ML Interest Tag: magic

Boo! Freeform’s ’31 Nights of Halloween’ Schedule Is Hauntingly Good

by Karly Wood

Get ready for lots of spooky fun with Freeform’s 31 Nights of Halloween

With September wrapping up, it’s time to officially get in the Halloween spirit with lots of spooky shows and films. Freeform’s 31 Nights of Halloween is here for all your creepy, crawly needs.

The network’s annual event starts Oct. 1 and includes lots of kid-friendly picks as well as scarier options for when the kids are in bed (we see you, A Quiet Place).  

Related: 27 Not-Too-Spooky Songs for Your Halloween Playlist

Check out the full “31 Nights of Halloween” schedule from Freeform below. With at least two movies a day there are plenty of ways to get your Halloween spirit on all month long! (Note: All times Eastern, unless otherwise noted.) 

Week of Oct. 1

Disney

Saturday, Oct. 1

7:00a/6:00c - Edward ScissorHands

9:10a/8:10c - The Witches (1990)

11:20a/10:20c - The Haunted Mansion (2003)

1:25p/10:20c - Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas

3:05p/2:05c - Hotel Transylvania

5:10p/4:10c - Hotel Transylvania 2

7:15p/6:15c - Hocus Pocus

9:25p/8:25c - Beetlejuice

11:30p/10:30c - Ghostbusters (1984)

 

Sunday, Oct. 2

7:00a/6:00c - The Witches (1990)

9:10a/8:10c - Decorating Disney: Halloween Magic

10:10a/9:10c - Halloweentown

12:15p/11:15c - Hotel Transylvania

2:20p/1:20c - Hotel Transylvania 2

4:25p/3:25c - Maleficent

6:30p/5:30c - Beetlejuice

8:35p/7:35c - Hocus Pocus

10:45p/9:45c - Ghostbusters (2016)

Week of Oct. 3

Brian Guerrero

Monday, Oct. 3

1:00p/12:00c - Freeform Premiere Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1992)

3:00p/2:00c - Ghostbusters (1984)

5:30p/4:30c - Ghostbusters II

8:00p/7:00c - Ghostbusters (2016)

12:00a/11:00c - The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror Episodes

 

Tuesday, Oct. 4

11:30a/10:30c - Ghostbusters (1984)

2:00p/1:00c - Ghostbusters II

4:30p/3:30c - Edward ScissorHands

7:00p/6:00c - Maleficent

9:00p/8:00c - Hocus Pocus

12:00a/11:00c - Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb

 

Wednesday, Oct. 5

12:00p/11:00c - Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb

2:00p/1:00c - Madagascar

4:00p/3:00c - Hotel Transylvania

6:00p/5:00c - Hotel Transylvania 2

8:00p/7:00c - The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror Episodes

12:00a/11:00c - The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror Episodes

 

Thursday, Oct. 6

11:00a/10:00c - Madagascar

1:00p/12:00c - Hotel Transylvania

3:00p/2:00c - Hotel Transylvania 2

5:00p/4:00c - Shrek Forever After

7:00p/6:00c - Halloweentown

9:00p/8:00c - Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge

12:00a/11:00c - The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror Episodes

 

Friday, Oct. 7

10:30a/9:30c - Scared Shrekless

11:00a/10:00c - Shrek Forever After

1:00p/12:00c - 11:00p/10:00c - Family Guy

12:00a/11:00c - Hotel Transylvania 2

 

Saturday, Oct. 8

7:00a/6:00c - Decorating Disney: Halloween Magic

8:00a/7:00c - Hotel Transylvania 2

10:00a/9:00c - Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween

12:05a/11:05c - Ghostbusters (1984)

2:35p/1:35c - Ghostbusters II

5:05p/4:05c - Beetlejuice

7:10p/6:10c - Hocus Pocus

9:20p/8:20c - Maleficent

11:25p/10:25c - Maleficent: Mistress of Evil

 

Sunday, Oct. 9

7:00a/6:00c - Monsters vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins

7:30a/6:30c - Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween

9:35a/8:35c - Ghostbusters (1984)

12:05a/11:05c - Ghostbusters II

2:40p/1:40c - Beetlejuice

4:45p/3:45c - Hocus Pocus

6:55p/5:55c - Freeform Premiere Get Out

9:25p/8:25c - Freeform Premiere Halloween (2018)

11:55p/10:55c - Freeform Premiere A Quiet Place

Week of Oct. 10

IMDB

Monday, Oct. 10

11:30a/10:30c - A Quiet Place

1:40p/12:40c - Get Out

4:15p/3:15c - Halloween (2018)

