Apple Orchards

click on the title to find orchards all less than 100 minutes from Chicago.   All open in late Aug, Sept and some even into October with pumpkins

The Actors Gymnasium, Evanston

Classes like Circus Arts, AcroDance, Imaginastics, Juggling, Tumbling, Parent-tot classes.  Mention ad in Time Out Chicago for 10% off!

Midieval Times, Schaumburg

WOOGMS parades in Lakeview on Memorial Day and Labor Day

Wellington Oakdale Old Glory Marching Society's parades start at 11am in front of Al Weisman's former home near Pine Grove and Wellington.  Everyone marches, nobody watches, to the beat of the Jesse White Drum Corps, traveling east to Sheridan Road, then over to Lake Shore Drive, where the route ends in front of St. Joseph's Hospital.  At the end, volunteers dole out packs of candies and the Jesse White tumblers usually perform.

Second City classes for kids

Midwest Tree Climbing

Mark Larson runs this destination that is centered around one massive, 5-story tall, 300 year old oak called "Goliath".  For $20 pp, kids aged 5-adult can be harnessed and taught how to scale this tree, and then climbers can try it for as long as they like.  The tree is fitted with a series of ropes that have special knots so you can use a combination of upper and lower body strength to scale up to the highest branches.  He got the idea from a course he took at Atlanta based Tree Climbers International.  Try tricks like the upside down "Batman", and he will also rescue you and bring you back to ground instantly.  The views and sounds at the top are amazing.  On the ground there's a basketball hoop, picnic tables and a grill, so your group can bring food and sports equipment along to make a day of your trek.

These Chicago-run Farmers Markets open in June:

Lincoln Square
Museum of Contemporary Art/Streeterville
South Shore
Hyde Park
Bridgeport
Northcenter
Printers Row
Southport
Erie Street
Wicker Park/Bucktown
Pritzker Park
Willis Tower Plaza
Trump Tower
For more information including hours, visit the web: www.chicagofarmersmarkets.us or call 312-744-3316.

Dry Erase Boards: How to clean ghost and permanent marker off?

If you are a busy family with kids like ours, (a) dry erase board may be a critical part of your home, and (b) it has permanent marker drawings and scribblings across the middle of the board.

The title of this post is a link to some remedies.  I tried them.  They work!

Playspaces for a fee

Considering the fee for these, our Playgroup space is all the more appealing!  BYO coffee!

Little Beans Cafe, 1809 West Webster Avenue, at North Wood Street (773-251-1025 or littlebeanscafe.com). Admission, $12 per child; $7 per sibling. Supervised play, $20 up to 90 minutes. Discounted monthly and yearly memberships are available.

Toy Stores

American Girl Place
The Boring Store (spy shop)
Cat and Mouse Game Store
Chicago Kite
Chicago Soccer
Mituwa Marketplace, 100 E. Algonquin, Arlington Heights
Monster Island Toys
Quake Collectibles
Robot City Workshop
Timeless Toys, 4749 N. Lincoln
Uncle Fun, 1338 W. Belmont

Shoe Stores for Kids

Alamo Shoes 5321 N. Clark

Piggy Toes, 2205 N. Halsted

Resale Shops

Once Upon A Child, 7246 W. Foster

Pish Posh, 3950 N. Southport, gently used kids clothes like Oilily, Crewcuts, Jacadi

Arts, Crafts and Music Ideas

Beadniks, 1937 W. Division, offers classes for tweens and teens.

Flourish Studios, 3020 N. Lincoln Ave. has storytelling at 10:30 and 4:30, filmaking classes, and even learning assessments and psychotherapy services!

Glazed Expressions, you pay cost of pottery and studio fee ($6 kids, $8 adults).  Week long camps for kids 7+. 717 W. Armitage.

Lillstreet Art Center

Magic, Inc. run by family of illusionists since 1926. 5082 N. Lincoln.

The Paintbrush, 2856 N. Halsted, kids age 18 mos - 8 yrs old.  School holiday workshops.

Wishcraft, sewing, etc in DIY craft studio.  Camps and classes.  2312 W. Roscoe.

Boating and Fishing Ideas

Sailing - Lakeshore Sale Charters, 401 E. Illinois St., 312-404-5800, $125/hr weekdays, 36 foot Crescendo, a luxury boat to accommodate up to 6 passengers from Burnham Harbor.  Book 1 mo early for dates in the summer.

Paddleboarding/Surfing - Great Lakes Board Company, Glencoe Beach.  lesson ($40-50) and rentals($20) for walk-ups.

Kayaking - Skokie Lagoons, Dundee Rod and Edens, 224-659-0754, $40 pp for 4 hour classes.  Cleaner than the Chicago River.  Min age 10.

Fly Fishing - Chicago Fly Fishing, 1279 N. Clybourn Ave., 312-944-3474, $45 pp, 2 person min.  Min age 10.  Lessons at North Pond.

Online News for Ages 8-14

News that's both age appropriate and engaging.

August Events

Kidzapalooza at Lollapalooza, Aug 6-8, 11am - 4:30pm at Grant Park.  Kidz Stage has live performances and special guests.  Hip Hop Workshops, Punk Rock Hairdooz, Video Karaoke, Breakdancing and Skateboarding Workshops.

Millenium Park Family Fun Festival through Sept 3.

Overnights from Chicago

http://www.deepriverwaterpark.com/

Water Park/Pool/Beach Reviews

Many listed at Kidwinks.com

Niles - Oasis Fun Center
http://www.yelp.com/biz/niles-park-district-oasis-waterpark-niles#query:waterpark

iPhone Apps for Tots

Moving Picture Books - download these torybooks and watch the pages turn into animated cartoons (age 2-5)

Bug Repellant for Kids - Is DEET safe? What about West Nile Virus?

I just asked our dermatologist (at Children's Memorial Hospital) about effective insect repellant for the spring/summer, and she recommended DEET in concentrations up to 10% for infants and young kids.  She also sent me a link to an IL public health statement on DEET which contains a link to public health info on West Nile Virus.