Mamasource Mamas:
I need your help! I am helping to throw a baby shower for my friend. She is very much a city gal so we thought we would throw a “City Mom” baby shower. We are attempting to compile some City of Chicago information that would be useful to her. For instance activities to do with babies, toddlers in city of Chicago, Best Parks, Best bathrooms to change babies in, kid friendly restaurants, how to get a stroller on the el, tips for getting around and accomplishing things with a baby ect…. Thank you ahead of time for any suggestions you may have! Hopefully this can give all of us some different ideas!
FYI: My greastest discovery was the Museum Pass you can get at the Chicago Public Library. The Museum pass covers basic admission costs to many of the museums in Chicago and Brookfield Zoo.
Three of my most visited places are CPK for lunch, free story time at the zoo (children's petting zoo- monday and wed 9:30 to 10:30- I think), and Gymboree. My favorite park is Adam's splash park because it's fun for a toddler and they have bathrooms. My favorite place to shop for cool clothes is either Bloomingdales (because they have parking) and Red Balloon in Bucktown (expensive but really nice stuff).
Hi J.- almost all of the museums offer a free day so that's always a great thing to take advantage of. The Art Institute's New Wing has a fantastic new kids section with fun programs & art making for kids of all ages. It's an amazing space. Also check out the Park District for outdoor movies in the summer (very family friendly) and ice skating in the winter- it's free if you have your own skates.
My friend swares by the bathrooms at the Drake Hotel! :)
There is a great park behind the Water Tower/Fire Dept off Michigan Ave. It has a big kid side and a little kid side with a great sandbox, too. Also, the park near the LP Zoo/Conservatory (just to the west across the street from the west Zoo entrance)is another great park to take little ones to play.
And, as a tip from someone with a kid with a small bladder...if you can't find a decent restroom, go into ANY downtown hotel and use their lobby restrooms...usually lobby level or one floor up and always clean with a changing table!
Barnes and Noble / Borders hold free storytimes - check nearby locations for their dates/times. Also, the The Book Cellar in Lincoln Square does one.
LP Conservatory and Garfield Park Conservatory are always free and a wonderful place to take the kiddos for a stroll (especially on bad weather days). I personally went to Garfield Conservatory once per week when my daughter was little. Free parking lot, always beautiful and a little childrens garden for them to play in.
Join a mommy group - it will save your sanity. Have her check out meetup.com. There are a million groups to choose from.
LP Zoo farm-in-the-zoo storytime Mom and Weds. Also, lots for the little ones to play with in the big barn. During nice weather on Wednesdays, cross the street to the Green City Farmers Market.
I reccomend singing up for a Lullabies(birth-5 mths)or Wiggleworms(6 mth+)class at the Old Town School of Folk Music. Great classes for babies and beyond. There are 2 chicago locations,1 in Evanston,and 1 in Western Springs.Have fun planning!
sign up for Kidwinks.com......great suggestions as to where to eat (sometimes kids eat free)....places to see in and around the city (often free or cheap)... Great idea as to what to do once your kids become "mobile".
Also, its NEVER too early for a subscription to FAMILY FUN magazine....great crafts, food ideas and vacation ideas that are "kid" friendly.
A great book that gives you all the info you need for having a baby in the city of Chicago is called City Baby Chicago and it's written by Karin Hargan Sullivan. It outlines everything from good places to shop, to doctors and prenatal care, to fun activities to do with children up until pre-school age. It is a good go to resource- outlined well and user friendly. :)
I have a couple of books and city guides, but don't remember the titles exactly: Windy City Baby and 50 Best Places to Take Children. Nordstrom downtown has family restrooms and a nursing room w/changing table inside the women's bathroom. The Nordstrom building also has a family "lounge" on the 3rd floor with a bottle warming station, couches and family bathrooms. Water Tower Place also has nursing rooms within the women's bathrooms on specific floors.
I just wanted to mention that the store Be By Baby in Roscoe Village has a bunch of cute and funny Chicago themed clothing for kids and newborns (like onsies that say things like "don't let my parents move to Naperville" and "773-forever"). They also have a ton of great classes and playgroups for moms and newborns. Have fun planning!
Great ideal you have to get her a lilagiude i think you can still order them at lilaguide.com it's like a mom's bible of info.
Good Luck!
I live in the city - and these are the things that keep me sane: 1. knowing which El platforms have elevators. 2. Being unafraid to change my babe's diaper on the grass/bench/where ever because more often than I'd like wherever we are does not have a changing table. 3. The Peggy Notebart Nature Museum is the best place in the entire city for little kids. Membership is only $60 for a family and we spend just about every weekend there during the winter. 4. There is a Target coming to the Wilson stop on the red line. 5. RJ Grunts by the Zoo has an awesome salad bar that always has good stuff for toddlers 6. Its OK to Nurse on the El. 7. Illinois has a law stating that a breastfeeding mother can breastfeed where ever the mother is permitted to be. So, Like anywhere but the men's room? There are lots of free things to do in the summer - winter is a bit harder but all of the museums have really awesome places for little kids.
