Ice sports · Pathway
Kids' Skating & Hockey in Chicago: The Full Pathway
From first skates to first team — the two Park District rinks, Johnny's IceHouse, the Blackhawks' Fifth Third Arena, the levels at each stage, and the gear that goes with them.
Resources
Activity guides
Choosing an activity comes before choosing a provider — so these guides map the whole landscape for one sport at a time: Park District programs and commercial options side by side, with real catalog data and parent experience, not rankings for sale.
Ice sports · Comparison
Skating & Hockey Classes in Chicago, Compared
McFetridge and Morgan Park, Johnny's IceHouse, and the Blackhawks' Fifth Third Arena side by side — ages, prices, enrollment models, and how to choose.
Ice sports · Cost
What a Season of Kids' Hockey Actually Costs in Chicago
The real first-year and full-season cost of kids' hockey in Chicago: Park District tuition, private-rink programs, the USA Hockey fee, gear at every stage, and the hidden costs nobody quotes you — with every number dated.
Swimming · Starter
First Swim Lessons at 6 Months, 2, or 4? A Chicago Parent's Guide
What baby, toddler, and preschool swim classes actually teach, the AAP's guidance on starting age, every Chicago provider's minimum age, and what to bring to the first class.
Swimming · Comparison
Swim Lessons in Chicago, Compared: Park District, Goldfish, Big Blue & More
Every kids' swim-lesson option in Chicago side by side: the Park District, Goldfish, Big Blue, British Swim School, Foss, Chicago Blue Dolphins, and the YMCA — ages, ratios, enrollment models, makeup policies, and prices, with every number dated.
Soccer · Comparison
Kids' Soccer Programs in Chicago, Compared
Lil' Kickers, Soccer Shots, the Park District, AYSO, PSG Academy Chicago, and Chicago Fire Youth — compared on the same questions: ages, format, enrollment, and price, with every figure dated.
More sports are in the works — soccer, flag football, and baseball. In the meantime, browse every Park District program in the activity catalog.