6:50p/5:50c - Freeform Premiere Happy Death Day

9:25p/8:25c - Freeform Premiere Happy Death Day 2U

12:00a/11:00c - The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror Episodes

 

Tuesday, Oct. 11

12:30p/11:30c - Maleficent

2:30p/1:30c - The House with a Clock in its Walls

5:00p/4:00c - The Haunted Mansion (2003)

7:00p/6:00c - Hotel Transylvania

9:00p/8:00c - Hotel Transylvania 2

12:00a/11:00c - The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror Episodes
 

Wednesday, Oct. 12

10:30a/9:30c - The House with a Clock in its Walls

1:00p/12:00c - Hotel Transylvania

3:00p/2:00c - Hotel Transylvania 2

5:00p/4:00c - Ghostbusters (2016)

8:00p/11:00c - The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror Episodes

12:00a/11:00c - The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror Episodes
 

Thursday, Oct. 13

10:30p/9:30c - Frankenweenie (2012)

12:30p/11:30c - Edward Scissorhands

3:00p/2:00c - Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

6:00p/5:00c - Tim Burton's Corpse Bride

7:30p/6:30c - Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas

9:00p/8:00c - Beetlejuice

12:00a/11:00c - Tim Burton's Corpse Bride

 

Friday, Oct. 14

10:30a/9:30c - Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

1:30p/12:00c - 5:00p/4:00c - Family Guy

5:00p/4:00c - Beetlejuice

7:00p/6:00c - 11:00p/10:00c - Family Guy

12:00a/11:00c - 2:00a/1:00c - Family Guy

 

Saturday, Oct. 15

7:00a/6:00c - Hook

10:15a/9:15c - How to Train Your Dragon 2

12:25p/11:25c - Tim Burton's Corpse Bride

2:25p/1:25c - Toy Story of TERROR!

2:55p/1:55c - Scared Shrekless

3:25p/2:25c - Shrek Forever After

5:30p/4:30c - Hocus Pocus

7:40p/6:40c - Hotel Transylvania

9:45p/8:45c - Hotel Transylvania 2

11:50p/10:50c - Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation

 

Sunday, Oct. 16

7:00a/6:00c - How to Train Your Dragon 2

9:10a/8:10c - Tim Burton's Corpse Bride

10:45a/9:45c - Scared Shrekless

11:15a/10:15c - Shrek Forever After

1:20p/12:20c - Hotel Transylvania

3:25p/2:25c - Hotel Transylvania 2

5:30p/4:30c - Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation

7:40p/6:40c - Hocus Pocus

9:50p/8:50c - Maleficent

11:55p/10:55c - The Witches

Week of Oct. 17

iStock

Monday, Oct. 17

12:00p/11:00c - Ghostbusters (1984)

2:30p/1:30c - Ghostbusters II

5:05p/4:05c - The Haunted Mansion (2003)

Pop 'N Knowledge Double Feature

7:10p/6:10c - Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas

8:50p/7:50c - Hocus Pocus

12:00a/11:00c - The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror Episodes

 

Tuesday, Oct. 18

10:30a/9:30c - Ghostbusters (1984)

1:00p/12:00c - Ghostbusters II

3:30p/2:30c - Fright Night (2011)

6:00p/5:00c - Ghostbusters (2016)

Pop 'N Knowledge 

9:00p/8:00c - Beetlejuice

12:00a/11:00c - The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror Episodes

 

Wednesday, Oct. 19

10:30a/9:30c - Fright Night (2011)

1:00p/12:00c - Ghostbusters (2016)

4:00p/3:00c - Maleficent

6:00p/5:00c - Beetlejuice

8:00p/11:00c - The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror Episodes

12:00a/11:00c - The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror Episodes

 

Thursday, Oct. 20

11:00a/10:00c - The Witches (1990)

1:00p/12:00c - Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb

3:00p/2:00c - Halloweentown

5:00p/4:00c - Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge

7:00p/6:00c - Hotel Transylvania

9:00p/8:00c - Hotel Transylvania 2

12:00a/11:00c - The Witches (1990)

 

Friday, Oct. 21

10:30a/9:30c - 5:00p/4:00c - Family Guy

5:00p/4:00c - Hotel Transylvania

7:00p/6:00c - Hotel Transylvania 2

9:00p/8:00c - 11:00p/10:00c - Family Guy

12:00a/11:00c - Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)

 

Saturday, Oct. 22

7:00a/6:00c - Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)

9:00a/8:00c - Maleficent

11:00a/10:00c - Ghostbusters (1984)

1:30p/12:30c - Ghostbusters II

4:00p/3:00c - Ghostbusters (2016)

7:15p/6:15c - Beetlejuice

9:20p/8:20c - Hocus Pocus

11:30p/10:30c - The House with a Clock in its Walls

 

Sunday Oct. 23

7:00a/6:00c - The House with a Clock in its Walls

9:30a/8:30c - Ghostbusters (1984)

12:00p/11:00c - Ghostbusters (2016)

3:10p/2:10c - Beetlejuice

5:15p/4:15c - Hocus Pocus

7:25p/6:25c - Monsters, Inc.

