Posts by: Angie Rose Randall

10+ Activities Your Kids Will Love To Do This Summer

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Life has been turned upside down this summer with COVID-19 canceling camps and indoor activities and closing all city parks and playgrounds. With so many restrictions, it’s been challenging figuring out what to do with out little kids so I’ve outlined 10+ Activities Your Kids Will Love This Summer that you can do at home or that aren’t location-specific, and then a few others that are close to Chicago and open during Phase 4.

 

While I would typically work full-time while Chloe is in camp, I’ve also made some changes to my work schedule so I could take advantage of this opportunity to spend some extra 1:1 time with her. She’s now 4 and at that perfect, sweet spot age to really enjoy interactive experiences and quality time together, so I’ve actually loved having her home. Plus, she’s been lucky enough to have play dates with her grandparents regularly, ballet lessons on our deck, weekly tutoring and therapy sessions so she doesn’t miss camp a bit!
I’ve collected the list of activities below that we’ve either done so far this summer or have on the list of things to-do! Hope you and your family enjoy them as much as we have
Activity and Adventure Ideas To Do This Summer!

1. Go on a Nature Hunt and create a “masterpiece”

We collected sticks, leaves and flowers we found on the ground and brought them home to make an art piece. I stocked on these foam boards for art projects, and this glun gun which has gotten SO much use this summer.

2. Plan a menu and make lunches for the homeless

This was a special day that really helped Chloe understand the importance of helping others and got her involved in the process! Chloe made her own lunch menu, shopped for the ingredients, assembled meals and dropped them off at a local shelter.

3. Host an ice cream social for your neighbors or friends who live close by

We hosted this cute little party in front of our home and invited all of the neighbors to join. It was so fun and such a hit! I bought this ice cream table cloth, these ice cream napkins, and made this invitation on Canva.

4. Plant a veggie garden

We planted an assortment of veggies and herbs and Chloe now takes responsibly for them by watering and caring for them. We often use them in meals which makes the experience come full circle. I made the signs below using images/my laminator but in retrospect, I should have simply used these signs. The rain ended up ruining mine.

 

5. Popcorn & Pajama Movie Night

Let your little one pick a movie of their choice to enjoy with some popcorn (which you can pop together with this easy popcorn maker!).

 

6. Develop a family tree with pictures

Create your own tree leveraging printed pictures and labels so your little one can see how everyone in the family is related. I am excited to do this so Chloe not only learns everyone’s names and faces but so she can see how everyone is related. Those foam boards would be perfect for this project too!

7. Make a “flower vase” with fresh flowers you find outside 

Draw a vase on paper and add in flowers you find in your garden or around your neighborhood.

8. Make fresh squeezed lemonade or OJ

Nothing beats a fresh glass of lemonade or orange juice – especially in summer! This hands-on activity is one of Chloe’s favorites to make and beats the concentrate stuff from the store! A lemon squeezer like this one is needed.

9. Plan a picnic date at the park!

We pack our lunches and head over to local parks in the neighbor where we play games and Chloe can run around! It’s fun to explore new places and get out of the house for a change of scenery. This summer I finally invested in a larger cooler bag which has come in so handy!

 

10. Head over to your local farmers market

Enjoy the freshest produce and a fun time roaming around your local farmer’s market. To make it more experiential, pick out a fresh ingredient and make a meal out of it. Chloe and I made gazpacho with the ingredients we collected – yum!

We also bought fresh flowers which she later cut and assembled into a vase, which she LOVED!

 

Few More Ideas in or around Chicago

Novelty Golf Mini Golf  (Lincolnwood)

Chloe’s first time on the golf course was a success! She really got into it and it was fun heading back to Novelty which was where I went mini golfing as a kid.

Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center (Oak Brook)

Only the outside area is open but here’s a Visitor Guide with what you can do

Wildwood Nature Center (Park Ridge)

Great place to teach your kids about science, the outdoors, wildlife and the environment. Sadly the indoor nature center is closed now, but the outdoor surrounding forest preserve / hiking trail is open.

Pony Rides at Memory Lane Stables or Sarah’s Pony Rides

We went to Memory Lane Stables with my dad and had a great morning. We opted for the 1 hour trail ride ($20 for kids, $30 for adults) which was a nice walk. You could otherwise do an hour in the barn area for kids only. Masks required in the barn.

Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve

This waterfall is a hidden gem outside the city. Chloe loved jumping from rock to rock, getting wet and playing in the water. I’d recommend bringing a bathing suit, enclosed shoes and a picnic for lunch.

