ML Interest Tag: parents-night-out

Best Reasons to Book a Sitter in September

by Maria Chambers

No one move. Hear that? That’s the unmistakable sound of silence. Chase the dream of uninterrupted conversation by dialing up a sitter for a much needed date night. Read on to hear how you can bond on a stroll around the zoo, check out a new restaurant opening, experience Deja Vu at The Second City and more! Get planning — and enjoy the heck out of this quiet time before it slips away!

photo: Smyth

Be One of the First to Try Smyth
Take a break from chicken nuggets to try Chefs John Shields and Karen Urie Shields’ new dining concept in the West Loop, Smyth. Smyth is this husband and wife duo’s fine dining compliment to neighborhood restaurant bar The Loyalist housed downstairs. Many of their ingredients are sourced from a local farm in Bourbonnais, including a variety of heirloom and hard to find varieties of herbs, fruits, and vegetables. The experience at Smyth is a confluence of warmth, vitality, and artistry; from the friendly greeting from chefs through the open kitchen to the humble approachability of the sommelier and the relaxed, comfortable nature of the dining room.

Eight course menu is $135, with optional beverage pairings for $85
Tues.-Thurs., 4 p.m.-midnight; Fri. & Sat., 4 p.m.-2 a.m.
Smyth
177 N. Ada St.
West Loop
Online: smythandtheloyalist.com
Reservations: smythandtheloyalist.tocktix.com

Dine Amongst the Scoundrels
Dive deep into delicious food and a good amount of Chicago history at the Tortoise Supper Club. Owned by Keene and Megan Addington, a quick walk around the restaurant makes their love of the Second City very apparent. They worked with the Chicago History Museum to chose scandalous or rogue Chi-town residents in history and commissioned a caricature artist to create their likeness. These paintings, live jazz music played Friday and Saturday nights on a piano given to Keene’s grandmother on her 10th birthday, books acquired from the Newberry library and countless local artifacts should put this hidden gem on the top of every Chicagoan’s restaurant bucket list.

Mon.-Thurs., 11:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.; Fri., 11:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m.; Sat., 5 p.m.-11:30 p.m.; Sun., 5 p.m.-9 p.m.
Tortoise Supper Club
350 N. State St.
Near North Side
Online: tortoisesupperclub.com

Naperville’s Last Fling
Naperville has proven they’ve mastered the art of throwing the epic end-of-summer party with their Last Fling. Head west for this four-day affair featuring national headlining artists like the Bodeans, Toad the West Sprocket, Rusted Root, Sugar Ray, Everclear and more!

Sept. 2-5
Admission costs vary, check website
Jackson & Main Streets
Naperville
Online: lastfling.org 

photo: Lincoln Park Zoo

Get Some Adulting Done at the Zoo
Ever wondered what goes on behind the gates after hours at Lincoln Park Zoo? Wonder no more. Leave the kid at home and ever over for Adults Night Out. The over 21 crowd will enjoy unique animal chats, live entertainment and cash bars throughout the zoo. No kids. No crowds. Strolling among exhibits with a beer or glass of wine in hand. Sound fun? Join in!

Sept. 8; 6:30 p.m.-10 p.m.
$15 non-members; $12 members
Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N. Clark St.
Lincoln Park
Online: lpzoo.org/adults-night-out

photo: Navy Pier

Take In the Final Fireworks of the Season
Head to Navy Pier for the final two firework displays of the season or climb 94 floors above The Mag Mile to the 360 CHICAGO Observation Deck to get a unique and unforgettable view. Sip a cocktail with your favorite plus one and enjoy the sound of silence.

Sept. 3 & Sept. 10; 10:15 p.m.
Navy Pier
600 E. Grand Ave.
Online: navypier.com/fireworks
&
360 CHICAGO Observation Deck
Chicago 606 Resident Appreciation Rate: $10; General admission: $20
Online: 360chicago.com

Fall is in the Air at Jake’s Cider Bash
Give an early welcome to fall with all things apple in Jake’s Keg Room and Patio. Sip on over a dozen ciders while you munch on smoke apple BBQ wings, local hot links with cider braised onions, applewood smoked pork loin sliders, bbq chips and house baked apple pie.

Sept. 15; 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Jake Melnick’s Corner Tap
41 E. Superior
Gold Coast
Online: eventbrite.com/e/jake-melnicks-corner-tap-cider-bash

photo: Second City via © Todd Rosenberg Photography

Get Your Laughs at the Second City’s Fool Me Twice, Deja Vu
Everyone has a deja vu story or two to share. That 6th sense is a strong one and Second City is ready to take you on an uproarious exploration of intuition. Take a gleeful glance into funny mothers, millennials, christian media and contemporary nostalgia as you get fooled twice and come back for another round of fooling.

Tues.-Sun. evenings in September
Second City MainStage
1616 N. Wells
Old Town
Online: secondcity.com

photo: Glenview House

Glenview Haus’ 5th Annual Oktoberfest Tent Party
Inspired by the world’s most popular German event, Glenview “Haus” will host the North Shore’s most exciting and authentic all-day Oktoberfest celebration this side of Munich. The 5th annual festival will feature authentic grub, grog and live German music in the Oktoberfest tent located in the railroad parking lot directly west of the restaurant.

