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Sponsored by the University of Chicago, Hyde Park Holly-Day is back for 2025 with lots of FREE family holiday activities throughout Hyde Park on Saturday, December 6 at select times between 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Don’t miss the ice carving demo & self-guided sculpture stroll, pictures with your favorite Santas, live reindeer & sleigh, free screening of “Zootopia 2", Buddy the Elf, costumed characters, dance performances, and holiday crafts. See you in Hyde Park! This is a free event, and no RSVP is required, but you can go here for more information. Paid parking is available at the following locations: Harper Court Public Garage - 5222 S. Lake Park Avenue, entrance just south of McDonald's. Harper Court Surface Lot - 5210 S. Harper Avenue. The Promontory Lot - 5311 S. Lake Park Avenue West. Metered and free street parking where available. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: acsrodon@uchicago.edu.

Get your scare on with Snapology’s Monster Mania! Use LEGO® bricks to create your own monster fighter, build a haunted town and have a scary good time during this fun program. Tonight will be a spook-tacular party! Come and join us, if you dare! This is a free event, but RSVP is required, please go here to register. There is a parking lot out front, as well as parking a couple of blocks away. The Hayes building is also right off of the Addison brown line, and short walks from the 50, 152, 9, and 80 bus lines. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: opsmanager.chicago@snapology.com.

The first-ever People of Play’s Wishlist Weekend™ is happening at the Chicago Toy & Game Fair (CHITAG), a perfect time for consumers to create their own holiday “wishlists” & start their holiday shopping on-site. CHITAG, North America’s largest public toy & game fair, will feature immersive events & activities for all ages. Celebrate the 20th annual Young Inventor Challenge® (YIC) International Championship as kids ages 6 to 18 pitch their original inventions to toy & game companies, industry leaders, media & the public and winners are announced on-site. And DRUMROLL PLEASE…The Toy of The Year Awards (TOTY) finalists—representing the top toys and games of 2025—will be revealed live on-site! Consumer highlights & GREAT MEDIA VISUALS include: 🎁 Rosemont’s Mayor Bradley Stephens will cut the official Fair ribbon at 10:00 AM November 8th joined by Chicago mascots Benny the Bull and Skates plus 501st Legion Star Wars Characters, the Chicago JEDI and the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago & North West Indiana. 🎁 Gabby’s Dollhouse activities hosted by the Girl Scouts! 🎁 Compete in the Root Beer Float Challenge by A&W & The Duncan Yo-Yo & Sweets Kendama Championships! 🎁 Scouting America will showcase a 40’ Pinewood Derby Racetrack where consumers can build their own car! 🎁 Use the Pudgy Penguin claw machine! 🎁 Experience Miko’s AI-Powered Robot come to life! 🎁Take part in Interactive booths with the hottest holiday toys & games from Goliath, Just Play, LEGO, Plus-Plus, Scentco, Smart Toys & Games, TOMY, Wigglitz & more! 🎁 Build your own XOIOX Magnetic cubes with E-Blox! Play and Win a Giant Jenga! 🎁 Meet THE Aaron from Crazy Aaron’s and Dan Klitsner, Inventor of BopIt! 🎁 Get FREE Flip 7 card games from The Op! 🎁 Check out the latest toys & games from Chicago inventors and toy makers like Gray Matters Games, Baby Paper, E-Blox & more! Additional Sponsors: Disney, Amazon, Mattel, Hasbro, ASTRA, Crazy Aaron's, Duncan, Educational Insights, Goliath, Longshore, PonyCycle, Revenue Sales, The Michael Kohner Corporation, Toys R Us, Zigazoo & more. This is a two day event Saturday November 8th (10 AM - 6 PM) – 10 AM Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with Mayor Bradley Stephens – 11:30 AM Toy of the Year Award Press Conference & Finalist Reveal – 2 PM Young Inventor Challenge Award Ceremony Sunday November 9th (10 AM – 5 PM) Consumer tickets are available at Eventbrite, including a $2 off coupon: $12 (adults); $6 (children) Super Power Sensory Hour (families with children with special needs): Sat/Sun 9 AM -10 AM by invite only. Public parking across the street is $15/day and there is a free shuttle to/from O'Hare airport and around Rosemont. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: susan@carvecomms.com.

