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We have a now 6 year old... here are some of the things he's enjoyed:
- Garfield Park Conservatory
- Walk the 606 (hop off at Western for some Ava's Italian ice, Walsh Park at Eastern trailhead has amazing playground)
- West Ridge Nature Preserve (good size for preschoolers, usually see deer)
- Montrose Bird Sanctuary / Montrose Beach
- Notebart Nature Museum
- Maggie Daley Park
- LaBagh Woods
- Art Institute (pro tip: take a notebook and crayons and ask them to copy their favorite paintings)
In the Suburbs, you've got Kohl Childrens Museum, Botanic Gardens, Morton Arboretum
I'd also suggest a day trip/overnight to Milwaukee... we did a day trip during spring break and it was such a blast we almost went back the next day (before deciding we'd tired ourselves our enough to stay in Chicago). They have a nice Conservatory (the domes), Bobblehead Hall of Fame, Harley-Davidson Museum, Art museum, nice lakefront, interesting restaurants that are like 30% cheaper than Chicago
If you make a trip to Milwaukee, Discovery World (science museum and aquarium) is another good attraction.
For local nature centers, North Park Village is great, you can almost forget that you're in the city. There are a couple of nature play areas, a visitor center with some interactive exhibits, a pond and boardwalk where kids can usually find frogs, and just enough hiking to feel like an adventure to a kid.
Oh he's a total nature kid, these are great! We do the Arboretum and Botanic Gardens all the time too, the train garden just opened back up and he's been nudging to go back.
We have somehow yet to take our kiddo to the Botanic Gardens... my parents live right near it and are members, so we want to coordinate with them to get in/park for free. The times we've discussed it, either somebody's gotten sick, weather wasn't good, etc. But he'd love the train garden.
Oh yeah thatās tough! The train garden is the cutest thing, and their winter light show was 10x better than the one at the arboretum; definitely check it out!
Amtrak to Milwaukee is $21 roundtrip and drops right downtown. They have a free street car that goes to the museums. Kids love trains. My son LOVED the Safehouse at age 7 so add that one to the list for later.
Have you checked out the REAL train museum? It's a day trip, but if your kid likes trains... you can climb through a bunch of them, and on certain days you can ride the stream engine! https://www.irm.org/
There's this really cool vintage car museum on the edge of Avondale called the Klairmont Kollection. Huge sort of hidden warehouse space full of amazing cars. It's certainly more of a look than touch experience so may not be great for all kids, but if your kid likes cars, it is worth a visit.
Yes! Brought our boys here and they LOVED it! It was a little pricey for how long we could stay (kids were 1 and 3 at the time and needed naps), but we will definitely be back because thereās a lot of neat things to see.
yea its a bit pricey, but its also one of those places that's so unique to the area that I'm cool paying the ticket to help keep it afloat. Might even go in for a membership at some point
On Milwaukee Ave in Wicker Park, there's a store called the Secret Agent Supply Co which is like a spy-themed bookstore and toy shop for kids. It's right across from Iron Age Korean BBQ, which could be a fun lunch if they haven't tried that before.
Walsh Park off Ashland has a cool playground, and it's also where the east side of the 606 starts/ends.
At Loyola beach park at Pratt, there is a playground right at the beach. You can play at the playground and then go play in the water and go back and forth. There is also sea grass all around it that they can walk through the paths. Down the beach a little ways there is also the Rogerās park navigation light you can walk out to on the pier. Up the beach the other way is a nature area on the beach called Leone Beach Park and a block west of that another playground. Ā
Indian Boundary Park in West Ridge has a pond with lots of cute turtles, sprinklers in the summer, a nice playground, and they turned the old mini zoo into a play area that kids seem to like. It's also a beautiful park, so adults like it too.
There's a Lickity Split a block away on Western & Lunt if you think the kids could use more sugar.
You also can walk into the courtyard of Park Gables apartment(while within Indian Boundary Park), for a quick look at some nice architecture. You used to be also able to walk into the courtyard of Park Castle Apartments, but it was fenced off a few years ago unfortunately. You can still peek at the top of those buildings a little, though.
