This independent club gives free access to its members and serves more than 1,200 children each year. Located adjacent to Paul Revere Park on Irving Park Road, it features four baseball diamonds, three football and soccer fields, several tennis courts, a playground and clubhouse complete with a computer room and indoor practice areas. It’s also adjacent to the Chicago Park District.
Lincoln Square, Albany Park, & Irving Park Back to School Checklist
This cluster comprises Chicago’s most diverse neighborhoods. In Lincoln Square, embrace old world German and European heritage, cobblestone streets and a hint of modernism. Albany Park offers quaint, tree-lined corridors complete with charming bungalows, while neighboring Irving Park showcases architecture predating the Chicago fire.
Sports, Music & Activities
All the equipment for your extracurriculars.
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Neighborhood Boys & Girls Club
Address: 2501 W. Irving Park Rd., Chicago, Illinois 60618
773-463-4161
Technology & Gadgets
Phones, tablets, computers and calculators.
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Marbles the Brain Store
This specialty store — one of several nationwide — is conveniently located in the heart of the Lincoln Square neighborhood. Products in the shop include everything from memory games for aging adults to gadgets that help amplify the attention span of children who have trouble focusing. All gifts and games center on one key goal: Strengthening the brain.
4745 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, Illinois 60625
773-784-7991
Supplies
Pencils, bags and everything for grade school kids, as well as bigger items for students headed off to college.
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Office Depot
Office Depot is a one-stop shop for education products, services and solutions. The retail chain includes more than 2,000 retail stores across the country, many of which are right here in Chicago. Back-to-school shoppers will find competitively priced pens, notebooks, posters, planners, folders and organizational tools. Working on a science project? Take advantage of the print and copy services.
6165 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, Illinois 60659
773-583-5301
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Pak’d
For busy parents, Pak’d is a major time saver. The service allows you to order a healthy, balanced, packed lunch for your child — delivered straight to your door. Lunches are customizable to fit your child’s tastes and health needs. Sign up for Pak’d by Sept. 6 and use the code DNAINFO to buy one Pak’d and get one free.
Chicago, Illinois
Checkups
Doctors, dentists and specialists.
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Swedish Covenant Immediate Care
Back-to-school physicals are an essential part of monitoring your children’s health. Swedish Covenant Immediate Care in North Center offers school and sports physicals and urgent care services for children seven days a week. The organization has deep ties to the neighborhood and the surrounding community, and is committed to consistently adapting to fit its diverse health and wellness needs.
2019 W Irving Park Rd., Chicago, Illinois 60618
(773) 293-8787
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Lawrence Eye Care
This Albany Park mainstay is located on Lawrence Avenue near its intersection with Lawndale. Doctors and staff members are available six days a week and most glasses come with a one-hour turnaround, thanks to an on-site lab. Lawrence Eye Care has been serving residents in the area for more than 30 years and welcomes most forms of insurance.
3711 W. Lawrence Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60625
773-583-5727
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Northcenter Eyecare
Since 1991, Northcenter Eye Care has provided comprehensive eye care for the entire family, using state-of-the-art technology to assess and treat patients. Led by veteran optometrist Dr. Barry Siegel, the practice caters to the North Center community and provides annual eye exams, fittings for eyeglasses and treatment for eye diseases and conditions. Now recieve 20% off second pairs of glasses and 15% off children’s glasses.
1926 W. Irving Park Road, Chicago, Illinois 60613
(773) 525-0952
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Artisan Eyecare
Providing the whole family with comprehensive eye services (including outfitting them with stylish eyewear), Dr. J. Christopher Wooldridge, OD, and Kevin Hong opened Artisan Eyecare in 2016 to serve the greater North Center community. Students with a student ID receive 50 percent off a comprehensive eye exam and prescription glasses at their back-to- school checkup.
3929 N Western Avenue, Suite S, Chicago, Illinois 60618
(773) 906-5725
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Healthy Smiles, Inc.
Ensure your kids get the most thorough care and schedule their back-to-school dental exam and cleaning at Healthy Smiles. Dr. Rita Salvi Platt has practiced dentistry for over 28 years and offers preventative and cosmetic services using the latest technology, including digital x-rays. Until Aug. 16, new patients receive 20 percent off services and $50 off teeth whitening treatments.
2005 W. Addison St., Chicago, Illinois 60618
(773) 573-1234
After School, Private Schools, Tutors & Lessons
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Chicago Rowing Foundation
Based at the WMS Boathouse at Clark Park, Chicago Rowing Foundation offers classes and teams for middle school and high school athletes of all levels. CRF’s high school sweep rowing program promotes determination and healthy competition and the organization is the only club rowing team in the city to provide financial aid to any rower interested in committing to the team.
3400 N Rockwell St, Chicago, Illinois
(312) 636-1239
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Old Town School of Folk Music
The Old Town School of Folk Music opened in 1957 along North Ave., where more than 150 students attended weekly guitar and banjo classes. The center has since grown to include multiple locations, including the Lincoln Square site. Today, its esteemed music teachers work with more than 6,500 music students each week, nearly 3,000 of whom are children.
4544 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60625
773-728-6000
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Bit Space
Inspiring the next generation of engineers, wood workers and tech geniuses, Bit Space supplies children with the equipment they need to complete physical and digital projects. The two-hour back-to-school program invites students to invent and create projects using new technology like 3D printers, design software and old-school woodshop tools. Take 5 percent off any program with the code DNA5.
2541 W Lawrence Ave., Chicago, Illinois 60625
(773) 654 1691
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Mathnasium of Ravenswood
Whether your child excels at math or could use some extra help, Mathnasium provides additional support through homework help and test prep for students from elementary school through high school. Using Mathnasium’s 40-year-old method, instructors address students’ immediate needs while working with them to improve their knowledge of the fundamentals and gain confidence in their abilities. Mention DNAinfo to receive $50 off your first full month’s tuition. Visit us at one of our three Chicago locations- Ravenswood, West Depaul, and coming soon West Loop.
1754 W Wilson Ave., Chicago, Illinois 60640
(773) 880-6284
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Lil' Kickers Chicago
Lil’ Kickers’ extracurricular soccer programming gives children ages 18 months to 12 years old a chance to develop both physically and mentally through fun, no-pressure classes. Lil’ Kickers holds 50-minute classes in many of the city’s neighborhoods and at various times throughout the day to fit every family’s schedule. The fall session runs from Aug. 29 to Nov. 21. Lil' Kickers offers fall classes at the following locations throughout the city: Bradley Place (2640 W Bradley Pl), Chitown Futbol (2343 S Throop St), Lake Street (1911 W Lake St) and Menomonee Club (1535 N. Dayton St).
2640 W Bradley Pl., Chicago, Illinois 60618
(877) 545-5457
Smart Looks
Get styled.
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Rock Candy Salon & Spa
With a decor and products that cater to all ages, the family focus of this upscale, full-service beauty salon is obvious. Rock Candy Salon & Spa provides hair and nail services for kids and adults. The salon also sells fun hair care products (like bubble gum glitter gel) and promotes salon party packages. Feel free to pamper yourself and your little one.
4141 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, Illinois 60618
773-883-3000
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Great Clips
Start the year off with a fresh look thanks to Great Clips’ affordable haircuts. Bilingual staff provide a welcoming environment for English and Spanish speakers. Online check-in through the Great Clips app makes quick scheduling easy and walk-ins are always welcome. Until Sept. 18, children 10 and under can get haircuts for $5.99, while it’s $7.99 for adults.
2321 W Lawrence Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60625
(773) 516- 4461