Come and enjoy time with your family and others at this NPN playdate at Park West Co-op Nursery School! 🎉 Create alongside your child as they paint, collage, sculpt, draw, and weave! 🎨 Park West's award-winning classrooms will be set up for children to work on collaborative projects and individual works of art 🖐️ Explore paint, clay, fabric, and paper. 🖼️ See some photos here. Park West Co-op is located at 2214 N Bissel St. Questions? Email amy@npnparents.org. NPN is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. You help us keep these playdates free with your paid membership or donation. Thank you for supporting NPN!

Seton Halloween is a DePaul University Housing & Residence Life tradition that welcomes Lincoln Park and surrounding Chicago families to an engaging and safe trick-or-treating experience in our residence hall. Families will be able to walk around Seton Hall and enjoy food, crafts, hands-on fun, and of course, candy handed out by our Blue Demons! Costumes are encouraged. This is a free event, and no RSVP is required. Parking available in the lots across from Seton Hall or on Montana Ave. Seton Hall is around the corner from the Fullerton CTA stop. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: emorel1@depaul.edu.

This playdate has been canceled. We're sorry for the inconvenience. We hope you can come to a future playdate. You can find them all HERE. Join NPN and LEEP Forward / Quantum LEEP Academy for a Fall Celebration of Creativity and Fun! For children ages 5–10 and their families — siblings welcome! 🍂 Embrace the magic of autumn with hands-on, movement-filled, and creative activities designed to spark imagination, laughter, and connection. 🎨 Art & Creativity Stations Get crafty and create your own Halloween decorations or fall keepsakes to take home and share! From colorful collages and nature-inspired art to playful painting and sensory playdough fun, there’s something for every little artist. 🤸‍♂️ Movement & Play in the Gym Jump, move, and groove through engaging games and activities and don’t miss our bounce house for extra giggles and energy bursts! 🍎 Snacks & Surprises Refuel with healthy, allergy-friendly snacks and enjoy a few festive surprises along the way. Come celebrate the season with us, where creativity, community, and Halloween fun come together for an unforgettable fall afternoon! LEEP Forward/Quantum LEEP Academy is located at 1447 W Montrose Ave.

Expo Quinceañera Chicago 2026, the ultimate event for future Quinceañeras and families planning their celebration. Meet top vendors for dresses, venues, photography, cakes, limousines, and more—all in one place. 
Enjoy spectacular fashion shows, live entertainment, raffles, and the presentation of our Miss Cover Girl while finding inspiration for your dream Quinceañera. Admission: Free for Quinceañeras and children under 5.
General tickets available at https://www.quinceanerasmagazine.com/chicago. Tickets currently $14.64. RSVP is not required, but you can go here for more information and to purchase tickets. Validation parking for the event This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: jackie@quinceanerasmagazine.com.

Chicago's premier rooftop pitch and the nation's most popular children's soccer program are joining forces to create unforgettable soccer experiences for kids ages 2-8. We're kicking things off with FREE trial classes on October 18-19, giving families the chance to experience the energy of Skyline Pitch and the confidence-building approach of Soccer. Multiple free trial class times on 10/18 and 10/19. Times for October 19, 2025, 9A until 4:40P. RSVP is required. Please go here to register. Garage parking available. Located on the 7th Level of the NewCity Parking Garage, 1457 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60610. You can drive all the way to the 7th floor and park by the pitch, or park on any lower level and take the elevator up to the rooftop. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: achicago@soccerstars.com.

Join Merit School of Music for a Halloween Musical Storytime at our Near North branch in Old Town! 🎃 Merit’s talented team of performing artists will engage your little ones (all ages welcome!) and promote early literacy development with a unique blend of music, movement, and fun. 📍 The 45-minute performance will be indoors at Church of the Three Crosses. Costumes are welcome, so feel free to dress up and get festive! 👻 RSVP to reserve a goodie bag for your little one — we can’t wait to celebrate with you! 🛍️ This is a free event, but RSVP is required. Please go here to register. Street parking available. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: adhamilton@chipublib.org.marketing@meritmusic.org.

