10 Ways to Meet Other Chicago Moms and Dads (Lincoln: home, neighborhood)

[New2Area2]

Whenever we moved to a new city, it was really hard to find out where to take the kids and where to meet other parents. As a disclosure, I am affiliated with FriendMatchup.com, but I have no affiliation to any other organization listed here. Check out some ways to meet other moms and dads in Chicago:

Take A Parent-Child Class. You get the chance to spend time with your child and meet other parents. Some fun locations include: Gymboree, Bubbles Academy, Language Stars, and Little Gym. Look into places close to home so you can meet your neighbors.

Join Friend Matchup (www.friendmatchup.com). Friend Matchup connects people with shared interests who are new to Chicago. The site also pairs moms and dads looking to meet other parents with kids of similar ages.

Take a Mom & Tot Exercise Class. Get into shape and meet other moms. It’s multi-tasking at its best. You can check out Stroller Strides, Sweet Pea’s Studio (yoga), Bloom Yoga, and Active Moms Club.

Enjoy a Cup of Coffee. Many indoor playspaces now offer play areas as well as coffee and pastries. While you’re probably not going to have a leisurely and uninterrupted cup of coffee, it is a chance to strike up a conversation with other parents. Some indoor play spaces include: Explore and Much More, Little Beans Café, the Purple Monkey Playroom, Kid City, and Kid’s Island.

Sign Up for Red Tricycle (www.redtricycle.com). Find out what’s happening around town and find family-friendly places to go with your kids. Subscribe to their free newsletter.

Get involved with the Neighborhood Parents Network (Neighborhood Parents Network). This is a great resource for new moms and dads looking to join neighborhood playgroups.

Visit Chicago Parks (www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks/search). There are too many great parks to list here, so look into parks in your neighborhood. Some of our favorite parks in the Lincoln Park area are:

• Oz Park offers a large wooden fort for kids of all ages. There is also a tot lot for the younger crowd. Bring a picnic and eat lunch in the Emerald Garden. You can also visit Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion.

• Lincoln Park. There is a playground across the street from R.J. Grunts. It has a sand pit, animals to climb on and a jungle gym. When you are tired of the playground, head over to the Lincoln Park Zoo, the Farm, and the Lincoln Park Conservatory. These are all FREE!

• Adams Playlot is very popular in the summer for its water park, but the kids love it year round. Summer camps use the playground during the summer, so check the schedule before suiting up your kids.

Check Out Your Local Library (Home - Chicago Public Library). Local libraries host story times and other activities for kids of all ages. You can also get a Chicago pass to visit local museums at discounted prices (or sometimes free!).

Get Involved in the Community. Your child can join a sports league or an after-school club. Volunteer for the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). Check out Girls or Boys Scouts at your school.

Introduce Yourself. You can go where other families go, but you need to make the first move if you want to become friends. Introduce yourself. Make small talk. Ask how old the kids are and let the conversation go from there.

Welcome to Chicago! We’re happy you’re here.

[chet everett]

I would recommend that folks who hope to send thier children to school investigate resources focused on schools like Neighborhood Parents Network or CPS Obsessed though technically these groups runs sites that may be competition to our fine hosts here...

[Chi-town Native]

Originally Posted by chet everett

I would recommend that folks who hope to send thier children to school investigate resources focused on schools like Neighborhood Parents Network or CPS Obsessed though technically these groups runs sites that may be competition to our fine hosts here...

This is why I love chet, he does keep it real.

[New2Area2]

I agree. The Neighborhood Parents Network is a great resource (link is above). I had never heard of CPS obsessed before. Thanks for the tip!