in the old place, unpack it in the new place (the owner of CMF Transitional Organization has an interior design background, so you can leave her alone and let her work her magic) and even sell and donate the items you don’t want anymore.

But they don’t stop there. When you arrive at your new home, the last thing you want to deal with is setting up the cable, the internet and all those other tedious tasks. So they’ll do that for you, too.

Even your fridge will be stocked by the time you step foot in your new home. Moving will be as easy as driving from one home to the next.

Cost About $90 per hour. cmfto.com Danielle Braff is a freelance writer and mom of two girls.

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Naked and not afraid

Pros and cons of ditching clothes when you have kids

BY DANIELLE BRAFF

G

rowing up Catholic, there wasn’t even a question about everyone wearing clothes in Lori Sapio’s house.

Today in her own family, clothing is optional, and Sapio, her boyfriend and her two kids, 2 and 4, have been taking advantage of the rules in their Chicago home.

“We are teaching our children that there is nothing shameful about your own body and that it is your body,” says Sapio, a photographer.

While most parents can agree that they want their children to feel comfortable and confident in their own skin, it’s difficult to navigate the nudity issue—especially when we continue to get mixed messages about what to do even in our own homes.

When social media guru Perez Hilton posted an Instagram picture of himself and his toddler from the waist up showering together, he was attacked for being naked with his son, leading many to question whether they should be nude around their children.

And since studies about nudity with children are few and far between, it’s a difficult subject to conquer.

The most recent longterm study on early childhood and nudity was done in 1998. It found that exposure to parental nudity was associated with positive sexual experiences in adolescence and that parental nudity also reduces the number of sexual experiences that those teens have overall.

Overall, however, the study found, there were few differences in the teens whose parents were nude at home when they were younger and the teens whose parents were shy about walking around in the buff.

The researchers also said that even if there were more differences, these may be attributed to the fact that the naked families were also more likely to be have countercultural values supportive of free sexual expression.

So should parents and children walk around naked?

“There’s no good answer, and you’ll get a million opinions,” says Alan Kazdin, professor of psychology at Yale University and director of the Yale Parenting Center.

And while traditionally, you should never follow along if everyone else decides to jump off a cliff, this is the one area where following the crowd is a good idea.

“Try to keep the child within a normative level of what other children are doing,” Kazdin says.

If your 2-year-old wants to undress himself during a birthday party, it’s no biggie. But if your 7-year-old wants to strip at school, chances are you’ll get a call from the principal.

Children need to learn when and where it’s appropriate for them to be naked. If you allow them to be nude at home, they should learn that it’s fine if they’re not clothed when family is home, but it’s best to get dressed when guests are visiting because their body is private.

“Moderation is a great

guide to parenting in pare extremes with leniency le and strictness,” Kazdi Kazdin says.

Fortunately, most parents do don’t need Fortunately to say anything when it comes to nudity and their children because kids generally develop a sense of modesty themselves.

By the time they’re in preschool, most children don’t want strangers to see them naked, says Lawrence Balter, psychologist, parenting expert and co-author of Child Psychology.

“I wouldn’t be too strict and I wouldn’t make a big issue about this,” Balter says.

But with parental nudity, it’s a totally different issue—and again, there are no strict rules, so it’s a tricky topic.

“But there are a few good reasons to cover up in front of your kids,” says Justin Richardson, assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University.

There are two helpful signs for when to get dressed.

If you feel uncomfortable letting your child see you nude, then it’s time to cover up, since there’s no compelling reason to override your own discomfort so your child can see you naked, Richardson says.

Secondly—and a little more challenging to assess—you’ll have to read your child’s reaction to seeing your body.

“In short, at a certain point, your naked body may become stimulating to your child in a way that he or she won’t be able to understand,” Richardson says. “When a child is overstimulated by seeing you, he or she may get rambunctious or grabby or giggly.”

This would be a different reaction than in previous days, when he was calm, curious or comfortable with your naked body.

Either gender may be overstimulated by your body, and this overstimulation is

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another good reason to cover up.

Children may also start questioning the parts of your body.

When this happens, it’s best to give them short, factual answers to their questions: they can learn the words “penis,” “scrotum, “vulva” and “vagina” when they learn the other body part names, Richardson says.

“Fielding a child’s request to touch your genitals, on the other hand, is probably a good opportunity to introduce the notion of privacy,” Richardson says.

“You can tell them that you don’t want them to touch that part of your body because it’s private, just like their genitals are private

and only caregivers or doctors and nurses should touch them.”

Sometimes, it’s hard to resist pinching a naked baby tush, however, says Juanita Edwards of Chicago.

Edwards’ 4-year-old son loves to shake his naked booty around, and there’s a fair chance it’ll get squeezed if it’s anywhere near Edwards.

“If the adults involved look at their child with parental love, they see nothing but a squeezable tush,” she says.

And who can resist a baby bum?

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Danielle Braff is a freelance writer and mom of two girls.

OK or no way?

Moms react My son (4 1/2) has seen me naked numerous times getting in/out of the shower and getting dressed. Sometimes he takes a shower with Daddy.

We don’t make a big deal about our bodies or being naked around him. Not like we’re answering the door for the pizza guy naked.

Denise Prokudowicz-Agostinelli

I don’t tend to wander the house naked, but we have no issues getting changed in front of (my son, 2). If he gets uncomfortable with it, absolutely we’ll respect that.

Otherwise, if situationally appropriate nudity helps our kids to avoid feeling ashamed of their bodies, I guess we’ll just play it by ear.

Lindsay Kislaitis

My kids hate clothes. It’s not uncommon for them to walk around in their underwear.

I don’t think anything of the little kids seeing me naked, but our oldest is 10. ...It’s an awkward age and I don’t want him to be scarred for life by remembering seeing his mom naked.

Katie Baker-Hoover

I have two boys, 6 and almost 8, and a 2-year-old daughter. I try not to be naked around the boys. They will walk around naked after a shower. We don’t shame nudity, but I remember growing up and hating that my mom walked around naked.

Hell, I’m pretty sure she still does. The first time my oldest made a comment about not wanting to see me naked I stopped. I try to not do anything that will make either of us uncomfortable.

Amber Seat

I have no problem being naked around our daughter (2). As for her, she spends 90 percent of her home time in her diaper. We have her get dressed when people come over. She would be naked if we let her.

Nicole Regan

Compiled thanks to the MamaTribe community.

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Memory makers 8 family traditions to start this year

BY MEGAN MURRAY ELSENER

W

hether it’s as simple as Friday pizza night or it requires some planning, doing something as a family creates the kinds of memories everyone really cherishes.

This year, put busy lives on pause for a bit and make a plan to get started on your own family traditions. We have eight ideas to help get you started.

1

Family night in

3

Pick a weekly or monthly night where home is the place to be.

Put away those gadgets, so it really counts as time spent together. Whether you choose to cook a meal collectively or to order take-out, it’s all about quality time together. Spice up your reoccurring family night in with board games, new movie releases, old throwback films or trivia.

2

Create a monthly potluck party, where you invite different groups of friends or families each month. Get to know new families at school or neighbors on your own block with a casual everyone-brings-somethingto-share meal. Consider picking a theme such as Italian, finger foods, casseroles or family favorites.

Annual volunteer project

As a family, pick a cause that has a special meaning and do a yearly service project. Whether it’s serving a meal at your local shelter, adopting a family in need or raising money for a pet shelter, make it a yearly tradition to give back as a family. If you need ideas of where to start, check out CharityNavigator. org to find a good fit.

Potluck party

4

Daddy/Mommy dates

While all-family outings are great, sometimes it’s nice to take a break and spend quality oneon-one time with a single child. Create a monthly outing where either mom or dad takes one kid for a special outing and lets that child choose the activity.

Next month, it’s another child’s turn to be the center of attention. For families with one child, Mom and Dad can take turns every-other month.

5

Happy (half) birthday

Celebrate those halfbirthdays with half a celebration, whether it’s half of a hamburger or hot dog or half glasses of milk. Toast the half birthday with a half chocolate-half vanilla cake. And only sing half of the happy birthday song.

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Photo yearbooks

What to do with all those photos you take? The perfect solution is making a yearly photo yearbook. Let your child be the star of their own book that highlights all their activities, accomplishments and sweet moments through the year. It will be a collection they cherish for years to come as more and more are added.

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Whether it’s Saturday morning pancakes or a Sunday night spaghetti supper, make it a point to always have a signature meal together as a family and use it as a time to recharge and catch-up. Teach the kids the recipes and eventually let them do the cooking. The regularity and repetition will make it the meal they cherish and miss when they eventually leave the nest.

Megan Murray Elsener is a Chicago Parent columnist, freelance writer and mom of three.

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SPECIAL NEEDS

On the

bright side

Parenting perspective: ‘If he can smile, so can I’

BY JERRY DAVICH PHOTOS BY THOMAS KUBIK

T

he small button on Jose Polanco-Webb’s shirt states what he’s physically unable to say: “The only disability in life is a bad

attitude.”

The 14-year-old Willowbrook boy has multiple challenges in life. A bad attitude isn’t one of them.

Jose, whose nickname is Jay, was born with cerebral palsy, severe mental retardation, quadriplegia and spasticity. He’s nonverbal, cannot walk, gets fed through a tube and requires total care around the clock.

Still, he routinely flashes a 100-watt smile and unleashes infectious laughter on everyone in his world. He not only wears that motivational button, he lives it.

Every day.

“Perspective is everything,” says his stepmother, Ericka Polanco-Webb.

Those three powerful words eventually become the daily mantra for many parents of children with special needs.

Such an attitude, however, doesn’t always come immediately or instinctively. Often it’s nurtured over time by their own child—one smile at a time, one challenge at a time, one moment at a time.

“When you see someone who is faced with as many challenges as Jay, you must take a step outside of yourself and say, ‘If he can smile, so can I,’” says PolancoWebb, who has three other children in her blended family, Jaylah, 14, Jesa, 11, and Jisele, 1.

“My son thrives off great energy,” she adds. “When we, as parents, aren’t

exhibiting energy that is positive or inviting, it affects our children’s ability to thrive. While the situation is never ideal, it’s our reality and it’s up to us to make it a flourishing life for them.”

