Family Fun things to do in Chicago and Suburbs

What a wonderful Thanksgiving! My twin sister arrived from Abu Dhabi just before dinner was served, and will be here to celebrate our birthday today - the first time in over 15 years we've been together on our birthday. Life is good! I hope you all had a great turkey day and weekend too.
Holiday events are in full swing, and many of those listed below (especially the weekend events) occur on multiple days, so make sure you click through to the Events Calendar if you're looking for something on a particular day - there's always much more going on than can be listed here. Another good idea is to click through the Ongoing Activities Section to find museums, nature centers, indoor play areas, bowling alleys and much more.
Tired of turkey and too busy to cook? Take the kids out to eat - but check our Kids Eat Free Calendar first, so you know where the deals are. Remember, members can sort all search results, including calendar results, by distance from their homes!

Love the holidays but hate the stress? Get one thing off your to-do-list and let the experts install your outdoor Christmas lighting! Light Up Your Holidays is a local woman-owned business that designs, installs, removes and stores holiday lights. Click through to her gallery of decorated homes to get ideas for your own house and call for your complimentary design consultation 773-398-7551. Get 23% off when you call by Dec. 4th.

Monday, November 30
Garfield Park Conservatory Holiday Traditions Flower Show Chicago, IL
Vernon Hills Winter Wonderland Holiday Lights Show Vernon Hills, IL
Festival of Lights Cosley Zoo Wheaton, IL
More Monday Kids Events and ActivitiesChicago and Suburbs, IL

Tuesday, December 1
Country Christmas & Dessert with Santa - The Grove Glenview, IL
Birthday Celebration and Toys for Tots Jump Schaumburg, IL
Free Admission 2009 - Adler Planetarium Chicago, IL
More Kids Events and Activities on Tuesday
Chicago and Suburbs, IL


Wednesday, December 2

Drop in Movie - Tinkerbell and the Lost Treasure Glenview, IL
Chicago Botanic Garden Wonderland Express Glencoe, IL
Make a Gingerbread House at American Girl Place Chicago, IL
More Kids Events and Activities on Wednesday Chicago and Suburbs, IL

Thursday, December 3
Clark Street SSA Holiday Tree Lighting Chicago, IL
Gingerbread House Decorating at McCormick Museum Wheaton, IL
Holiday Wreath Family Craft Prospect Heights Public Library Prospect Heights, IL
More Kids Events and Activities on Thursday Chicago and Suburbs, IL

Friday, December 4
A Festive Christmas Night Park Ridge, IL
Caroling and Bonfires - Westmont Park District Westmont, IL
Santa Arrives at Navy Pier Chicago, IL
Winter Celebration Deerfield, IL
Holiday Lights in Homewood Festival Homewood, IL
More Things To Do With Kids on FridayChicago and Suburbs, IL
There’s lots more to do – click through!

Saturday, December 5
Breakfast with Santa - Brookfield Zoo Brookfield, IL

Gingerbread Jubilee - Wagner Farm Glenview, IL
An Old Fashion Holiday Walk Wauconda, IL

And Time Runs On Chicago, IL
Candy Cane Hunt - Naperville Park District Naperville, IL
Polar Express - Blackberry Farm Aurora, IL
Happy Holiday Railway at Illinois Railway Museum Union, IL
More Fun Things To Do With Kids on Saturday
Chicago and Suburbs, IL
Oops! Click through and sort in reverse alpha order to get the entire list. For some reason, our site is only displaying events up to the letter “N” on this day!! Our web developers are on it, and this should be fixed soon.

Sunday, December 6
Free Admission to Chicago Children's Museum Chicago, IL
Christmas in the Valley - Schaumburg Park District Schaumburg, IL
Christmas Breakfast with Santa - Chicago Botanic Garden Glencoe, IL
Family Fun Sunday Hanukkah Arts Workshop Chicago, IL
Lake Wonderland Winter Festival Des Plaines, IL
More Fun for Kids on Sunday Chicago and Suburbs, IL

Save!

Merry Music Makers
TechStuff
Park Ridge Speed Skating Club
A Sterling DesignMemories Wow!
Pump It Up Chicago


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Family Fun and things to do with kids in Chicago and the suburbs November 2009

Kidwinks Newsletter Park Ridge, IL
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We're so excited! Kidwinks will be running this Rocking Horse Ride at the Chicago Toy and Game Fair next weekend (November 21 - 22). We hope you'll come out to see us and check out some hot games and toys. Make a whole day of it on Saturday - park at Navy Pier and pick up the $10 off parking coupon from the Fair. Cap off your day of gaming with a walk or bus ride to the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival to watch the parade and fireworks.