Sept. 17; 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Glenview House
1843 Glenview Rd.
Glenview
Online: theglenviewhouse.com

photo: Sunda

Maki Monday at Sunda
Sunda invites guests to learn the specialty art of rolling sushi on Maki Monday’s, the last Monday of every month. Each Maki Monday begins with a saki tasting where guests are guided through three difference types of sake. Then, Sunda’s award-winning chef teams help the group recreate inventive signature sushi rolls. Proper sushi rolling techniques are learned as eating and drinking ensues. Perfect for girls night or date night!

Sept. 26; Sake tasting, 6 p.m.-6:30 p.m.; Maki rolling, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
$45/person
Sunda
110 W. Illinois
River North
Online: sundachicago.com

photo: Red Bull Illume Chicago

Red Bull Illume Chicago 2016
Kicking off the fourth edition of their exhibit tour in North America, Chicago’s Wrigley Square, located in Millennium Park, is the ideal place to showcase the finalist of the Red Bull Illume Image Quest 2016. The light boxes will stand side-by-side with the famous Millennium Monument and be a stone’s throw away from the famous Chicago Bean. To showcase the amazing imagery in a unique perspective, the exhibition will only be open after the sun goes down.

Opens Sept. 28; 6:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
Free
Millennium Park
201 E. Randolph St.
Online: redbullillume.com

Think Ahead to New Years!
Chicago’s premier entertainment, restaurant, and nightclub management company, Rockit Ranch Productions, is running a one-of-a-kind contest – The New Year’s Eve Ultimate Night Out Experience. A seasonal bonanza of prizes fit for partygoers, foodies, music lovers and fashionistas alike, Rockit Ranch Productions invites all playing to win one of three New Year’s Eve experiences. Check their website for details.

Free to enter online: rockitranch.com

Need help with a sitter? Don’t forget Pump It Up Lisle hosts Parents Night Out every third Friday and there are plenty of online sitter services to help you in your date night quest.

Any fun date nights planned in September? Share your ideas in the Comments below!

— Maria Chambers

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LA’s Best STEM Classes for Girls (and Boys!)

by Shahrzad Warkentin

While some kids are obsessed with robots and rocket ships before they can even pronounce the words, some future physicists need a little more encouragement to develop a love of math and science. REad on to discover the best STEM based classes and activities in the city that are designed to make a love of science fun and easy for girls and boys of all ages—even those who think they don’t have an interest in the subjects.

photo: Zaniac Learning Center

Zaniac Learning Center
Zaniac turns the classroom into a playroom with game-based learning. Presenting complex concepts, like robotics and engineering, as playtime makes learning exciting for your reluctant scholars. With classes like Digital Fashion Design (alongside LEGO Robotics) there is something to tempt kids with a variety of interests by weaving technology into subjects they are already excited about. Each after school class series meets once a week for six weeks with programs ranging from K-8. Camps are available during summer and winter breaks, and they also offer Parents Night Out events and birthday parties.

3201 Wilshire Blvd.
Santa Monica
424-330-0008
Online: zaniaclearning.com/SantaMonica

photo: Kids Can Code

Kids Can Code
As the parents of two girls, Kids Can Code founders Chris and Priya Bradfield understand that girls are especially under-represented when it comes to higher education in computer science. They have developed classes to encourage girls to develop an interest in computer technology with the hopes that they will go on to pursue degrees and careers in the field. Besides regular coding classes for kids of all skill levels, they offer girls only coding classes to create a comfortable learning environment. They also partner with local Girl Scout troops on technology based projects and events. Weekly classes sessions are available for beginners and more experienced kids, ages 7 & up.

Various locations including Sherman Oaks, Calabasas, and Pasadena.
Online: kidscancode.org

Girls In STEM Club—Columbia Memorial Space Center
What better way to encourage girls to get involved in math and science than by forming an awesome club? With monthly meetings at the Columbia Memorial Space Center, members of the Girls in STEM Club will spend a Saturday getting hands on experience with exciting, science-based projects. They will also take part in an annual summit with mentors working in the field. The free club meetings are open to girls age 9 & up.

12400 Columbia Way
Downey
Online: columbiaspacescience.org

photo: Coding for Treasure

Coding For Treasure
Learning coding can be boring for some little techies unless they get a better understanding of the bigger picture and how the skills can be applied in the real world. During weekly classes that cover computer science and digital technology, kids will get to apply what they learn to developing their own apps, games and movies, just like real-life coders. In addition to their classes and camps, Coding For Treasure also hosts a free program aimed at inspiring girls called Tech Grrrls. Girls aged four & up can attend the monthly meetings held on Friday evenings where they can get together with other girls and mentors to learn more about technology and science and how they can get involved.

2920 Huntington Dr.
San Marino
626-451-5905
Online: codingfortreasure.com

Asteme
In answer to the age-old kid question, “When am I ever going to use math?” Asteme was born. For little learners struggling to understand the point of all those endless equations seemingly meant for pure torture, this program will introduce them to all the wonderful ways math and science are applied in the real world. Using music, art, nature and even physical activities like rock climbing, Asteme classes get kids away from desks and out exploring the real world to learn about math based concepts like engineering, space exploration, and architecture. K-8 level classes are offered in 8-week after school and weekend sessions. They also offer camps during summer and spring breaks.

