It's a "children's indoor playground that features structures and a space for children to have fun, explore and let their imagination run."

It can be hard to squeeze in some quality family time. But this week's lineup of events offers fun ways to bond, from an art studio to a scavenger hunt.

Looking for fun, entertaining events and activities to check out in Chicago this weekend? Including dates, times, locations, and links to buy tickets.

Looking for fun, entertaining events and activities to check out in Chicago this weekend? Including dates, times, locations, and links to buy tickets.

Find out which schools made the grade in reading, math and other key areas.

Find out which schools made the grade in reading, math and other key areas.

Find out which schools made the grade in reading, math and other key areas.

The Chicago Teachers Union President turned to private education for her child. Detractors say it's an example of hypocrisy and systemic inequality.

With child care centers facing an impending funding crisis, working parents are on the edge, and the ripple effects could hit the entire US economy.

Chicago Park District embraces the spirit of Halloween with a series of festive events, including a Dia de Los Muertos workshop that kicks off this month-long celebration.

Chicago's Luna y Cielo Play Café is helping families maintain Spanish language skills and embrace their Latinx heritage through bilingual play and Spanish classes for children.

A successful Fall Celebration at the Aurora Farmers Market brings the community together, providing family-friendly activities and supporting local businesses with over 2,000 visitors in attendance.

Chicago Fire Department's Survive Alive House gets a much-needed makeover, immersing visitors in a more realistic experience of fire safety education.

Make-A-Wish Illinois brings happiness to children facing severe illnesses by granting over 700 wishes this past year, while continuing to work on wishes for more than 1,500 families.

Attorney General Raoul leads a 15-state attorney general coalition to support HUD's Disparate Impact Rule. The rule, which has been in effect since 2013, prohibits housing practices that may seem impartial but actually harbors discriminatory effects.

Chicago lauds Maureen Delgados leadership at Clinton Elementary, championing inclusivity and resources for diverse, low-income student population.

Chicago PD honors 11-year-old, DJ Daniel, who is battling brain cancer, as an Honorary Police Officer, marking the 795th law enforcement induction.

High-dosage tutoring by Tutoring Chicago helps students recover from pandemic-induced learning losses.

Chicago takes measures to assist its homeless newcomer residents during winter through community initiatives and collaborations.

Illinois sees optimistic pandemic recovery with improved reading scores, but math rates still lag, signaling a need for enhanced focus and strategies.

Illinois Attorney General urges families to check the states sex-offender registry ahead of Halloween for child safety.

After being kidnapped by Hamas, Natalie Raanan returns to Chicago. Her mother, who was also kidnapped and is now free, remains in Israel with her 85-year-old mother.

Oak Park provides emergency shelter to 100 migrants amid harsh Chicago winter, following local residents urging for aid.

Ex-student awarded 150k as Chicago schools Hinduistic meditation program infringes on religious rights.

Elgin woman, British husband, and their five children escaped Hamas-led conflict in Gaza, taking refuge in Egypt.

Illinois Senate Republicans fight for the extension of the Invest in Kids Scholarship Program, ensuring disadvantaged students access to education.

On November 17, 31 foster children's adoptions will be finalized at Williamson County Courthouse, IL, on National Adoption Day.

Magnificent Mile Lights Festival kicks off holidays with floats, parades, and dazzling fireworks in Chicago.

Venezuelan migrants experience their first Thanksgiving in Chicago, hosted by caring locals.

Chicago family rescued on Greenhorn Mountain after getting stranded.

Chicago opens a fifth Community Reentry Support Center in North Lawndale to provide returning residents with resources like job training and counseling to reduce recidivism.

A 5-year-old migrant boy, Jean Carlos Martinez Rivero, died in a crowded Chicago shelter where he received inadequate medical care after becoming ill.

The Chicago Board of Education is considering a move toward prioritizing neighborhood schools over the current mix of school choice options, sparking debate amongst parents and educators.

Chicago communities and individuals are generously providing toys to local children for Christmas, with initiatives like Communities Partnering 4 Peace's toy giveaway and a crossing guard's personal efforts bringing holiday joy.

An Illinois family mistakenly bought $13,000 in Disney+ gift cards instead of tickets for Disney World. Their mistake was resolved after a viral TikTok video led to Disney rectifying the issue, allowing them to enjoy their planned vacation.

Chicago hospitals welcomed the first babies of 2024, with Ocean arriving at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital and Rue being born at Advocate Christ Medical Center, marking joyful beginnings for the new year.

Chicago police have identified the parents of a toddler found wandering alone in Roseland after nearly two weeks. The young boy had no signs of abuse and was taken to a hospital. The investigation is ongoing.

A Chicago family's apartment flooded due to a burst pipe, leading the family with a special-needs child to seek new accommodation amidst conflict with the Chicago Housing Authority's assessment.

Chicago selects Seventy-Seven Communities and 14 Parish to provide affordable, culturally relevant meals to new arrivals in shelter programs, aiming to enhance food quality while reducing costs.

A vigil was held for a family nearly wiped out by a massacre in Joliet, Illinois, where survivors reflected on their loss and resilience. The community showed support amidst their mourning.

On Safer Internet Day, Illinois AG Kwame Raoul advised parents on the importance of discussing online safety with their children and promoted a SMART approach to internet use.

Chicago Public Schools showed a significant rise in post-pandemic student reading gains, leading large districts nationwide, though math scores still lag.