Visit the murals on side of Hubbard Street (West Loop, Chicago)

This was close to home so Chloe and I enjoyed a long walk and 3 blocks of vibrant animals and characters!

Schaumburg Sculpture Park (Schaumburg)

This is one of my favorite adventures we’ve had! Beautiful, open park space that surrounds a pond. You can have a picnic and then go explore all of the sculptures that are around the park.

Note: The main area is where this woman sculpture is but the others are on a small trail that you’ll have to find when you’re there. The trail starts in back of the parking lot.

Fabyn Forest Preserve and Town of Geneva, IL

This forest preserve is magical and reminds me of an “enchanted forest” with lots of greenery, secret gardens and old world vibe. There is huge windmill up on the hill that you’ll see after you park which is pretty awesome. Bring a scooter or bike for your kiddos. There are a lot of people fishing, ducks you can watch and great places for a picnic. We opted to go into the town of Geneva for lunch and dined at the Herrington Inn which was adorable. They have a great outdoor patio that’s close to the water. The town of Geneva is adorable – lots of small, quaint shops and a delicious chocolate store called Graham’s that’s a must-see.

Splash Island (Oak Brook)

I am renting out this awesome splash park for my friends and their kids for a very reasonable price ($275)! Every family will contribute $10 per person (same price as simply going to the public park!). Easy and safe way to get your friends together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goat and Chill at GlennArt Farm (Austin, Chicago) – Spend an hour hanging 1:1 with the sweetest goats. Bring carrots for them!

Indiana Dunes State Park beaches (Porter, Indiana)

Indian Caves (Bourbannais)

The Indian Caves are small narrow caves that include a little ravine that runs through to the Kankakee River. It is such a beautiful place to visit.

Visit a Raspberry or Blueberry Farm

Mike’s Blueberry Farm in New Buffalo, MI is supposed to be a hidden gem. Note: cash only!

Safari Lake Geneva

This drive through Safari is an animal adventure that kids will love!

Lincoln Marsh (Wheaton)

This hiking spot looks GORGEOUS. They offer some fun, interactive scavenger hunts to do too.

Nina’s Hands, Paws and Claws (McHenry, IL)

An exotic animal sanctuary that houses more than 50 animals. Nina and her team offer a 1:1 experience where your kiddos get a private introduction to goats, alpacas, a mini horse and cow, bunnies, ducks, chicks, and more. $15 pp.  Email gillnina@comcast.net to book or call 773.316.6679.

If you end up going there’s an adorable ice cream and chocolate shop, Riverside Chocolate Factory, and Stade’s Farm that’s all within 10 minutes of there.

What else have you done this summer? Would love to know and add to my list!

Resources to Educate Kids About Race and Racism

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The last week has evoked a whirlwind of emotions with the heartbreaking and senseless murder of George Floyd and subsequent protests and violence that confirmed that racism is very much alive in our world today.

I firmly believe in racial equality and want to ensure that my children appreciate diversity, respect people of all ethic backgrounds and cultures, and stand up against racism. I self-admittedly have never spoke proactively to Chloe about race and racism, but now feel compelled to do so. I now realize that it’s my responsibly – and our responsibility as parents – to not only be a role model to emulate but to educate them as well. I want to teach my children firsthand so they go into the world with an open mind and heart for everyone they meet.

I’ve compiled resources – books, articles and activities – below that can help. I will add to this list as I learn and research more, so please go back to it for new information.

What to Read to Your Kids

Below are a few recommendations for children that were recommended by mom friends and my daughter’s school.

Fiona Flamingo

Thank you Omu

One Family

 

I am Enough

 

Something Happened in our Town

 

All Are Welcome

 

Say Something

 

A Kids Book about Racism

 

Can I Join Your Club?

 

All The Colors We Are

 

The Skin I’m In

 

Free Downloadable Storybook

Also, a social worker sent this toddler-friendly informative story below, “What is a peaceful protest?”. You can download it for free here. This came in particularly handy for us after the protests last week and violence that subsequently occurred in our own neighborhood in Chicago.

 

What to Read as Parent:

I’ve found these articles below to be informative and helpful so I thought I’d share.

 

What to Do: Coloring Page and Poem

An interactive coloring page by Amanda Jackson, a fellow Chicago mama. You can download it here. Thank you, Amanda!

What to Do: A Hands-on Activity for Toddlers

A simple activity by One Sharp Bunch that explains we are all the same on the inside. You can download here.

 

What to Do: Make signs!