11672 Gateway Blvd.
West LA
310-740-3337
Online: asteme.com

photo: Logan Heights Branch Library

Full Steam Ahead!
A reluctant tyke may leave you reluctant to pony up for a full series of classes. Luckily, you don’t have to spend a ton (or even a single dime!) to get your little one’s gears going. The Los Angeles Public Library’s program Full STEAM Ahead offers free events at various branches to inspire a love of all things science and math. The library also offers lists of books and resources to help motivate young learners.

Various LAPL branches, check the listings online for dates and locations.
Online: lapl.org/steam

photo: Shahrzad Warkentin

BONUS: There’s no need to even corral the kids into the car to get their minds tuned in to the exciting world of science. Thanks to an inspiring LA kidpreneneur, you can have a subscription box full of science activities delivered to your mailbox every month. The Top Secret Science Club is aimed at enticing kids to love science, by turning basic lessons into imaginative adventures.

Online: topsecretscienceclub.com

Is there a class that has blossomed your luddite leaning kids into total techies? Share any we missed in the comments!

—Shahrzad Warkentin

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A Family Guide to Hermosa Beach

by rtelenawf

With the beach, playgrounds, kid shops, restaurants, and outdoor activities all within 1.4 square miles (doable with a stroller and/or little legs), Hermosa Beach is perfect for the whole family. Ideal as a day destination from anywhere in LA, the fresh ocean air of one of California’s most beautiful beach communities is waiting for you. Here are our tips for finding all the pint-sized fun in Hermosa Beach.

photo: Mimi L. via Yelp

Playing

The Beach, The Pier & The Strand
In Hermosa Beach life centers around the beach (duh), and that’s a great place to start exploring. If you park near the Pier, you are perfectly situated to relax at the beach, stroll down the pier or bike (scooter, rollerblade or use any other wheels your family prefers) on the Strand.  In the summer, the beach beckons for lazy days of splashing and castle building, while in the winter sand berms stretch out from both sides of the Hermosa Pier providing plenty of ocean-front real estate for your little sand bunnies to try some SoCal beach sledding.  Wherever you wander from here (and we’ve got loads of suggestions below) be sure to come back to catch a breathtaking sunset over the ocean from the end of the pier, which is blissfully free of anything to do but gaze at the views.

The closest places to park are the two public metered lots on Hermosa Avenue at 11th and 13th Street. Public restrooms are available on the pier.

Where: 1 Pier Ave.

photo: South Park Playground by Melissa Heckscher

South Park Playground
This newly renovated, environmentally sensitive, natural and universally accessible playground is one of our favorites in town. And while you appreciate all those buzzwords, kids adore the giant cement slide, several climbing structures and grass tee-pees. There’s also a massive lawn to run around on, or play an impromptu game of soccer. Basically, it’s kid paradise.

Where: Valley Dr. & 4th St
Learn More: tinybeans.go-vip.net/los-angeles/south-park-playground-hermosa-beach/

Valley Park
This park has a little something for everyone: a playground for the littles, picnic tables, a soccer field and basketball court. It’s also immaculately maintained, with restrooms on site and 6-hour free parking. Valley Park also hosts special summer events like “Movie in the Park” and “Shakespeare By the Sea,” so check the schedules to see if you can cap your day by the beach with a little culture.

Where: Valley Dr. & Gould
Online: hermosabch.org/index.aspx?page=256

photo: Play Hive via Facebook

Play Hive
If you’ve exhausted the great outdoors and are looking for some indoor fun, check out Play Hive. It’s a clean, super fun indoor play space that entertains babies and toddlers alike. Open weekdays 10 a.m.-6 p.m., it’s $10 per kid, siblings $8. They also offer special weekend activities for kids, like “Super Hero Training.”

Where: 307 Pacific Coast Hwy
Online: playhivela.com

photo: Art Zone via Facebook

Art Zone
The Art Zone is a great way to spend quality time with your little ones. Check out the drop-in Studio Art class, for kids aged 18 months and up ($15 per ticket). Paint, finger paint, clay-play, printmaking, drawing materials and an exciting variety of collage and assemblage materials are available for kids to explore. Your tyke will be guided by an instructor who provides support and several project choices. Little ones will love expressing their creativity not only via art, but through imaginative play in the mud kitchen and water wonder room.

But the real reason it’s on our list is the Parents Night Out every Friday.  After a day at the beach catering to kids, parents can drop off the kiddos and enjoy a night out in Hermosa Beach as grownups, knowing the kids are having just as much fun as you. Each Friday night is centered around an art theme & activity, and pizza and pasta are also provided. $29 for the first child, $20 per additional sibling.

Where: 1102 Aviation Blvd.
Online: artzone4kids.com

photo: Hermosa Beach Cyclery

Hermosa Cyclery
The Hermosa Beach Strand is the perfect place for a bike ride, with a smooth cement path that connects the beach cities for miles; you can even bike to Santa Monica if you have the pedal power.  But if you don’t live nearby and you don’t want to load a zillion bikes onto the car, renting for a few hours is a great option. Rent tandem bikes (kids love to feel grown up on the back of an “adult” bike), or individual ones (training wheels available), strap on those helmets and get pedaling. In about a mile you can arrive at the Manhattan Beach Aquarium, or you can simply enjoy the wind in your hair and ride around until your quads get tired.  Then you’ve really worked up an appetite for something tasty…

Where: 20 13th St.
Online: hermosacyclery.com

photo: La Playita’s Facebook page

Eating

La Playita
Offering the very best view in town (and great margaritas), you may never want to leave. It’s super casual, hasn’t changed in at least 25 years and offers both indoor and outdoor patio seating. There’s a public park between the restaurant and The Strand, so it’s an ideal spot to let your kids run off energy pre-or post meal. La Playita is right next to The Beach House Hotel (a gorgeous place to stay if you decide not to rush back home).