Smile for the Camera!
A Sterling Design - Photographic Artists Park Ridge, IL The holidays are right around the corner. Book your appointment now to capture that special photo for family gifts, cards, baby's first Christmas, or just to hang on the wall.


If you want to get out with the kids this week but nothing strikes your fancy below, make sure to click through to each day's events - there are many fun events to choose from, including open play times, story times, theater and more. And don't forget you can always click through the Ongoing Activities Section to find museums, nature centers, bowling alleys and much more. Too busy to cook? Take the kids out to eat - but check our Kids Eat Free Calendar first, so you know where the deals are. Remember, members can sort all search results, including calendar results, by distance from their homes!

Monday, November 16
Morning Glories for Families - Garfield Park Conservatory Chicago, IL
A Christmas Carol - Marriott Theatre Lincolnshire, IL
Play Group - Park Ridge Community Church Park Ridge, IL
More Monday Kids Events and ActivitiesChicago and Suburbs, IL

Tuesday, November 17
Free Admission 2009 - Adler Planetarium Chicago, IL
Schoolhouse Rock Live! Centre East Youtheatre Skokie, IL
Discovery Center Museum Rockford, IL
More Kids Events and Activities on Tuesday
Chicago and Suburbs, IL


Wednesday, November 18

"The Hundred Dresses" - Chicago Childrens Theatre Chicago, IL
This highly rated play closes its run on Sunday – see it this week before it’s gone!
All-Stars Club - Liberty Bank for Savings Park Ridge, IL
This is the best savings program for kids I’ve ever heard of – my girls love it!
Turkey Tales - Lake County Discovery Museum Wauconda, IL
More Kids Events and Activities on Wednesday Chicago and Suburbs, IL

Thursday, November 19
Afternoon Recess at Pinstripes Northbrook and S. Barrington, IL
Monkey Joe's Wheaton, IL
Movie/PJ night at Nibbles Wheeling, IL
More Kids Events and Activities on Thursday Chicago and Suburbs, IL

Friday, November 20
Christmas Around the World & Holidays of Light - Museum of Science & Industry
Chicago, IL

Celebrate the Holiday Magic - Bensenville Towne Center
Bensenville, IL
Twinderella - Evanston Children's Theatre - Levy Center Evanston, IL
Performances on Saturday and Sunday too.
More Things To Do With Kids on FridayChicago and Suburbs, IL


Saturday, November 21
Chicago Toy and Game Fair - Navy Pier Chicago, IL See & play with the hottest new games & toys on the market! Saturday and Sunday.
Deck The Halls Long Grove Long Grove, IL
Sing-Along with Santa - Steel Beam Theatre St Charles, IL
Weekends through Dec. 20th.
An Almost Winter Day - County Park South Elgin, IL
The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Chicago, IL
Wilmette Holiday Parade Wilmette, IL
Fall Open House - Lake View Nature Center Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Free activities Saturday and Sunday
More Fun Things To Do With Kids on Saturday
Chicago and Suburbs, IL
Click thru – there’s lots going on!

Sunday, November 22
Baby Loves Disco Pajama Party Chicago, IL roll out of bed & head straight to the club to join us for the hippest birthday party in town...ours!
Joel Frankel's Spertus Gig Chicago, IL
Sensational, Psychic, 3-D Spectacular Joshua Kane/Mark Nizer/Lynn Trefzger- Paramount Theatre Aurora, IL
Thanksgiving Skate - Oakton Ice Arena Park Ridge, IL
McHenry Toys for Tots Christmas Parade & Downtown Christmas Walk
McHenry, IL
More Fun for Kids on Sunday Chicago and Suburbs, IL

Save!

Merry Music Makers
Chicago Toy and Game Fair - Navy PierTechStuff
Park Ridge Speed Skating Club
A Sterling DesignMemories Wow!
Pump It Up Chicago


Win!!


Today (Sunday) is your last chance to win a family pass to the Baby Loves Disco Pajama Party at Metro in Chicago. You don't want to miss this very cool event. Two kidwinks members will each win 4 tickets.

Click here for details on how to win.