Governor Pritzker of Illinois has presented a balanced budget proposal aimed at strengthening the state's economy and supporting families, with a focus on enhancing healthcare, education, and economic development.

Hospitals in Chicago and Indiana celebrated the birth of special Leap Day babies, receiving unique onesies and frog hats to honor their rare February 29th birthdays.

Chicago launches My CHI. My Future. Micro-Grant Program with $600,000 for community organizations serving youthful populations outside of school hours, especially in underserved areas.

The Illinois Department of Corrections introduces a family wellness workshop to help the families of correctional staff cope with work-related stresses.

Chicago launches the Spring Forward campaign to engage kids with activities during spring break, accessible via the My CHI. My Future. app and website.

Illinois AG Raoul and 21 attorneys general urge Congress to pass the Access to Family Building Act to protect access to in-vitro fertilization and other assisted reproductive technologies.

Chicago's mayor unveils the MCMF Micro-Grant Program, with $600,000 to back youth initiatives in the city's South and West sides, aiming to provide productive opportunities and foster community growth.

A 7-year-old boy, Adrian M. Matias, died following a fire in Chicago's South Shore, which also killed a 24-year-old man and injured four others. The cause is under investigation.

United Way's Stuff the Bus campaign in Lake County aims to equip students with school supplies, advocating for educational equity by accepting donations and volunteer efforts to assemble backpacks.

The Chicago Department of Public Health's PlayStreets initiative turns streets into car-free play areas for youths and families, with a focus on promoting health in underserved communities.

Illinois has enacted a rule allowing low-income families to receive 100% of child support, even past recipients of TANF, aiming to improve financial wellbeing and equity.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker awards a record 352 scholarships to current and former foster youths through the Department of Children and Family Services, covering tuition, fees, books, and living costs.

The family of Sonya Massey rallied in Chicago with activists, demanding justice for her fatal shooting by Deputy Sean Grayson and systemic law enforcement reforms.

Pro-Palestinian UChicago graduates received their degrees after a delay due to their protest activities. They faced setbacks, while controversy over the issue persists among students and community members.

Ottawa Township High School in Illinois released students early due to a shortage of certified food service staff to serve lunches, affecting its ability to maintain a full school day.

Elizabeth French, mother of the late Officer Ella French, launched "Light the Line" to provide support and nourishment to police working during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

CPS faced a transportation crisis as nearly 18% of students with disabilities lacked bus rides due to a driver shortage and surging demands. Despite efforts including a stipend, many families still struggled.

Chicago Public Schools parents express concerns over heat, bus shortages, and contract negotiations, while teachers seek to enrich curriculums, introducing governance systems and symbols to students.

The Northbrook Park District's Skating School is enrolling kids to teach figure skating, hockey, and speed skating skills while promoting personal growth and fun.

Chicago students ingested over-the-counter medicine they found, prompting an emergency response, but none were hospitalized and all are expected to be okay.

Columbia College Chicago is reducing its academic programs from 58 to 40 to improve financial stability and focus on student success in creative fields.

Joliet schools switched to e-learning due to an "unsubstantiated threat" of violence. Despite no credible evidence, in-person classes were halted, and police are investigating.

A federal jury awarded $750,000 to a boy beaten by a teacher and her acquaintance at a Chicago Public School with leather belts, resulting in psychological trauma.

Chicago Public Schools sees a slight enrollment increase for the second consecutive year, including a rise in English language learners and changes in demographic composition.

Discarded books from Chicago's Schurz High School highlight ongoing concerns about book disposal methods in Chicago Public Schools, amid national library funding shortages.

Illinois AG Kwame Raoul suggests checking the state's sex offender registry for safety before Halloween trick-or-treating and details restrictions for offenders during the festivities.

The Illinois State Treasurer returned a Purple Heart to the family of WWII veteran Cpl. Henry Van Der Noord, an initiative part of Operation Purple Heart to restore military honors to rightful recipients.

Illinois State Treasurer returns a WWII veteran's lost Purple Heart to his family in a ceremony, marking the 15th such return by the Treasurer's office.

The Daddy Victory Club in Chicago, founded by Kouri Marshall, offers a support group for fathers, focusing on empowering Black dads and fostering community through monthly 'Daddy Strolls.'

A Plainfield fifth-grader wrote "Cecilia's Journey: Embracing Dyslexia" and helped start a library shelf and lunchtime group to teach classmates that "all brains are beautiful."

Chicago rapper Lil Zay Osama gifted presents and a financial donation to a local family attacked outside a school, partnering with Roseland Ceasefire to provide support during their recovery.

Chicago-area hospitals welcomed the first babies of 2026, including Brandon Alexander Whittington and Matthew Mindru, both born shortly after midnight on New Year's Day.

The Chicago Park District added a searchable map, high‑demand flags and a wish list ahead of online summer camp sign‑ups next week.

On the same day, in two buildings a few hundred feet apart, Chicago health inspectors found over 30 mouse droppings at each — in the dry food storage area, behind the ice machine, and on electrical outlets behind cooking equipment. At a school where 98% of students are economically disadvantaged, and where the cafeteria may be the most reliable meal many children get all day, a failed inspection is not an abstraction.

Parents and educators packed a District 65 board meeting after administrators flagged the district-run SACC program as a potential target in a multimillion-dollar budget squeeze. The district has posted site-level changes for 2026–27 while unions warn the cuts would displace hundreds of children.

Illinois school leaders and child‑health experts are warning after a surge of online messages telling students to "kill yourself." Districts say they are notifying families and expanding counseling.