Beth Kaplan, a stay-at-home mom from Oak Park, exemplifies such an evolving attitude through her book, Silence 2 Success: A Mother’s Journey with Autism (silence2success.com).

“I can definitely say that my perspective has changed many times over the course of my son’s life,” says Kaplan, whose son Jacob was diagnosed with autism at 2. “True perspective does not develop overnight. It takes time to accept your new way of life and figure out how to navigate it.”

When Jacob was first diagnosed, Kaplan felt stranded on a strange island with no rescue ships on the horizon, similar to many special needs parents.

“I would try to be hopeful, but most of the time, I was devastated, scared and not sure what to do,” she admits. “I learned very quickly that finding a special needs community to become a part of was crucially important. The ability to connect with other parents and caregivers, locally, helped me develop a positive and hopeful perspective.”

Sharon Pike, parent liaison for Easter Seals DuPage & Fox Valley, says in her 24 years with that organization she has yet to meet a parent who, at some point in their journey, doesn’t battle

36 September 2017 ChicagoParent.com

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Jose “Jay” Polanco-Webb with his parents Lewis and Ericka Polanco-Webb against disappointment and discouragement.

“But as long we don’t get stuck in that place, life works out and we have a healthy balance in our family,” she says. “If we can come from a place of acceptance and positivity, life just seems easier.”

As most parents painfully understand, fighting dark feelings as well as battling other special-needs fronts—medical, educational, institutional and so on—can hijack even the best plans or intentions. Also, the initial instinct of feeling compelled to “cure” or “fix” their child can sabotage the launch of a positive attitude.

“One of the most profound lessons I’ve learned on my journey is that we each have our own unique perspectives— whether we are raising neurotypical kids or kids with special needs—everything is relative to your own experience. It’s your reality,” says Ellen Sternweiler, of Wilmette, who has three children with developmental

differences.

“That is the perspective you gain with time.”

Dr. Sarah Bauer, a child psychiatrist affiliated with Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, says the parenting perspectives of her clients are all at different stages.

“Just as their children are developing in unexpected ways, parents are often navigating their own developmental stages.

As such, it is vital to think about their children’s strengths as they figure out how to best support their challenges,” she says.

“They also need to be kind to themselves.”

When in doubt, follow your child’s lead, even if they can’t verbally articulate it.

Polanco-Webb’s son, Jay, leads by unspoken example. Even if it’s through another motivational button that adorns his shirt, and his life: “I think I can. I think I can.”

Jerry Davich is a freelance writer, author and

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Jewish Child & Family Services JCFS offers a continuum of preventive and therapeutic services for children and their families.

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special advertising section //

High School Choice

Chicago School GPS presents:

“Hidden Gems” Public & Private

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High School Fair

Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017 @ 1-4PM

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$15/family via prepaid online registration

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Need Based Fee Waivers Available

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High School Choice // special advertising section New CPS high school application streamlines process of choosing schools Parents have shorter application window this year

By CARRIE RODOVICH

N

ew changes to the high school application process means parents and their middle school students need to start planning a little bit ahead.

Now, one new high school application will consolidate all the prior applications into one more streamlined process to ensure more students get one of their high-interest schools, says Grace Sawin, founder of Chicago School GPS. “Previously, there were six or seven different applications for the different types of schools: international baccalaureate programs, magnet schools, digital media, culi-

nary arts, etc.,” she says. “Now, there is one single-offer application for almost everything.”

Having a single application will allow families to see every type of school on one application instead of having to fill out an application for every different type of school, Sawin says.

Parents should go to go.cps. edu to register and learn more about the application process.

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“Previously, students would get accepted into multiple schools and would ‘hold’ places in different schools until they made their final decision.

So, some students would have multiple school acceptances and other students would have no acceptances or would be on wait lists.”

The new, ambitious application process will have students rank their preferences across all different types of schools, and students will be offered one acceptance.

“You can only send your child to one physical school, so this gives you one offer instead of multiple offers,” she says. “For those students who were previously shut out of options, they will now be offered more possibilities.”

NEW!

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Learn more at chicagowaldorf.org

40 September 2017 ChicagoParent.com

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Open House Ad 3.6” x 4.625”

special advertising section //

High School Choice

Come In. Stand Out.

OPEN HOUSE RSVP fwparker.org/openhouse

Middle School (Grades 6–8) Sawin says while the appliSaturday, October 21 • 1 p.m. cation process changes apply to most schools, it doesn’t Upper School (Grades 9–12) apply to all schools, so parents with questions can visit Saturday, November 18 • 10 a.m. go.cps.edu for clarification.

The website is constantly updated to provide the most current information available, she says.

As with any new process, there will be a learning curve for everyone.

“I haven’t gotten a lot of feedback from parents yet,FWP-013_OpenHouseAd_3.6x4.625_MECH.indd 1 and everyone was anticipating the change,” she says. “But people might be surprised to learn they have a shorter application window this year than they had in past years.”

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Coming in January

7/18/17 11:50 AM

MAKING GRADE THE

Those students who were previously shut out would either be waitlisted or would just attend their neighborhood school, Sawin says. The new process reduces wait time. Also as part of the process, CPS also changed the application window; this year, it opens Oct. 2 and closes Dec. 1, Sawin says.

This means parents and students might have to do more up-front legwork researching and visiting schools before they create a priority list, Sawin says. If students are accepted at the school they rank their highest choice, spots at other schools aren’t held for them.

“You really should be visiting the schools, or looking at their websites, and see what the extracurriculars are, or what the facilities look like, and begin doing that in the summer through early October (of eighth grade),” she says. “I always tell families that they should start their school search around sixth or seventh grade, so hopefully this year’s crop of eighthgraders has already done a lot of leg work.”

Students historically learn in February which school they get. Students who didn’t get accepted into any of their choice schools go through a second round of reshuffling in the spring.

Hidden Gems High School Fair 1-4 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 24 Amundsen High School, 5110 N. Damen Ave., Chicago More than 35 schools will participate, plus parents and students will learn about testing requirements, how to strategize the school search process, an intro to scholarships, executive functioning tips and more.

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For more information, call (708) 386 5555 or visit ChicagoParent.com ChicagoParent.com September 2017 41

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High School Choice // special advertising section What do I need to do?

Public and Private High School Search timeline Early work • Sixth grade: Visit one or two “high interest” schools to determine requirements for admission and enter seventh grade with a goal • Seventh grade: Attend open houses, concentrate on schoolwork (standardized tests and school grades). Solidify relationships from potential recommendation providers • Sixth- to eighth-grade families should attend the Hidden Gems High School Fair this month to widen the net of schools for consideration.

Eighth grade • Late summer: Register at go.cps.edu if interested in CPS programs (non-CPS students also register for NWEA MAP testing) • Early fall: Research schools, attend open houses, write essays and gather recommendations (if required) • Late fall: Apply by deadline and register for any entrance exams • Late fall-winter: Take entrance exams and complete parochial and charter applications Source: ChiSchoolGPS

or at one of our middle & upper school

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42 September 2017 ChicagoParent.com

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special advertising section //

High School Choice NPN: Co parents nnecting schools, with and re support, sources

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High School Choice // special advertising section Chicago Waldorf School

Saint Clement School

1300 W. Loyola Ave., Chicago (773) 465-2371 chicagowaldorf.org

PreK (4yrs)-Grade 8 2524 North Orchard, Chicago (773) 348-8212 StClementSchool.org

Here every child is an athlete, musician, scientist, and avid reader.

RSVP for a tour and see why we’re the fastest growing education in the world!

Before and after school care available Principal: Mari Jo Hanson

Sonnets Academy

Francis W. Parker School Serving Junior Kindergarten through 12 Grade 330 W. Webster Ave., Chicago (773) 797-5107 fwparker.org Francis Parker is a school where inspired teachers, dynamic curriculum and a diverse community of learners thrive. Register for an Open House event at www.fwparker.org/openhouse​.

Latin School of Chicago JK through 12th Grade 59 W. North Blvd. Chicago (312) 582-6000 www.latinschool.org A coeducational day school serving students JK-12 on the near north side of Chicago. Latin School of Chicago provides its students with a rigorous and innovative educational program in a community that embraces diversity of people, cultures and ideas.

Lycée Français de Chicago 1929 W. Wilson Ave. , Chicago (773) 665-0066 lyceechicago.org A French immersion and IB World School, welcoming students of all languages, Pre-K through grade 12.

Schedule a private tour today!

North Shore Country Day School 310 Green Bay Road, Winnetka (847) 441-3313 nscds.org Through challenging academics, the arts, athletics and service; North Shore students collaborate

with peers, connect with teachers and gain essential knowledge and skills that prepare them for college and beyond.

Sacred Heart Schools Grades served: K-8 6250 N. Sheridan Rd., Chicago (773) 681-8418 shschicago.org Independent Catholic school for all faiths; single-gender classrooms on coed campus; free after school care; bus service to several neighborhoods; Kindergarten Early Decision option.

Boundless learning through play.

Six weeks to six years.

Lincoln Park: 1932 N. Clark St. (312) 951-1024 River North: 430 W. Erie St. (312) 344-1926 West Loop: 229 S. Peoria St. (312) 733-7580 Hyde Park: 5548 S. Hyde Park Blvd.

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St. Benedict Preparatory School 3 & 4 year old Preschool – Grade 12 Before & After School Care Available 3900 N Leavitt St., Chicago (773) 539-0066 www.stbenedict.com Rachel Gemo, Head of Parish School

44 September 2017 ChicagoParent.com

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special advertising section //

SURE, AT FIRST I WAS A LITTLE TAKEN ABACK

BY THE WHOLE PEEING STANDING UP THING. SURE, BUT I TAUGHT HIM TO THROW A STICK AT FIRST WAS HANGING A LITTLEOUT TAKEN ABACK ANDI NOW WITH HIM

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University of Chicago Laboratory Schools 1362 E. 59th St., Chicago, IL 60637 773-702-9451 admissions@ucls.uchicago.edu ChicagoParent.com September 2017 45

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Fall Fun // advertising directory Apple Holler

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Kuipers Family Farm

Pump It Up Party

Farm, Orchard, Restaurant, Bakery and Country Store. Pick your own Apples & Pumpkins 10-5 daily 5006 S Sylvania Ave. Sturtevant, WI (800) 238-3629 appleholler.com

Oaktoberfest. Kids’ Root Beer Garden. Green Halloween check web for info.