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Enjoy your week!
Nina Jean

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Win 4 Tickets to Baby Loves Disco Pajama Party

Lace up your dancin' shoes and get ready to take the kids clubbing! Two lucky kidwinks members will each win 4 tickets to the November 22nd Baby Loves Disco Pajama Party at Metro in Chicago. The tickets are $12 each, so each prize is worth $48.
Here's how to enter the prize drawing:
If you're not a kidwinks member, Sign Up for free membership now because only members can participate.
If you haven't already uploaded a photo to your kidwinks' profile, do it now - your profile MUST have a picture in order to win.
Click here and fill out our Contact Us form to tell us that you want the tickets.
Repeat step 3 above each day through and including November 15th. Each message you send us through our Contact Us form (limit 2 per day - one in the morning and one at night, or at least 3 hours apart) will count as a separate contest entry.
We'll draw the names of two people who will each win four tickets to the Baby Loves Disco Pajama Party on October 22nd at Metro in Chicago. But remember -- you MUST have a photo uploaded to your kidwinks profile to win. No photo, no win.
That's it! Good luck!!

Now read the fine print, please:
This promotion ends at midnight on November 15th.
We will randomly select two names from all those entered. If they have a photo in their profile, they will win 4 tickets to the Baby Loves Disco Pajama Party. If there is no photo in their profile, we will draw another name.
The winners will be notified by email, so make sure our emails can reach you by adding info@kidwinks.com to your address book.
Winners will be posted on our home page, under the blue "Contest" tab toward the bottom of the page.

Things to do in Chicago with kids

Are you superstitious? Does the number 13 make you quiver in your boots? If so, you'll want to plan your fun outings this week around Friday, which happens to be Friday the 13th. Did you know there's actually a name for the fear of Friday the 13th? It's paraskavedekatriaphobia. Who knew? Good luck pronouncing it!
If you don't find anything that catches your fancy below, make sure to click through to each day's events - there are many fun events to choose from, including open play times, story times, theater and more. Remember, members can sort all search results, including calendar results, by distance from their homes!
Come to be dazzled and enchanted, come to learn and explore, come to mingle and participate in a magical community event but most of all, come to have fun! The Chicago Toy & Game Fair is the only toy and game fair open to the public. Many fun events are planned, so check our website for the details and come play with us!
Monday, November 9
Muppets, Music and Magic Gene Siskel Film Center Chicago, IL
Open Gym-Hoffman Estates Ice Rink Hoffman Estates, IL
Target Free Second Mondays at Field Museum Chicago, IL
More Monday Kids Events in Chicago and SuburbsVarious Cities, IL

Tuesday, November 10
Free Admission to Brookfield Zoo Brookfield, IL
Alice In Wonderland Stahl Family Theatre Chicago, IL
Story Time at Fullersburg Woods Oak Brook, IL
More Tuesday Kids Events in Chicago and Suburbs Various Cities, IL


Wednesday, November 11

Free Admission - Museum of Science and Industry Chicago, IL
Rebecca Crafts And Activities American Girl Place Chicago, IL
Sesame Street Live 1-2-3 Imagine! Metrocenter Rockford, IL
More Wednesday Kids Events in Chicago and Suburbs Various Cities, IL

Thursday, November 12
Little Twigs Nature Play Time Thorn Creek Nature Center Park Forest, IL
Lego Mania - Park Ridge Library Park Ridge, IL
Kids Crafts Chicago and Suburbs, IL
Inspire their inner artist while someone else cleans the mess!
More Thursday Kids Events in Chicago and Suburbs Various Cities, IL

Friday, November 13 – Yikes! Don’t walk under any ladders today!
Nature Play Days Wheaton, IL

Deerfield Family Theater presents "Willy Wonka" Deerfield, IL
Friday Night Meltdown Skate & Dance Party Glenview, IL
More Friday Kids Events in Chicago and SuburbsVarious Cities, IL


Saturday, November 14
Dooby Dooby Moo - Lifeline Theatre Chicago, IL
Very fun family musical - read Jean's review.
Family Fun Night - Dundee Township Carpentersville, IL
Grandpa, Grandma & Me Time - Des Plaines Library Des Plaines, IL

National Gaming Day - Skokie Public Library Skokie, IL
SmARTkids at the Library - University of Chicago Chicago, IL
More Saturday Kids Events in Chicago and Suburbs Various Cities, IL
So much to choose from! Members can sort these results by distance from their homes!

Sunday, November 15
Peter and the Wolf and The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses Chicago, IL
Animal Architects-Building For Bugs Lake County Discovery Museum Wauconda, IL
DuPage Symphony Orchestra Family Concert Jim Gill's "Symphony in Sneeze" Naperville, IL
The Pinocchio Show College of Lake County Grayslake, IL
Pet Photos With Santa - Woodfield Mall Schaumburg, IL
More Sunday Kids Events in Chicago and Suburbs Various Cities, IL
Be sure to click through the rest of the Events Calendar for more family fun! Or browse through the Ongoing Activities section, where you can find bowling alleys, museums, nature centers, or even pick indoor or outdoor activities, depending on the weather. If you're going out to eat, check our Kids Eat Free Calendar first.

