Thursday, March 30, 2006

Finding Family Fun

You really should leave your house once in awhile--and bring your kids with. But where will you go?

Your community is probably filled with family-oriented activities, and many might even be free!

*Look in the local newspaper (more local than the Chicago Tribune--be specific to your town or neighborhood) or free weekly newspapers. Especially in the summer, there may be some great festivals to go to.
*Our favorite spot for free, family fun....the library. Many offer 'baby time' once a week and other programs for people of all ages.
*Check out your local park district. Many offer programs for families at low-costs (or offer some kind of funding) as well as special free events for families (like an Easter egg hunt, touch-a-truck day, concerts).
*If you live near a college or university, check out their calendar of events. Large universities usually offer open houses and free programs as well as free sporting events.
*Join a Parent Group--Mothers and More or La Leche League are good groups to join to meet other parents with small children. Many of these groups list their meeting times in the local papers.
*Enjoy nature!! Its springtime now so enjoy your local parks, take a walk, go to a nature preserve, visit local arboretums, explore the urban jungle (your kids may enjoy window shopping as much as you do!).

Below are some links for my community:
News Gazette www.news-gazette.com/calendar
Weekly Buzz
www.cucalendar.com/
Champaign County
www.visitchampaigncounty.org/events/index.html
Champaign Public Library
www.champaign.org
Urbana Public Library
www.urbanafreelibrary.org
Champaign Park District
www.champaignparkdistrict.com
Urbana Park District
www.prairienet.org/upd/
University of Illinois
www.uiuc.edu
Parkland College
www.parkland.edu

Mothers and More
www.mothersandmore.com
La Leche League
www.lalecheleague.org

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