2nd Annual Chicago Dads Group Family Picnic

Being part of a local dad group has its rewards. It can motivate you to get out of the house during the week and take your kids (no matter how young) for some needed interaction with other kids. It can also give you a very-needed monthly escape for a dads night out (DNO) to catch a movie, or dinner, or drinks, or golf. Most importantly, it can give you a greater sense of community as you build relationships with other dads and as you watch your kids build relationships with the same kids during play groups.

I have been part of the Chicago Dads Group for 2 years and first took my son to a play group when he was 4 months old. I mentioned that I wasn’t sure if it made any sense to bring a 4 month old out with a dads group and was given some amazing advice from a fellow dad. “Play groups are just as much for the dads as they are for the kids. More so, sometimes. You need this. You need to get out. Now have some fun.” I’m still friends with that guy.

This year, the Chicago Dads Group has averaged over 20 meetups/play groups a month and as of late September, we have had 210 total meetups in 2015. A favorite event for the year is our Family Picnic. At the end of each summer we get the families together and have a pot luck style picnic at a venue with jump houses and large open fields so that everyone can run, kick, bounce, and just have an all around great time. It gives all of us a chance to meet the entire family and make fun of each other in front of our wives. Before it’s all over we have our Dad Olympics, which is always a huge hit.

This month, we had our 2nd Annual Family Picnic with over 200 RSVPs. Two of our members sponsored the event, $99 Per Room Interior Painting (www.99PerRoom.com) and Terrass Misher Real Estate (www.TerrassMisher.com) and helped make it a huge success. Another one of our members has started a professional photography business, and he lent his skills to the event and captured some great moments. So without further ado, here are some of the amazing pictures from our 2nd Annual Chicago Dads Group Family Picnic courtesy of Little Monster’s Photography by Mike Salazar (http://www.littlemonstersphoto.com/).

*to join the Chicago Dads Group, head over to our Meetup site and join the fun.*

*All pictures courtesy of Little Monster’s Photography by Mike Salazar

* All pictures courtesy of Little Monster’s Photography by Mike Salazar *