Incorporating arts and crafts is always a fun and educational way to get kids involved. They can choose their own message if they’re old enough or you can choose for them and help explain what it means. I found both of the signs below to be a good conversation starter with Chloe. She also got to practice painting within the lines, and then tracing letters (we used a Q-Tip instead of a paintbrush to help make it easier for her).

What to Watch:

Sesame Street teamed up with CNN to bring children (and adults) a different type of Saturday morning cartoon – a Townhall with Elmo and friends to address racism. The episode aimed to address racism and why people are protesting amid George Floyd’s death. You can watch here.

 

What to Listen to:

In this podcast by First Name Basis, you’ll learn the first three things you can do to talk to your children about racism.

Special thanks to Martine Allison, Lucia Annunzio, Jenn Johnstone Quiros, Amanda Sullivan, Amanda Jackson, Vicky Salud and so many others for their suggestions. 


When I think back to quarantine, this is what I hope to remember

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What a time in history to be alive.

COVID-19, a highly contagious and deadly virus, took over the world and shattered the lives of billions.

Innocent people died. The economy tanked. Businesses shut down. Professionals became unemployed. Schools closed. People around the world of all ages, races and classes of life were quarantined to their homes for weeks and weeks on end. No exceptions.

This is unlike anything any of us have ever experienced. And like others, our family has spent the last ten weeks following the “rules” of social distancing and hankering down at home to do our part to contain this vicious virus.

While no one would ever call these conditions ideal, I am hoping to weave this experience into something positive. To see the light in these circumstances and capture the beauty beneath the sadness and devastation that the world around us is facing.

*I point out the items below not to ignore or diminish the hardship endured by many but rather to bring light and positivity to a situation that can truly weigh you down. This has been extremely hard on all of us but perhaps, you too, have experienced some good.

What I hope to remember about quarantine is that my children flourished in front of my eyes.

Chloe, who’s now 4, blossomed into an independent, inquisitive little girl.

She went from being a bit bashful and “slow to warm up” to slowly starting conversations with neighbors and teachers and family on Zoom. Having always preferred small play gatherings or playing by herself, Chloe has loved her time at home hanging in her pjs, playing for hours on end and letting her imagination go wild.

Lots of artwork during quarantine!

She’s developed cities, published art works, created handmade cards and jewelry, learned to write her name, cooked her little heart out and mastered puzzle after puzzle. It’s been such a joy in my day to watch her grow into this amazing young girl.

Don’t get me wrong, Chloe’s had her fair share of stubborn and punishable moments (like drawing on our lampshades and locking me in her bedroom, ahem!) but perhaps we can attribute the later to artistic expression?! Ugh. Back to the positive stuff right?

Jack, my big, delicious man…

Jack has literally grown into a full-fledged toddler. He turned one as quarantine was beginning and went from crawling around town to lifting himself up and walking around in a matter of months. Through this darkness, he’s remained a constant beacon of happiness. His smile brightens any room and his positive disposition is contagious. I will never forget how he laughed his head off as he learned he could close his bedroom door on me or how he beamed with excitement during every bath session with his sis.

What I hope to remember about quarantine is that I navigated my business through tough times – despite feeling initially lost and defeated

When businesses started to shut down, my own social media marketing business took an immediate hit. I lost my biggest client right away and another just two days later. I had worked with both of these clients for years, and grown their businesses through steady hard work. In a mater of moments, half of my work and paycheck was taken away – for circumstances that were 100% out of my control. Even though I knew it wasn’t anything I did, it still felt like a total blow to my ego and identity.

But with this loss, I realized that I had an opportunity to grow. To strengthen my skills as a marketer, shift my business plan and tweak my offerings to adapt to the needs of businesses right now. Social media is no longer something businesses could brush off; social media is what can keep businesses alive. I just needed to prove it.

So I created new marketing materials, updated my case studies and pitch deck, and tapped into my network. In a matter of weeks, I landed a new full-time client, a few consulting gigs, and actually turned down work because it wasn’t the right fit. It’s hard for me to accept change (I’m a routine person, after all!) but quarantine forced me get out of my comfort zone, rethink my business plan and improve my craft.

Coming out of this, I have a much clearer direction for my business.

What I hope to remember above all else in quarantine is that this virus made us all value the people – not the things – in our lives.

As people all around the world spent months home alone it became clear what was missing most of all: human connections.

From getting hugs and kisses from family members to enjoying dinner dates with friends, or simple interactions with coworkers, it’s never been more obvious to me that people are the key to happiness. I know personally that it was painfully hard at the beginning for me to only see my parents through our windows and not be able to embrace them with a hug.