Join Merit’s Wind Symphony for a free concert celebrating a Latin American tradition originating in Mexico, featuring music from Disney's Coco. Audience members are invited to move, dance, make noise, or partake in any way which helps them to enjoy the music. Families and those with sensory processing sensitivities welcome. Join us at Merit for this FREE concert: Hear familiar favorites from Merit’s Wind Symphony Children and adults of all ages and abilities welcome ✨ Experience a sensory-friendly style concert where the audience is encouraged to move around, make noise, take breaks, clap along, and more 👏 Celebrate neurodiversity at a performance that is made for everybody to enjoy ✨ Awesome opportunity for any child’s FIRST concert 🤗 Enjoy music to commemorate Dia de los Muertos and the diverse Latinx cultures represented in our Merit community ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Únete a la Merit's Wind Symphony en un concierto gratuito que celebra una tradición latinoamericana originaria de México, presentando música de Coco. Invitamos al público a moverse, bailar, hacer ruido, o participar de cualquier forma que les permita disfrutar de la música. Las familias y las personas con sensibilidad sensorial son bienvenidas. Acompáñanos en Merit para disfrutar de este concierto GRATUITO: Escucha los temas favoritos de Merit's Wind Symphony Son bienvenidos niños y adultos de todas las edades y niveles de capacidad ✨ Experimenta un concierto respetuoso con los sentidos (de estilo sensory-friendly) en el que se le anima al público a moverse, hacer ruido, tomar descansos, aplaudir, y mucho más 👏 Celebra la neurodiversidad en un espectáculo hecho para que todo el mundo disfrute ✨ Estupenda oportunidad para el PRIMER concierto de cualquier niño 🤗 Disfruta la música para conmemorar el Día de los Muertos y las diversas culturas latinas representadas en nuestra comunidad de Merit. This is a free event, but RSPV is required. Please go here to register. Street parking is available. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: marketing@meritmusic.org.

Come out in the daytime to explore creatures of the night, swamps and more: Make glow-in-the-dark slime Try LEGO® engineering challenges Visit the swamp to learn more about alligators versus crocodiles Create and explore with partners, including the Art Institute of Chicago and Griffin Museum of Science and Industry Explore the Science Play Zone, a special area for kids under 8 Meet live animals with Flying Fox Conservation Fund This is a free event, and no RSVP is required, but you can go here for more information. Street and garage parking available. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: adhamilton@chipublib.org.

Bring your little ones for a fun play date while you take a meaningful pause for yourself! During this free event, children will enjoy complimentary onsite childcare while parents gather for a 45-minute introduction to Positive Discipline. You’ll learn about the psychology and theory behind this proven parenting approach and walk away with practical, science-based tools to help your child manage big feelings, handle disappointment, and build resilience. It’s the perfect blend of connection and learning—kids get to play, and you get to grow your parenting toolkit in a supportive, relaxed environment. This is a free event, and no RSVP is required. Street parking available. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: lisa@lisaheroldconsulting.com.

This event has been cancelled. We apologize for the inconvenience. Join LEEP Forward and NPN for August Adventures! This sensory-friendly, inclusive event is designed for all children, ages 2-5, with siblings of all ages welcome to join in the fun! Embrace the end of summer with a variety of engaging activities that promote exploration and creativity! ☀️ Children can dive into our Sensory Bin filled with a variety of items and textures. 🖌️ We’ll have a painting station where little artists can create with non-toxic, washable paint, and a playdough station for creative molding and shaping. 📚 For imaginative play, kids can dress up and relax in our Summer Story Corner with cozy blankets and captivating stories. 🌻 Plus, don’t miss our guided Nature Walk, where everyone can collect natural treasures! 🎪We will also have a bounce house for our little adventurers seeking more movement activities. 🎈Our event will also include a ball pit and sensory tables for more hands-on exploration. 😋 Finally, we’ll provide healthy, allergy-friendly snacks to keep everyone energized, and 🎉 Every family will be entered into a raffle for a night of respite or babysitting! Join us for a morning of sensory exploration, connection, and end-of-summer fun in an inclusive environment. We can’t wait to see you there! Location: 1447 W Montrose Questions? Email amy@npnparents.org. NPN is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. You help us keep these playdates free with your paid membership or donation. Thank you for supporting NPN!

