June 7: Focus on Family - Biking With Kids in ChicagoBiking With Kids in ChicagoAs the weather turns warmer, parents begin looking for outdoor activities to share with their children. Biking is a popular activity that can be enjoyed (often for free) in many different ways and places throughout Chicagoland, and today Jean Lemke and Nina Taluc, co-founders of kidwinks.com, are here to share some of them with us. All of these bike activities and more may be found in their online
Guide to Biking With Kids in Chicago which is published on their free website, www.kidwinks.com.
For many more ideas on year-round and seasonal kid-friendly events and activities, restaurants where kids eat free, birthday party places, summer camps and more, visit www.kidwinks.com, their terrific website that gathers the best of Chicago area family fun into one easily searchable site.
Busse Woods Bike Trail (Cook County Forest Preserves)There are many bike trails in Chicago and the suburbs, and you can find them easily in kidwinks' Guide to Biking With Kids in Chicago.
The trail we are highlighting today is the Busse Woods Bike Trail, part of the Cook County Forest Preserves. This trail is particularly well-suited to families. The trail winds through forest, past a lake, and even past Elk Grove Village's resident elk herd. The terrain is mostly flat so it is easier for small children to navigate. The trail is also shorter in distance, so it is not a particular favorite of die-hard bike enthusiasts who often travel at high rates of speed and may pose a bit of a safety concern for younger riders just learning the rules of the road.Where: Schaumburg / Elk Grove Village When: Open daily Cost: Free Ages: All ages
Safety Town Open Road Times (Elmhurst)Looking for an opportunity to teach your child safe biking skills in a fun environment? Safety Town Elmhurst is a miniature representation of the Elmhurst community, and is designed to teach children the importance of safety. Safety Town includes miniature buildings, street signs and lights, sidewalks, railroad crossing, and a distinctive residential and downtown area. On Thursdays from June 9-August 11, children ages 4-7 with tricycles and helmets can ride through Safety Town Village free of charge. Qualified Safety Town staff is on hand to help children walk, bike, and practice being "safety smart." All ages are welcome, but no two-wheeled bikes (with or without training wheels), roller blades, roller shoes or skateboards are allowed. There is a $5 fee if you would like to rent a bike and/or helmet. Bicycling safety classes are also offered throughout the year for kids 6-10 years old. For more safety towns in the Chicago area, visit kidwinks' Guide to Biking With Kids in Chicago.
Where: 511 S. York, Elmhurst When: Thursdays 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. June 9 – August 11 weather permitting. Cost: Free; three-wheel bikes and/or helmets are available for rental for $5. Ages: 4 – 7 years
Kidical MassKidical Mass is a takeoff of the term, Critical Mass -- the monthly bicycle ride that happens here in Chicago and around the world. Whereas Critical Mass is a ride for everyone, Kidical Mass is a ride for kids! The rides are chaperoned by parents and generally stick to residential streets. Rides depart regardless of weather: rain, snow, or shine! Where: Palmer Square, 3064 W Palmer Blvd, Chicago When: The second Saturday of every month; gather at 10:30AM for 11:00AM departure. Cost: Free Ages: All ages – babies and younger children may ride in trailers or bike carriers with their parents.
Plainfield Bike ParkThe Plainfield Bike Park is a free to the public, two acre bicycle skills park which includes dirt jumps, a pump track, and a skills section. The park was designed with progression and safety to allow boys, girls, young children and adults to learn bicycle handling skills in the safest environment. There are different areas designated for different skill levels, from beginner to expert. This is an extreme sports facility and is a high risk area. The park is ride at your own risk, and an appropriate bike, helmet and safety gear is strongly recommended.Where: Approximately one mile south of the Rt. 30 and I-55 interchange in Plainfield, IL. When: Open daily Cost: Free Ages: Anyone who can ride a two-wheel bike
ABOUT KIDWINKS.COM Kidwinks.com is a boutique website that caters to today's generation of parents who are time-crunched, socially conscious and internet reliant. Kidwinks provides one-stop access to information about kid-friendly events, activities, restaurants, shops and services in the Chicago area. There is no charge to use kidwinks and membership is also free. Members enjoy additional benefits including the ability to enter contests for great prizes, email reminders and the ability to sort search results by distance from their home. Developed by two Park Ridge, IL moms, kidwinks has grown to thousands of members. For more information, please visit
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