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U-pic apple orchard, Pumpkin Farm and Christmas tree farm.

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Children’s Museum in Oak Lawn Two floors of fun, hands-on learning for kids through 10!

5100 Museum Drive, Oak Lawn (708) 423-6709 www.cmoaklawn.org

Didier Farms Pumpkinfest 9/23/17-10/31/17 Hayrides, Corn Maze, Pig Races, Pony Rides, Animal Land, Pumpkin Playland.

16678 W. Aptakisic Rd. Prairie View/Lincolnshire (847) 634-3291 www.didierfarms.com

Saturday, September 23 at Lincoln Park Zoo 10am-5pm Free admission www.fiestafamiliar.com

Fleetwood Roller Skating Rink Public skating, private parties, fundraisers. Artistic speed and roller derby skating.

7231 W. Archer Ave., Summit (708) 458-0300 fleetwoodrollerrink.com

Funtopia, Adventure Park Glenview Have Fun, Be Active 2050 Tower Dr, Glenview (224) 432-5435 funtopiaworld.com/glenview

Jonamac Orchard Pick-your-own orchard August thru November 19412 Shabonna Rd, Malta (815) 825-2158 Jonamacorchard.com

Little Gym is the world’s premier experiential learning and physical development center.

Ages: 4 mos-12 years 3216 North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago (773) 525-5750 thelittlegym.com/ChicagoIL

The Morton Arboretum “​Origami in the Garden” exhibit runs through ​October 22 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle (630) 968-0074 mortonarb.org

Odyssey Fun World Odyssey Fun Farm Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze open​s Sept. 24.

Tinley Park: 1-80 & Harlem Ave. Naperville: 1-88 & Rt. 59 Odyssey Fun Farm: Located next to the Odyssey Fun World, Tinley Park (708) 429-3800 OdysseyFunWorld.com

(708) 479-2220 (312) 664-PUMP

Skokie Park District Check out Chicagoland’s best programs, parties and destinations this fall!

9300 Weber Park Pl., Skokie (847) 674-1500 www.SkokieParks.com

​Sugar Factory Plan a SWEET celebration at Sugar Factory with two locations in the Chicago area! Perfect for birthdays, showers, date nights, moms night out and more!

55 E Grand Ave- Chicago / 5445 Park Pl -Rosemont (773) 598-8026 www.sugarfactory.com

Trail of Terror Travel the Spectacular! Come to Northern Illinois Fall Festivals, Haunted Happenings, Pumpkin Patches, Corn Mazes Illinoistrailofterror.com

Visit Springfield Illinois Discover the makings of your legendary vacation in Springfield, IL. (800) 545-7300 www.visitspringfieldillinois.com

46 September 2017 ChicagoParent.com

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calendar SEPTEMBER

1

Art doesn’t have to be large to have a big impact. At least not at Family Day: Pin-tastic Projects, where artist Stephanie Graham will lead a workshop on n making pins and buttons of all kinds. Families with kids 4-12 can check out the art that’s on display in the galleries, and then get inspired to create buttons, brooches and pins that pack a whole lot of artistic punch. We’d call that a pin win. Free. 1-4 p.m. Sept. 9. Smart Museum of Art, 5550 S. Greenwood Ave., Chicago. go.

(773) 702-0200, smartmuseum.. uchicago.edu.

2

It might be September, but we’re in an October[fest] frame of mind. Oaktoberfest is the premier family-friendly version of the typically boozy celebration, with root beer for the kiddos in lieu of the more potent stuff. The Kids’ Root Beer Garden has all manner of fun for the kinder crowd, from a ninja obstacle course to zucchini races. And the fest features the food and drink you’d expect from Oktoberfest, including craft beer from the area’s best breweries. Prost!

Free; food and drinks cost extra. 4-10 p.m.

Sept. 15; noon-10 p.m. Sept. 16. Downtown Oak Park, between Marion Street and Forest Boulevard. (708) 383-4145, oaktoberfest.net.

3

Urban camping has gone to a whole new level.

Family Camping at Northerly Island is—you —you guessed it!—for families with kids 6 and up, who pitch their tents on n the edge of our bustling city. The program is designed for newbie outdoorsmen, with plenty of help to set up those tents, not to mention lessons in fishing and fire-building. Hot dogs and marshmallows are provided, and your kids definitely don’t need help in figuring out what to do with those. $50 family.

2 p.m. Sept. 23-10 a.m. Sept. 24. Northerly Island Park, 1521 S. Linn White Drive, Chicago. (312) 745-2910, chicagoparkdistrict.com.

Family Camping at Northerly Island Photo courtesy of Chicago Park District

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CALENDAR 2 | SATURDAY SUBURBS

Misericordia Family Fest See Sept. 10

NATURE NIGHTS. Bring a picnic

dinner and spend an evening in the garden. Includes a short tram ride, planting projct and s’mores around the campfire. $26 per child. 5-7:30 p.m. Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe. (847) 8355440, chicagobotanic.org.

THE ASHLEY WHIPPET K-9 FRISBEE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS. Watch the best

teams in the world compete. Teams come from as far away as Japan and China and throughout the USA to try to win the title of “World Champion.”

9 a.m.-4 p.m. Naperville Park District, 305 W. Jackson Ave., Naperville. ashleywhippet.com.

3 | SUNDAY SUBURBS MALOTT JAPANESE GARDEN FAMILY SUNDAY. Drop by

the Elizabeth Hubert Malott Japanese Garden for hands-on activities related to Japanese arts and culture. Practice using chopsticks, rake miniature dry gardens, make Japanese kites, and more. $30 parking. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe. (847) 835-5440, chicagobotanic.org.

LIVING HISTORY DEMONSTRATIONS. Find soldiers,

cooks, seamstresses, voyageurs or craftsmen sharing their talents, led by a volunteer group of re-enactors representing the fur trading community of the 18th century. Depending on weather, this program is offered indoors or outside. Noon-3 p.m. Isle a la Cache Museum, 501 E. 135th St. (Romeo Road), Romeoville. (815) 886-1467, reconnectwithnature.org.

THE ASHLEY WHIPPET K-9 FRISBEE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS. Naperville. See

Sept. 2.

the progressive, youth-inspired contemporary culture of Japan.

Then cross the bridge to experience an ancestral heritage that still exists harmoniously side by side in a bustling city. Invent a mascot, dress up in the kawaii shop, practice katakana writing or tie a wish to the tree. Free with museum admission.

11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford.

(815) 963-6769, discoverycenter museum.org.

4 | MONDAY LAURIE BERKNER. Best-selling, award-winning children’s musician Laurie Berkner’s music speaks to kids without talking down to them, charming youngsters without boring grown-ups. $15, $5 lawn. 1 p.m.; noon gates open. Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. (847) 266-5100, ravinia.org.

6 | WEDNESDAY

SAYONARA MEANS FAREWELL.

INCHWORMS PARENT-CHILD PROGRAM. Kids 18-36 months,

Walk a Tokyo streetscape to explore

with adult, are introduced to nature

through songs, simple crafts and outdoor exploration. Today’s theme is Terrific Trees. $6, free parking.

9:30-10:15 a.m. Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. (630) 6685161, cantigny.org.

Route 53, Lisle. (630) 968-0074, mortonarb.org.

FULL MOON TRAM TOUR.

THE FESTIVAL ON PRAIRIE AVENUE. Includes music, inflatables,

Discover what happens at the arboretum at night when no one is around.

The evening will include a discussion of night ecology and stories of moon lore. $12. 7:30-9:30 p.m. The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. (630) 968-0074, mortonarb.org.

7 | THURSDAY

9 | SATURDAY CHICAGO

sports games, pony rides, petting zoo, face painting, magic shows, historic tours, and arts and crafts. $7 donation, free kids 12 months and under; food costs extra. Noon-6 p.m.

Prairie Avenue at 18th Street. (312) 401-2688, pdnachicago.com.

SUBURBS

FULL MOON TRAM TOUR. Lisle.

See Sept. 6.

8 | FRIDAY FAMILY TWILIGHT ADVENTURES.

Families with kids under 10 go on a hike, do activities and roast marshmallows before going on a silent tram ride through the woods after dark to see what animals come out when people go home. $19. 7-9 p.m.

The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois

NATURE NIGHTS. Glencoe. See

Sept. 2.

BUBBLE FESTIVAL. Celebrate

National Bubble Week with performances by bubble celebrity Geoffrey Akins. Families can test their soapy skills with bubble art and activities in the Bubble-Palooza Playground. $6, $5 members at the door; $5, $4 members in advance. Museum admission not included. Shows at 9 and 10:30

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CALENDAR a.m., noon, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford.

(815) 963-6769, discoverycenter museum.org.

BLOCKTOBERFEST. A family fest with live music, vendors, raffles, food, Kids Pavilion with bounce house, obstacle course, games and an indoor video gaming area. Noon-8 p.m. 3322 S. Clarence Ave., Berwyn.

(708) 715-0141, blocktoberfest. weebly.com.

TOUCH A TRUCK. Kids get the chance to touch, feel and climb through a variety of trucks and vehicles, including fire trucks, tow trucks and more. 10 a.m.-noon. Berens Park, 493 Oaklawn Ave., Elmhurst. epd.org.

BLOOMINGDALE SEPTEMBERFEST. The annual

end-of-the-summer gathering kicks off with an 11 a.m. parade that leads into a full day and evening of events and entertainment in Old

Town Park, including a car show, stage performances and scholarship presentations. The fest also hosts food and craft vendors, and a Lions Club beer tent. Noon-10 p.m. 201 S. Bloomingdale Road, Bloomingdale.

(630) 893-7000, villageofblooming dale.org.

TAILS ON THE TRAILS. Enjoy a day out with your pup on the arboretum’s hiking trails. Shop from local businesses and organizations in the pet expo, test out the agility course and join guided hikes. Sign your pooch up for dog-friendly games, including the crowd-favorite peanut butter licking contest. $5 per dog plus admission. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. (630) 968-0074, mortonarb.org.