Learn how to interact musically with your child, and Meet The Music Playhouse! Sing, dance, play, and learn! *This is an in-person class offered indoors at Purple Monkey Playroom.* Engaging and interactive songs and activities are designed and modified to benefit little ones. We use play-based and research-based techniques, gamification, and hands-on, interactive activities that keep students engaged and excited to learn. Our primary goals are to foster development, parent/child bonding, and independent music accuracy, and to instill a lifelong love and understanding of music through variety, repetition, and fun! Research shows that exposure to a variety of sounds and rhythms in the first few months of life creates the strongest foundation for developing communication skills and musical aptitude as they grow. Research also shows that singing to and dancing with your baby enriches emotional and social development. This is a free event, but RSVP is required. Please go here to register. Free neighborhood street parking and metered parking available. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: erin@themusicplayhouseofchicago.com.

Friday Free Play Soccer is a fun, low-pressure session conducted by TST, an all-girls soccer club in Chicago, where K-5 girls can enjoy the game in a creative and playful environment. There are no drills or lines—just plenty of touches on the ball, small-sided games, and lots of smiles. Players are encouraged to try new moves, play with different teammates, and grow their love for soccer. It’s the perfect way to end the week with joy, freedom, and fun on the field! This is a repeating event with additional dates on September 19, 26, October 3,10, 17, and 24 (4:30 - 5:30PM) RSVP is required. Please go here to register. Street parking or lot off of Wilson Avenue. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: lucy@tstrainingchicago.com.

Come and enjoy time with your family and others at this NPN playdate at Bennett Day School! Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, Bennett Day School's program is build upon the idea that children are naturally competent, curious, and capable individuals who are co-collaborators in their education. At this playdate, you and your family can: 😋 Enjoy a morning snack 🪵 Explore the outdoor garden 🎈 Play with a variety of materials and toys in the preschool classrooms 🎉 Relax, enjoy, and engage with peers! Bennett Day School is located at 955 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60642 Parking/Public Transportation Info: If you are planning to drive, there is limited parking available in the gravel lot on the NW corner at Morgan and Hubbard (across the street from Bennett's campus). There is also free parking available on the west side of Morgan and south side of Hubbard, or metered parking on Grand Ave. Bennett Day School is two blocks west of the Grand Blue Line stop and the Halsted 8 bus, and 2 blocks north of the Pink/Green Line Stop at Morgan if those options are convenient to you. Questions? Email amy@npnparents.org. NPN is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. You help us keep these playdates free with your paid membership or donation. Thank you for supporting NPN!

Inspired by its current exhibition Rory McEwen: A New Perspective on Nature exploring the trailblazing career and legacy of Scottish artist Rory McEwen (on view through August 17, 2025), the Driehaus Museum invites families to a joyful celebration of storytelling, creativity, and community with author and artist Laura Smetana, who will create a series of hands-on demonstrations based on her book My Love for You is Like a Garden. The family-friendly programming is offered during the Driehaus Museum’s Free Community Day. This is a free event, but RSVP is required. Please go here to register. Paid street parking available. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: katy@silvermangroupchicago.com.

Celebrate the 4th of July in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood, with a beloved local tradition going back 30+ years - the 4th on 53rd Parade and Free Festival! The parade kicks off at 11 a.m. with marching bands, floats, community groups, and kids on decorated bikes - with a free festival after the parade from 12-3 p.m. featuring performances, games, bouncy houses, face painting, magician, and more! This is a free event, and no RSVP is required, but you can go here for more information. Paid street parking and garages are available. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: acsrodon@uchicago.edu.

Step into the extraordinary world of comics and creativity at A Night with Alex Ross—an exclusive VIP evening with one of the most legendary comic book artists of our time. Be among the first to experience Alex Ross: Heroes & Villains before this special exhibition opens to the public! Known for his realistic style, Alex Ross has transformed the comic world into fine art. Using gouache paints, Ross brings classic comic book heroes and villains from the Marvel and DC universes to life. The exhibition features 100 portraits, each capturing a character’s individual attitude. Immersive, larger-than-life murals invite visitors to strike a pose with their favorite superhero or villain. Tickets are $125 each and are available at LCFPD.org/AlexRoss. Free lot parking available. Alex Ross: Heroes and Villains will be the inaugural exhibition to be held in the newly expanded 3,000-square-foot East gallery space of the Dunn Museum, located approximately 30 miles North of Chicago, and will be on view from June 29, 2025 through February 16, 2026. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: 847-968-3400.

