Category: Garfield Park Conservatory

101 Things to do with your Chicago Kid

  I am reposting this entry from March 1, 2010 because I came across it in my archives and it really is a pretty darn good list if I do say so myself. I’ve got to really focus if I want to get to all of these things before my kids head off to college.... Read more »
By Caitlin Giles,
November 22, 2013 at 10:09 am • 

FIGMENT comes to the Garfield Park Conservatory August 10-11

FIGMENT comes to the Garfield Park Conservatory August 10-11
Have you heard about the FIGMENT event taking place this weekend? No? Let me tell you about it because it sounds pretty intriguing. FIGMENT is an explosion of creative energy taking place at Garfield Park Conservatory August 10-11. This is a FREE, annual, family-friendly celebration of participatory art and culture where everything is possible (according to its organizers).
 The idea is to see imaginations blossom with thousands of visitors interacting directly with nearly 50 participating art projects and more than 300 artists and volunteers. The concept began in New York and has spread to other cities in the last decade. It debuts in Chicago this weekend. ...
By Caitlin Giles,
August 7, 2013 at 11:13 pm • 

Free winter activities for Chicago moms and their babes: My tips from the Bump Club and Beyond Brunch

Free winter activities for Chicago moms and their babes: My tips from the Bump Club and Beyond Brunch
Yesterday morning I was fortunate to be part of a Bump Club and Beyond panel of “city moms” talking to a packed room of new mamas and their little ones about surviving a Chicago winter with a babe in tow. I was in good company, joining Samantha Lande from Eater Chicago,  Tabitha Green from Defining... Read more »
By Caitlin Giles,
January 14, 2013 at 10:41 pm • 
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Free city fun for new moms and their babes

Free city fun for new moms and their babes
This morning I was part of a Bump Club and Beyond panel of "city moms" talking to a packed room of new mamas and their little ones about bringing up baby in Chicago. I was in good company, joining Kelly Aiglon and Lindsay Gladstone of Daily Candy Kids, Samantha Lande from Eater Chicago, Cindy McCarthy of On the Go Chicago, Rebecca Little of Pinwheel and my bestie and business partner Sara Fisher of Self-Made Mom fame.  We talked about everything from family-friendly restaurants to navigating the CTA with a stroller and the best places to buy high-end kid's resale. I spoke a little bit about finding activities that meet my two pieces of criteria. First, I love a free, quality activity when I can find it (if you read Wee Windy City, you already know this about me). In addition, I also love an outing where both mommy and the kids get something out of it. With those two things in mind, I recommended the following urban activities and destinations...
By Caitlin Giles,
July 22, 2012 at 2:28 pm • 

Brunch with the Bump Club (plus my tips on the best family freebies in Chicago)

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of spending my morning with some expectant and new mamas at the monthly Bump Club and Beyond Brunch at Vinci. I was part of a panel of Chicago mommy bloggers including Cindy McCarthy of On the Go Chicago, Linda Marsicano of Babble Chicago and my buddy and business partner Sara... Read more »
By Caitlin Giles,
February 13, 2011 at 8:45 pm • 

The Wee Windy City Winter Survival Guide: Morning Glories for Families at the Garfield Park Conservatory

I know that it seems crazy to talk about winter survival tactics on a 70 degree (!) November day, but there are certain to be many long, cold days in your near future. In order to make it through a Chicago winter with little ones, you’ve got to have a plan — ideally, a plan... Read more »
By Caitlin Giles,
November 11, 2010 at 11:36 am • 
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Summer Links

Are you having a good summer so far? Me too. We’ve been doing all sorts of fun activities around town — and then I’ve been busy blogging about it all. I am writing another blog for the months of June and July called School’s Out!. I’ve been posting about family-friendly activities in and around Chicago... Read more »
By Caitlin Giles,
June 21, 2010 at 11:18 am • 

5 free things to do with your kids over spring break

Spring break is nearly upon us. Are you headed off to Aspen for an alpine adventure? Or maybe flying down to Fort Myers for some fun in the sun? Me neither. My kids are going to be out of school for 11 days. But I am not worried because I’ve been planning. I’ve scouted out... Read more »
By Caitlin Giles,
March 23, 2010 at 12:56 pm • 

My Little Valentine: A smattering of the upcoming Valentine's Day activities for kids

Now that I have kids, Valentine’s Day is more about making paper Valentine’s and eating heart-shaped pancakes than romantic dinners for two. But I like it that way. For families with young children, Valentine’s Day is a time to focus on love, friendship and affection — all good things that you want your kids to... Read more »
By Caitlin Giles,
February 3, 2010 at 2:18 pm • 
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Chicago-area Halloween happenings

Let me begin by saying that I do not have it in me to create a comprehensive list of all of the Halloween events taking place in and around Chicago during the next week or so. In my estimation, there are at least a billion different options — from costume parades to scarecrow building to... Read more »
By Caitlin Giles,
October 21, 2009 at 7:54 pm •