9:30p/8:30c - Monsters University

12:00a/11:00c - Shrek Forever After

Week of Oct. 24

Four kids celebrate Halloween with jack-o-lanterns and Halloween jokes for kids
iStock

Monday, Oct. 24

12:00p/11:00c - Tim Burton's Corpse Bride

2:00p/1:00c - Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

5:00p/4:00c - Shrek Forever After

7:00p/6:00c - The Haunted Mansion (2003)

9:00p/8:00c - Maleficent

12:00a/11:00c - The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror Episodes

 

Tuesday, Oct. 25

10:30a/9:30c - Tim Burton's Corpse Bride

12:00p/11:00c - Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

3:00p/2:00c - Halloweentown

5:00p/4:00c - Hotel Transylvania

7:00p/6:00c - Hotel Transylvania 2

9:00p/8:00c - Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation

12:00a/11:00c - The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror Episodes

 

Wednesday, Oct. 26

12:00p/11:00c - Halloweentown II: Kalabar's Revenge

2:00p/1:00c - Hotel Transylvania

4:00p/3:00c - Hotel Transylvania 2

6:00p/5:00c - Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation

8:00p/7:00c - The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror Episodes

12:00a/11:00c - The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror Episodes

 

Thursday, Oct. 27

11:00a/10:00c - Ready or Not

1:00p/12:00c - Maleficent

3:00p/2:00c - Ghostbusters (1984)

5:30p/4:30c - Ghostbusters II

8:00p/7:00c - Ghostbusters (2016)

12:00a/11:00c - Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)

 

Friday, Oct. 28

10:30a/9:30c - Ghostbusters (2016)

1:30p/12:30c - 11:00p/10:00c - Family Guy

12:00a/11:00c - 2:00a/1:00c - The Office

 

Saturday, Oct. 29

7:00a/6:00c - How to Train Your Dragon 2

9:10a/8:10c - Edward Scissorhands

11:40a/10:40c - Frankenweenie (2012)

1:40p/12:40c - Tim Burton's Corpse Bride

3:35p/2:35c - Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween

5:40p/4:40c - Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas

7:20p/6:20c - Hotel Transylvania

9:25p/8:25c - Hocus Pocus

11:35p/10:35c - Ghostbusters II

 

Sunday, Oct. 30

7:00a/6:00c - The Witches (1990)

9:05a/8:05c - Tim Burton's Corpse Bride

10:45p/9:45c - Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween

12:50p/11:50c - The Haunted Mansion (2003)

2:55p/1:55c - Hotel Transylvania

5:00p/4:00c - Beetlejuice

7:05p/6:05c - Hocus Pocus

9:15p/8:15c - Maleficent

11:20p/10:20c - Maleficent: Mistress of Evil

Week of Oct. 31

Canva

Monday, Oct. 31

10:30p/9:30c - Ghostbusters (1984)

1:00p/12:00c - The Haunted Mansion (2003)

3:00p/2:00c - Beetlejuice

5:00p/4:00c - Maleficent

7:00p/6:00c - Hotel Transylvania

9:00p/8:00c - Hocus Pocus

12:00a/11:00c - The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror Episodes

 

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Christian Slater Joins ‘Willow’ Cast, Disney+ Releases 1st Epic Trailer

by Karly Wood

Disney+ releases first full trailer for Willow

The magical world of George Lucas’ Willow is returning to the small screen! The epic fantasy adventure set in an age of swords, sorcery, myths and monsters is making a comeback in the form of a Disney+ and the plot will take place years after the time period of the original film. The first full trailer was released this week, along with the news that Christian Slater will be joining the cast. 

Willow introduces all-new characters to the enchanted realm of fairy queens and two-headed Eborsisk monsters and welcomes back its namesake hero, sorcerer Willow Ufgood, performed once again by the unmatchable Warwick Davis. And that’s not all. Executive producer Jonathan Kasdan has also confirmed to Yahoo! that Val Kilmer’s character, Madmartigan, will also be a part of the show. As for Slater, Variety reports, “Slater’s character is somehow tied to Madmartigan as a ‘friend,’ but more will be revealed later.”