Pride Month in Chicago is a vibrant celebration of love, acceptance, and community - and families across the city have more ways than ever to join in the fun. Whether you’re crafting rainbow art with your toddler, attending a family parade, or dancing at Navy Pier, there’s something for every age and stage. Here are a few family-friendly Pride events happening around Chicago this June: Rainbow Family Story Times Pride is the perfect time to read books that celebrate love in all its forms. South Shore Branch Library (June 23): This inclusive story time celebrates the beauty of diverse families through joyful storytelling. Edgewater Branch Library (June 9): Don’t miss Drag Story Time, a dazzling experience with books, music, and movement for kids ages 2–5, plus open play afterward! Creative Pride Crafts & DIY Fun Tap into your kids’ creativity and celebrate Pride Month with color and flair. Pop Out with Pride at Woodson Regional (June 4): Kids 6+ can explore LGBTQIA-themed crafts and activities at this engaging library event. DIY Pride Sunglasses at Lincoln Belmont (June 14): Teens can design festive sunglasses to wear all month long. Tie-Dye Party at Lincoln Park Branch (June 24): Teens 13+ can create wearable rainbow art. Registration is required and supplies are provided. Celebrating Pride: Family Nail Painting (Santori Library, June 19): Celebrate self-expression through a fun, all-ages nail painting event. Walk, March, and Dance Together What better way to show your pride than by getting out into the city with your loved ones! Walk with Pride at Sagawau Environmental Learning Center (June 1–30): Take a peaceful, educational self-guided walk in nature to learn about LGBTQ2S+ conservationists. Aurora Pride Parade (June 8): Celebrate community spirit and inclusivity as a family in this energetic and welcoming parade. Chicago Pride Parade (June 29): Join tens of thousands on the city’s north side for the iconic 54th annual Pride Parade. Arrive early, bring snacks, and wear your rainbow gear! Festivals with Something for Everyone Chicago Pride Fest (June 21–22): With drag shows, a pet parade, dance exhibitions, and a Youth Pride Space for teens, this event is packed with activities that the whole family can enjoy. Navy Pier Pride (June 28): One of the most inclusive family Pride events in the city! Enjoy music, storytelling, dancing, and live performances spread throughout the pier. Chicago’s Pride Month celebrations offer more than just fun - they’re a chance to teach kids about inclusion, kindness, and being true to yourself. Whether you’re raising a future activist or just looking for a joyful afternoon with family, there’s a Pride event calling your name.

The Printers Row Lit Fest will celebrate its 40th anniversary on Saturday, September 6, and Sunday, September 7 in Chicago's historic Printers Row neighborhood. The event will feature Sandra Cisneros, writer and author of "House on Mango Street" as the headliner and keynote speaker, more than 70 live programs on six indoor and outdoor stages, over 100 independent booksellers, children's storytelling, authors, publishers, literary organizations, educational institutions, food vendors, and more. The two-day event is the largest literary festival in the Midwest. Admission to the book fair and literary programs is free. For additional and updated information, visit www.printersrowlitfest.org. Again, this is a two day event, and takes place both Saturday, September 6, and Sunday, September 7, 2025, from 10A - 6P. This is a free event, and no RSVP is required, but you can go here for more information. Meter and garage parking available. This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: bberg0023@gmail.com.

This event has been canceled. We are sorry for the inconvenience. Please check out our upcoming playdates here. Come and enjoy time with your family and others at this NPN playdate at Bright Horizons! Bright Horizons provides high-quality education and child care, trusted by parents and organizations around the world, made to fit the way people learn, live, and work today! At this playdate, you and your child can: 😋 Enjoy a healthy morning snack 🫧Engage in bubble play on the outdoor playground 🪴 Experience their Garden works program by gardening and decorating pots 🖌️Paint your own canvas! Bright Horizons is located at 321 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60604. If needed, you can call them at 312-985-5142. Parking and entrance: Bright Horizons is located in the Northern Trust building. Paid parking is available in the onsite parking garage and in a paid lot across the street. Paid street parking is also available on surrounding streets and in other paid lots nearby. The entrance to Bright Horizons is in the Northern Trust building, near Potbelly. Look for the "Bright Horizons" sign on the door. Staff will be there to welcome you. Questions? Email amy@npnparents.org. NPN is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. You help us keep these playdates free with your paid membership or donation. Thank you for supporting NPN!

