Welcome!
Welcome, Parents, to your very own section on the DFSS Children Services Division website. This section is designed to assist anyone who is a parent as well as anyone who cares for young children. We will provide useful information in a variety of areas that you can make use of in your every day life. Please "spread the word" and encourage other parents to visit this website! Thank you.
Creative Parenting
Staying indoors for the winter doesn't have to be boring! You can help make your own home a winter wonderland for your children. Here are some ideas for indoor Winter fun...
"Bored" Games
Take out the old board games and make up your own rules, or mix the pieces and rules of one board game with another-- and come up with your own unique game!
Carpet Skating
Turn your living room floor into an ice-skating rink! If you have a library of old children's picture books, grab a couple of evenly-sized books per person. Put one under each foot, and with a little pressure and movement from your feet-- you'll be skating across the living room like an olympic gold medalist.
Kids Got Talent
Put on your own version of "America's Got Talent"-- with your kids as the stars. Let them make up their own dance routine, sing their favorite songs or recite a poem they wrote. You might be surprised to discover some new talent in the family!
Sofa Puppet Theater
Create your own puppet theater behind your sofa! If you don't have puppets, grab some stuffed animals or make your own puppets by drawing faces on the flap of a brown lunch bag. You can move the puppets to your favorite music, a fun storybook-- or create your own script.
Winter Olympics
Turn your home into an Olympic Arena! Each room can host a different sport-- or make an olympic-sized obstacle course throughout your home. The winner gets hot chocolate and their choice of winter snacks.
Family Fun
There are many exciting things to do in Chicago all year round.. Many of the activities are affordable... or absolutely FREE! Take advantage of the following activities that are family-oriented and definitely "Kid Friendly."
Ice Skating at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink (through March 11)
Skate under the city lights at the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink at Millenium Park. Skating is FREE and skate rentals are available. For more information, and for other great family activities-- please visit ChicagoKids.com.
Polar Adventure Days
The Chicago Park District presents the seventh annual Polar Adventure Days at Northerly Island. Polar Adventure Days offer families the opportunity to explore Northerly Island and come face to face with live animals, engage in winter activities, watch ice sculpture carvings and create winter-inspired crafts. Admission is FREE, parking is $3. For dates, hours and further information, please click HERE.
Winter Family Fun
Escape the Winter blahs! Chicagofun.com presents the Chicago Winter Family Fun Guide-- filled with great ideas and cost-cutting coupons to help you and your family enjoy the winter-- indoors and out.
Safety First
Alternative Heating
Every winter firefighters across the state respond to thousands of home fires caused by heating equipment. Yet, these types of fires can almost always be prevented by homeowners and renters who use alternative heat sources carefully and responsibly. Click HERE for tips on safely heating your home.
Drive Carefully
Winter Weather can produce dangerous driving conditions. Many accidents that occur in the winter months can be prevented by careful preparation and conscientious driving. Tips for driving safely during the winter can be found HERE.
Shovel Safely
Be sure to stretch your muscles before shoveling. Wear slip-resistant shoes, and sprinkle the ice with salt to prevent falls. Shovel only in manageable amounts, and be sure to take frequent breaks. For more information on safe shoveling, download the Shoveling Safety Guide.
Staying Healthy
Winter is a time to pay special attention to your health, especially because it is a season that often breeds the flu, colds and other forms of sickness. Take note of the following tips to help you and your family stay healthy this Winter Season!
Avoiding Winter Colds
In order to avoid the common cold, make sure you get plenty of rest, drink an adequate amount of fluids and exercise regularly. Keep your home clean and germ-free, and keep the thermostat on a lower temperature to maintain humidity within your home.
Stay Warm
Cold temperatures can cause serious health problems, especially in infants and older adults. Stay dry, and dress warmly in several layers of loose-fitting, tightly woven clothing.
Wash Your Hands Often
Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Wash your hands with soap and clean running water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and clean water are not available, use an alcohol-based product.
For more information on how to stay healthy this winter, click HERE for a copy of the Illinois Department of Public Health Winter Health Tips.
Tasty Treats
Pita Pizzas
Instead of calling out for pizza delivery, have your kids create their own pizza using pita bread. Open the pita bread in the middle, stuff it with sauce, cheese, and your favorite pizza ingredients, and put it on a cookie sheet in the oven at 425 degrees for about 8 minutes. If you don't want stuffed pizza, put the ingredients on top of the pita bread and make fun faces out of the ingredients. It's fast, it's fun...and it's delicious!
Rice Krispie Snowmen
Why go outside in the cold to make snowmen when you can make them in your own kitchen? Melt 3 tablespoons of butter or margarine in a large saucepan over low heat. Add 4 cups of mini marshmallows, and stir until melted. Remove from heat, and stir in 6 cups of Rice Krispies until fully coated. Roll the mixture into different sized balls, and attach them together with thick cake icing. Decorate your snowmen with icing, or attach your favorite candy using the cake icing. Makes a great winter decoration...and snack!
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