Kasdan shares “Val’s a huge part of this, and the first conversation I had, when Warwick and I got the greenlight to do this, was with Val. We wanted his character to be a part of the story. We wanted him to be in the show. Because we were shooting during [the COVID-19 lockdowns], he wasn’t able to come to Wales and shoot with us. But he is in the show in a big way. And we’re pretty excited about it… Madmartigan lives on.”

There are not a lot of details about how Kilmer will be involved exactly in the Disney+ series (since he wasn’t involved in any of the actual filming) but fans are regardless excited to hear his role plays a part in the new generation. Warwick Davis reveals “Val’s spirit is very much with the series. [He and I] have been in touch since we made the movie, and we’re good friends and he’s a terrific guy…Madmartigan lives on.”

Willow’s plot follows follows Kit (Madmartigan and Sorsha’s daughter!) as she brings together a team to save their world. And yes, Joanne Whalley will return as queen Sorsha.

Tune in Nov. 30, 2022 when the series drops exclusively on Disney+.

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Earlier Bedtimes for Kids Is Better for Your Sanity, According to Study

by Shahrzad Warkentin

Ah, bedtime. You know, that magical moment when you collapse onto a kid-less couch and enjoy the silence, a beverage of your choice, and quality time with your partner (or by yourself). You’ve earned it. But is that bedtime early enough? According to this study, earlier bedtimes can improve parents’ mental health, so you might want to rethink that time.

Starting in 2004, thousands of families participated in a study conducted by Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in Melbourne, Australia, called Growing Up In Australia. While the research looked at many factors to study the impact of the immediate and broader environment on child development, tracking families over several years, one of the more interesting findings was that earlier bedtime for kids not only led to better health-related quality of life for kids, but it also improved the moms’ mental health.

Why? According to the study, kids who don’t meet the minimum sleep guidelines show symptoms of poor mental health (unhappiness and anxiety), tend to be late or absent more often and spend more time on homework. This can lead to stressed and tired kids which can lead to stressed and tired parents. And, even though sleep requirements decrease as kids age, many school-grade kids still weren’t meeting the guidelines. It showed that four out of five children thought they were getting enough sleep when they were not.

So what is that magic bedtime hour? It depends on the age of your child. According to the sleep chart above, if your six-year-old gets up at 6:30 or 7 am, their bedtime should fall between 7:30 and 8:30 pm! Putting kids to bed earlier might seem challenging, especially if you have after-school activities to balance, but there are ways to make it happen. If you have a first-timer heading to the classroom this year, this study on the effects of 10+ hours of sleep might convince you even more.

 

RELATED STORIES
The Most Powerful Family Ritual? The Bedtime Story
Tips for Starting (& Keeping) a Successful Bedtime Routine
Getting 10+ Hours of Sleep Has a Huge Impact on Kindergarteners, Study Shows

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I Didn’t See My Son’s Disability Until He Was 15

By Stephanie Duesing

My son, Sebastian, and I lived in the same house for 15 years. I gave birth to him. I changed his diapers and taught him to ride a bicycle.

I was a stay-at-home mom, and he was my only child. We spent hours together every day playing and doing crafts together. He painted the most extraordinary pictures even as a toddler. His existence filled my imagination from the moment that I looked at the faint blue positive mark on the pregnancy test.

But I didn’t truly know Sebastian until he was 15. I didn’t know him, because I didn’t see him.

Nobody saw him. Sebastian is the only person in the world known to see with words like a dolphin sees with sound. His blindness is an invisible disability. He has always slipped through our sighted world with what appeared to be the same ease as a spinner dolphin flying through the air.

Now Sebastian is 18, and every time he hugs me I can still feel the shell of his tiny newborn ear against my lips and his infant body in the nook of my shoulder where his chest meets mine. I always inhale, trying to recapture that baby smell and the tickle of almost invisible hair on my lips. His hair is now thick and smooth, not the dandelion fuzz of pale blond.

I cherished every sweet moment with him when he was small. Every hug, every smile, every game of hide-and-seek. I rocked him to sleep each night when he was little. We read aloud together until he was 12. He still hates Les Miserables. Tolkien was more his thing, with the dragons, wizards, and the magic ring that makes you invisible but also drains your soul.

He still hugs me every night before I go up to bed. Even after everything, especially after everything, Sebastian tells me that he loves me. When his long arms reach around my shoulders and he leans, I can still feel his little sneakers banging my hips and his little toddler arms hugging my neck. I smell the ghost of Cheerios-past every time.

