Articles

The Skokie Park District has been providing quality programs and services to the Skokie community since 1928. Serving more than 63,000 residents of Skokie, Illinois and customers throughout Chicagoland, the district is committed to protecting natural resources, preserving historical sites, and providing thousands of unique recreational opportunities across its 240 acres of parkland. The park district is a proud recipient of the “National Gold Medal for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management,” and offers a wide range of programs and special events, including summer camps, state-licensed full-day childcare and preschool, and before and after-school care for grades K-5. Families in the community can enjoy the district’s fun and educational activities all year long. The Skokie Park District is committed to providing the best for the Skokie community. With its dedication to offering quality programs and services, the park district is sure to continue to provide recreational opportunities and experiences that will be cherished for years to come.

Our approach merges basic training for kids with a more engaging and creative approach that allows children to explore their curiosity and energy. At our center, we recognize that STEM is not just about memorizing facts or equations. Instead, we view STEM as a holistic learning paradigm that integrates the four disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Our approach emphasizes real-world applications and encourages children to think critically and develop their problem-solving skills. Through our engaging and creative activities, we strive to instill in kids a passion for exploration and discovery. We believe that the best way to foster a love of STEM in children is to introduce them to a learning environment that is both stimulating and enjoyable. Our curriculum is designed to do just that, combining both fun activities and educational experiences to give children the opportunity to learn while they play. By introducing children to STEM in a way that is both interactive and entertaining, we can help them develop the skills they need to succeed in the future.

Today, Inessa and Irina’s vision lives on in the form of a school that serves its own students and their families. Our teachers, many of whom are our own alumni, are proud to be part of an educational program that has been proven to foster growth and excellence. We take our responsibility to both our students and their families seriously, and strive to provide an environment of support and progress. Inessa and Irina’s legacy continues to be felt in the lives of our current students. As parents and educators, we are honored to be a part of this powerful movement. We strive to ensure that our children have the best learning experience possible, and our commitment to their academic success is our highest priority.

Insight is the premier art studio for kids, teens and adults to learn how to draw and paint realistically. Our classes are instructed by experienced, classically trained artists, so students can be sure to receive the best instruction. At Insight, we focus on creating an environment of community and collaboration, so everyone can enjoy art together. Our classes offer personalized step-by-step instruction and allow each student to work at their own pace. We offer priority registration for our current students for the upcoming session, and any available spaces after that can be requested through our website. Each session typically lasts 8-10 weeks and the tuition is based on the number of classes offered. Supplies are included in the kids classes. So, come join our community of like-minded artists and express yourself through art!

Do you ever feel like you don't belong? At Lubavitch Chabad of Skokie, all the Jewish residents of the town have a place to fit in. People who come to Chabad are just like you - they shop where you shop, dine where you dine, and come from a variety of different Jewish backgrounds. The synagogue provides educational and recreational programs for people of all ages, from Hebrew school to Camp Gan Israel, Jewish Learning Institute, Women's Classes, CTeen, and the Community Shul. Come and join us for a spectacular Jewish experience. We are always striving to improve and upgrade our programs and activities to create a welcoming environment for everyone. And no matter what, we are here to help every Jewish person in any way we can.

At My Gym, we are passionate about providing a fun and physically engaging learning environment for children of all ages and abilities. We have been helping kids reach incredible milestones, from tentative first steps to tumbling down soft mats, for more than 35 years. Our goal is to create an atmosphere that fosters a sense of love and support, so that children can build their self-esteem and confidence. We are proud to say that all children can thrive and succeed in our program. With over 700 locations, we have been able to share the excitement of these accomplishments with parents all over the world, and we are grateful to have each child and family as part of our My Gym family.

Have you ever dreamed of skating like the pros? Take a step in the right direction and come to the Skatium Ice Arena. Here, you can learn from the ice arena and affiliate organization professionals and progress in your skating journey. Whether you want to be a hockey player, figure skater, or a recreational skater, the Skatium Ice Arena is the perfect place to start. With a full-size rink and a smaller rink, you can find the perfect place to let your passion grow. Plus, the arena is open for public skating year-round. Follow in the footsteps of legends such as Scott Hamilton, Denis Savard, Evan Lysacek, Sasha Cohen, and Stan Mikita and come to the Skatium Ice Arena today!

Team Martial Arts is the perfect place for your child to develop their physical fitness and self-defense skills in a safe, fun and supportive environment. We focus on a full-body workout to build core strength, cardio capacity, and flexibility. Each class begins and ends with stretching to ensure the proper form and safety of the techniques practiced. We believe that physical fitness is essential for proper self-defense, and our classes cover specialty moves from Taekwondo, Hapkido, and Jiu-Jitsu. Kids will learn kicking styles, basic hitting and falling techniques, and specialized moves focused on creative escape and attacker-disablement. Our experienced instructors provide a supportive atmosphere for your child to learn and grow.