Save!

Chicago Toy and Game Fair - Navy Pier
TechStuff
Park Ridge Speed Skating Club
A Sterling DesignMemories Wow!
Pump It Up Chicago


Win!!

Time is running out on your chance to win a family weekend pass to the Chicago Toy and Game Fair and 8 games from Out of the Box Publishing Inc.

Click here for details on how to win.

Family Fun in Chicago and the Burbs October 19 - 25

		If you're worried about your kids not getting enough candy this Halloween, don't! There are plenty of opportunities to get cavities...I mean candies....this week. Many area malls and downtown merchants are offering safe trick or treating events this weekend, giving the kids a trial run for the real thing next weekend. If you're interested in taking your kids to any of the museums for free, this seems to be the week to do it. Make sure to click through to each day's events to find all of the free days and other fun family events and activities. Remember, members can sort all search results, including calendar results, by distance from their homes. Monday, October 19 Morning Glories for Families - Garfield Park Conservatory Chicago, IL Young Inventor Challenge - Chicago Toy & Game Fair Chicago, IL Johansen Farms Bolingbrook, IL More Monday Kids Events in Chicago and Suburbs Various Cities, IL Tuesday, October 20 First Aid & CPR for Infants & Children Orland Park, IL FREE presentation! Free Admission 2009 - Adler Planetarium Chicago, IL Free Admission Tuesday Nibbles Play Cafe Wheeling, IL More Tuesday Kids Events in Chicago and Suburbs Various Cities, IL Wednesday, October 21 Real Pirates Exhibit Field Museum Chicago, IL Sunday is the last time to see this exhibit! Scarecrow Trail - The Morton Arboretum Lisle, IL Opera In Focus - Rolling Meadows Park District Theater Rolling Meadows, IL Halloween Spooktacular of haunting classics. More Wednesday Kids Events in Chicago and Suburbs Various Cities, IL Thursday, October 22 Chicago International Children's Film Festival Chicago, IL Family Movie - Niles Public Library Niles, IL The Music Man Junior - Children's Theatre of Elgin Elgin, IL More Thursday Kids Events in Chicago and Suburbs Various Cities, IL Friday, October 23 DinoNites at Brookfield Zoo Brookfield, IL Halloween Night Hikes Fullersburg Woods Oak Brook, IL Halloween Family Fun Night Buehler YMCA Palatine, IL More Friday Kids Events in Chicago and Suburbs Various Cities, IL There are tons of Halloween events going on – don’t miss out! Saturday, October 24 Spooktacular Soiree - Arboretum of South Barrington South Barrington, IL Family Fun! Radio Disney, music, dancing & prizes; Trick or Treat, Scavenger Hunt and more. "No Scare" Children's Trails - Peterson Park Chicago, IL Pumpkin Patch Party Park Ridge, IL Party in the am for the younger set; movie and music in the patch in the evening. Spooktacular Saturday - Lombard Town Centre Lombard, IL WFamily Harvest Festival at Westfield Old Orchard Skokie, IL More Saturday Kids Events in Chicago and Suburbs Various Cities, IL So much to choose from! Members can sort these results by distance from their homes! Sunday, October 25 Bugapalooza - Notebaert Nature Museum Chicago, IL Part of 10th Anniversary Free Admission Days Hallow Fest A Garden Of Good And Evil Chicago Botanic Garden Glencoe, IL Halloween Costume Parade Downtown Downers Grove Downers Grove, IL Also safe trick-or-treating in this cute downtown. Halloween Happening - Naperville Riverwalk 500 W. Jackson Ave. Naperville, IL Kooky Spooky Halloween Skate - Oakton Ice Arena Park Ridge, IL More Sunday Kids Events in Chicago and Suburbs Various Cities, IL Be sure to click through the rest of the Events Calendar because there's TONS more to choose from! Or browse through the Ongoing Activities section, where you can pick indoor or outdoor activities, depending on the weather. If you're going out to eat, check our Kids Eat Free Calendar first. Win!!! Time is running out on our contest to win 4 tickets to Disney Live! Rockin' Road Show at the Rosemont Theatre on Oct. 23rd. We'll have 2 lucky winners - will you be one of them? Click here to get the scoop on how to win! Save! TechStuff Park Ridge Speed Skating Club A Sterling Design Memories Wow! Pump It Up Chicago

Family Fun in Chicago and the Burbs October 5 - 11

I had the honor and privilege of attending the private party at Kiddieland for former team members and business associates yesterday (Saturday). What a treat for my daughters to have one last day of fun at their very favorite place, with only 500 or so people in the park, and no lines. Kiddieland's owner, Tom Norini, has been a wonderful friend to kidwinks, and we will miss him and his awesome park tremendously. Good-bye, Kiddieland! Thank you for the fun and memories!