In the car when we talk about the things we’ve been through together, about how I finally came to know him and see him, I reach out my hand to him. Sebastian’s cool, long-fingered artist’s hand lands in mine, squeezing. In his gentle adult grasp, I feel the ghostly hand of a child in mine, much smaller.

What magic ring did Sebastian have that cast its spell so thoroughly over him that it silently saved him while killing his soul? Surely it was not the cloak of invisibility that he wore all through his childhood as he zoomed through my house waving his wand. He was Darry, King of the Fairies and Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts. He cast his charm all over so thoroughly that I didn’t see him. Nobody saw him.

I remember his eyes, so bright blue and filled with pain as we both sobbed on the kitchen floor. It was January of 2017, and we had just discovered that 15-year-old Sebastian couldn’t recognize his own face and had taught himself to navigate our own home by counting his steps and turns. I had to tell him that he’d been born blind, not understanding how it was possible myself.

After I finally saw him and his invisible disability, I was crushed with guilt. How could I, as his loving mother, not see what was there before my eyes? Not seeing him kept me from giving the support he truly needed.

Yet with time, I came to realize that I had done nothing wrong. Like him, I did not know I was blind: blind to the side of him nobody could see. My intentions were always good and pure. They were rooted in love and tenderness and a desire to be the best mother I could be.

That’s what we all want as mothers. But sometimes, life creates blind spots. When we come to recognize them, we must accept and learn from them.

Now I am privileged to see the man who walks through this world with dignity and grace. His dry, laconic humor cracks me up, and his striking art inspires me. With his help and support, I am fighting to end the discrimination against the millions of people who have cerebral/cortical visual impairment. (CVI was identified as the number one cause of visual impairment in the developed world more than 10 years ago and still doesn’t have a diagnostic code.)

Every day, I celebrate seeing him for the wonderful man he is.

Originally published May 2021.

RELATED LINKS
No One Tells You About the Guilt You’ll Experience as a Mom with a Chronic Illness
When You’re So Afraid People Are Judging Your Kid That You Get It Totally Wrong
10 Incredible Books That Feature Children with Disabilities

Stephanie Duesing is the author of Eyeless Mind: A Memoir About Seeing and Being Seen, a true story about the discovery of her son Sebastian’s almost total blindness at the age of fifteen. Stephanie is devoted to raising awareness of Cerebral/Cortical-Visual Impairment (CVI) and advocating for patients with this visual impairment.  

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Small Museums in Chicago You Might Not Know About

by Amy Bizzarri

Now that you’ve been to the Museum of Science and Industry and The Field so many times you could lead a tour, it’s time to earn a little extra credit. When you’re craving something new and culture’s on the menu, check out a super-secret museum that’s just a mini road trip away. We dug up goodies that are within an hour’s drive of Chicago. Scroll through to see them all, from a secret nature center to an auto museum with superhero appeal.

Transportation

Volo Auto Museum

Does your kid go crazy for cars? An hour northwest of Chicago, this wheel-tastic museum is a draw for car nuts of all ages. Famous movie cars from Fast & Furious 7, Batman Begins, Dark Knight and Dark Knight Rises, National Lampoon's Vacation and more. There are also plenty of coin kiddie rides for the youngest children in your group.

Open daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; 27582 Volo Village Rd., Volo; Online: volocars.com

Illinois Railway Museum

America’s largest railway museum is right here in Illinois and goes way beyond your everyday Metra train. Ride on a one-of-a-kind mainline train, hop aboard an old-fashioned trolley coach or take a loop in a vintage streetcar. Feel like you've seen some of these sights before? That’s because the museum has been the set for numerous transportation scenes in commercials and movies, including A League of Their Own. Perhaps the biggest attraction is the annual Day Out With Thomas. On select days in July, kids chug along on a 20-minute ride on Thomas the Tank Engine and enjoy music, magicians, clowns and a meeting with Sir Topham Hatt. Consider taking a special trip for Halloween or Christmas when the museum features holiday-themed train rides.

7000 Olson Rd., Union; Online: irm.org

Nature

Trailside Museum of Natural History

Established in 1931, the Hal Tyrrell Trailside Museum of Natural History is a small museum located in a historic mid-1870′s Victorian mansion. Kids will have the chance to meet live native animals, including owls, frogs, turtles and even a fox. Hands-on activities complement learning, and even toddlers will enjoy the easy animal-themed puzzles. Natural-surfaced hiking trails through the surrounding Forest Preserve are perfect for little hikers and wind through beautiful oak woodlands and along the Des Plaines River.