Where: 37 14th St.
Online: laplayitacafe.com

The Green Store
Beach provision packing: this is the spot to stop at if on the way to the beach you realize you didn’t pack food and you don’t want to drag wet and sandy bottoms to a restaurant.  22nd Street boasts a swing set and public bathrooms where kids can stretch legs and use facilities while you stock up on sammys and snacks at this great little deli.

Where: 2151 Hermosa Ave.
Online: greenstorehb.com

Martha’s 22nd Street Grill
This breakfast will fuel your whole day. Sip your espresso at one of the groovy outdoor tables and enjoy the palm trees and beach view (only a half a block away). Kids adore their buttermilk pancakes, and you’ll dig into of the fresh California-style omelettes. If you can wait until you’ve soaked up your sun and need a treat for the ride home, swing by for one of their Oreo shakes.  They’re beloved for a reason.

Where: 25 22nd St.

photo: American Junkie via Facebook

American Junkie
With extended happy hour on Fridays, and drink specials on weekends too, American Junkie is a great place to grab an outdoor booth, hang out and enjoy the fresh sea air. The $6 kid’s meals (including a drink), not to mention grown-up happy hour food specials, make it a wallet friendly option. Generous portions, freshly made, good prices and an atmosphere that welcomes kids: it might be your new neighborhood joint, whether or not this is your neighborhood.

Where: 68 Pier Ave.
Online: americanjunkiehb.com

Good Stuff
Good Stuff boasts one of the best kid’s menus on the Strand (or frankly, anywhere in town), so it’s a perfect choice when you’re in the middle of a beach day.  Or at the beginning (Mickey pancakes!).  Or end (mac & cheese, steak bowls and more for the kids, beer and tacos for you!).  You get the picture.

Where: 1286 The Strand
Online: eatgoodstuff.com

Hot’s Kitchen
Loud and crazy means kids don’t have to sit quietly at this dinner place. With a delicious selection of 50 tacos, ranging from the most traditional “Mom’s Taco” to the exotic “Duck Confit Taco,” Hot’s serves up a casual-cool menu that ignites the taste buds and surprises the senses. The kid’s menu includes chicken fingers and hamburgers (in addition to kid-sized tacos). It’s a great spot to hang out and not worry about the noise your little ones create—it’s all a part of the “surfer meets sophisticate” buzz.

Where: 844 Hermosa Ave.
Online: hotskitchen.com

photo: The Source Café via Facebook

Sweets & Treats

The Source
Eating at the beach doesn’t have to mean burgers and tacos. Sometimes being in your bathing suit makes you yearn for something extra healthy. The Source specializes in handcrafted salads, smoothies, juices and other delicious health conscious fare. With a wide selection of gluten-free, paleo, and vegan baked goods (that actually taste amazing!), your kids will be delighted, and not even know they’re eating what’s good for them.

Where: 509 Pier Ave.
Online: thesourcecafehb.com

Paradise Bowls
So how about a sweet treat you can feel good about? Check out Paradise Bowls and order up a sinfully delicious (yet incredibly healthy) acai bowl. Kids will love the fun names like “Chocolate Tide” and “Electric Pink”, and will happily go for the mini sizes. With fresh ingredients like goji berries, bee pollen, cacao nibs and hemp seeds, your sweet tooth will be filled with good-for-you energy.

Where: 1246 Hermosa Ave.
Online: paradisebowls.com

Paradis
Or maybe you just want ice cream, because a day by the sea demands it.  Our favorite local scoop shop is the mini-chain (there are 7 SoCal locations) Paradis, which serves Danish style ice cream. Many, many tasting scoops later, we’re not really sure what makes it Danish (other than the 43 shops in Denmark) but it sure is delicious.  Kids particularly like the Rocky Road and Stracciatella (chocolate chip), while parents flip for the fresh sorbets that change with the season.  The sorbets are vegan and light, so you don’t have to feel guilty indulging alongside the kids.

Where: 1246 Hermosa Ave.
Online: paradis-icecream.com

photo: Lori Ford

Shopping

Gum Tree Kids
This shop feels like you wandered into the Hamptons with adorable, unique clothing and darling gift options for kids. Everything in the store is pretty to look at, whether it’s hand-made knitted dollies or humorous kitsch. (Where else can you buy a tub of beautifully sparkly “Unicorn Snot”?) Lots of charming retro items in cool packaging, like Cat’s Cradle and natural beeswax crayons. If you’re looking for a darling memento for your little darling, you’ve come to the right place—let your little one choose something charming to take home.  You can also eat (deliciously) at the next door Gum Tree Cafe with open air seating, healthy, largely organic fare with an Australian twist (yep, you can get Vegemite here) and friendly staff.

Where: 323 Pier Ave.
Online: gumtreela.com

Curious
Interested in some odd-ball shopping? Curious (and the next door shop, Still Curious) offers one-of-a-kind finds. A home décor and novelty store, older kids will have fun browsing through the unusual items. Curiouser and curiouser.