THE GLEN ELLYN BACKYARD BBQ. More than 60

teams compete for trophies and bragging rights in three categories.

Festivities include live music, a dunk

About the calendar The deadline for submitting listings for the October issue is Aug. 28. All events are subject to change. Please call the event sponsor at the number listed to confirm before you go.

Events taking place on four or more dates during the month are listed in Ongoing Events, beginning on page 67.

Searchable listings updated daily ChicagoParent.com/calendar tank and activities for kids. All proceeds support Bridge Communities.

Check website for schedule.

Glenwood Avenue parking lot, Glen Ellyn. glenellynbackyardbbq.org.

SECOND SATURDAY: REVOLUTIONARY WAR.

Coinciding with Cantigny’s Revolutionary War Reenactment, the museum celebrates the birth of our nation. Try a colonial-era

printing activity (while supplies last) and use a quill pen to put your John Hancock on a copy of the Declaration of Independence. Plus, visit an activity station featuring ladies of the 18th century. $10 parking. Noon-3 p.m. Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton.

(630) 668-5161, cantigny.org.

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ChicagoParent.com September 2017 53

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CALENDAR games, enjoy a buffet-style supper, a twilight hike and s’mores around the campfire. Sunday includes a light breakfast. Bring a tent and sleeping bags. $33, $22 resident. 3 p.m.-9 a.m.

Knoch Knolls Park, 336 Knoch Knolls Road, Naperville. (630) 848-5000, napervilleparks.org.

10 | SUNDAY CHICAGO MISERICORDIA FAMILY FEST.

Includes food, music, and other entertainment. Park at SC Electric and take the free shuttle bus. $10, $5 kids and seniors. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. 6300 N. Ridge Ave. (at Devon). (773) 973-6300, misericordia.com.

SUBURBS FALL FAMILY FESTIVAL. Enjoy

the museum, a farm petting zoo, games, apple cider press, horse and wagon rides, and train rides through Habitat Park. Plus, meet Rapunzel

and Belle. Check website for cost; tickets are required. 9-11:30 a.m.

Kohl Children’s Museum, 2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview. (847) 832-6600, kohlchildrensmuseum.org.

CSBARKS DOG FESTIVAL.

One of the largest dog festivals in the Chicago suburbs. Join thousands of dogs for a day of four-legged fun.

Friendly, leashed and vaccinated dogs (and their owners) are welcome.

10 a.m.-3 p.m. Carol Stream Town Center, Gary Avenue and Lies Road, Carol Stream. csparks.org.

SCANDINAVIAN DAY FESTIVAL.

Festival celebrates the cultures of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. The day focuses on food, fellowship and fun. There will be morning church services and entertainment throughout the day, including a performance by ABBA Salute. Plus, cultural displays and Scandinavian food and vendors. $10, free kids under 12 free; free parking.

10 a.m.-6 p.m. Vasa Park, Route

Bark Bark Ba kap apal aloo ooz za a See Se See Se Sepptt. 244

31, South Elgin. (847) 695-6720, scandinaviandayil.com.

p.m. Downtown Kankakee. (815) 933-ARTS, communityartscouncil.org.

FALL ART STROLL. Features dozens of artisans exhibiting everything from paintings to pottery. Also includes entertainment, food vendors and children’s activities. 11 a.m.-4

CORNFEST FAMILY FUN DAY. Celebrate the beginning of fall

with an old-fashioned family picnic featuring burgers and hot dogs, roasted corn on the cob, homemade

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CALENDAR pies and taffy apples. Entertainment includes games, races and a fishing tournament for kids. Kids can use hammers, nails and paint to create a craft project in the giant woodpile. Food and activities cost extra.

11:30-4 p.m. Graue Mill, 3800 York Road, Oak Brook. (630) 655-2090, grauemill.org.

12 | TUESDAY CHILDREN’S AUTHOR STORYTIME. Meet favorite books’

creators and illustrators, get bookssigned and hear a story from some of the most inspiring and creative children’s authors writing today. 10:30 a.m. American Writers Museum, 180 N. Michigan, 2nd Floor, Chicago.

(312) 374-8790, americanwriters museum.org.

13 | WEDNESDAY NATURE PLAY DAY. Kids 3-5, with adult, can participate in a hike, story, game, dancing or playing. 1011:30 a.m. Plum Creek Nature Center, 27064 S. Dutton Road, Beecher.

(708) 946-2216, reconnectwith nature.org.

INCHWORMS PARENT-CHILD PROGRAM. Wheaton. See Sept. 6.

Today’s theme is Tree Friends.

14 | THURSDAY MONARCH BUTTERFLY TAGGING. This tagging event assists

the Monarch Watch organization in tracking butterflies as they migrate back to the mountains of Mexico. $5 parking. 1 p.m. Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. (630) 6685161, cantigny.org.

15 | FRIDAY FAMILY NIGHT: TREE HIKE AND CAMPFIRE. Take a nature hike

focused on the park’s biggest, tallest and coolest trees. Learn how to differentiate three kinds of oak tree and more. After the walk, relax around the campfire. Families are welcome to bring their own s’more fixin’s. $5 parking. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton.

(630) 668-5161, cantigny.org.

KIDS’ NIGHT OUT: SUPERHEROES. Parents enjoy the

night out, while kids 4-12 have fun at the Superhero Hunt, on the Superhero Obstacle Course and writing a letter to their hero. Dinner with snack and juice is provided. $38, $25 resident.

6-9 p.m. Naperville Park District, 305 W. Jackson Ave., Naperville. (630) 848-5000, napervilleparks.org.

CATERPILLAR HIKE. Kids 5 and up take a close-up look at caterpillars and their behaviors, and then venture out in search of local caterpillars. 6:30-8 p.m. Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, 25055 S. Walnut Lane, Channahon. reconnectwithnature.org.

Elim El m Dut utch ch h Fe F es stttiv iv val al See Se Se Sept pt. 23 2

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CALENDAR

Now enrolling for fall.

One student.

One teacher.

Per classroom.

Pion onee on eer D Da ay Fusion Academy is a revolutionary private middle and high school

SSeee Se Sepptt. 17 Sept 17

with the smallest class size possible: one student and one teacher per classroom. Scheduling and curriculum are personalized, students may enroll at any time, and no homework goes home.

Connect with us to learn more about our one-to-one programs!

Fusion Academy Lincoln Park 312.763.6990 FusionLincolnPark.com

16 | SATURDAY CHICAGO PILSEN MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE.

Celebrate Mexican Independence in the vibrant Pilsen neighborhood.

Noon. 18th Street from Newberry Avenue to Wolcott. (312) 671-1620, cityofchicago.org/specialevents.

SUBURBS

SEPTEMBER 16 (12-5)

FREE ADMISSION

Kids’ Root Beer Garden Zucchini car races, Ninja obstacle course, Root beer floats, and games and activities.

OCTOBER 14 (11-3)

FREE ADMISSION

Eek-O-Friendly, Healthy Kids’ Halloween Event

CREATING CONNECTIONS.

This sensory storytime is focused on creating a positive library experience especially for families of kids with exceptional abilities and sensory processing issues. 2-3 p.m. West Chicago Public Library District, 118 W. Washington St., West Chicago. (630) 231-1552, westchicago.lib.il.us.

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT. The

Performer’s School presents Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical based on the “coat of many colors” story of Joseph from the Bible. $15. 11 a.m., 2 and 5 p.m. Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park. (847) 2665100, ravinia.org.

crafts for kids, an interactive puppet theater, face painting, music, and more. Plus, live butterfly tagging, a bug zoo, caterpillar aquarium, and a movie.

2-5 p.m. Oak Lawn Park District, 9400 S. Kenton Ave., Oak Lawn. (708) 8572222, olparks.com.

17 | SUNDAY SUBURBS MALOTT JAPANESE GARDEN FAMILY SUNDAY. Glencoe. See

Sept. 3.

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT.

Highland Park. See Sept. 16. Today’s times are 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

MONARCH FESTIVAL. Learn about the importance of pollinators and how to create a pollinator garden. Kids can try pollinator crafts and games. Get free milkweed seeds, watch Monarchs being tagged and check out the park’s Monarch Waystation. Plus, visit with local conservation organizations and beekeepers and enjoy food trucks on-site.

11 a.m.-4 p.m. Knoch Knolls Nature Center, 320 Knoch Knolls Road, Naperville. napervilleparks.org.

FAMILY TWILIGHT ADVENTURES.

Lisle. See Sept. 8.

MONARCH FESTIVAL.

Activities include butterfly arts and

CABOOSE DAYS. Take a ride with the conductor in the big red Illinois Central caboose or up front with the motorman on the museum’s

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CALENDAR demonstration freight train. Regular fares apply. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Fox River Trolley Museum, 361 S. LaFox St. (Ill. 31), South Elgin. (847) 697-4676, foxtrolley.org.

MIGRATING MONARCHS CELEBRATION. Learn about this

globe-trotting butterfly and trace its migration route through fun activities, crafts and displays. See how monarch butterflies grow and change, and see how they are tagged for tracking. Noon-3 p.m. Trailside Museum of Natural History, 738 Thatcher Ave., River Forest. (708) 366-6530, fpdcc.com.

CANTIGNY CAR SHOW.

Nearly 100 awards are presented to the 400-plus vehicles on display. The First Division Museum’s historic fleet of military vehicles will be exhibited, too. Live entertainment by Joe Kalish and DJ music by Carousel Sound, plus food/drink concessions available. $10 parking. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton.

(630) 668-5161, cantigny.org.

SHERMERFEST. Community fall festival includes hot dogs, chips and soda, plus face painting and balloon twisting. Make old-fashioned games and ride on a trackless train.

Noon-4 p.m. 1776 Walters Ave., Northbrook. (847) 498-3404, north brookhistory.org.

PIONEER DAY. Features

reenactments, historical demonstrations, old-fashioned games and crafts, museum tours and a petting zoo. $10 to create a life-sized scarecrow with the Garden Club Pioneer Day. Elk Grove Historical Museum, 399 Biesterfield Road, Elk Grove Village.

