Almost all of Chicago's 500-plus parks have slides, swings and climbing structures. But a handful have something more: delightful and whimsical play structures envisioned by the community and created by artists.  Read more...

Every kid I know collects more Halloween candy than he or she could (or should) possibly eat. So rather than tossing those goodies, try these alternate uses for all that hard-earned Halloween haul.  Read more...

Every fall, kids can grab their kazoos and toy drums for the chance to march with the Northwestern University band as part of the university's Kids Fare concert series.  Read more...

My daughters ran, rolled and bounced down the sandy face of the dune all the way to the beach, then climbed back up so they could roll down again. “I could do this all day!” the oldest exclaimed.  Read more...

The jumble of old and new, bold and subdued, treasure and trinkets that is Chicago's Chinatown will fascinate kids, and the untamed, "what'll-I-find-today," street-bazaar feel ensures no two trips will be alike.  Read more...

Lila Newman spends her days in the dark abyss of a coal mine as a tour guide for the Museum of Science and Industry. We sat down for a Q&A with this Chicagoan.  Read more...

A Metra trip to Naperville and Lisle is scalable: All-day, if you include stops at the DuPage Children's Museum, Naper Settlement and Museum at Lisle Station Park. Shorter, if you cut one or two of those destinations out.  Read more...

Every kid I know collects more Halloween candy than he or she could (or should) possibly eat. So rather than tossing those goodies, try these alternate uses for all that hard-earned Halloween haul.  Read more...

You've hit every last house in your ZIP code, and as you watch your kids dump their bounty on the kitchen table, your mind flashes forward to three months of sugar highs. Never fear: With these ideas, you'll burn through that candy just in time for Christmas cookies.  Read more...