It’s Farmers Market season and boy, do we have some good ones all over the city of Chicago and around the Chicagoland suburbs! So get outside and support these local vendors for the freshest produce, handmade goods, artisan crafts & jewelry and so much more.

Are you looking for something different to do with your kids? Chicagoland is filled with so many unique and out of the ordinary [and affordable!] attractions…. you just have to know where to find ‘em!

From large popular zoos to the smaller and more intimate ones, there are a lot of options around Chicago and in Northern Illinois to visit a family-friendly zoo with wildlife species, educational programs and other children activities and attractions.

I think for some, it can come as a surprise that there are so many local farms in the Chicagoland area. Well, surprise! No matter where you may live, I guarantee there is at least one animal farm near you. So take a day with your kids to visit one of these educational and interactive centers.

Nature centers are probably the most underrated forms of family-friendly entertainment and activities. Educational exhibits, hands-on interactive learning, indoor and outdoor programs… and all for FREE — what’s not to love about it!

Thanks to @upon.the.wildflowers, I’ve put together this amazing list of outdoor playgrounds in the North & Northwest city and suburbs! No longer do you have an excuse that you can’t find something new and exciting to do outdoors!

Thanks to @lcparkmom, I’ve put together this amazing list of outdoor playgrounds in Lake County IL! No longer do you have an excuse that you can’t find something new and exciting to do outdoors!

Eating out as a family is NOT cheap. But having a meal out can be a great way to spend time together; so here are places in the city and the suburbs that offer FREE meals for kids!

Mall play areas are a great place for an exhausted parent to sit back and relax while their kids let out some energy. And the best part about it is they’re FREE!

Taking your kids on adventures gets expensive. Luckily, Chicago and the suburbs have so many affordable hidden gems that you can take your kids to— many of them for FREE!

Libraries have become so much more than a collection of books & materials. They also provide an area of imaginative play and exploration for little kids. It’s a great option for parents to get their kids out of the home and in an educational setting. And it’s FREE!