(847) 439-3994, elkgroveparks.org.

20 | WEDNESDAY

22 | FRIDAY WORLD PEACE DAY GLOW RUN 5K. The race and celebration of

world peace begins after sunset with glow sticks to light the way through the illuminated trails of the Bartlett Nature Center. Includes an international food festival, silent auction, crafts, games and more. $25, $10 kids 3-12. 4-8 p.m. Bartlett Nature Center, 2054 W. Stearns Road, Bartlett. (847) 608-3100, bartlettparks.org/Nature Center/general.asp

23 | SATURDAY CHICAGO MUSEUM DAY LIVE!

Smithsonian Magazine sponsors a free day for museums all over the country, and a number of Chicago area museums are participating, including the DuSable Museum of African American History, Smart Museum of Art and Illinois Holocaust Education Center. Sign up for tickets on the Smithsonian Magazine website. One ticket is good for two people at one museum. smithsonian.com/museumday.

ROGERS PARK HARVEST CELEBRATION. Features free

hayrides, pumpkins, treats and entertainment. 1-4 p.m. 1610 W. Howard St. hellohoward.org.

OKEE DOKEE BROTHERS. The Grammy award-winning Okee Dokee Brothers have put this passion for the outdoors at the heart of their Americana Folk music.

Recommended for families with kids under 12. $14. 11 a.m. Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave. (773) 728-6000, oldtownschool.org.

SUBURBS

INCHWORMS PARENT-CHILD PROGRAM. Wheaton. See Sept. 6.

ROCK & MINERAL IDENTIFICATION. Geologist Sara

Today’s theme is Fun with Leaves.

Johnson presents an introduction to rocks and minerals for ages 8 and up. Learn how to make a basic mineral test kit. Hands-on identification procedures include observation skills and hardness

21 | THURSDAY MONARCH BUTTERFLY TAGGING. Wheaton. See Sept. 14.

SEPTEMBER 30 & OCTOBER 1

thechicagotheatre.com

pjmaskslive.com

The Chicago Theatre provides disabled accommodations and sells tickets to disabled individuals through our Disabled Services department, Ticketmaster orders are subject to service charges. which may be reached at 888-609-7599 any weekday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

PJ Masks © Frog Box / Entertainment One UK Limited / Walt Disney EMEA Productions Limited 2014

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CALENDAR tests. All materials are provided.

Reservations required. $5, $3 members. 10:30-11:45 a.m.

Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art, 220 Cottage Hill Ave. (in Wilder Park), Elmhurst. (630) 833-1616, lizzadromuseum.org.

VINTAGE BASE BALL GAME. Pull up a hay bale and

witness “America’s Pastime” as it was played during Civil War times, under the rules of 1858.

Clubs scheduled to appear: DuPage Plowboys, Milwaukee Grays and Somonauk Blue Stockings. $10 parking. 1 p.m. Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton.

(630) 668-5161, cantigny.org.

ROCKIN’ JEWELRY FOR KIDS.

This class allows kids 8-16 to make their own gemstone jewelry to keep. Choose two different types of jewelry to make with stones from the Museum Shop and learn how to work with jeweler’s tool. $10. 1:30-2:45

p.m. Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art, 220 Cottage Hill Ave. (in Wilder Park), Elmhurst. (630) 833-1616, lizzadromuseum.org.

FUR & FEATHERS FEATURING THE EXOTIC WILDLIFE SANCTUARY. Meet

the exotic and interesting animals brought in by the conservationists at Exotic Wildlife Sanctuary. Learn about where lemurs, goats and other animals are from and how they live.

There will be birds and beasts and lots of interactive fun and learning.

2-3 p.m. Morton Grove Public Library, 6140 Lincoln Ave., Morton Grove.

(847) 929-5102, webrary.org.

FAMILY CAMPOUT. Families with kids 3 and up enjoy nature games, a buffet-style supper, a twilight hike and s’mores around the campfire.

Sunday includes a light breakfast and hike. Registration is required. Bring tents and sleeping bags. $33, $22 resident (per person). 3 p.m.-9 a.m.

Ro R o oge g rs ge r Par ark k Ha H arv r es e t Cele Ce ebr brat a io ion n Seee Se Se Sepptt. 23 23

Knoch Knolls Park, 336 Knoch Knolls Road, Naperville. (630) 848-5000, napervilleparks.org.

ELIM DUTCH FESTIVAL.

The festival kicks off with a pannenkoek “pancake” breakfast at 7:30 a.m. After breakfast, sample Dutch

and American cuisine from vendors, browse the Dutch Village shops and colorful farmer’s market. There will also be entertainment. Proceeds from the festival benefit children and adults with disabilities. 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. 13020 S. Central Ave., Palos Heights. (708) 389-0555, elimcs.org.

2017

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CALENDAR HARVEST WEEKEND. Learn how to harvest, preserve and store homegrown produce or Farmers Market bounty. Enjoy “how-to” demonstrations, shopping from local vendors, hands-on activities for kids and families, Garden Chef Series presentations, a cookbook swap and more. $30 parking. 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe. (847) 835-5440, chicagobotanic.org.

available. $20 Walkathon, free kids.

10 a.m.-2 p.m. 1825 Short St., Lisle. wshs-dg.org.

CABOOSE DAYS. South Elgin. See

Sept. 17.

HARVEST WEEKEND.

Glencoe. See Sept. 23.

30 | SATURDAY

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CHICAGO

24 | SUNDAY

CORNUCOPIA FALL FESTIVAL.

SUBURBS BARKAPALOOZA. This fundraiser for the West Suburban Humane Society features a Dog Walkathon, Pet Expo and blessing of animals at 10 a.m. It also includes an agility and frisbee demonstration and more than 25 vendors. Kids’ activities include clowns, face painting, balloon sculptures and a Kids and Kindness Zone. Food for humans and dogs

Includes pony rides, a petting zoo, inflatables, a pumpkin patch, face painting, balloon art and live entertainment as well as an art fair and food trucks. $2-5 activities. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Eugene Field Park, 5100 N. Ridgeway Ave. eugenefieldpac.com.

SUBURBS MOVIE ON THE GREEN.

A showing of the golf classic

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Caddyshack on the driving range.

Food trucks will be on site. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. 6-10 p.m. Sugar Creek Golf Course, 500 E. Van Buren, Villa Park. (639) 834-3325, epd.org.

JOHNNY APPLESEED FESTIVAL. Meet Johnny Appleseed

as he strolls the streets, telling his story. Plus, view and participate in demonstrations of an antique apple cider press and apple peelers, enjoy

musical groups, dance presentations, gymnastics demonstrations, martial arts demonstrations and storytelling and watch a clown create balloon art.

Activities such as children’s games, pony rides, petting zoo, pumpkin train, pumpkin bowling, temporary tattoos, wagon rides, amusement rides and moonwalk require tickets.

Some activities cost extra. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. West Crystal Lake Avenue, Crystal Lake. downtowncl.org.

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7/27/17 1:52 PM ChicagoParent.com September 2017 59

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EXHIBIT

Museum fun without spending a dime

I

s there any word in the English language that’s sweeter than “free”? We don’t think so, which is why we’re always psyched for Free Days at our city’s worldclass museums. (Did you realize they’re required to host a certain number every year? #themoreyouknow) You may need to shell out a few bucks for the extras, but general admission is gratis—and the fun you’ll have is priceless.

Adler Planetarium: Now you can check out the wonder of the cosmos without an astronomical cost. Illinois residents get free general admission, which includes all exhibits and experiences, except the sky shows, which will run you $5 per person. Sept. 11-17.

Art Institute of Chicago: Add some art to your evening with free general admission for Illinois residents 5-8 p.m. every Thursday (some special exhibits cost extra). Kids under 14 are always free, as are teens who reside in Chicago. And be sure to stop by the Ryan Education Center for free art-making ops. Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28.

Museum of Science & Industry: Trains and castles and chicks, oh my! This science mecca is a guaranteed fun time for all ages, and on Free Days, Illinois residents get complimentary museum entry.

Ticketed exhibits, like Robot Revolution, cost extra ($12, $9 kids). Sept. 5-8, 11-15, 18-22, 25-29.

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum: Every Thursday is a free day at this urban oasis, which is home to the beloved Judy Istock Butterfly Haven. Illinois residents can explore the museum’s family-friendly exhibits on the cheap—although donations are always welcome. Sept. 7, 14, 21, 28.

Field Museum: If it’s been a while since you’ve given Sue your regards, free admission days can help you rectify that. Basic admission is free for Illinois residents, or you can get a Discovery Pass to see a ticketed exhibit or a 3D movie ($14, $10 kids 3-11). Sept. 10, 11, 23, 24.

Shedd Aquarium: Your under-the-sea fantasies can come true! On Illinois Resident Free Days, check out all permanent exhibits, the Amphibians special exhibit, aquatic shows and Stingray Touch without spending a single clam. Insider tip: Reserve your free tix online. Sept. 6-30.

Elizabeth Diffin

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FAIR CALENDAR & FESTS CHICAGO JAZZ FESTIVAL.

The Labor Day Weekend tradition showcases Chicago’s jazz talent along with national and international artists to entertain, encourage and educate a jazz audience of all ages with live musical performances in the Chicago Cultural Center and Millennium Park.

Aug. 31-Sept. 3. Check website for schedule. Grant Park, Chicago. (312) 744-3315, chicagojazzfestival.us.

HARVARD BALLOON FEST. Watch

15 hot air balloons make morning and evening ascensions, enjoy live music, food vendors, beer tent, zip lines, tethered balloon rides, nighttime balloon glows, inflatables, rock climbing wall, bungie jump, Knockerball and more. Check website for cost and schedule. Sept.

1-3. 349 Countrybrook, Harvard. harvardballoonfest.com.

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NAPERVILLE LAST FLING. Enjoy

entertainment, carnival, unique contests and a Family Fun Land at Naper Settlement with pony rides, petting zoo, Bounce Town, family stage, crafts, food and beverages, and a family-focused business expo.

Proceeds are given to nonprofit organizations throughout DuPage County. Check website for cost and schedule. Sept. 1-4. 440 W. Aurora Ave., Naperville. (630) 961-4143, lastfling.org.