Where: 128 Pier Ave.
Online: curiousworkshop.com

photo: Hermosa Beach Farmers Market

 

Hermosa Beach Farmers Market
You just can’t beat a farmers market with a stunning view of the beach. Stroll through the market and check out the nearby shops too while you pick up your grocery list of fresh fruits and veggies. With train rides for the kiddos, balloon art and free samples, this is a must-do if you happen to be in town on Wednesdays between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Where: Hermosa Beach Pier Plaza
Online: farmermark.com/hermosabeach

Stars Antique Market
Do a little antique shopping and buy a unique vintage item from Stars Antique Market, which has over 7,000 square feet packed to the brim with gorgeous items from various antique sellers. While you browse with an eye on making your home Pintrest worthy, kids will  the unique nick-knacks and huge range of new-to-them stuff to discover.

Where: 526 Pier Ave.
Online: starsantiquemarket.com

photo: Parker Knight via Flickr

Have a blast exploring Hermosa Beach, and be sure to let us know what activities are favorites for your family in the comment section!

—Elena Wurlitzer Fenegan

additional image by Foodie K. via Yelp

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Best Reasons to Grab a Sitter & Hit the Town in June

by Maria Chambers

Shhhhhh! Hear that? That’s the sweet sound of silence. Chase the dream of uninterrupted conversation by dialing up a sitter for a much needed date night. Read on to hear how you can bond on a caffeine crawl, check out new restaurant openings, experience Deja Vu at The Second City and more! Get planning — and enjoy the heck out of this quiet time!

photo: The Second City’s Deja Vu

Get Your Laughs at The Second City’s Fool Me Twice, Deja Vu
Everyone has a deja vu story or two to share. That 6th sense is a strong one and Second City is ready to take you on an uproarious exploration of intuition. Take a gleeful glance into funny mothers, millennials, christian media and contemporary nostalgia as you get fooled twice and come back for another round of fooling.

Every Tues.-Sun. evening
$28-$36/person
Second City MainStage
1616 N. Wells
Old Town
Online: secondcity.com

photo: Caffeine Crawl Chicago

Caffeine Crawl Chicago
Join in on year two of the Windy City’s Caffeine Crawl. They’re bringing the buzz back to favorite neighborhoods, classic cafes and exciting new stops for a caffeinated weekend to remember! 20 local cafes, roasteries, tea shops and bakeries unite for 11 routes across the metro – walking, driving or transit tours. Multiple start times are offered to fit busy schedules.

Fri., Jun. 3-Sun., Jun. 5; 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
Multiple Cafes
557 W. Diversey Pkwy.
Chicago
Online: caffeinecrawl.com

Disenchanted comes to Broadway in Chicago
Poisoned apples. Glass slippers. You won’t find those here. Forget about the princesses you thought you knew. The original storybook heroines have come back to life to set the record straight. After multiple sold-out runs nationwide, these royal renegades tossed off their tiaras to bring their hilariously subversive, not-for-the-kiddies musical to you – and what you thought about princesses will never be the same

Through Jun. 5; various showtimes, check calendar
$37.75-$75.75/person
Broadway Playhouse
175 E. Chestnut
Mag Mile
Online: broadwayinchicago.com

Pilsen Food Truck Social
Food truck fans, this street fest is just for you. Savor a variety of delicacies and treats from a caravan of different food trucks all in one central location. The menus offer a little something for everyone. Want to try something from each truck? Check out the $20 sampler ticket that gets you sample-size portions from 5 different trucks. Bon appetit!

Sat., Jun. 11-Sun., Jun. 12; 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Suggested donation of $5/person; $20/Sampler Ticket
18th St. at Allport
Pilsen
Online: pilsenfoodtrucksocial.com

photo: Lincoln Park Zoo’s Brew to Be Wild

Brew to Be Wild at Lincoln Park Zoo
Tap your inner animal—and savor some great craft beers—at the second annual Brew to Be Wild tasting event. Adults can enjoy a selection from more than 75 specialty brews from 35-plus local and regional breweries, alongside animal encounters and other fun, after-hours activities. Beyond the tasting stations along the zoo’s winding paths, this ticketed event will feature lawn games, DJ beats and tasty food for purchase. A limited number of VIP tickets will include exclusive beer tastings, snacks and access to a private lounge and restrooms.

Fri., Jun. 17- Sat. Jun. 18; 6 p.m.-11 p.m.
$49 general admission; $89 VIP
Lincoln Park Zoo
2100 N. Clark St.
Lincoln Park
Online: lpzoo.org/brew-be-wild

photo: Smack Shack

Welcome Smack Shack to Chicago
Started as a food truck in Minneapolis in 2010, Smack Shack has chosen Chicago to drop anchor for the second location. Lucky us! Check out their new location in the Fulton Market area, where they’ll be serving up their famous lobster rolls, lobster mac & cheese, corn on the cob, shrimp, oysters! It’s beyond delicious and the cool industrial vibe makes for a fun night out.

Smack Shack Chicago
326 N. Morgan
West Loop
Online: smack-shack.com/chicago

photo: Imperial Lamian

Great eats at the NEW Imperial Lamian
Imperial Lamian’s first U.S. location is now open! Check out their authentic, yet modern, Chinese cuisine with dishes prepared by three Master Chefs expertly trained in their individual crafts: Chef Kok Lam Andy Foo helms both traditional and inventive wok dishes, Chef Lim Kee Tiong specializes in beautiful dim sum and xiao long bao (soup dumplings), and Chef Wang Hongjun focuses on fresh, hand-pulled lamian noodles.

