Oberweis Dairy

It can be hard to get some ice cream in the middle of winter since a lot of the really great places are closed, but just because it is cold outside does not mean we don't want our frozen treats.  One place that always stays open and has great ice cream is Oberweis Dairy.  There are Oberweis stores located throughout the suburbs but I believe there is only one in the City located at 1293 N. Milwaukee in Wicker Park.  We always go to the store in Lincolnwood.  The company's website (www.oberweis.com) has a list of all the locations. 

Mainly, Oberweis sells milk that comes from cows living on family farms, that have not been treated with artificial hormones.  Also, the milk comes in awesome glass bottles that you return when you are done with them.  When you stop by a store, however, you can also purchase ice cream made from this milk.  Prepackaged ice cream is available by the quart or you can order from an extensive menu of ice cream treats made while you wait.  The ice cream is really good by itself but also totally delicious in sundaes, shakes, or blizzard type items called frostbites.  There is a kids' menu, which is great because the normal size items can be quite large.  Usually our girls usually just get a scoop of their favorite ice cream in either a cone or a cup. 

The store that we go to in Lincolnwood has plenty of seating, is always clean, and has a friendly staff.  The stores also offer a birthday party package, which includes a sundae bar and seems like it could be a lot of fun.  Oberweis also offers Kids Club Cards where you purchase either a cone, shake, or sundae club card and your child gets two of the selected treat for free twice a month for a year.  If you go to Oberweis a lot these cards could save you some money.  We've considered getting these cards for our daughters for Christmas or a birthday but you can't use one card for two kids and we were uncertain of how a good of an idea it would be to guarantee the girls two ice cream cones a month, every month for a year.  Maybe a little much for kids their age but might be a good idea when they get older. 

Since we have had such a mild winter this year, it has been nice to be able to go to Oberweis to get our ice cream fix..

Chicago Center for Green Technology

This post isn't really about something to do with your children (although they can tour the LEED Platinum certified building here) but more about the free programming offered at the Chicago Center for Green Technology (CCGT) that could be beneficial for your family.  The CCGT is located at 445 N. Sacramento, right by the Garfield Park Conservatory and offers an extensive catalog of courses for adults on the environment, conservation, and sustainability.  Some of the classes are definitely more technical than others but CCGT also offers some really great seminars for home owners and gardeners.  For example this semester some of the courses include "Safe and Effective City Biking", "Sustainable Backyard Workshop", "Indoor Composting", "Renewable Energy Options for Homeowners", and "Greening a Renter's Lifestyle", just to name of few.  Most of the classes are free and are offered on Tuesdays or Thursdays from 6:00 - 8:00 PM or on Saturdays either from 10:00 - 12:00 AM or 1:00-3:00 PM.  I have found that the courses are taught by knowledgeable people in the industry, doing work directly related to the course topic.

If you are a professional working in a related industry the CCGT also offers continuing education credits and program certificates.  There are six different areas in which you can earn a certificate from the CCGT (architecture, building and construction management, engineering, green business, green home and garden, and interior design) and the program schedule is color coded to show which courses are applicable to each area.  In order to earn a certificate, you must first fill our a very brief enrollment form on the website and then you have 12 months to attend six seminars that are related to the subject area you selected.  Anyone pursuing a certificate, regardless of subject matter, must attend the course titled "Ecology of Design Part 1: Concept".  I think this course is offered every semester. 

This semester, the CCGT is also offering what they call a Green DIY Series.  They are partnering with Green Depot, Rebuilding Exchange, and Neighborhood Housing Services to offer workshops mostly related to renovating your home or doing home repairs but also offer a couple of classes on wood working and hand tools.  Most of these courses are also free and are either at the CCGT or one of their partners listed previously. 

Information on the individual courses can be found on the CCGT website: www.chicagogreentech.org.  You must register for each course you attend but registration is super easy to do at the website.  Some of the courses do fill up quickly so if there is something you really want to attend you should sign up right away.  There is a small parking lot available in front of the building and then a larger one in the back.  You can enter the building either from the front or the back and then you must sign in at the front desk.  Classes are usually held in one of the classrooms upstairs.  There are bathrooms located right by the classrooms.

I have really enjoyed the courses that I have taken.  I found them to be quite informative with great instructors.  I spend so much time worrying about what classes my kids should be taking that sometimes it is nice for me to learn something new too.

Kiddie Kingdom

Over the weekend we visited Kiddie Kingdom, which is located at 7411 N. Milwaukee in Niles, and is similar in concept to Chuck E. Cheese.  You purchase a bunch of tokens to play a variety of arcade type games, which spew out tickets that you can eventually cash in for prizes.  My daughters love to go to Chuck E. Cheese with their grandparents so it was no surprise to us that they had a really great time at Kiddie Kingdom.  Since my daughters are young, what they were most attracted to were the things they could ride on such as the three horse carousal, spinning tea cups, and helicopter that goes up and down.   My older daughter was also pretty obsessed with a photo taking game and also one where you could color /design a picture on a computer screen.  A lot of the other games were too difficult or physically impossible for them, like the car racing game that required that they sit on our laps so that we could push the peddles while they turned the steering wheel.  We had no problem, however, going through 100 tokens, between the two of them, over the course of about 1.5/2 hours with a break to eat lunch.  That seemed to be plenty for us.  By the time the tokens were all used up the girls were ready to go, however older kids may burn through tokens a lot faster.