TASTE OF POLONIA. Features

four stages of music with more than 30 performances including classic rock, pop, polka, classical, Latin and more, Polish cuisine, arts and crafts, carnival, and a Kids World featuring activities and entertainment. There will also be beer and a casino. $10, free kids 12 and under. Check website for schedule. Sept. 1-4. 5216 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago. (773) 7778898, topchicago.org.

AFRICAN FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS.

Festival highlighting African culture features dancing, music, art and entertainment. Check website for cost. 1-10 p.m. Sept. 1; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sept.

2-4. 51st and Cottage Grove, Chicago.

(773) 955-2787, africanfestivalchicago. com.

FRANKFORT FALL FESTIVAL.

Features artisans, live entertainment, carnival and a parade on Sunday at 1 p.m. Check website for schedule.

10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 2-3; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 4. Kansas Street, Frankfort.

(815) 469-3356, frankfortfallfestival. info.

IRISH DAYS. Features live entertainment, a leprechaun hunt, competitions for Irish costume and more. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sept. 2; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sept. 3; 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Sept. 4. 308 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove. (847) 634-0888, longgrove. org.

FOX VALLEY FOLK FESTIVAL.

Features eight stage areas with performances of folk music and storytelling, plus workshops and kids’ activities.

Plus a Barn Dance and Ghost Stories on Sunday night. $20, free kids 12 and under. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 3-4.

Routes 25 and 38, Geneva. (630) 897-3655, foxvalleyfolk.com.

SANDWICH FAIR. Features a carnival, livestock judging, arts and crafts, horse shows, truck and tractor pulls, demolition derby, farm zoo, exhibits, kids’ entertainment, live music and food stands. $9, $5 kids 6-12, free

kids 5 and under. Check website for schedule. Sept. 6-10. Sandwich Fairgrounds, Sandwich. (815) 7862159, sandwichfair.com.

FESTIVAL OF THE VINE.

Features food, flower markets, kids’ activities, arts and crafts show, live music and entertainment. Cost for food and wine. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sept.

8-9; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 10. Route 38 and North Fourth Street, Geneva.

(630) 232-6060, genevachamber. com/festival_of_vine.php.

GERMAN-AMERICAN FEST.

Enjoy German food, beverages, dance and music. The parade is at 2 p.m.

Saturday. Extra costs for food and booths. 5-11 p.m. Sept. 8; noon-11 p.m. Sept. 9; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sept.

10. Lincoln Avenue between Leland and Western avenues, Chicago. (630) 653-3018, germanday.com.

FESTIVAL DE LA VILLITA.

Community cultural event celebrates Mexico’s independence from Spanish rule. Highlights include food, music, carnival rides and kids’ entertainment.

On Sunday, the festival is the end location of the 26th Street Parade, one of the largest celebrations of Hispanic culture in the Midwest. Carnival

rides cost extra. 6-10 p.m. Sept. 8; 2-10 p.m. Sept. 9-10. 26th Street and Kostner, Chicago. (773) 868-3010, chicagoevents.com.

WORLD WAR II DAYS.

Features re-enactments with uniformed re-enactors representing soldiers from the United States, England, France, Poland, Russia, Italy and Germany along with vintage 1940s-era military vehicles. Also, enjoy American and German tanks, uniform, equipment and weapons demonstrations, aircraft flyovers, Rockford Peaches baseball game, free concerts and music and dance lessons of the era. Donations accepted. 9:30 a.m. Sept. 9-10. Dellwood Park, Route 171 and Woods Drive, Lockport. lockportpark.org.

LAKEVIEW EAST FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS. Showcases more

than 150 juried artists. In addition to the artists’ booths, the festival features two live music tents and a beer and wine garden, a landscape garden oasis, interactive children’s area, a mosaic mural making booth, live glass blowing and more. Plus, tea with Alice and the Mad Hatter at noon, 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday for kids 12 and under. Check

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FAIR CALENDAR & FESTS

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website for schedule. Sept. 9-10.

Belmont Avenue to Roscoe Street, Chicago. lakevieweastfestivalof thearts.com.

DOWNTOWN DOWNERS GROVE FINE ARTS FESTIVAL. The

artists come from across the country.

Enjoy live entertainment and a kids’ art booth while perusing the display of a variety of mediums. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 9-10. Main Street and Burlington Avenue, Downers Grove.

(847) 926-4300, downtowndg.org.

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REVOLUTIONARY WAR REENACTMENT. Soldiers give

history lessons on camp life, military artillery and war time in the 1700s.

Hundreds of reenactors from the Northwest Territory Alliance assemble on the battlefield twice a day, firing cannons and muskets. $10 parking.

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 9; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 10. Cantigny Park, IS151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. (630) 6685161, cantigny.org.

DEER PARK ART SHOW. This juried fine art and craft show features dozens of artists, live performances, food from local restaurants and art activities for kids, including an art scavenger hunt and spin art. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 9; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept.

10. Deer Park Town Center, 20530 N. Rand Road, Deer Park. amdur productions.com/deer-park-art-show.

WEST END ART FESTIVAL. An end-

of-summer celebration of art in many forms. The weekend features an eclectic blend of artists from throughout the U.S., art activities, children’s events and musical entertainment. Check website for cost. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sept. 9; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 10. Burlington Avenue at Brainard, La Grange. lgba.com.

HOMER HARVEST DAYS.

History comes alive with demonstrations of farm activities and old-time handmade items, old-fashioned entertainment, live animal exhibits, pony rides, antique tractors, hayrides, food, children’s activities, vendors, live music and other amusements from a simpler era. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 9; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 10. 15800 W. 151st.

St., Homer Glen. (708) 301-0632, homerharvestdays.com.

OKTOBERFEST AT HOFBRÄUHAUS CHICAGO. An

annual celebration of Bavarian culture, cuisine and delicious beer. Festivities include authentic Bavarian entertainment, freshly brewed “Oktoberfestbier” inspired by the original Hofbräuhaus in Munich, daily food specials and celebrity keg tapping ceremonies.

Check website for cost and schedule.

Sept. 15-Oct. 29. Hofbräuhaus Chicago, 5500 Park Place, Rosemont. (847) 671-2739, hofbrauhauschicago.com.

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FAIR CALENDAR & FESTS AUTUMN IN THE PARK FESTIVAL. Event includes a parade

at 11 a.m. Saturday, a Chili and BBQ Rib Cook-Off, music, a sports cave plus a kids’ area with petting zoo, touch-a-truck, euro bungee and pony and hayrack rides (open noon-6 p.m Sunday.). 5-10:30 p.m. Sept. 15; 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Sept. 16. Village Green, Palos Park. palospark.org.

other interactive children’s programming. $5 donation. Check website for schedule. Sept. 16-17. Downtown Cary. (847) 639-2800, carygrove chamber.com.

PARK FOREST ART FAIR.

Features fine art, kids’ art activity, food and music. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept.

16-17. 367 Artist Walk, Park Forest.

(708) 748-3377, tallgrassarts.org.

BERWYN OKTOBERFEST.

The festival includes an international food court, live bands, carnival and amusements, family pavilion, crafters, vendors and beer garden. 6-11 p.m. Sept. 15; noon-11 p.m. Sept.

16. Windsor and Stanley avenues, Berwyn. (708) 788-8100, why berwyn.com/event/Oktoberfest.

WEST LOOP ART FEST. About 100 artists showcase and sell creative work. Plus, live art demonstrations, local food, live music and interactive features including a graffiti wall, Art Bingo and photo booth. $10. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sept. 16-17. Halsted to Aberdeen, Chicago. starevents.com/ event/west-loop-art-fair.

CARY MAIN STREET FEST.

Features local restaurants and businesses, a marketplace of vendors and artists, live entertainment and a children’s area with family stage that highlights theater, dance and

ORY

LAKEVIEW TACO FEST. The taco

gets the spotlight treatment at this fest in the heart of the Southport Corridor. In addition to tacos and music, it features beer and taco

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pairings, Mexican wrestlers, a kids’ activity area, and arts and crafts. $5.

11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sept. 16-17. 3500 N. Southport, Chicago. (773) 8683010, lakeviewtacofest.com.

HUNTLEY FALL FEST. Soar above

town in tethered hot air balloons,

plus carnival rides, car show, beer garden, food vendors, hay rides, craft show, business expo, ice cream eating contest, puppet show, live music, kids’ stage, petting zoo, pony rides, straw maze, pumpkin bowling, scarecrow building and fireworks.

Check website for cost. 5-9 p.m.

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708-633-8700 • www.kidsdds.net ChicagoParent.com September 2017 63

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FAIR CALENDAR & FESTS Sept. 21 (carnival only); 5-11 p.m.

Sept. 22; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sept. 23; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sept. 24. 12015 Mill St., Huntley. huntleyfallfest.com.

FARM HERITAGE FESTIVAL.

Features hundreds of tractors, cars, engines and other farm machinery.

Daily highlights include a tractor parade, sheep herding demonstrations, live music, scarecrow making, wagon and barrel train rides, and a petting zoo. $10, $5 kids 4-17 and seniors 55+, free kids 3 and under.

Check website for schedule. Sept.

22-24. Route 176, west of Fairfield Road, Wauconda. (847) 968-3400, lcfpd.org/farmheritage.

including apple-themed games like the apple pie-eating contest. $5, free kids 12 and under 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Sept. 22; 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Sept. 23; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 24. Old McHenry Road and Robert Parker Coffin Road, Long Grove. (847) 634-0888, long grove.org.

NAPERVILLE INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL. Features open-

ing and closing galas, screenings, workshops and demonstrations, and an awards ceremony. Check website for cost and schedule. Sept. 23-30.

Various locations, Naperville. naper filmfest.org.

Lo ong ng Grro ov ve e App Ap plle Fe est st Seee th See t is is pagge

RANDOLPH STREET MARKET. LONG GROVE APPLE FEST. Enjoy

the beautiful fall outdoor ambiance and free live music throughout the historic village. Get your apple fix on treats like brown bag apple pies, apple cider doughnuts, hot apple cider, caramel apple lattes and more. Plus, participate in free family activities,

Features art, antiques, vintage, handmade, food, drinks, live music and a kids’ area in Plumbers Hall. Every kid gets a treasure map to navigate the market. $8, free kids under 12.