But the world got creative and figured out how to still come together – perhaps even more so than ever before – with regular Zoom calls, FaceTime, birthday drive-bys, and good ole fashioned phone calls. I’ve never spoken to my oldest friends with so much regularity or enjoyed more home cooked meals and memorable moments at home with my family.

Let’s be honest, so much time at home didn’t always bring out the best in us (hello meltdowns and pointless arguments!) but I know that I won’t remember those in the years to come. Instead I will remember that I never valued my parents’ company more, the support and comfort of my friendships from afar and time spent with my family at home. We enjoyed the spring time on our deck playing in water, social distanced happy hours out front with our neighbors and walks around our neighborhood. Plus, I never got in so many cuddles with my Oscar, my dog.

Special call out to my mother-in-law who graciously moved in and helped make this time manageable with kids/working by cleaning, helping to care for the kids, doing laundry – all while sleeping on the couch. For 10 weeks she did this without a complaint. I am forever grateful for her selflessness.

While we are still far off from a “normal” world, my hope is that we all can try to see and appreciate the positives in our lives and to take these challenges and time at home as an opportunity to grow and appreciate all the little and big things in our lives. I know I do.

What are some positive things you’ve taken out of this time? Please share with me below.

Zucchini Tater Tots

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I love a good tater tot, don’t you?! While I rarely eat the real thing, I’ve made these healthy alternative Zucchini Tater Tots for Jack a few times and they’ve ended up being a household favorite. Unbeknownst to my fussy-eaters, they are packed with lots of zucchini and are baked, not fried, so they are truly a parenting win! Zucchini Tater Tots also include a cheddar cheesy goodness to them that make them delicious and addicting. I can’t help but go back for another and another..

A whole batch makes like 30 tots so you have enough for a meal and leftovers for the next day. You can dip them in ketchup or eat them plain – so good!

Zucchini Tater Tots

Ingredients

  • 2 zucchini, peeled and shredded
  • 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/2 breadcrumbs
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 tbsp salt
  • 1/2 tbsp pepper
  • 1/2 tbsp garlic powder

instructions

  • Peel zucchini and shred with a cheese grater. When done, pat zucchini dry with a few sheets of paper towels. While you don’t need to completely dry the zucchini, you do want to absorb some of the moisture. I used about 4 sheets of paper towels. You want to keep drying the zucchini until the stage where when you pat the shredded zucchini with a paper towel, the paper towel is moist but no longer soaking with water.
  • Preheat oven to 400°
  • Add zucchini, eggs, cheese, breadcrumbs and seasonings into big bowl. Stir until everything is thoroughly combined.
  • Take 1 tablespoon of zucchini batter and squeeze between palm of hand, compressing it. Some water should also release out. Using both hands now, shape to resemble a cylinder tater tot shape. Place onto a baking sheet sprayed with Pam / Olive soil.
  • Bake for about 15 minutes until bottoms are golden brown and crispy. Flip over and bake for another 10 minutes. Broil for 2-3 minutes at the end so they get crispy! Enjoy.

Plan out your weeknight nights in advance with my Weekly Meal Planner templates. You can find them all here.



Classic Beef & Veggie Stew

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This beef stew is a delicious and comforting meal that’s perfect for these unseasonably cool spring temps. It’s packed with lots of veggies, farro and makes enough to have for leftovers the next day (or even freeze and heat up later).

I like to sear the beef before adding it to the veggie stock – it makes such a difference in the flavor you get from the soup. It’s really the only chance you have to get that delicious caramelization on the meat!

Ingredients

  • 1.5 lb beef stew meat, cubed
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 1/2 cup red wine
  • 6 cups beef broth
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoons Herb de Provence (or you can use a mixture of oregano, rosemary, thyme)
  • 5 carrots, chopped
  • 5 celery, chopped
  • 3/4 cup peas
  • 2 cups mushrooms
  • 1 cup dried farro or noodles

Instructions

  • Heat butter in a large Dutch oven or pot. Add chopped carrots, celery and onion, and let it cook down for 5 min. Then add mushrooms, seasonings and peas and 3 tablespoons of tomato paste. Stir and set it cook down for another 5 min.
  • While the veggies are cooking, combine flour, garlic powder and salt & pepper. Toss beef in flour mixture and sear beef until browned on medium heat.
  • Combine beef into the Dutch oven with the vegetables. Add red wine, beef stock and farro and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat to simmer for 1.5 hours. You want the beef to be very tender so keep it longer if needed.
  • Shred beef with forks and add it back to the pot.
  • Turn off the heat and let it sit for another hour (this will make the stew thicken and the flavors intensify.