Imperial Lamian
6 W. Hubbard
Near North Side
Online: imperial-lamian.com
Make a reservation: imperial-lamian.com/reservations

Need help with a sitter? Don’t forget Pump It Up Lisle hosts Parents Night Out every third Friday and there are plenty of online sitter services to help you in your date night quest.

Fun date night plans in June? Tell us about it in the Comments below!

— Maria Chambers

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Stack It Up, Build It, Knock it Down: Where to LEGO

by Mae Respicio

Do you know the extreme pain associated with stepping barefoot on a LEGO brick? Then you must be living with a little LEGO addict! Despite their sharp exteriors, LEGO bricks can offer kids many important skills from fine motor development to creative play skills. These places all over the Bay Area provide lots of LEGO love and ample building time. The best part? Those pesky little bricks stay all over their floors—not yours!

Photo credit: Mae Respicio

San Francisco

Built It! LEGO Club
Books and LEGOs? Could it get any better? The San Francisco Library has drop-in building sessions throughout the year at various branches including Ocean View and North Beach. They provide all the pieces—the kiddos just bring their imaginations.

Ocean View Branch
345 Randolph St.
San Francisco, Ca
415-355-5615

North Beach Branch
North Beach Meeting Room
850 Columbus Ave.
San Francisco, Ca
415-355-5626
Online: sfpl.org

Tech Know How
Sometimes the future engineers of America need just the slightest bit of guidance. Tech Know How provides that, and more. Their summer camps let littles as young as 5 learn about everything LEGO. The older ones (ages 14–18) can even volunteer as summer interns where they train to work in a classroom, have access to software and tech tools, and even receive a letter of completion (for extra brownie points on those college apps!).

Camp locations in San Francisco, the Peninsula, East Bay, and South Bay
Cost: Prices vary
Online: techknowhow.com

Marin

Marin County Free Library
What’s better than LEGOs?  Free LEGOs! The Novato branch library welcomes your engineers-in-training and provides all the parts, which means Duplos through LEGOs for youngsters 4–14.

Novato Branch
1720 Novato Blvd.
Novato, Ca
4–5:30 p.m. every first and third Wednesday of the month. No registration required.
415-897-1141
Online: marinlibrary.org

Play Well Activity Center
Buildings, birthdays, and babysitting—all rolled into one cool place!  Well, not actual babysitting per se, but with the way kids zone out (in a good way) on those plastic pieces, you know what we mean. Be sure to ask about their sibling discount.

216 Greenfield Ave.
San Anselmo, Ca
Summer Hours:10 a.m. to 6 p.m., every day
Drop-In Cost: $10/hour per child
415-460-5210
Online: play-well.org

Photo credit: Mae Respicio

Peninsula/South Bay

Build It Again with Bricks
This store has everything for your crazy little builders to go nuts: drop-ins, parties, camps, buying/selling and even photo mosaics. Yes, you too can turn your little’s school photo into an amazingly detailed LEGO portrait. Simply bring in a photo and their experts do the rest. (How cool is that?!)

398 Main St.
Los Altos, Ca
650-935-2166
Wednesday and Thursday, 12–6 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Drop-In Cost: $15/hour
Online: builditagainwithbricks.com

LEGO Stores
Pick-a-Brick buffet?  Why yes, please!  These shops are pay per scoop, so check with each location for exact rates. Go crazy, South Bay residents!  They also offer monthly LEGO Club meetings where participants get to make and take home a mini model ($10/person fee).

341 Hillsdale Mall
San Mateo, Ca
Mon.–Sat., 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
650-571-9020
Online: stores.lego.com

2855 Stevens Creek Blvd.
Santa Clara, Ca
Mon.–Fri., 10 a.m.–9:30 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
408-247-8071
Online: stores.lego.com

BrainVyne
BrainVyne takes unique LEGO fun and combines it with basic programming for kids in their popular spring and summer camps. Their Girl Power Robotics: WeDo program is a girl-only introduction into the LEGO Robotics WeDo program. Kids also love the combination of LEGO and Star Wars in another popular program. BrainVyne even offers LEGO birthday parties in their Palo Alto location (or another public location near you).

Camps located in Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Evergreen, San Carlos, Santa Clara and Milpitas
Online: brainvyne.com

Wizbots Imagineering Programs
Combine LEGO Mindstorms with arts, crafts and low-tech building materials and STEM takes on a new meaning for young innovators (grades 2–8). They have everything from camps to parties to afterschool programs; check their website for individual Peninsula locations and programs. 

233 Highland Ave.
San Carlos, Ca
Online: wizbots.com

Photo credit: Karla Oliveira / Build it Again with Bricks

East Bay

Oakland Public Library Lego Mania Club
It’s brickmania at the Lakeview Branch, where kiddos build and explore with LEGO and Duplo. The littles will love this weekend precursor that takes place every 2nd Friday of the month.

Lakeview Branch
550 El Embarcadero
Oakland, Ca
510-238-7344
Online: oaklandlibrary.org

Play-Well Pleasanton Activity Center
The power of play is at work here with drop-in activity time for even the littlest of builders (starting at age 3 but with Duplo, natch). Activities focus on popular themes like Ninjaneering, Star Wars, and Flight, to name a few.