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 23-24. Randolph Street Market, 1350 W. Randolph St., Chicago. randolphstreetmarket.com

WORLD WAR II DAYS. Includes realistic battles complete with tanks, artillery, armored vehicles and pyrotechnic displays. Battle shows held 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday. There are also displays and encampments. $14, $8 kids. 10

a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 23; 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Sept. 24. Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford. (815) 397-9112, midwayvillage.com.

HIGHWOOD STARVING ARTISTS FESTIVAL. Art festival

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FAIR CALENDAR & FESTS also features live music, food and kids’ art activities. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Sept. 23-24. Sheridan and Highwood Avenue, Highwood. (847) 926-4300, highwoodstarvingartistsfestival.com.

vendors; and activities for kids. $5 donation. 1 p.m.-midnight Sept. 23; 1-7 p.m. Sept. 24. 59th Street, Chicago.

(773) 324-8614, hydeparkjazzfestival. org.

EDGEWATER ARTS FESTIVAL.

OKTOBERFEST CHICAGO AT ST. ALPHONSUS. Features food,

Features more than 100 exhibiting artists, three stages of eclectic live music, and food from local restaurants. Kid-friendly activities include the Children’s Activity Corner for kids 1-12: face painting, finger painting, sidewalk chalk drawing, interactive puppet shows, and arts and crafts. The Children’s Music Talent Showcase features performances by local elementary school age children.

Plus, a “Doggie District” pet show. $5 suggested donation. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 23-24. Granville Avenue, between Broadway and Kenmore, Chicago. edgewaterartists.com/ edgewater-fall-art-fair.

HYDE PARK JAZZ FESTIVAL.

Features the finest in local jazz and

ORY

music and entertainment on three stages, arts crafts, and KinderFest with face paintings, storytelling, inflatables, dance parties and art activities on Saturday and Sunday. $5; free Sunday. 5-10 p.m. Sept. 29; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sept. 30; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 1. Southport and Lincoln avenues, Chicago. (773) 868-3010, chicagoevents.com.

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national and international jazz artists; diverse performance venues; outdoor

dance floor; food and beverage vendors and picnic areas; artisan

pies to pizzas, and apple-themed games for kids in the Kids Zone. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 30-Oct. 1. 4700 block of North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago. lincolnsquareravenswood. org.

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Not your average

fall fests

T

he calendar might say that summer is officially over, but here in Chicago, festival season continues in earnest, even after the leaves have started to turn. It’s not all apple this and pumpkin that when it comes to Chicago’s fall festival scene. These five fests are designed for adventurers of all varieties.

IF YOU MISS THE DAYS OF BON JOVI: They’re not old; they’re

classic. At least that’s what you’ll tell yourself while you’re getting down at the Throwback Music Festival. The event highlights the retro music you know and love, plus a kids’ area that will keep your littles busy—when you aren’t indoctrinating them about why Backstreet Boys are so much better than NSYNC. $5. 4-10 p.m. Sept. 8; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sept. 9-10.

6030 N. Milwaukee Ave. (at Peterson), Chicago. throwbackmusicfest.com.

IF YOU’RE A FERRIS BUELLER WANNABE: It’s been more than 30 years

since Ferris twisted-and-shouted his way through an imaginary sick day in the movie that bears his name. But tap into your inner Ferris at the Von Steuben Parade, which features floats, ethnic

Chicago Parent is having a new baby, too!

fall edition of this craft-ravanganza features a kids’ area with artsy workshops and a children’s book illustrator on hand. Free. 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Sept. 9-10. Division Street between Damen and Ashland, Chicago. renegadecraft.com/ fairs/chicago

IF YOU HAVE ETSY BOOKMARKED: The

DIY force is strong in this one! Makers of all shapes, sizes—and ages—descend on the Renegade Craft Fair, a weekend of creativity that is pretty hard to resist. The costumes and maybe even a polka band or two. Want even more Teutonic fun?

German-American Fest lasts all weekend long. Free. 2 p.m. Sept. 9. Lincoln Avenue between Irving Park Road and Lawrence Avenue, Chicago. germanday.com.

IF YOU’RE READY TO WEAR SOME FLANNEL: Autumn obsessives are in

heaven this time of year, thanks to PSLs at the Starbucks drive-through and crispy fruit just waiting to be plucked from the apple trees. Homewood’s annual Fall Fest celebrates the best that the season has to offer, from horse-drawn wagon rides to a suburban pumpkin patch. Plus, taste some yummy fall flavors, courtesy of local restaurants. Free. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Hey Baby, (in conjunction with Bump Club and Beyond) is an essential guide for expectant and new parents.

Sept. 16. Martin Avenue from Hickory to Ridge Road, Homewood. homesweethomewood.com.

IF YOU HAVE THE TRAVELING BUG: You can enjoy the sights, sounds and flavors of Europe without having to take another unflattering passport photo (no smiles, please). The Passport Europe Cultural Festival takes visitors across the pond with the help of authentic music, dance and cuisine, all set on the backdrop of a gorgeous, authentically American landscape. Better yet: no jetlag! Free with arboretum admission. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Sept. 23-24. The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. mortonarb.org.

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ONGOING EVENTS EXHIBITS HELLO FROM JAPAN! Through

Sept. 3. Explore an immersive, childsized Tokyo streetscape and Shinto park. Visitors learn how time-honored Japanese traditions co-exist with the contemporary culture of kawaiiinspired graphics and products. Free with museum admission. Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford. (815) 963-6769, discovery centermuseum.org.

BUTTERFLIES & BLOOMS.

Through Sept. 4. Outdoor butterfly garden where visitors can immerse themselves with hundreds of live tropical butterfly species from around the world. A field guide is available to help identify species in the exhibition.

Visitors can also observe butterflies hatching through a window into the pupa emergence room. $6, $5 seniors, $4 kids 3-12. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., weather permitting. Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe. (847) 835-5440, chicago botanic.org.

BRICK BY BRICK. Through Sept.

4. Features more than a dozen giant Lego-built structures of engineering marvels, including a 60-foot-long Golden Gate Bridge. Requires a separate, timed-entry ticket. Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. (773) 6841414, msichicago.org.

FORTS. Through Sept. 17. Visitors

imagine, construct and play within their own special places as everyday materials take on new shapes and purposes. Forts inspire both constructive planning and imaginative play. Free with museum admission.

Chicago Children’s Museum, 700 E. Grand Ave. at Navy Pier, Chicago.

(312) 527-1000, chicagochildrens museum.org.

DINOS & DRAGONS. Through Sept.

17. Along the winding outdoor path, guests can see giant animatronic dinos. Inside a tented area, get upclose views of live reptiles, including a 6-foot-long Komodo dragon. The exhibit also has hands-on activities, as well as a dinosaur dissection lab, dino

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dig boxes and an excavation site. $5, $3 kids 3-11. Brookfield Zoo, 8400 31st St., Brookfield. (708) 688-8000, czs.org.

CHASING ECLIPSES. Exhibit immerses visitors in the experience of a solar eclipse. Find inspiration in eclipse chasers from history and discover the cosmic scale of being in the shadow of the Moon. Free with museum admission. Adler Planetarium, 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. (312) 922-7827, adlerplanetarium.org.

EXTREME ICE. Through stunning

photographic documentation and time-lapse videography of glaciers, guests experience a visual representation of climate change. Plus, touch a real 7-foot-tall ice wall. Free with museum admission. Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. (773) 6841414, msichicago.org.

ROBOT REVOLUTION. Guests

interact with robots that have rarely been shown to the public. New robots include a life-sized humanoid robot, the Cube Solver, who dazzles guests with its lightning-fast ability to solve

a Rubik’s cube, a hexapod robot with snakelike and Adept Lynx, a self-navigating industrial robot used in shipping factories. $12, $9 kids.

Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago.

(773) 684-1414, msichicago.org.

TURN BACK THE CLOCK. Exhibit explores the urgency of nuclear weapons and climate change with one of the most provocative symbols of the 20th century, the Doomsday Clock.

Guests interact with a digital representation of the Clock through time, learn how the atomic age extended into pop culture and walk through a visual, historic timeline of the nuclear age. Free with museum admission.

Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago.

(773) 684-1414, msichicago.org.

COMMUNITY ROOTS: AGRICULTURE IN NAPERVILLE.

Visitors see the progression of land use, learn how early settlers chose livestock, how the community supported agriculture and the impact technology had on farming and the changing landscape. The Gregory family is among many Naperville farm families represented in the

exhibition. On view is Larry Gregory’s 4-H electricity projects from 1947 and 1948, where he laid out future plans for wiring farm houses after World War II. Free with museum admission.

Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville. (630) 420-6010, napersettlement.org.

OUR HOUSE: RETHINKING HOME IN A CHANGING CLIMATE.

Families can build, play and discover how scientists are rethinking home to face the challenges of climate change. Packed with fun, interactive experiences, the exhibit takes visitors through four climate change challenges and showcases creative solutions that reduce our environmental impact and support natural habitats for plants and animals. Free with museum admission. Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago. (773) 755-5100, naturemuseum.org.

JURASSIC WORLD: THE EXHIBITION. Guests walk through

the famous Jurassic World gates to get up close to the towering dinosaurs, some more than 24 feet tall. Once on-site, visitors experience the family-friendly Gentle Giants

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ONGOING EVENTS

The Ultimate Guide to Family Fun!

Petting Zoo; step behind the glass into The Hammond Creation Lab; get a special preview of Jurassic World’s top-secret project, the Indominus rex; and go inside the Raptor Training Paddock. $15, $10 kids (daytime); $25, $20 kids (evening). 9 a.m.-9 p.m. daily. The Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. (312) 922-9410, fieldmuseum.org.

SPECIMENS: UNLOCKING THE SECRETS OF LIFE. Visitors can see

some of the most amazing objects in The Field’s collections, including a giant clamshell, a nearly 6-foot-long sawfish snout, and a drawer full of now-extinct butterflies. Plus, sort seashells into different species and walk into a reconstructed map-lined office of a long-time museum curator.