730 Thatcher Ave., River Forest; Online: fpdcc.com

Knock Knolls Nature Center

Tucked in a quiet residential neighborhood, this slice of nature gives visitors the chance to discover what life was like at the convergence of the East and West Branches of the DuPage River in the 1800s. You'll also get to know the local wildlife that call this corner of DuPage County home. Grab a treasure hunt sheet from the front desk and explore! The highlight is a 900-gallon freshwater fish tank filled with catfish, bass and other swimmers. You'll also track replica fossils in the floor, marvel at a living wall of plants and learn how a rainwater collection cistern works. The building sits in a 224-acre park laced with winding, forested trails and sits adjacent to a nature playground. 

320 Knoch Knolls Rd., Naperville; Online: napervilleparks.org

Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum

The Tinker cottage, gardens and three-story Swiss-inspired barn was built by businessman Robert Tinker in 1865. Flash forward to today, when you can witness its beauty and get a dose of local history. The charming cottage and over-the-top gardens have become one of Rockford’s most popular attractions. The Victorian-era decor and unique architecture will satisfy the curiosity of the parents. As for the kids, they'll have a blast romping through the iris, rose and prairie gardens as the weather warms.

411 Kent St., Rockford; Online: tinkercottage.com

History

Isle a la Cache Museum

Learn about Illinois in the 18th century when our state was home to French voyageurs and native Potawatomi. Operated by the Forest Preserve of Will County on an island in the Des Plaines River, this recently renovated museum features many interactive exhibits and a Native American longhouse. At a recent museum event, children participated in traditional French and Woodland Indian games and storytelling. If you visit the island in the summer, your family will want to take part in one of many nature activities like fishing, kayaking, hiking and more.

501 E. Romeo Rd. (135th Street), east of Route 53, Romeoville; Online: reconnectwithnature.org

DuPage Country Historical Museum

Housed in a building gifted by John Quincy Adams in 1891, the former Adams Memorial Library is now a museum that contains countless artifacts and materials that document DuPage County. The HO Gauge Model Train is operated by the DuPage Society of Model Engineers the 3rd and 5th Saturday every month.

102 E. Wesley St., Wheaton; Online: dupagemuseum.org

Graue Mill and Museum

Since 1852, the Graue Mill has been grinding cornmeal, its waterwheel turning at the edge of the picturesque Salt Creek. Today, the Graue Mill Museum is dedicated to bridging past and present through living-history programs that illustrate daily life of the past, including milling, spinning and weaving demonstrations. While the museum is closed in the winter, the grounds of the mill are picture-perfect year-round. Kids will love throwing pebbles into the Salt Creek and watching sticks make their way down the beautiful falls that make the mill's gristmill go round.

3800 York Rd., Oakbrook; Online: grauemill.org

The Villa Park Historical Society Museum

This quaint historical museum, which shuts down for the winter, is a bona fide local gem. You'll find it near the Illinois Prairie Path, North America’s first rails-to-trails conversion. It’s housed in a 1929 building, which was once the station for the electric Chicago Aurora and Elgin Railroad. Antique toys, historical photos and artifacts from the demolished Ovaltine factory will take you back in time and spark hot chocolate cravings.

220 S. Villa Ave., Villa Park; Online: vphistoricalsociety.com

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Ukranian National Museum

We love doing arts and crafts, and sometimes we like a little inspiration. The Ukrainian National Museum highlights the traditional arts of Ukraine, with rows of beautiful ‘pysanky’ (decorated Easter eggs), richly embroidered costumes and other weavings and carved objects. Artifacts from the Ukraine and information about the current Ukrainian community in Chicago will help put together a mini-history lesson.

2249 W. Superior St., Ukrainian Village; Online: ukrainiannationalmuseum.org

Art

Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art

Surround your kids in a glittering array of jewels and precious stones at this gem of a museum. The museum houses the collection of Italian immigrant and businessman Joseph Lizzadro, a marvel of treasures big and small created from semi-precious and precious gems. Learn the science behind those gems and see amazing specimens of rocks, minerals and fossils from around the world. The gift shop has lots to start off your junior geologist’s own collection.

1220 Kensington Rd., Oak Brook; Online: lizzadromuseum.org

SMART Museum of Art at the University of Chicago

Wouldn’t it be nice to pop into an art museum for free, check out a few masterpieces, and then enjoy a snack? You can at this spot that packs the thrills and amenities of the big art museums, but on a smaller scale. We love the SMART for its temporary exhibitions and collections, which include modern art and design, and Asian and European art. 