Kiddie Kingdom is located in a little strip mall with a parking lot out front.  When we arrived there were no spots available but there is additional parking in the back.  Even though we were there on a Saturday afternoon, in the winter Kiddie Kingdom was not that busy.  The girls didn't have to wait in line to really do anything.  It is open seven days a week, 11 AM - 10 PM Monday through Thursday, 11 AM - 11 PM Friday and Saturday and 11 AM - 9 PM on Sundays.

Food is available here and the menu is actually quite extensive.  There are a bunch of appetizer type things like mozzarella sticks, onion rings, and chicken tenders, pizza, pasta, and sandwiches.  We had pizza when we were there and, while it wasn't amazing, it was fine.  Drink options include soda, milk, and beer for the adults.

Before going, definitely check the website (www.kiddiekingdomfun.com) for coupons.  Current coupons include $20 for 100 tokens and a large pizza, $25 for 160 tokens or $36 for 280 tokens.
 
Overall my girls had a really good time.  Note to parents:  there are a lot of flashing lights and noise.  If this drives you crazy you will not want to go here.  Otherwise it is a good place to take the kids when winter boredom sets in.  I would say Kiddie Kingdom is best for kids between 4 or 5 years old and 12 or 13 depending how into video games the kid is.  My 2 year old did go and have a good time but I think if the oldest kid you are taking is 2 years old this wouldn't be the best place to go.

City Provisions

I love delis and I am always excited when a new one opens up in the City.  This one has been open for a couple of years but we finally just made it there this week.  Straight ahead, when you walk in the door, is a counter where you can get a variety of coffee drinks and a few bakery type items.  As you move to the right there is the deli counter where you can order sandwiches for lunch or items from the case, such as different types of salads and mac & cheese squares, which I believe change a bit depending on the season.  As you continue around the corner there is a selection of cheeses, wine, and other specialty items.  Next to the  cheese is the register where you pay for your food. 

When we first came in everyone who worked there was very nice to us but, I have to say, it seemed as though the other customers were less than thrilled that I was in there with a child.  I only had one of my daughters with me and she was very well behaved the whole time we were there but I think with some people the sight of a child annoys them.  No other children were in the restaurant the entire time we were there (probably about 45 minutes), which was a little weird to me since a few blocks away in Lincoln Square there were probably kids having lunch in every restaurant.  The crowd was kind of hipster, which was weird to me in that neighborhood.  There were people "working" there who really just looked like they were hanging out.  They had their laptops out but mostly were just talking to other people so really how much could one child be bothering them.

I ordered a smoked turkey sandwich with Gouda and rosemary mayo to share with my daughter and a cup of chicken noodle soup (one of the soups of the day) for her.  The food was really good, especially the chips.  My daughter downed her soup.  However, when I paid the bill it was $15!  And we didn't even get drinks.  I know you are paying for high quality ingredients but it seemed a little high for this neighborhood.  Although, I have to say, we were there at lunch time on a week day and it was decently busy.  There are a few communal tables when you first walk in and then counter seating and two small tables in the other room. My daughter and I tried to sit at one of the communal tables but the people who were already sitting there (only one person per table with seating for 6) were giving me the "I don't like kids" look so we sat in the other room at the counter. It actually worked out OK since we could look out the window and see the Brown Line trains going by and luckily she did not fall off the stool.  I think when it is warm out there is also outdoor seating.  

The hours here are great.  The shop is open from 8 AM until 8 PM Tues. through Thurs. (closed on Mondays), 8 AM until 9 PM on Fridays, 9 AM until 9 PM on Saturdays and 10 AM until 3 PM on Sundays.  City Provisions is located at 1818 W. Wilson.  Parking is relatively easy along Wilson.  We parked for free just a block down from the restaurant.  Also the Damen Brown Line stop will get you relatively close.  

I think City Provisions could be a great place to hang out, have brunch or dinner (they have beer on tap) with your adult friends but it just isn't a great place to take small children for lunch.

The Portage

We're always on the look out for a restaurant that has really good food, is a little bit upscale, and is totally kid friendly since we often have grandparents or childless friends in town and we want to go somewhere nice with them while not having to get a babysitter.  We went to The Portage (3938 N. Central) this weekend when we had some guests in town and we had a really great meal. 

When we first walked in, and during the entire meal, everyone was super nice to us.  It is a really small restaurant so I would recommend a reservation if you are coming with a group.  We had a reservation for six so they sat us in the backroom, which they call the library.  This room is separate from the rest of the dining room and gets in name from a couple of shelves full of books on one wall.  We were told they have a give a book, take a book policy.  It was like having our own private dining room, which was great.