Included in Discovery and All-Access passes. The Field Museum, 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. (312) 922-9410, fieldmuseum.org.

$5 add-on. John G. Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago.

(312) 939-2438, sheddaquarium.org.

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES.

The exhibit focuses on outdoor activities that occur during different seasons, like sledding and skating in the winter and baseball and tennis in the summer. Plus, facts and short histories for all ages. DuPage County Historical Museum, 102 E. Wesley St., Wheaton. (630) 510-4941, dupage museum.org.

WASHED ASHORE: ART TO SAVE THE SEA. A traveling exhibit featur-

ing massive, colorful sculptures of familiar ocean animals including reef fishes, sharks, octopus, penguins, sea lions and more made entirely of plastic marine debris removed from West Coast beaches. Free with museum admission. John G. Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago.

(312) 939-2438, sheddaquarium.org.

ORIGAMI IN THE GARDEN.

Visitors can see 25 displays of metal sculptures based on the traditional Japanese art of paper folding as they walk paths through the arboretum’s landscape. Created by artists Kevin and Jennifer Box, the exhibit features installations, gallery works, and the Boxes’ own compositions, as well as collaborative works with some of the world’s top origami artists. Free with arboretum admission. 7 a.m.sunset daily. The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. (630) 968-0074, mortonarb.org.

Going Places FREE | SUMMER 2017

Lake escapes 352

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Fall edition coming soon!

MODEL RAILROAD GARDEN: LANDMARKS OF AMERICA. The

Model Railroad Garden delights visitors with the sights and sounds of garden-scale trains traversing bridges and trestles, past miniature scenes of America’s best-loved landmarks and beautiful gardens planted to scale. $6, $5 seniors, $4 kids 3-12, free kids under 3. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Wednesdays. Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe. (847) 835-5440, chicagobotanic.org.

5/4/17 10:37 AM

For more information, call (708) 386 5555 or visit ChicagoParent.com

STINGRAY TOUCH. Shedd staff

members guide guests through the 15-minute outdoor touch experience.

BUILD IT! Opens Sept. 27. Exhibit puts an innovative spin on classic building blocks by letting children explore and interact with 10 varieties of blocks. In Shadow Boxing, kids can build structures and cast shadows using directional lights, while in Build It, Test It, Shake It kids can build and test the strength of their structures by using weights to see if they can withstand a downward force. Free with museum admission.

Kohl Children’s Museum, 2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview. (847) 832-6600, kcmgc.org.

OTHER EVENTS BRISTOL RENAISSANCE FAIRE.

Through Sept. 4. More than 1,200 performers, artisans and merchants take visitors on a trip through Elizabethan England with games, rides, arts, crafts, food, music and special entertainment. Kids Kingdom is an enclosed play area filled with oversized sand boxes, a climb-aboard pirate ship, interactive games, crafts and other child-friendly diversions. $24.95, $11.50 kids, free kids 4 and under. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. weekends. West of I-94, exit Russell Road and follow the signs, near the Illinois-Wisconsin

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ONGOING EVENTS Mondays. The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. (630) 968-0074, mortonarb.org.

border, Kenosha, Wis. (847) 3957773, renfair.com/bristol.

CHICAGO SUMMERDANCE.

Through Sept. 10. One-hour dance lessons by professional instructors and two hours of live music and dancing are presented as a part of the largest annual outdoor dancing series in the U.S. 6-7 p.m. dance lessons, 7:30-9:30 p.m. live music and dancing Fridays-Saturdays; 4-5 p.m. dance lessons, 5-7 p.m. live music and dancing Sundays. Spirit of Music Garden in Grant Park, 601 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. (312) 742-4007, chicago summerdance.org.

FIREZONE DROP IN. Kids can

explore a fire truck, ambulance, rescue boat, slide down from the fire pole, and play in the new fire truck playland. $10 kids 1-9. Noon-3 p.m.

Fridays (through Sept. 22); 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 11 and 18. FireZone, 1100 National Parkway, Schaumburg.

(877) 597-3473, firezonefun.com.

ACORN EXPRESS ADVENTURES.

Families with kids 2 and up take an open-air tram ride adventure through the arboretum. Plus, make a craft and explore new topics each week. $5, $4 member, plus admission. 11-11:45 a.m. Wednesdays and Fridays. The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. (630) 968-0074, mortonarb.org.

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FAMILY DROP-IN ACTIVITIES. Learn about how plants SATURDAY FAMILY FUN. Through Sept. 30. Enjoy a covered pony ring, the Children’s Farm Animal Barn and horseback trail rides for riders 8 and up. Or relax on a scenic hay ride through the meadows and woods. $3 pony and wagon rides; $30, $25 resident trail rides. Noon-4 p.m.

Saturdays. Lockwood Park Trailside Equestrian Centre & Children’s Farm,

5201 Safford Road, Rockford. (815) 987-8809, rockfordparkdistrict.org/ lockwood.

TREE POSE YOGA. Kids 4-6, with

adult, learn about the environment while stretching, moving and breathing like the creatures around them with a certified YogaKids instructor. $17, $10 members. 9:30-10:30 a.m.

grow and the animals you might find at the garden. Pollinate flowers, compost with worms, build a lifesized bird nest, explore underwater life and more. Activities vary from week to week. Parking fee applies.

11 a.m.-4 p.m. weekends. Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe. (847) 835-5440, chicagobotanic.org.

ITS TY R A P E! TIM Party Packages Include:

Movie  Kids’ Pack  Party Room

Visit www.classiccinemas.com click “Parties & Group Shows” www.classiccinemas.com

plan your party around these coming movies!

8-25: Leap! 9-22: The LEGO Ninjago Movie 10-6: My Little Pony: The Movie 11-22: Coco ChicagoParent.com September 2017 69

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PERFORMANCES

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CIRQUE DU SOLEIL PRESENTS LUZIA - A WAKING DREAM OF MEXICO. Through Sept. 3. Through

a series of grand visual surprises and breathtaking acrobatic performances, LUZIA takes audiences on a surrealistic journey filled with wonders, playfulness and striking artistry. Rich in awe-inspiring moments, LUZIA incorporates rain into acrobatic and artistic scenes—a first for a Cirque du Soleil touring production. $35 and up. Check website for schedule.

United Center, 1901 W. Madison St., Chicago. cirquedusoleil.com.

DISNEY’S ALADDIN. Through Sept.

10. It’s an extraordinary theatrical event where one lamp and three wishes make the possibilities infinite. $35 and up. Check website for schedule. Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago. (312) 977-1700, broadwayinchicago.com.

A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD.

Opens Sept. 19. Children’s author and illustrator Arnold Lobel’s beloved characters hop from the page to the stage in this Tony-nominated musical based on his popular children’s book

that follows two best friends—the cheerful, popular Frog and the rather grumpy Toad—through four fun-filled seasons. $33. 10 a.m. TuesdaysFridays; 10:30 a.m., 12:30 and 3 p.m.

Saturdays; 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Sundays. Chicago Children’s Theatre, The Station, 100 S. Racine St., Chicago. (872) 222-9555, chicago childrenstheatre.org.

HUBBARD STREET DANCE CHICAGO FALL SERIES. Features

an immersive and interactive dance installation choreographed by Peter Chu, “So You Think You Can Dance” guest choreographer and artistic director of chuthis, covering all spaces of the Harris Theater.

Recommended for families with kids 8 and up. $65. 7:30 p.m. Sept.

21; 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Sept. 22-23; 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sept. 24. Harris Theater for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive in Millennium Park, Chicago. (312) 334-7777, harris theaterchicago.org.

THEATRE-HIKES. Experience

about three hours. 1 p.m. weekends.

The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle. (630) 968-0074, mortonarb.org.

families with kids 5 and under. $16.

Emerald City’s Little Theatre, 2933 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. (773) 9356100, emeraldcitytheatre.com.

MOTHER GOOSE’S GARDEN.

HOGWASH: AN IMPROVISED TALL TALE. An improvised

Join Jack and Jill as they search for Mother Goose and help out a gaggle of favorite characters along the way.

Sing along to live music with Little Boy Blue, Miss Muffett and others as you experience the fun in teamwork through hand-puppetry and interactive play. Recommended for

children’s show full of music, art, laughs and audience participation.

Recommended for families with kids 3-12. $10 kids, free adults. 10:30 a.m.

Saturdays. Bughouse Theater, 1910 W. Irving Park, Chicago. hogwash kids.com.

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“The Complete History of America (abridged).” Each performance lasts

70 September 2017 ChicagoParent.com

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High energy comedy magic show & balloon twisting!

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Themes to choose from: • Disney Princess • Scooby Doo • TMNT • Sports • Strawberry Shortcake • Plain • World of Disney 5 in 1 Combo • 30’ Dual Lane Obstacle • Water Slides • Slip ‘n’ Slides

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WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS

Fun on the fringe

Y

ou might think your family is a bit too straight-laced for a fringe fest, but that’s because you’ve never been to the Chicago you’v Fringe Festival. This performing Fring arts showcase celebrates the wildest and wackiest of Chicago’s wild experimental theater scene, and expe makes sure to include your littles make the out-of-the-box fun. in th Kids Fringe is designed for minis Kid ages 5-12, with shows made just ffor them, on stage at Jefferson Playhouse. Kids can expect P the dance stylings of Tiffany Lawson Dance, silly antics

from Barrel of Monkeys and storytelling by Stephanie Chavara. Plus, Hit the Lights! Theater Co. brings its shadow-puppet inspired show all the way from New York City for some Windy City-style fun.

When you aren’t being awed by the kid-friendly performances, enjoy free activities and workshops, such as improv and movement classes, mask- and instrument-making programs, castle-building, bubbles, stories, games and all the other things kids love.

And while the typical Fringe Festival offerings are uncensored, you can rest easy knowing your

Kids Fringe Sept. 3-10 chicagofringe.org/ festival/kidsfringe

kiddos won’t be hearing naughty words or seeing anything racy.

They’ll just be enjoying some not-so-typical performances and broadening their worldview.

For once, we think you’re going to like being on the fringe—as Kids Fringe demonstrates, it’s a pretty good place to be.

Elizabeth Diffin

72 September 2017 Chicago ChicagoParent.com

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