5737 Valley Ave.
Pleasanton, Ca
925-484-1547
Summer Hours: Mon.–Fri., 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sat. and Sun., 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Drop-In Cost: Weekdays: $9/hour per child (all ages); 5-hour pass: $35
Online: play-well.org

Photo credit: Kate Loweth

Bricks 4 Kidz
Calling all LEGO lovers who also love Angry Birds and Minecraft! This center has not only drop-in hours, classes, camps, afterschool programs and birthday packages but they also have… (wait for it): Kids Night Out! You won’t feel so guilty about date night when you know how much fun they’re having.

3150 Balfour Rd.
Brentwood, Ca
925-684-4082
Drop-ins: Tues., 10 a.m.–noon; Wed., 4–6 p.m.; Thurs., 10 a.m.–noon; Fri 4–6 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.–noon
Cost: $5 per child
Kids Night Out every Friday from 6–10 p.m. ($25/child)
Online: bricks4kidz.com

BrickSpace
The owner of this Benicia gem combined a love of learning with a love of all things LEGO and out came BrickSpace! The littlest LEGO lovers will enjoy the preschool playtime especially their Curious Kids Love Science class which brings together LEGO fun and science experiments! After school and summer camp programs are available, as well as the ever-popular Parents Night Out program that’s offered the first Friday of the month.

946 Tyler St., Suite H
Benicia, Ca
Hours: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

621 First St.
Benicia, Ca
Hours: Monday through Thursday 1 – 5 p.m.; Friday 12 – 5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Online: brickspacebenicia.net

Photo credit: Kate Loweth/Living LEGO-cy

More LEGO Fun

BayLUG
Join up with other Bay Area LEGO fans both young and old and become a member of BayLUG – the Bay Area LEGO Users’ Group. BayLUG has meetings where members can display their projects and the group also participates in various LEGO events around the area including Bricks By the Bay in August.

Little LEGO lovers will love the annual “Living LEGO-cy” show at the Museum of American Heritage in Palo Alto which takes place in December and January. You don’t have to be a member to attend this show (but members do get in free!).

Membership: $10/year for a child (with parent permission) or $20/family for the first year (fees are half after the first year)
Online: baylug.org

Did we leave out any of your favorites?  Where does your family like to go for a little LEGO action?

—Kate Loweth & Mae Respicio

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Explore the Power of Play at Tacoma’s Children’s Museum

by Rachael Brandon

Although spring has sprung we know there are still a few more indoor play days left on the calendar before Olaf’s favorite season bids us farewell. If you’ve already played out your local rainy-day fun spaces, consider heading to the Children’s Museum of Tacoma and taking advantage of this lesser known, but drive-worthy kid mecca. Did we mention admission is pay as you will? Read on to learn about the museum’s playscapes and special programs, including camps to fill your summer schedule.

photo: Rachael Brandon

Playscapes

Woods
The adventure begins in the Woods playscape where exploration and learning meet Swiss Family Robinson. Tots will settle in like they’re at grandma’s house when they discover small nooks, dark caves, a kitchen, and a cozy corner full of sensory toys and books. The older set will love that this area encourages lots of movement, whether it’s over the rope bridge, under elevated platforms, or through the log pile.

photo: Andrea B. via Yelp

Water
Parents love water exhibits, right? How could we not? Our munchkins get to splash, experiment and delight in their play and we don’t have to hassle with the set up or clean up. In this uniquely designed Water playscape, the minis will love getting to control the flow of cascading water tables, creating pathways for toys to maneuver, and experiencing water in motion. Water troughs with bubbling fountains also invite curiosity into sinking and floating objects.

photo: Rachael Brandon

Voyager
A prominent and intriguing play-structure located in the center of the museum is a dream-like winged vessel called Voyager. The Littles will love to explore the lower area (of the ship? or is it a plane?) that’s loaded with props and dress-up materials to engage those big imaginations. And older kiddos will be eager to climb aboard the main cabin where they can create make-believe flight crews, pretend play an adventure, and burn off energy using recumbent bikes to ignite the engines and power-up the wings.

photo: Rachael Brandon

Becka’s Studio
A fully windowed, garage-like art haven uniquely called Becka’s Studio, makes for a cozy hideout for those Messy Marvins and mini-Monets. There’s always a few projects planned with a common theme and an ever-rotating supply of recyclable materials to sculpt, paint and create away with. Leave those fridge-worthy creations on a drying rack, then pick them up before you go. Picture perfect!

photo:  Rachael Brandon

Invention
Baby Edisons who spend their days pulling switches and turning nobs to see what happens will flip for the Invention playscape. Those busy bees wont want to stop working the air tubes with scarves, building with small and large materials, and creating pathways on the Whoosh! wall for balls to travel through. Now why didn’t we think of that?

photo: Rachael Brandon

Special Programs

Membership
When you purchase one of the museum’s membership packages you’ll be cashin’ in on free We Ones Weekly classes, Power Play experiences and member parking, plus members-only on Mondays, all for an annual fee of $100-$125/year. Did we mention the discounts? You get them on everything from entrance fees to other children’s museums, birthday parties, parents’ night out events and more. Cha ching!

