With sub-zero wind chills nipping your nose, visiting the Shedd Aquarium might not be the first thing on your mind. But the Shedd’s new Fantasea multimedia aquatic show is such a delight, it’s worth heading out into the wintry weather, especially if you need a respite from holiday madness. Set in the Shedd’s recently reopened Oceanarium, Fantasea is more like going to the theater than to the same old dolphin show. This surprising production is a unique Chicago experience, and (perhaps best of all) the show is included in the price of admission to the Shedd.

Fantasea is an inspirational show designed to capture the wonder of the natural world and its inhabitants. Combining the excitement of modern theater technology (from flying rowboats to “dolphin guides” who drop from the ceiling), an original score, and evocative lighting in the soothing Oceanarium, Fantasea captures kids’ attention and imagination. My kids wished they could trade places with the main character in the story, a young girl who interacts with the Shedd’s beluga whales, sea lions, penguins, birds of prey and Pacific white-sided dolphins. All these animals get a chance to exhibit their natural behaviors, putting on a great show of their own. Seeing three dolphins gracefully arc out of the water in unison is dramatic in itself, and penguins add their own innate comic relief. Hint: If your kids love penguins, try to sit in the front row!

After the show, be sure to explore the rest of the Oceanarium for some up-close encounters with sea lions and belugas. On our visit, one friendly beluga posed endlessly for photos! On the lower level, the recently added Polar Play Zone is irresistible to kids. In this “set under the ice” adventureland, they can put pretend to nest and ice-slide like penguins, watch the real penguins play, and even grab a snack while they watch the belugas gliding underwater.

Details: Shedd Aquarium is located at 1200 South Lake Shore Drive on Chicago’s Museum Campus and is served year-round by the CTA’s #146 bus. Tickets can be purchased in advance. Fantasea performances run several times a day. Be sure to plan your visit around one of the show times, which change depending on the day. For show times and more information, visit www.sheddaquarium.org

It’s that time of the year again, the air is getting cooler and pretty soon we’ll have to think of things to keep the wee ones busy with indoors. Cold days, rainy days, snowy days or any day of the year Splatters create-&-party is the perfect creative outlet for children young and old alike.

Splatters is a warm and inviting children’s art studio located in the heart of Villa Park. With a host of options for your child to show their artistic side, owner and local artist Lynn Driver can help to guide them with varied painting and drawing techniques. With no mess to clean up, moms can relax and let the kids escape into expressing themselves with art.

Let your child’s imagination go with:

Open Art Day – (age 2 & older) – multiple art projects set up around the room, fun background music for inspiration, play dough to mold and create, as well as art easels for coloring. $10/child/per hour

One Day Art Workshops - (age 3 & older) – Multiple workshops available: Forever Fairies-choice of making a fairy garden, “paint your own” fairy canvas, or fairy doll,  Safari – create safari themed art projects, fall creations – creating fall artwork using different types of techniques and mediums. $15/child/hour

Create a Canvas- (age 7 & older) – Children are encouraged with inspiration from home to create a meaningful work of art on canvas. A canvas that expresses themselves. Canvas is 9×12 canvas board with ribbon attached to hang.  $15/child/hour

Teen Art Time - (age 13 & older)- Let your teen express their inner self with activities such as dream boxes, portraits, initials, etc. $15/teen/hour

Playgroup Hour - Perfect for moms and kids! Let a Splatters hostess create art with the kids. Art stations will be set up with several different art projects and sensory tables will be filled for exploring hands-on. Enjoy me time with the other moms while sharing some refreshments in the Splatters lounge. $10/child/hour/min.5 children

Birthday Party Package – Children’s theme art party. With over 25 themes, co-owner Missy Pittman has something for every whim and fancy, age and gender. She is an expert in theme parties and enjoys planning special events.

Splatters Children’s Art Studio is located at 217 S. Villa Avenue, Villa Park, IL  60181. Telephone (630)833-5020. See their calendar of events here.

Help paint the rainy days a little more brighter. Stop by Splatters today for some creative fun and play. Not only will it help foster your child’s imagination, hands on artwork can help them express themselves. What are you waiting for?

Bleeding Heart Bakery owner Michelle Garcia (mom of 2) is one smart cookie…or cupcake…or just plain smart. She just launched another business that mirrors her vegan self-proclaimed “punk rock” bakery (Bleeding Heart) and this time geared to our little ones called Smash Cake. And after checking it out with my 3 kids, I can honestly say it is probably one of the freshest and  exciting new place for families to go to. And sweetest too!