When we sat down we were given a kids' menu and offered a booster seat - two good signs that kids are OK here.  The kids' menu included basic kids fare like mac & cheese, a hamburger, and chicken fingers, which, of course, is what my kids ordered.  The kids' meals come with a drink, choice of vegetable or french fries, and ice cream.  The vegetable that night was brussel sprouts so the girls went with french fries.  The meal that they got was definitely better than your average kids chicken fingers and the french fries were really good.  The ice cream choices were raspberry, chocolate, chocolate chip cookie dough, and buttered popcorn.  I tried to convince one of them to get the buttered popcorn but was unsuccessful.  They went with chocolate and chocolate chip cookie dough and were very happy.

The food off of the regular menu was super good, too.  We started with a gnocchi appetizer with a delicious mustard sauce.  I had the Kobe meatloaf with mashed potatoes and carrots that I really enjoyed and my husband had the burger and he said it was great.  The drink menu is pretty extensive with specialty cocktails and a decent selection of beer and wine.  Overall we had a really delicious meal and felt totally comfortable with our kids there.

The restaurant is closed on Mondays and opens at 5:00 PM Tues. through Sun.  Parking is available on the street. 

Amy's Candy Bar

We decided to stop by this little candy shop in search of some fancy lollipops for Valentine's Day.  The store is located in Ravenswood at 4704 N. Damen and is just the cutest thing.  It is very small on the inside but the shelves are packed with the yummiest looking candy all displayed in glass containers that make the candy look beautiful.  Immediately upon entering we were greeted in a very friendly way and were offered samples.  Then we were left alone, which is nice in such a small store because being followed around can make you feel uncomfortable.  I could immediately see that the store did not have exactly what I was looking for, however since we were in a candy store there was no way we were leaving empty handed.  My daughter picked out some heart shaped Valentine's candy that she gobbled right up.  I had a hard time deciding between all of the gummy flavors and shapes, taffy, and chocolate covered stuff.  I finally settled on brightly colored, candy coated pretzel balls.  They were so pretty in the plastic bag they come in and tasty as well.  A little on the pricey side, though.  I think all of the candy is priced around $2.25 per 1/4 pound and, at least in this house, a 1/4 pound doesn't go very far.  Amy's is also known for its caramels, which we didn't have the opportunity to try.

The store is open seven days a week from 11 AM until 8 PM.  It is located right off of the Damen Brown Line stop and there is metered parking out front.  This candy shop would be a really awesome place to shop for birthday party favors or a baby shower (so many cute pastel colored candies) if you  have the right budget, which, sadly, I never have.

Explore and Much More

Explore and Much More is located at 3827 N. Southport.  My older daughter loves this play place and is always begging to go back.  I think it is a great place to play for kids between ages 2 and about 6.  When you first walk in the door there is an area to take off coats and shoes (socks only past the entrance) and the desk where you pay.  There is a little area for strollers but if they run out of room they have another area where they store strollers.  The play space has two levels.  The first level has two climbing/sliding structures - one for toddlers and one for older kids.  It's nice because you can watch two or more kids of different ages at the same time.  Underneath the larger play structure there is a little play kitchen and also a reading nook.  Along the wall is one of my daughters' favorite things, a series of tubes with air blowing through them.  When you put a ball or scarf in the contraption they fly through and shoot out one end.  You see these a lot at museums but not at play places very often.  Downstairs is a bit more spacious for kids to run around.  There is a bounce house, a toddler play area, a place to throw balls, and a couple of things for kids to climb on.  Downstairs is also where the art room is located.  There are drop in art classes on Thursdays at 10:00 AM.  The art class (more like just a project for the kids to do than a class) is included with admission.  They also offer a Creative Movement Class on Wednesdays at 10:30 that is also included with admission. 

This play space does not have a coffee shop, like so many of them do, but they do offer free coffee from 9:30-10:30 Monday through Friday.  You can bring snacks for your kids but can only eat them in a designated room, not within the play area. 

Admission is pricey at $12 for the first kid and $9 for siblings but adults are free, as are children under 1 year of age, and you can play for as long as you like.  Parking can be a bit difficult.  Every time we have gone, we've found free street parking a few blocks away after searching for a couple of minutes.  You can also park at a meter on Southport.  On weekends or days when there is no school you can park in the Blaine school parking lot for $5 but you have to pay inside the play place.  Explore and Much More is open from 9-5 Monday through Friday.  They are also open on weekends as long as they don't have a party scheduled.  Check their website to see a calendar (www.exploreandmuchmore.com) which indicates what hours they are open over the weekend.  Explore and Much More does get quite crowded so I would recommend going when it first opens or in the afternoon when a lot of the kids in the neighborhood are down for their naps.  My girls always have a really good time here but we don't go as often as they may like because of the high admission price.