The best things in life are free and indeed, doing something with your kids and doing is for free would definitely fall under the same category.

In Chicago, there are a lot of museums you can go to for free or at discounted price. You just need to know when to go, what to bring and how to make the most out of your visit! Here are some suggestions. 

Museum of Contemporary Art

The Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago features words of artists of today. They feature international artists. Most especially, though, they feature works of locals. If you want to support local artists, visit the museum or check out the website for what are currently being featured. 

If you are a Chicago resident, you are in for a treat! Admission is free for all local residents every Tuesday. Just bring an ID as proof of residence. Bring your little on with you to the museum 10 AM to 9 PM every Tuesday and from 10 AM to 5 PM on most all other days except for Mondays. The museum is located at 220 E Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611. To make the most out of your visit, research the different features on the website and prior to your visit, decide which works to see during your visit.

Chicago Children’s Museum

There are a lot of ways to enjoy the Chicago Children’s Museum. The museum features a lot of exhibits. They have the Zoom Room that features toy cars and “roads” for kids to drive on. Kids can experiment on different outcomes when they drive up and down different “roads.” 

WaterWays is another way to experiment and this time, with water! You can play with different levers and see how it changes the water movement or you can put small boats and see where they will flow to as you direct the water movement. 

The other exhibits are Pritzker Playspace, Dinosaur Expedition, Kovler Family Climbing Schooner and Kids Town. Each exhibit features a different way for kids to enjoy the museum while learning and exploring. 

Make the most our of your visit by coming early. When you get to the museum, spend a few minutes in each exhibit then move on to the next. If you have more time after seeing all the exhibits, go back to the exhibit that you enjoyed the most. 

Visit the museum on the first Sunday of the month for free admission to all ages 15 and below. Also, if you are an Illinois EBT or WIC card holder, bring your ID and pay only $3 per person for up to 6 persons. Each family should include at least 1 adult and 1 child age 15 or younger. 

Shedd Aquarium

Shedd Aquarium is another great place to visit with your little one. They feature several exhibits such as Amazon Rising, Polar Play Zone, At Home on the Great Lakes, Abbott Oceanarium, Caribbean Reef, Wild Reef and Waters of the World. 

When plan your visit, check out the schedules for aquatic presentations with Beluga Whales and Dolphins. Watch these see creatures and their trainers as they wow you with their tricks and skills. You will even learn a thing or two about how they live and their anatomy. 

Before you go to the aquarium, makes sure to check out any special events or presentations for the day so you can plan and make the most out of your visit. Know how much time you can spend at each exhibit and which ones will definitely interest your little one. 

If you are a resident of Illinois, make sure to bring your ID during one of the museum’s free days. In January, the free days are January 17 to 21. You can also visit on February 1, 4-8, 11-15, 18-22 and 25-28. The museum is located at 1200 S Lake Shore Drive Chicago, IL 60605. 

 

 

I’ve always loved IHOP. It has a special place in my heart. Unfortunately, not all IHOP branches have a good reputation. On the other hand, the IHOP in Norridge impressed me on our visit.

On entering the place, I was surprised by how much space they have and the lighting is great! Unlike another IHOP place nearby, this one is well lit and the open space gives a warm and welcoming feeling. Since it is the holiday season, this IHOP is also decorated for the season. Their decorations were simple and did not crowd the restaurant at all.

I inspected everything. I had to. I checked all the napkins, I looked at the floor under the table. I made sure the chair was clean. I even went to the bathroom and was satisfied by the cleanliness. I gave each a thumbs up.

Of course, if you are a Chicagohousewifey, you’ll be looking for freebies or deals and guess what? Kids eat free on weekdays from 4pm with a purchase of one adult meal. A good deal!

Whether you are a business owner or you just like having your birthday or holiday giveaways personalized, it helps when you have a local guy (or girl!) as your go-to for these items. This is where Noni Print (noniprint.com) comes in.

Noniprint can make personalized pens, mugs, letter openers, etc. The good thing about having them as your go-to is you just need to let them know what you need and chances are, they can find it for you. They may even be able to give you one better than what you had in mind. Just call or shoot Noniprint and email with what you need and they will get back to you with an option or options to meet your hearts’ desires.

The best part? You get someone from your neighborhood or at least someone close, so you get the sense of getting the best service from your neighbor.

So, look up noniprint for those 2018 calendar or Holiday giveaway and you can be on your way to getting the personalized you need.

One of the best things to do in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs is exploring the many parks. 

This is the Hiawatha Park on Forest Preserve Drive in Chicago, IL. The scoring is as follows.
😍😍😍😍😍 Excellent and one if a kind

😍😍😍😍 Good or a characteristic that can also be said for some other park/s

😍😍😍 Average or the same as other parks 

😍😍 Some improvement needed

😍 Totally needs work

For Hiawatha Park, the following can be said: 

Size – 😍😍😍 not as big as other parks

Colors – 😍😍😍😍😍 As with most parks, the colors are a good mix

Activitites – 😍😍😍😍😍 different activities for different interests. You will just love the wall climbing! This park is for the junior ninjas. 

Crowd – 😍😍😍😍😍 we visited the park on a Wednesday afternoon, so there were only 3-4 families around

Cleanliness – 😍😍😍😍😍 Super clean 
Comfort – 😍😍😍😍😍 A lot of seats for parents and the shaded area can provide a nice sitting area. 

One of the best things to do in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs is exploring the many parks. 

This is the Maple Park in Wilmette, IL. The scoring is as follows.

• 😍😍😍😍😍 Excellent and one if a kind
• 😍😍😍😍 Good or a characteristic that can also be said for some other park/s
• 😍😍😍 Average or the same as other parks 
• 😍😍 Some improvement needed
• 😍 Totally needs work

For Maple Park, the following can be said: 

Size – 😍😍😍😍 not so big and not too small either. The slides are on the other side and a ways off from the slides. So, if the bigger kids want to play and hang out, they can do so without crowding the little ones

Colors – 😍😍😍😍😍 love the colors

Activitites – 😍😍😍😍😍 different activities for different interests. You will just love the bridge! 

Crowd – 😍😍😍😍😍 considering that we went there on a Friday afternoon during summer, there were only 2 families playing 

Cleanliness – 😍😍😍😍😍 Super clean 

Comfort – 😍😍😍😍😍 A lot of seats for parents and the cabana can provide a nice shade too!