photo: Michelle H. via Yelp

Wee Ones Weekly
Get more out of your museum experience with an engaging and thematic Wee Ones Weekly program for toddlers, preschoolers and their caregivers. Kidlets will love the singing, dancing, art making, and story time plus having free run of the museum 30-minutes before it opens. Classes take place on Mondays (members only) and Fridays (general public) from 9:30 a.m.-11 a.m., and cost $15 per non-member family of four, plus $5 for each additional child. No registration is necessary.

photo: Rachael Brandon

Play to Learn
We love library programs, but when they’re tied to activities, songs and toys presented by the Children’s Museum of Tacoma it’s eureka! Each week, Pierce County-area libraries host free drop-in classes for the six and under set that they’ll beg to go back to again and again. Want to know more? Check the museum’s website for the details and see for yourself.

photo: Rachael Brandon

Summer Camps
Those precocious kiddos who love to create, experiment and imagine will not want to miss out on an exciting adventure this summer at one of the five camps offered at the museum. Campers ages 3-6 can spend a week developing skills in art, science, cooking, story telling, or on an imaginative adventure. Costs vary based on class length with some camps running from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. ($130/non-member; $117/member) and others from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. ($200/non-member; $180/member).

Preschool
What could be more thrilling than spending those emergent preschool years learning in a classroom at a kid’s museum. Learn more about the museum’s play-based program by visiting an upcoming open house on April 14 or May 12 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. or check their website.

 photo: Dana M. Via Yelp

Parking
Street parking along Pacific Ave. will likely be your best bet and will only set you back $1 per hour. Everyone tries their first time, but parking isn’t allowed in the United Way lot adjacent to the Museum on weekdays (except for members). Cost is $5 for 3 hours on weekends. Parking garages at Umpqua Bank, Union Station, and the Tacoma Art Museum are all available for standard fees.

photo: Rachael Brandon

Good to Know
Kid museums are busy places, so if your want some extra move-around room arrive early. After a couple of hours of playing you’ll find the necessary refueling essentials (coffee please!) for purchase at Café Play located in the entrance area, or pack a lunch and store your goodies in a free locker.

Children’s Museum of Tacoma
1501 Pacific Ave.
Tacoma, Wa 98402
253-627-6031
Online: playtacoma.org

Hours: Wed.-Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Closed Tuesday; Third Thurs. of each month, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.;
Member Only Hours: Mon., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. 9 a.m.-10 a.m.
Cost: Pay as you will

Looking for other fun things to do in Tacoma? Check out our Guide to Tacoma’s Must-See Attractions.

When was the last time you visited the Children’s Museum of Tacoma? What is your family’s favorite exhibit? Let us know in the Comments below.

— Rachael Brandon

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Tacos, Stroller Ramps, and More! A Parent’s Guide to Glover Park

by Ayren Jackson-Cannady

Nestled between AU Park and Georgetown, Glover Park was once considered a haven for college students and young professionals. With an influx of families moving (or staying) in the neighborhood, more members of the stroller- and sippy cup-set are calling Glover Park home. The result? Businesses are offering loads of options for your entire crew.

Eat and Drink

Photo: Surfside DC via Facebook

Surfside
You’ll forget about the frigid temperatures when you enjoy beach-inspired tacos, salads, and burritos at Surfside. A Glover Park staple since 2008, Surfside’s been on best-of lists, and is known for their $6.95 kids’ meal that gives young diners the chance to customize a taco, quesadilla, or burrito to their liking. During warmer months, Surfside also opens up its roof deck for family dinners al fresco. #Perfection

2444 Wisconsin Ave., NW
202-380-9353
Online: surfsidedc.com

Whole Foods Market’s “Wine Wednesday”
There’s no shortage of bars in Glover Park, but one of the best (and most kid-friendly) happy hour specials can be found at Whole Foods Market Georgetown. During their weekly “Winesday,” you can check items off your grocery list while you sample Cabernets and Chardonnays for just $8 (wine glass and appetizers included). Come back with your glass each “Winesday” and enjoy the special for just $4!

2323 Wisconsin Ave., NW
202-333-5393
Online: wholefoodsmarket.com

Play and Explore

Photo: cdorobek via Flickr 

 

Guy Mason Recreation Center
From little league games to summer festivals, Guy Mason is a neighborhood hub for Glover Park families. The park features a recently-renovated playground (and new stroller ramp) as well as a well-loved collection of toys passed down from older kiddos. There’s also a place for Rover to roam at their dog park and dozens of free and reduced-cost classes for people of all ages at their recreation center. Ceramics, anyone?

3600 Calvert St., NW
202-727-7736
Online: app.dpr.dc.gov/dprmap

Photo: Escape Room DC via Yelp

Escape Room DC
Looking for a unique date night activity? Searching for a way to keep inquisitive kids on their toes? You may want to visit Escape Room DC. At this new venue, teams of up to 12 players are given just 45 minutes to play an “exit game” where they use logic and teamwork to solve a series of riddles and puzzles that will allow them to escape before time runs out. Are you game? You can book a game online for a parents night out, a family outing, or even a birthday party. All kids under 14 are welcome with a participating paying adult.

2300 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Suite G-102
800-616-4880
Online: escaperoomlive.com

What are some of your favorite family-friendly spots in Glover Park? Dish in the Comments section below.

—Sarah Vogel

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