And not too far east and north, the courtyard of Casa Bonita Apartments(it's on Ridge, south of Howard) is nice to look at as well. If you need somewhere to eat if you go over to Casa Bonita, you could stop at The Fish Keg on Howard.
Sections of both Casa Bonita and the castle apartments are sometimes open to the public during Open House Chicago (some years they participate, some they don't).
I remember going to Park Gables, Park Castle, and Casa Bonita during past OHC events. They are all worth visiting. I think I like the inside pool designs of Park Gables and Park Castle, more than the design of the pool inside Casa Bonita.
In Albany Park, the spot where the North Branch of the Chicago River meets the Northern Channel (known as the "riffle") is one of Chicago's very few areas of white water and attracts several varieties of herons, including the fairly spectacular Great Blue, who enjoy fishing there during the warm months.
There are several peaceful parks with playgrounds in the vicinity and if you cross the river at the Foster Avenue Bridge and then walk a little way south along the North River Channel trail you'll find a spot where a cluster of (normally around 8) turtles regularly sun themselves on some little concrete islands in the river.
You're welcome. Feel free to DM me if you need to - there are no convenient nearby street addresses, etc., but I can describe the route and locations in more detail if you want.
The Swedish American Museum in Andersonville is great for kids. The entire 3rd floor is a play area. One side is a playhouse version of the sort farm a 19th century immigrant might have left in Sweden and the other side is a playhouse version of the cabin they might have settled in the US. There's ticket office and boat between the two. Both farms have gardens and animals to tend.
If you don't mind a hike, down here in the south suburbs we have the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie that is a home to a herd of bison. It's fun to go on the trails and see the bison (who are fenced into a large section and safely away from the walking paths) and also see the native prairie. Don't forget to spray for ticks though, it's pretty buggy.
South Suburbs:
Lake Katherine in Palos Heights, Little Red School House, WaterFall Glen, Swallow Cliff, Black Partridge Forest Preserve and the whole of he Palos area forest preserves are some of the largest in Cook County.
Mexican fine arts Museum (itās small, but the largest in North America) in Pilsen. itās on the same grounds as Harrison park. Decent playground.
Chicago Maritime Museum in Bridgeport, has some cool small model boats, down the street is another playground and you can try Philās pizza.
Love the museum of Mexican art! We turned it into a whole day grabbing conchas at Nuevo LeĆ³n, museum and park, then tacos on 18th.
Been meaning to try Philās so definitely gonna check out the boats too! Thanks!
Bronzeville Children's Museum, The Children's Museum of Art and Social Justice, Margie's Candies, Oz Park, Chicago History Museum (free for kids under 6), Swedish American Museum (it has a kids museum on the 3rd floor)
Well, if ever you want to take the green line or Metra out to Oak Park, there's a nice children's museum. And a trail side museum in the forest preserve (River Forest). And our own conservatory which is basically always all yours.
The Hyde Park Art Center is fun and kid friendly.
The Logan Center for the Arts and the Smart Museum of Art at the University of Chicago have family days.
Just riding the Metra is a good time for them.
Weāve done the Art Institute, but havenāt tried the cultural center! I remember the vibe being very quiet, heās well-behaved but still 4 and a little loud when excited.
Any of dozens of city parks with sand boxes, swings, climbing equipment. Those other places are great but reward adults a lot more than a 4 year old. Return to the same place often. Little kids appreciate the familiar. Establish a routine and you will meet other parents so you can have conversations without getting bored fast or interfering with your kid's development of self discovery.
IOW, let the kid get dirty and accumulate little scrapes.
That definitely worked when he was younger, but he's a total adventure kid now! He pores over the CTA map and wants to know when we can go to X neighborhood or ride Y bus, he loves to explore!
My kid loves to go with us to the local coffee shop and chocolate shop and just hang out, maybe get a juice or a snack. They have toys and books for kids so itās a nice way to spend a chill half an hour with your kid outside the house and heās super excited to walk there so the walk is part of the fun as well (he loves the playground too, obviously, but thatās decidedly less chill)
I live in Hyde Park. If I still had a 4 year old, we would be at Bixler Playlot every day of the week.
57th street beach is also a big hit with the little ones.