5550 S. Greenwood Ave., Hyde Park; Online: smartmuseum.uchicago.edu

Government

The Money Museum at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

There's no better way to teach kids about saving money than taking them on a free visit to The Money Museum. Although the historical displays might be more suited to teens, taking a photo in front of a suitcase stuffed with one million dollars worth of hundred-dollar bills is worth the bragging rights for any age. Don’t forget to grab a souvenir bag of shredded currency for show-and-tell. Note: This museum is temporarily closed, but keep tabs on their website for opening information and online resources for families.

230 S. LaSalle St., The Loop; Online: chicagofed.org

Sports

The National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame

Mario Andretti’s Indy 500 racecar! Rocky Marciano’s first heavyweight championship belt! Swimmer Matt Biondi’s Olympic Gold Medals! Inspire your little athletes with a trip to the Tommy and Jo Lasorda exhibit galleries housed inside the larger Hall of Fame building. Even non-Italian-Americans will appreciate this up-close look at sports gear and memorabilia from sports celebs like Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra, Joe Montana, Dan Marino and Mary Lou Retton.

1431 W. Taylor St., Little Italy; Online: niashf.org

— Amy Bizzarri & Maria Chambers

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7 Stylish Indoor Swings That Inspire Us

by Gabby Cullen

Swings don’t have to just be for the outdoors. Bring one into your home, and it’ll change the way you and your family look at downtime. Whether it’s a modern take on an indoor baby swing or a rattan hanging chair, there are all sorts of ways to incorporate this feature into your home. In our quest to find unique indoor swings for the home, we found seven looks that we can’t stop obsessing over. See them all below.

Hanging Chair Swing

This hanging rattan chair is like a swing with an upgrade. A perfect place to read or relax, you can put it in almost any room in the house. 

Shop the look. 

Swing with Vines

Amy Braswell

Designer Jen Talbot brought the magic of the outdoors inside for one lucky Brooklyn tot. This playroom features a woodsy theme with a vine-covered swing hanging from a life-size tree branch. The tree itself is a 100% felt tree and includes velcro-able lemons.

Shop the look. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca622wEs6Gq/?hidecaption=true

Baby/Toddler Swing

Say goodbye to uncomfortable plastic swings and say hello to a design-forward cozy version instead. 

Shop the look. 

Playroom Swing

Nat Rea Photo / Kate Jackson Design

In this room created by Kate Jackson Design, a kid-sized swing takes center stage surrounded by the colorful Ikea rug, table and chairs.

Shop the look.

 

Luxury Swing

Let playtime span generations with a luxury swing just for mom and dad. With dozens of designs and colors, you're sure to find the handmade swing that fits your style.

Shop the look.

 

Bedroom Swing

Boost the fun factor in your kids' bedroom with a swing. Since it'll need to be secure, make sure you get a pro to install it. 

Shop the look.

Hammock Chair

If you close your eyes and swing, you'll (almost) be able to hear the waves. Or, let your kiddo have their quiet time tucked away with a blanket and a love. Either way, a hammock chair is something the whole family can enjoy.  

Shop the look. 

— Gabby Cullen with Erin Lem

Featured image: iStock 

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Photographer Transforms Newborns into the Cast of “Friends” & Could It BE Any Cuter?

by Jennifer Swartvagher

Colorado photographer, Mandy Penn wanted to put a smile on everyone’s face during the pandemic. Penn, who is a huge Friends fan, wanted to incorporate her favorite show into one of her photo shoots. She put out a casting call and the rest is pure magic. 

The idea first came to her when her friend was pregnant with twin girls. Penn said, “Since I was just starting to do newborns I ran the idea of a Friends themed photo shoot for her girls past her.” Once she got her friend on board Penn ran with the idea, searching for props and a couch. When all she could find was a $200 couch she called up her good friend who offered to make the couch for her from scratch. Next, she needed to find the props, from a foosball table to a lobster to a turkey hat. She even included a smelly cat. Penn didn’t leave out one detail.

Chandler

Friends Photshoot

Monica

Friends Photshoot

Ross

Friends Photshoot

Rachel

Friends Photshoot

Joey

Friends Photshoot

Phoebe

Friends Photshoot

Penn waited until her friend delivered her twins and scheduled the shoot for when the babies were 11 days old. Penn put out a model call for three boys and one girl between the ages of 5 to 14 days old. Soon, she had the gang assembled.

Friends Photshoot

Friends Photshoot

Friends Photshoot

According to Penn, the babies did great with the shoot. Could they be any cuter?