Come and enjoy time with your family and others at this NPN playdate at Bennett Day School! Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, Bennett Day School's program is build upon the idea that children are naturally competent, curious, and capable individuals who are co-collaborators in their education. At this playdate, you and your family can: 😋 Enjoy a morning snack 🪵 Explore the outdoor garden 🎈 Play with a variety of materials and toys in the preschool classrooms 🎉 Relax, enjoy, and engage with peers! Bennett Day School is located at 955 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60642 Parking/Public Transportation Info: If you are planning to drive, there is limited parking available in the gravel lot on the NW corner at Morgan and Hubbard (across the street from Bennett's campus). There is also free parking available on the west side of Morgan and south side of Hubbard, or metered parking on Grand Ave. Bennett Day School is two blocks west of the Grand Blue Line stop and the Halsted 8 bus, and 2 blocks north of the Pink/Green Line Stop at Morgan if those options are convenient to you. Questions? Email amy@npnparents.org. NPN is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. You help us keep these playdates free with your paid membership or donation. Thank you for supporting NPN!

Join us for a magical morning of discovery and play at Baker Demonstration School’s ‘Bloom & Grow: Spring Playdate Adventure.’ Your child will explore our thoughtfully designed early childhood spaces, plant flowers to nurture at home, play in our garden playground, and experience the joy of learning through play—the Baker way! This special event is designed for families with children ages 3-5 (by September 1st) who are curious about our early childhood program. While children engage in guided exploration, parents will have the opportunity to observe our child-centered approach in action and chat with our experienced educators. This is a free event, but RSVP is required. Please go here to register. Ample parking in the school parking lot This is an external partner event. Please contact the organization directly with any questions or concerns: skinser@bakerdemschool.org.

Mother’s Day in Chicago often brings to mind flowers, brunch reservations, and maybe a last-minute card scribbled with love (and crumbs) from the kids. And while mimosas and pancakes are always welcome, the truth is — many moms are craving something deeper this Mother’s Day. I asked moms across Chicago, from Rogers Park to Beverly, what they really want. The answers? They're refreshingly real. “I want a break. Just a real break.” "I'm with my kids all the time — I love them to death, but I'd give anything for a day with no one saying 'Mom' for a few hours. Even two!" — Jasmin, mom of 3 in Bronzeville Rest topped nearly every response. And not the kind of rest where you sneak in a nap between laundry loads. Moms are asking for guilt-free, uninterrupted rest. The kind where someone else handles things, even if just for a day. “Help around the house — without having to ask.” "A clean kitchen. No laundry on the stairs. I want my family to just see what needs to be done and do it." — Maria, Logan Square For many moms, emotional labor is the real thief of peace. The gift of initiative — not having to direct help — was high on the list. More than physical gifts, moms wanted the mental load lightened. “Time alone. And time together.” These two may sound contradictory, but Chicago moms are masters of nuance. "I want to start the day alone with a hot cup of coffee and a guilt-free scroll through my phone. Then I want to end it with my family, doing something simple like a movie night, a bedtime story, or even a picnic at the park." — Shaye, Hyde Par Solitude and connection are both precious — and most moms want a balance of both. “To be seen — and appreciated.” "Honestly? I want to feel like what I do is noticed. Not just on Mother’s Day, but still... it’s nice to hear ‘thank you’ and know it’s meant." — Katie, Edgewater A sincere thank-you, a handwritten note, or even a heartfelt conversation can go a long way. It's not about a grand gesture. It's about being seen. “Time off from the invisible job.” While many workplaces offer PTO, parenting doesn’t come with days off — even on Mother’s Day. "I love my kids more than anything, but what I want is someone else to plan the meals, pack the bags, think through what everyone needs. Just for one day." — Leigh, Lakeview Being the default parent, the planner, the finder of lost shoes — it’s exhausting. Taking over that invisible labor, even temporarily, is one of the most thoughtful gifts a partner or family member can give. The Bottom Line Yes, brunch is lovely. But what Chicago moms really want this Mother’s Day is something that lasts longer than a latte. They want space to breathe. Support without asking. Gratitude that feels real. So if you're wondering how to show up for a mom in your life this year — ask her what she needs. And then listen. It might be brunch… but it also might be silence, sleep, or someone else doing the dishes.