Tip of the Week: Free Kiddie Events

Plan a weekly outing for you and your little one to one of these FREE events this summer!

1.) Your local library hosts story times for children of all ages. Programs include Lapsit Story Times (0-18 months), Toddler Story Times (18-35 months) and Preschool Story Times (3-5 years). Visit the Chicago Public Library website here to search by "Program Name" and "Zip Code" to find days and times for the events at your local library!

2.) The Lincoln Park Zoo offers Story Time each Monday and Wednesday from 9:15-9:45am and again at 10-10:30am at the Farm-in-the-Zoo.

3.) Join Bubbles Academy at the Lincoln Park Whole Foods Market for fun songs and stories from 10-10:30am on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Tip of the Week: Retro on Roscoe

As the summer winds down and we prepare our children for the new school year, the city celebrates with lots of wonderful family-friendly events. A personal favorite is Retro on Roscoe, guaranteed to make your entire family smile!

Retro on Roscoe will take place Saturday, Aug. 1-Sunday, Aug. 2, noon-10 p.m. The two fun-filled days will include great family activities and entertainment. Check out these children's performers taking the main stage this weekend.

Kids Music Lineup
Saturday
Noon -- Radio Disney
1 p.m. -- Mary Macaroni
2 p.m. -- Ralph's World

Sunday
Noon -- Patchouli
1 p.m. -- Scribble Monster
2 p.m. -- Justin Roberts

Tip of the Week: Sunny Day Fun!

In Chicago, summer is one of the best times to find some family fun. In
addition to beautiful views and our fabulous lakefront beaches, we have lots
of wonderful, family-friendly festivals all summer long. Two that you should
check out this weekend are the Great Performers of Illinois and Kid Fest.

Great Performers of Illinois takes place at Millennium Park and runs from
Friday, July 10, to Monday, July 13. Highlights include an array of musical
performances on multiple stages. Families can enjoy other free programs,
including:

- Kid-friendly activities such as square dancing, storytelling and circus
arts.
- A huge urban corn maze, made of 6,000 stalks of corn.
- Large Illinois-inspired sidewalk chalk drawings.
- Moving performers, including Abe and Mary Todd Lincoln.
- Hands-on activities and exhibits for children, presented by the Abraham
Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
- Park tours with Millennium Park greeters.

For more information, go to www.greatperformersofillinois.com.

Also this weekend is Kid Fest at Commercial Park, at Wolcott and Rice
streets. Proceeds will go to improvements for Superior, Honore and Snowberry
playgrounds. Activities include face-painting, bounce houses, cookie
decorating, pony rides, a petting zoo, crafts, a climbing wall and stage
performances. Kid Fest is part of West Fest, which runs July 11-12. For more
information, visit www.westfestchicago.com.

Tip of the Week: Splish Splash!

It's finally warm enough to enjoy the first days of summer! Don't worry --
even though the nice weather got a late start this year, there's  still
plenty of time to spend days at the pool. In addition to Chicago's terrific
parks, there are also quite a few public pools. Perhaps the nicest one is at
Holstein Park, because of its baby pool. You and your tot can soak in a
little sun, and you can introduce him or her to the water.

Below is the schedule, address and phone number for Holstein Park. You can
also go to www.chicagoparkdistrict.com for more information and to find out
about other local public pools. Don't forget your sunscreen!

Holstein Park and Pool
2200 N. Oakley Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647-3236
312-742-7554

Family Swim
Monday-Friday, 9-10:45 a.m. and 4-5 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 3:30-4:45 p.m.

Additional Family Swim Times
Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 5-5:45 p.m.

Open Swim
Monday-Friday 1-3:45 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 12:30-3:15 p.m.

Tip of the Week: Kids' Restaurant Week!

Cookie and Gourmet magazines are hosting Kids' Restaurant Week 2009 and
invite you to join them for a week-long promotion June 20-28. Enjoy an
inexpensive -- but very nice! -- dinner with your children while
contributing to local charities. Participating restaurants are listed
below.

Reservations can be made through www.opentable.com or by calling the
restaurant directly. For more, visit www.kidsrestaurantweek.com/chicago.asp.

Prix fixe menus: Adults pay $29; Kids 11 and under pay their age
Early dinner seating 5-7 p.m.
A portion of proceeds will benefit local charities.