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of Mandy Penn Photography

 

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16 Adorable Valentine’s Day Gifts from Etsy That Your Kids Will Love

by Kate Loweth

If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation.

All the world needs now, is love, sweet love and we have all the ways you can show love this Valentine’s Day right here. These Etsy Valentine’s Day gifts for kids include lots of personalized options that we know won’t get cast away on February 15th. Your little one will definitely feel the love when receiving one of these options!
LandKcreationsNY21 via Etsy

Name Crayons

$5/letter BUY NOW

We love this super cute and useful gift any time of year.

WoodenToysforYou via Etsy

Valentine's Day Wooden Puzzle Heart

$14 BUY NOW

This Waldorf-inspired toy will keep your little love busy all day!

SensoryPlay via Etsy

Wooden Heart Stacker

$44 BUY NOW

This Montessori toy-turned Valentine's Day gift will be one that the kids will use over and over.

herwholeheart via Etsy

ABC I Love You Shirt

$20 BUY NOW

Choose your baseball tee colors and you can order up this totally-cute tee for your little Valentine. Comes in youth sizes.

PunchOfColor via Etsy

Hearts Suncatcher Kits

413 BUY NOW

Snag this kit and make these cute suncatchers to pop on your windows so all the neighborhood can see.

AnhLineShop via Etsy

Breakable Chocolate Heart

$65 BUY NOW

How fun would this be for Valentine's Day? Fill this up with your favorite treats and let the little ones go at it.

the22gemini via Etsy

Heart Magic Wands

$10 BUY NOW

Add a little magic to your Valentine's Day with these wooden wands.

Valentine's Day Gift Baskets

$18 BUY NOW

You'll get a personalized drink bottle and stuffie, all wrapped up cute and ready to give.

EssentialDoughCo via Etsy

Wooden Heart Stampers

$9 BUY NOW

Let your little ones make their own Valentines or stamp out some red-colored playdough.

littlewoodenwonders via Etsy

Personalized Toy Truck

$22 BUY NOW

Your toddler will zooming all around the house with this year's Valentine's Day gift.

BusyPuzzle via Etsy

Name Puzzle

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Add a heart and choose from a number of color schemes to make this puzzle the perfect give for your little valentine.

AnnGreenClub via Etsy

Wooden Heart Stacking Toy

$28.50 BUY NOW

This fun option will be so cute to display in your playroom even after Valentine's Day.

LittleMiaBella via Etsy

BESTIES Mommy & Me Tees

$17+ BUY NOW

These too-cute tees come in adult and kid sizes (infants, too!) so you can deck out your whole crew.

PamKR via Etsy

Fuzzy Beanie

$17+ BUY NOW

OMG this one is a cutie! This beanie with pom poms comes in sizes infant to adult.

aurespaces via Etsy

Custom Pet Pillow

$30 BUY NOW

Does your little one love their pet? This is a cute option that they'll be carrying around the house for months.

mamaGstitched via Etsy

Embroidered Tie Dye Sweatshirts

$45 BUY NOW

Available in both adult and kid sizes, these tie dye sweatshirts are personalized with your little one's name.

—Kate Loweth

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Finally! “Encanto” Drops on Disney+ This Friday

by Karly Wood

We’ve all gotten used to streaming blockbuster videos at home during the pandemic, especially when it comes to kid flicks. Thankfully, many films are coming to streaming providers earlier than ever, and that includes Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Encanto!

Disney’s newest film just hit theaters on Nov. 24, but you won’t have to wait much longer to view it from the comfort of your own sweatpants home. According to What’s on Disney Plus, the movie is coming to the Disney+ platform on Dec. 24! And while you wait for Friday to come, you can watch a special new featurette about the film right now!

 

Because the film is exclusively in theaters for 30 days, you won’t have to purchase Premier Access (usually $30) to watch it come Dec. 24. Your regular subscription is all you need!

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Encanto tells the story of the Madrigal family, who live in the mountains of Colombia in a special place called Encanto. The location is home to the family, but also to plenty of magic. Keep scrolling to catch the official trailer.

Mirabel, the only one in her family without magical powers, is on a journey to find her place in the family. Voicing the character, Stephanie Beatriz shares, “Mirabel is a really funny, loving character who also deeply yearns for something more. She’s also not afraid to stand up for what she knows is right—something I love and relate to very much.”

The film features new original songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, as well as the voice of Colombian singer and songwriter, Carlos Vives.

––Karly Wood

Feature photo: Walt Disney Animation Studios via YouTube

 

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