Whether you’re new to the area, just had a baby, want to get involved in your community or are looking to get out of the house with a toddler during the day, making new friends is always a good idea! The following groups provide a variety of ways to forge new connections. A number are Meetup groups that organize playdates. There are philanthropic groups, support groups for moms of multiples and one group for families with children with special needs. If you know of another group that should be featured on this list, please include it in the comments or write me at editor@gowestyoungmom.com. Note: I’ve organized this list first by some groups that have a wider geographic focus, then alphabetically by town, although a number of these groups welcome residents of other suburbs. Finally, please follow the links provided to learn lots more about each of these groups, including their membership requirements, when they meet and what you can expect if you join them.
DuPage County
DuPage County Chapter of Mothers & More is a a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of mothers through support, education and advocacy. It offers regular meetings with guest speakers, playgroups, book club, moms’ night out event, seasonal and holiday parties, on-line support and discussion groups.
Kane County
City to Suburb Moms Meetup Group is for women looking to make connections in Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles and South Elgin. It offers playdates for kids, nightlife events for moms, and aims to give back to the community.
Mom & Kids on the Fox Meetup Group offers daytime playdates (weekday mornings or early afternoon) for moms and kids and a variety of moms’ night out events throughout the month. The focus is on St. Charles, Geneva and Batavia. Fathers are also encouraged to become involved through this group.
Gen X Moms on the Fox Meetup Group is for moms in their late 30s and 40s who have had children later in life. It offers a playdate for kids each week, outdoor activites regular moms’ night out and social events. It has a Meetup group, but also a private Facebook page for members
Tri-City Tikes Meetup Group is a fun-loving, active playgroup for moms and young children living in St. Charles, Geneva and Batavia. The kids range in age from newborn to 6. The calendar is based on weekly themes. There are also mom-only events, family events and volunteer opportunities.
Holistic Moms Network – Fox Valley Chapter welcomes all area parents with an interest in holistic health and green living. It has a chapter meeting once a month in St. Charles.
Batavia
Batavia Mothers’ Club is a social and philanthropic group for women, with meetings on the first Wednesday of every month at the Batavia Public Library at 7 p.m. Membership not limited to Batavia residents.
Batavia Covenant Church in downtown Batavia is planning a bi-monthly play group on Friday mornings twice a month. Details are being finalized.
Bartlett
Bartlett Families Meetup Group is aimed at moms and dads who want to get together for playdates and family fun in the Bartlett area. It features home playdates, park and outdoor activities, cultural outings, moms’ nights out and more. This group says it welcomes both working and stay-at-home parents.
Downers Grove
Downers Grove Area Newcomers Club is a non-profit women’s organization that has served the area for almost 50 years. Feature playdates and an Easter egg hunt, book nights, special events, opportunities for philanthropy and more. Members are new and longtime residents, professional women, stay at home mothers, work at home mothers, single and married women.
Elgin
Good Shepherd MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) meets the third Tuesday of every month at 11:15 a.m. at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Nesler and Route 20. Childcare and lunch is provided. This group offer mothers with children ages birth to kindergarten opportunities to meet friends and learn how to tackle the challenges of motherhood.
Double Love Twins Club is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing support to parents of multiple birth children. This club serves the northern Fox Valle, including Elgin, South Elgin, Carpentersville, Bartlett, Streamwood and Dundee, although there is no territorial restriction for membership. They meet once a month at Sherman Hospital for discussions on a top or an activity and offer lots of activities, playdates and holiday parties.
Elmhurst Area Moms Meetup Group is an organization for mothers who stay home full-time or work part-time with one or more children age 5 and younger in the communities of Elmhurst, Villa Park and Lombard. There are daytime activities each month for moms to attend with their kids as well as one or more “moms only” evening events. Activities may include kids’ outings, park days, recipe exchanges and coffee/lunch meetups.
Geneva
First Baptist Church of Geneva Moms Together is a program created to encourage mothers of infants through elementary-age children. The monthly morning meetings include breakfast, time for conversation, information speaker presentations and discussion groups. Breakfast and childcare are provided.