They will be having free daily book readings for the kids, scheduled craft days and I am especially excited about the reasonable party options they have and the kids in parties can be decorating their own cupcakes or cookies for. Besides the sweet selections, soups, salads, and sandwiches are also available.

For June, check out the following craft classes below: It is $10 per child, each additional child $8 (must be prepaid).

June 4 – Tie dye – each child needs to bring t-shirt to be tie-dyed.
June 9 - Potato stamps.
June 11 - Bookmarks and book reading.
June 16 - Make your own play dough-no cook.
June 18 – Sock puppets.
June 23 - Masks.
June 25 – Paper plate maracas-march around room.
June 30 – Paint coffee cans or some type of cans for drums.

Smash Cake
2961 N. Lincoln
Smashcakechicago.com

By Cathy McNulty

Recently my husband and I, in an attempt to shake those winter blues, took our two sons (ages 4 years and 18 months) to the All Aboard Diner located in Downers Grove just off of I-355.  After spending all of winter “dining” in various places geared toward children, we walked into the place expecting a terrific atmosphere for the kids, okay service and mediocre food.   I am happy to say we were pleasantly surprised.

As a diner that focuses on providing a family orientated atmosphere, All Aboard pulls out all the stops to make families feel welcome.  High chairs and booster seats are fixed to help kids sit right up at the counter, where a train will soon deliver their meal.  There are coat hooks towards the back of the diner so that you don’t have to have all that bulk crowding your own seat.  This might be something that only a mom would notice, but you can relax while using the toilet with your little one in the room, because the lock is high up on the door.  There’s no need to worry about your child unlocking the door before you are ready!  Also, there’s a step stool by the sink to make it easy for your child to wash their own hands.  Of course, besides these family friendly amenities, the entire diner is decked out with trains!

As soon as your child enters the diner he can watch and interact with a train set right at their own level.  There are a ton of buttons just calling out to children to be pushed.  One will move the train, another the tree swing, another will sound the whistle, and so much more!  There’s also a train track set up high, near the ceiling, with a train constantly circling around the diner.  Of course, let’s not forget the train that circles the counter.  The most important train of all, delivering meals and desserts!  These trains managed to keep my 18 month old occupied while we waited shortly for our food and while we were eating.

My husband and I were surprised by the selection offered on the menu.  Wraps, burgers, salads, soup, sandwiches, and dinners geared towards adults filled two and a half pages of the menu.  All Aboard Diner also has a beer and wine bar.  I ordered the Buffalo Ranch Chicken Wrap and a Miller Lite.  The wrap, served with my choice of fries, fruit, or chips, was delicious.  Just spicy enough to keep my mouth watering, but not too spicy I couldn’t eat it.  My husband order the Chopped Steak dinner and before I had a chance to ask for a taste, his plate was cleared.  The children’s menu offered a wide variety of choices, surely the most picky eater could find something they like there.  The menu included: cheeseburger, burger, cheese pizza, hot dog, corn dog, chicken nuggets, chicken fries, macaroni and cheese, mac and cheese bites, and popcorn shrimp!  My oldest son order his usual – a cheeseburger.  He was pleased because the beef wasn’t bigger than the bun, the bun didn’t have seeds on it, and it didn’t fall apart while he was eating!  We ordered the macaroni and cheese for my younger son.  He was pleased because it looked and tasted very similiar to the stuff I make at home.  All of our meals were prepared in their peanut free environment!  Overall, we were so surprised by the quality of the food – delicious!

The service here was excellent.  From the time we entered the diner until the time we left we were all made to feel very welcome.  The servers were attentive to our needs.  There were a few people there celebrating birthdays – what fun that was!  The “food train,” as my son called it, would deliver a birthday ice cream treat while a birthday song was played over the intercom.  The staff would all sing along and clap for the birthday person (both birthdays were adults!).  All children get to pick out a train whistle (it’s not that loud) and a ring when it’s time to go home, which makes getting out and to the car just a little bit easier when your little ones don’t want to go home!

All Aboard Diner also has a party room and is available for birthday parties.  The guests will first eat their meals at the counter, then adjourn to the party room for cake, ice cream, and presents.

I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone with children (girls or boys) and to any adult train buffs!  Chicagonista readers can enjoy 10%  off of their meal just by mentioning this article! Discount available only for meals and cannot be applied to parties.

This is an original Chicagonista article.