We've got another long weekend coming up, so I included Columbus Day in this newsletter to help you plan your long weekend. Here's a small sample of what's in store this week:

Monday, October 5

Free Admission to Shedd Aquarium on Mondays and Tuesdays Chicago, IL	Park Ridge Community Church Play Group Park Ridge, IL
Baby Signs Parent Workshop Orland Hills, IL	More Monday Kids Events in Chicago and Suburbs Various Cities, IL

Tuesday, October 6

Free Admission 2009 - Adler Planetarium Chicago, IL	Johansen Farms Bolingbrook, IL
Matinee Movie Magic - Kerasotes Theatres Chicago Area, IL	More Tuesday Kids Events in Chicago and Suburbs Various Cities, IL

Wednesday, October 7

Wonderful World Of Wheels Knoch Park Naperville, IL	Tommy the Hawk Jump at Pump It Up Glenview, IL
Little Sprouts Program Bonner Heritage Farm Lindenhurst, IL	More Chicago & Suburbs Kids Events on Wednesday Various Cities, IL

Thursday, October 8

Free Admission - Notebaert Nature Museum Chicago, IL	Mom & Tots Playdate - Pinstripes Northbrook Northbrook, IL
Eli’s/Wright Farmer’s Market Chicago, IL	More Chicago & Suburbs Kids Events on Thursday Various Cities, IL

Friday, October 9

Free Admission to Museum of Science and Industry Oct. 2009 Chicago, IL	Fall Fireworks Navy Pier Chicago, IL
Fright Fest 2009 Six Flags Gurnee, IL	Ghost Stories In The Park...In The Dark Naperville Parks Naperville, IL
Kids Flicks - Morton Grove Public Library Morton Grove, IL	More Chicago & Suburbs Kids Events on Friday Various Cities, IL

Saturday, October 10

It's a Baby & Family Expo - Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Schaumburg, IL Expecting a baby? Adding a new member to the growing brood? Excited and proud grandparent?	24th Annual Scarecrow Festival St. Charles, IL
Family Hayrides Naperville Parks Naperville, IL	Final Fall Canoe (Ages 6-Adult) Highland Park, IL
Terror on the Railroad Haunted Event Union, IL	More Chicago & Suburbs Kids Events on Saturday Various Cities, IL

Sunday, October 11

Danada Fall Festival Wheaton, IL	Fall Festival - Ryerson Woods Riverwoods, IL
Second Sunday Special - Niles Library Niles, IL	Pumpkin Picking at Apple Holler Sturtevant, WI
"The Hundred Dresses" - Chicago Childrens Theatre Chicago, IL	More Chicago & Suburbs Kids Events on Sunday Various Cities, IL

Monday, October 12 – Happy Columbus Day!

Jump & Jive (Grades K-5) Highland Park, IL	Scavenger Hunt - Des Plaines Historical Society Des Plaines, IL
School's Out! Programs - Lincoln Marsh Wild Adventures Wheaton, IL	More Chicago & Suburbs Kids Events on Columbus Day; Many Free Museum Days Varied Cities, IL

Be sure to click through the rest of the Events Calendar because there's TONS more to choose from! Or browse through the Ongoing Activities section, where you can pick indoor or outdoor activities, depending on the weather. If you're going out to eat, check our Kids Eat Free Calendar first.

Current Contest:

Time is running out on our contest to win a 10-week session for the PumpStart class (valued at $180 ) at Pump It Up Chicago. You only have one more day to enter, and only 10 people have entered so far! Your chances are pretty good!!!

New Contest:

Does your baby (up to age 7 years) like to go clubbing? Shake it on the dance floor? Then we've got a contest for you! Here's your chance to win 4 tickets, worth $48, to the Baby Loves Disco Boo Baby Boo Party at Rizzo's Bar in Naperville on October 18th. Click here for details.

Cool additions to kidwinks this week:

A Sterling Design Memories Wow! Pump It Up Chicago