At Next Level Martial Arts and Fitness, we understand that every individual has different goals and needs when it comes to martial arts. That’s why we’ve designed our program to be accessible to everyone, regardless of age, experience level, or background. Our coaches provide personalized, one-on-one attention to help each student reach their goals in a safe and supportive environment. Plus, our system is designed to help you succeed—without any of the ego or intimidation that can often come with martial arts. No matter what your goals are—whether it’s to get in shape, compete at the highest level, or just stay safe in any real-world situation—Next Level Martial Arts and Fitness has the answer. Our program is tailored to meet the needs of all students, and our instructors are dedicated to helping you reach your goals. With hands-on coaching and a safe, supportive environment, you can trust that Next Level Martial Arts and Fitness has you covered.

Skokie's Emily Oaks Nature Center and Preserve is the perfect place for families to explore the great outdoors! This 13-acre nature sanctuary is packed with native wildflowers, grasses, oaks, a two-acre pond, and trails. It's also home to a variety of urban wildlife, like Great Blue Herons, Coyotes, Flying Squirrels, Northern Water Snakes, Red Foxes and Cooper's Hawks. The center itself also features the Woodland Wander Inn, a fun interactive experience for kids. As if that wasn't enough, the center also offers classes and meeting rooms, plus special programs that help scouts earn badges. If you're interested, be sure to make reservations as soon as possible. With so much to explore, Emily Oaks Nature Center and Preserve is the perfect place for families to learn, grow, and make memories.

The Talking Farm is a not-for-profit organization founded in 2006 with a goal of connecting communities to the benefits of a healthy local food system. Today, they are achieving this goal in a variety of ways, from producing, distributing, and selling locally grown, nutritious food to teaching communities about sustainability, urban agriculture, horticulture, and biodiversity. The Howard Street Farm in Skokie, Illinois is the site for their 2.5-acre urban farm project. In the past decade, The Talking Farm has provided over 12 comprehensive, hands-on educational programs and over 3,000 learning hours at the Howard Street Farm. In addition, they have distributed over 21,000 pounds of locally grown produce to the community and have plans to distribute over 60,000 pounds by 2022. With the help of generous donations, The Talking Farm hopes to continue to expand the Howard Street Farm to include 2.5-acres of growing fields, edible woodlands, fruit and nut trees, a Greenhouse, and a Welcome Center that doubles as an indoor learning space.

That’s why AYSO is so passionate about being child-first and child focused. Every decision, every rule, and every program revolves around the core belief that “what’s good for kids” is the foundation of a great soccer experience. AYSO is also one of the finest player development programs available. While winning is always a great way to end a match, the focus is on developing successful players and people. Soccer fosters teamwork, sportsmanship, and physical fitness, so AYSO’s “child-first” approach is the perfect way to ensure children have a positive experience on the field. With AYSO, you can be sure that your child’s first time stepping onto the soccer field will be a fun experience. In addition, their love of the game and development of skills can be nurtured and cultivated through AYSO’s player development program. Every girl and boy, no matter their skill level, can have a great experience in AYSO and reap the benefits of the “child-first” approach.

At Odeion, we believe in the power of music education to transform lives. That’s why we’ve invested decades of effort to curate a team of highly trained and experienced music instructors. Our selection process is rigorous and competitive, ensuring our students receive only the best in music education. We take pride in offering only the most qualified instructors who bring a passion for teaching and a commitment to helping our students reach their full potential.

Are you looking for a great place to learn how to swim? Look no further than the British Swim School Skokie pool. Located just west of the intersection of East Prairie and Oakton, this facility offers everything you need to get started. With off-street parking behind the building and plenty of street parking nearby, it's easy to get to. Plus, you'll be working with the area's best instructors. This pool offers a variety of services to suit everyone, from infants as young as three months to advanced swimmers and adults. Choose from small group classes, private, semi-private, in-home, special ability, and segregated classes. You can even host birthday parties, summer camps, private event rentals, and much more. At the British Swim School Skokie pool, you'll find a children's play space, retail shop, snack shop, changing cabanas, and poolside restrooms and showers. We are committed to teaching learn-to-swim lessons and water survival skills to people of all ages and abilities. Come see why the British Swim School Skokie pool is the perfect place to learn how to swim.

At Devonshire Arts Center, we offer a range of classes, activities, camps, and performances in music, theatre, dance, visual arts, and circus. Our state-licensed preschool program provides early childhood enrichment and culinary arts classes, while the Skokie Art Guild, Devonshire Playhouse, and Devonshire Preschool call this facility home. We also have partnerships with Thin Ice Ensemble Theatre, Chicago Pastel Painters, and E.D.G.E. Theatre, who visit us for workshops and performances. You can find rentals, art partnerships, and birthday party options here as well. Throughout the year, we host a variety of special events such as the Devonshire County Fair, Fall Teen Musical Performance, Fall Adult Musical Performance, December Dance Performance, Winter Adult Play, Young Performers Musical, Spring Dance Performance, Summer Adult Musical, Summer Dance Recital, and multiple art shows. Come join us at Devonshire Arts Center for a unique and creative experience!