Geneva Women’s Club is a not-for-profit philanthropic organization dedicated to improving the lives of families in the Fox Valley area.
Glen Ellyn
Kaitlin’s Hideout Parent Support Group is a play center for children with autism and other special needs. The organization is also a social, resource and support center for parents and caregivers and encourages anyone looking for personal “face to face” support and socialization to join.
Naperville
Naperville Strollers Meet Up Group is a a casual meet-up of moms with stroller-aged babies and little kids to walk and chat. Stops or slowdowns for feeding, to sooth fussy children, etc, is expected.
Naperville API (Attachment Parenting) offers monthly meetings for like-minded families.
MOPS at Naperville Christian Church meets twice a month on Thursday mornings. Members enjoy breakfast, making new friends, share tales of motherhood, grow in faith in Christ, get inspiration and ideas from guest speakers. Childcare is provided. Church membership is not required to attend MOPS at NCC.
MOPS at Alleluia Lutheran Church on Book Road and 103rd meets on Friday mornings twice a month. Childcare is available for little ones during the meeting. This group’s aim is to encourage, support and nurture moms, who will be given a chance to socialize with other women, learn from guest speakers, discuss pertinent topics and participate in creative activities.
North Aurora
North Aurora Mothers Club works to improve the social, emotional, educational and physical well-being of children and families of North Aurora. It has monthly meetings and a monthly trivia night, too. This group puts on a number of community events in North Aurora.
Oswego
Oswego Area Mothers and More is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of mothers through support, education and advocacy. It serves more than 80 members from Aurora, Montgomery, Oswego, Plainfield, Plano and Yorkville. It offers playgroups, a coffee clutch, book club, recipe night, moms’ night out and more.
Oswego Stay-At-Home Parents Meetup Group offers family outings, playdates, book clubs, moms’ night out and more. The ages of children in this group are from birth through age 5.
St. Charles
St. Charles Mothers’ Club is a non-profit club offering community impact, community service, and fundraising to help women and children in the area. It meets the third Monday of every month at 7 p.m., with special events planned as well. Membership is open to any woman living in and around the St. Charles area.
FYI Moms is a weekly informal group functions both as a social and a support outlet. It helps new moms meet other new moms and is facilitated by a registered nurse, plus members bring their babies to interact with others. This group meets at a Cadence Medical office in St. Charles on Tuesdays. Call 630-933-4234 to register or for more info.
West Chicago
A moms group organized through the non-profit People Made Visible typically has Saturday morning meetings and then meets at other community events. For info, write info@peoplemadevisible.com
Wheaton
Play Group-Wheaton Area offers a Facebook page which offers mostly weekday meet-ups for children and their caretakers.
Newcomers Club of Wheaton, Winfield and Warrenville is a women’s social organization that organizes a wide variety of activities for its members and their families to have fun, meet new people, and serve their communities. It also has a very active list serve where members share referrals for doctors, contractors, babysitters, etc. Some of its numerous interest groups and activities include Chix at the Flix, playgroups, book club, Newcomers’ nights out, tennis club, monthly programs, moms and tots events, and community outreach opportunities. This organization would like to organize a weekend playgroup if there were enough interest. It includes new and long-time residents, working and stay-at-home moms, single and married women of all ages.
FYI Moms – Bringing Up Baby is a weekly informal group that functions both as a social and a support outlet. It helps new moms meet other new moms and is facilitated by a registered nurse, plus members bring their babies to interact with others. This group meets at a Cadence Medical office in Wheaton on Tuesdays.
Yorkville
Yorkville-Area Moms Meetup Group offers weekly playdates, park meetups and moms’ night out opportunities. The women in this group are stay-at-home moms or part-time working moms with babies, infants, toddlers and preschoolers, although some have older siblings who attend playdates when school is not in session. Members are from Yorkville, Plano, Montgomery, Sandwich and Sugar Grove.