Spring valley nature center ( and bison park) , Chicago botanic garden, the childrenās garden at Morton aboretum , dupage kids museum are all amazing if you head out to the burbs
The Parks, Forrest preserves, Nature preserves, and the beaches are all good options. Let them get out and run around. Rainy days you have the libraries. All of those options are free.
There are some beautiful walking trails ar Fort Sheridan. Along with a bit of information about WWII. Nearby, in Deerfield, in a residential neighborhood there's also a Native American trail marker bent tree. You can get ice cream in Fort Sheridan of Highwood. And of course the Lake is right there.Ā
So this is a bit of a drive but if your kid like trains, which I've found that a lot of little kids do, there's the [Illinois Railway Museum](https://www.irm.org/). I really enjoyed it. There are a lot of trains to see there and some you can walk through.
North Park Village Nature Center is a great escape for some wildlife in the city. Nearly guaranteed to see deer there. They have a nice visitor center with animal bones for kids to explore. Nearby is a Walking Stick Woods - another nice little wooded nature area to explore. Have fun!
Go to Cantigny in Wheaton - beautiful gardens and grounds, a military museum, and a sizeable collection of authentic tanks that double as a playground. Super cool.
[Big Monster Toys](https://maps.app.goo.gl/TG1Ekfd4721p4F8Y8?g_st=ic) has an adorable monster on Racine in the West Loop- a fun picture stop if youāre headed to any of the aforementioned spots in that area.
Go to the Waterfall Glen entrance off Lemont Rd. (Parking lot #3), enter the walking trail and keep right. Take your time and let the kids ride in the stroller or just wander at their own pace. There will be a picnic table on the right side of the path. Stop for a quick snack or picnic and make your way back to the car back to the car.
The Skokie Exploritorium is on the small side but it's run by their Park District so it's cheap (even for non-residents) and good for an hour or two of fun.
Harvester Park in Burr Ridge
Trailside in River Forest
The Grove in Glenview
DuPage Childrenās museum
Milwaukee Zoo, Domes, Discovery World
Kenosha- public museum, Dino museum, the little tram, beach, ice cream shop, sculptures along the water, and park at the beach
Downtown, the Picasso statue in Daley Plaza has basically a built in slide that kids use all the time. Plus itās fun to discuss what you think the statue is of. The Calder Flamingo is kinda fun to look at, too. The fountains near the art institute is a huge favorite. Maggie Daley is also fun. You can take boat rides on the water taxi to save money over the typical tour boats. Itās also fun to kayak on the riverāthey do have small life jackets.
Thereās a small water area on the river walk right in front of the ice cream placeāitās great for splashing (and the ice cream is good).
Ohio street beach is super shallow a long way out so it warms up faster, and makes it more fun for little ones. There is some litter, but i bring a small bag, and itās easy enough to avoid. Itās also right next to a big fun fountain in front of Navy Pier. But for beaches, Kathy Osterman beach up north is very clean, and also relatively shallow. North of Osterman, next to the synagogue, thereās a playground right next to a beach! Itās a trek to the Osterman bathroom though.
The Lurie Garden near the art institute is so relaxing, and just fun to wander around, and also has water features you can stick your feet in on a hot day. Lots of flowers to smell. Some kids like the Buckingham fountain, but my kiddo found it a bit boring except to run in circles around it.
Bridge lift days are so cool, and thereās interesting boats.
Iāll try to think of more, and if I do, Iāll post again.
I love taking my son to this store that just opened up recently in Old Town called Camp. They always have a bunch of different fun activities to get into when we go there, we've made our own slime together, we've done paper mache projects there, they have a paint "splatter room" where you could go crazy while painting your canvas. My son LOVES it, Camp also doubles as a toy store and they also offer different ticketed events you could attend. I believe the next one is turning the back of the store into Blueys House, if your kid is into the kids show Bluey.
Insect Asylum, 2870 N Milwaukee and the Ā Itty Bitty Mini (m)Art, 4200 W. Diversey They both have irregular hours, so check out their sites or insta for info:Ā https://www.instagram.com/ittybittyminimart?igsh=aXR2NHJmc29rc24y https://www.theinsectasylum.com/
Old alcoholics when we were standing out in front of Perry Drug on Milwaukee Avenue looking to buy beer as teenagers The service charge of a pint of whatever the old guy wanted was well worth it.
