The American Academy of Pediatrics is hosting its first-ever Healthy Children Conference + Expo March 8 and 9, featuring experts from around the country discussing the latest developments in children’s health on topics ranging from breastfeeding to bullying. Parents, grandparents, caregivers and kids are invited to attend the event, which will combine entertainment and education relating to kids from infants to teens.

All presentations and activities are covered under an entrance fee o...

CPS is Closed on Tuesday, January 28th due to cold (along with a ton of other things). If you're desperate to get out of the house, we've got some solutions for you!

Things that are open:

Little Beans Cafe 9am-6pm (Storytime at 10:30am)

Heritage Littles Kids Movie Marathon on the Big Screen 11am-5pm

Purple Monkey Playroom 9:30am-5:30pm

Kid's Island 9am-6pm

Pump it Up 9am-5pm (Toddler Pop In Play at 9am)

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum 9am-5pm

Chicago's Childre...

Martin Luther King Day is this Monday, January 20th and we've compiled a list of some of our favorite To-Dos if you've got the day off of work and school. 

What does it mean, Dr. King?, Chicago Children's Museum @ 11am, 1, 2 and 3pm.

FREE DAY at the Museum of Science and Industry, @ 9:30am

Family Festival: Martin Luther King Jr Day, Art Institiute of Chicago @ 10:30am 

Special Holiday Kids Cooking Class, The Kid's Table @ 10:30am and 1pm

All Ages Drop-in Art Class ...

Ok, the weather is just plain terrible. We've all got cabin fever. Don't let it slow you down. NPN has an AMAZING month of playdates planned to get you and the kiddos out of the house. The NPN calendar is chock full of FREE and DISCOUNTED events for kids and parents needing a mental break and an escape from the television!

New Friends! Free and Discounted Playdates

Jan 7, FREE Playdate @ Goldfish Swim School

Jan 7, FREE Playdate @ Land of Nod

Jan 10, FREE Playdate @ Kidvill...

Start Your New Year Off Right

NPN's discussion forums are chock-full of millions of posts on topics ranging from Pampers to preschool!

If you are looking for some GREAT ideas on New Years Resolutions that you may actually be able to stick to, check out this discussion on what some other parents are doing to make themselves a little better in 2014. 

Need some budgeting tips for the new year? See what these NPN parents do to save a buck or two. What about some tips on how to lose...

What you probably already know is…Neighborhood Parents Network is dedicated to connecting families with the resources the need to navigate parenting the City. What you probably didn't know is that 2015 marks our 35th birthday. That's right, we've been around for longer than many of our members. We're blowing this one up and celebrating like every 35 year old should. We're bringing you amazing parties, workshops, play dates, discounts all over the city and so much more. Here are 5 reasons t...

Do you have tons of stuff to get done before the holidays? Now you can shop, wrap and relax while the kiddos are in one of our favorite drop-off programs. 

Little Beans Café -  Drop and Shop Day Camp

Kids will play, take a class, do activities and eat lunch. This is run their camp leaders so it’s sure be lots of fun. Child must be 2.5-4.5 and potty trained.

Monday, Dec. 16th, 10:00am-1:00pm

Tuesday, Dec. 17th, 10:00am-1:00pm

$35 per child (includes lunch)

Wo...

I am endlessly thankful for the Volunteers and Staffers that make NPN THE greatest parenting resource in the City. But I wanted to know what their kiddos were thankful for, so we asked them. Here's what they had to say:

Abby (2):  "Pinecones and Raisins"

Alex (3): "Ice cream"

Evie (6): "That my parents have enough money for food and shelter...and hot dogs"

Leela (7): "I am thankful for family and friends"

Isaac (2):  "Nature Museum" (Peggy Notebaert)

Jett (7): "For ...

Is your morning routine filled with utter chaos? Can't ever manage to get everyone out of the house on time? Desparate to make the process just a little bit easier? Do YOU need a nap by 9am? We feel you, and so do other NPN members. 

NPN's discussion forum has an awesome post with tips for an easier morning. Our members share their strategies on everything from where to put the baby when you're brushing your teeth to how to get clothes on the older ones a little faster. Check it out to...