312 Chicago, 136 N. La Salle Street at Randolph 312-696-2420
Aigre Doux Restaurant and Bakery, 230 W. Kinzie Street  312-329-9400
Big Jones,  5347 N. Clark Street  773-275-5725
Bistro 110, 110 East Pearson Street  312-266-3110
Cafe Spiaggia, 980 North Michigan Avenue, 2nd Floor  312-280-2750
Coco Pazzo Café, 300 W. Hubbard Street #1  312-836-0900
David Burke's Primehouse, 616 N Rush St  312-660-6000
Di Pescara, 2124 Northbrook Court  847-498-4321
Duchamp, 2118 N. Damen Avenue  773-235-6434
Eve, 840 N. Wabash Avenue  312-266-3383
Fulton's on the River, 315 N. LaSalle Street 312-822-0100
Landmark, 1633 N. Halsted Street 312-587-1600
Markethouse, 611 North Fairbanks Ct. 312-224-2200
One Sixty Blue, 1400 W Randolph Street  312-850-0303
Osteria Via Stato, 620 N. State Street  312-642-8450
Prosecco, 710 North Wells Street  312-951-9500
Reel Club, 272 Oakbrook Center  630-368-9400
Scoozi!, 410 W Huron St  312-943-5900
Socca, 3301 N Clark St 773-248-1155
Uncommon Ground, 3800 N. Clark St 773-929-3680
Vie, 4471 Lawn Avenue  708-246-2082

Tip of the Week: Under the Sea!

In honor of its wonderful new exhibits and the redesigned Oceanarium, Shedd
Aquarium is offering free general admission June 14-19. Packages including
Wild Reef are available at a discounted rate.

Little ones will enjoy exploring and using their imaginations in the new
Polar Play Zone as they dress up as penguins or ride in a child-size
submarine. From there, they can visit the new beluga exhibit and head over
to the tide pools to touch beautiful starfish.

If you can't make it this week, don't worry -- other Community Discount Days
are scheduled for fall:

*Sept. 21, 22, 28 and 29
Oct. 4-9, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27
Nov. 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24 and 30*

For more information, check out the Shedd Aquarium Web site at
www.sheddaquarium.org/discounts.html

Tip of the Week: Hand-me-downs!

When the going gets tough, the moms get going! You can clean out your closet
-- and make a little money, too -- by posting items on handmedowns.com.
Children's clothing, maternity wear, bedding, cribs, strollers and toys are
just some of the items that can be bought, sold, given away or donated to a
charity on these classified ads just for mommies!

After cleaning out the closet, you might need a break -- so check out
handmedowns.com's list of available caregivers! Enjoy!

Tip of the Week: Art for All Ages!

Planning to take your budding Picasso to the Museum of Contemporary Art?
Then check out Target Family Days on the second Saturday of the month, 11
a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free for families with children under age 12,
and it includes art activities and tours. Upcoming dates are Feb. 14, March
15, April 11 and May 9. For more information, visit mcachicago.org

Tip of the Week: Tots on Tuesdays!

 While I always look forward to the start of the New Year, I dread the
 doldrums of January and I am always fearful of the time we will have to
 spend indoors. I am always on the lookout for fun things to do with my
 daughter to prevent either one of us from climbing the walls, and I
 remembered Tots on Tuesdays at the Shedd Aquarium. Every Tuesday, Shedd
 offers a full day of activities created especially for preschoolers. "Tots
 on Tuesdays" includes story times, crafts, animal touch programs, videos,
 costumed characters, dancing and singing. Activities are theme-based and
 they change the theme every eight weeks, providing new experiences
 throughout the year. "Tots on Tuesdays" programs are designed for children
 ages 3 through 5, but younger and older children enjoy them, too. This is
 free with admission price. Find more information about these activities on
 their website www.sheddaquarium.org.

 Also, don't forget that you can use your Chicago Public Library card to
 checkout Museum passes to gain free admission into area Museums including
 The Shedd Aquarium! www.chipublib.org

Tip of the Week: Some Winter Fun!

Hello Triple B Members,

Are you at your wit's end? Wondering why you live in this terrible climate? Are you stuck indoors with your children pulling on you, telling you for the fifteenth time that there is "nothing to do" and they are bored?

Well then, I highly recommend taking advantage of Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier which runs from December 5th until January 4th. Not only will it get you and the children out of the house, but you will truly enjoy yourselves. There is something for every age including train rides, ice skating, a visit with Santa, cookie making, arts and crafts, and too many moon jumps to count (one for every age)! It is beautifully done, and the entire family will enjoy! The best part is that it is a lovely winter wonderful, except for the fact that it's warm! Don't forget to take your camera, I am sure it will become a family tradition!

Enjoy!

More information below:

Bank of America Winter WonderFest at Navy Pier
December 5, 2008 - January 4, 2009

Free Admission*

The most magical event of the season, Winter WonderFest, returns to Navy Pier's Festival Hall. Now in its eighth year, this favorite Chicago holiday tradition will once again delight visitors both young and old with a breathtaking winter wonderland of hundreds of trees, family attractions, thousands of lights, and non-stop holiday entertainment.

Hours:

Dec. 5-6: 10a - 10p
Dec. 7-11: 10a - 5p
Dec. 12-13: 10a - 10p
Dec. 14-18: 10a - 5p
Dec. 19-20: 10a - 10p
Dec. 21-23: 10a - 8p
Dec. 24: 10a - 5p
Dec. 25: Closed
Dec. 26-27: 10a - 10p
Dec. 28-31: 10a - 8p
Jan. 1: 10a - 10p
Jan. 2-3: 10a - 10p
Jan. 4: 10a - 8p

*Activity wristband prices vary. For more information, visit the Navy Pier Winter WonderFest website.