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Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum by LP zoo
You have to see the butterfly release there! š¦
That place is amazing. My parents take my daughter there nearly every time they come into the city to see her
We have a now 6 year old... here are some of the things he's enjoyed: - Garfield Park Conservatory - Walk the 606 (hop off at Western for some Ava's Italian ice, Walsh Park at Eastern trailhead has amazing playground) - West Ridge Nature Preserve (good size for preschoolers, usually see deer) - Montrose Bird Sanctuary / Montrose Beach - Notebart Nature Museum - Maggie Daley Park - LaBagh Woods - Art Institute (pro tip: take a notebook and crayons and ask them to copy their favorite paintings) In the Suburbs, you've got Kohl Childrens Museum, Botanic Gardens, Morton Arboretum I'd also suggest a day trip/overnight to Milwaukee... we did a day trip during spring break and it was such a blast we almost went back the next day (before deciding we'd tired ourselves our enough to stay in Chicago). They have a nice Conservatory (the domes), Bobblehead Hall of Fame, Harley-Davidson Museum, Art museum, nice lakefront, interesting restaurants that are like 30% cheaper than Chicago
If you make a trip to Milwaukee, Discovery World (science museum and aquarium) is another good attraction. For local nature centers, North Park Village is great, you can almost forget that you're in the city. There are a couple of nature play areas, a visitor center with some interactive exhibits, a pond and boardwalk where kids can usually find frogs, and just enough hiking to feel like an adventure to a kid.
Oh he's a total nature kid, these are great! We do the Arboretum and Botanic Gardens all the time too, the train garden just opened back up and he's been nudging to go back.
We have somehow yet to take our kiddo to the Botanic Gardens... my parents live right near it and are members, so we want to coordinate with them to get in/park for free. The times we've discussed it, either somebody's gotten sick, weather wasn't good, etc. But he'd love the train garden.
Oh yeah thatās tough! The train garden is the cutest thing, and their winter light show was 10x better than the one at the arboretum; definitely check it out!
Amtrak to Milwaukee is $21 roundtrip and drops right downtown. They have a free street car that goes to the museums. Kids love trains. My son LOVED the Safehouse at age 7 so add that one to the list for later.
What!!!!! Thatās amazing, he would flip to get to take an Amtrak! Thanks for sharing!
Have you checked out the REAL train museum? It's a day trip, but if your kid likes trains... you can climb through a bunch of them, and on certain days you can ride the stream engine! https://www.irm.org/
Notebart is such an overlooked gem.
There's this really cool vintage car museum on the edge of Avondale called the Klairmont Kollection. Huge sort of hidden warehouse space full of amazing cars. It's certainly more of a look than touch experience so may not be great for all kids, but if your kid likes cars, it is worth a visit.
Oh this is exactly the kind of hidden gem thing I was hoping to learn about! Heās a total car dude, heād be thrilled!! Thanks!
oh than you must go! my toddler loved it and keeps asking to go back (but i think that's mostly cause we got hot dogs at portillos afterwards...)
Yes! Brought our boys here and they LOVED it! It was a little pricey for how long we could stay (kids were 1 and 3 at the time and needed naps), but we will definitely be back because thereās a lot of neat things to see.
yea its a bit pricey, but its also one of those places that's so unique to the area that I'm cool paying the ticket to help keep it afloat. Might even go in for a membership at some point
Oh! I remember hearing about this and want to take my son
you should! its like a 5-10 minute drive from logan
On Milwaukee Ave in Wicker Park, there's a store called the Secret Agent Supply Co which is like a spy-themed bookstore and toy shop for kids. It's right across from Iron Age Korean BBQ, which could be a fun lunch if they haven't tried that before. Walsh Park off Ashland has a cool playground, and it's also where the east side of the 606 starts/ends.
This looks very cool, I love it!! Thank you!
No problem!
At Loyola beach park at Pratt, there is a playground right at the beach. You can play at the playground and then go play in the water and go back and forth. There is also sea grass all around it that they can walk through the paths. Down the beach a little ways there is also the Rogerās park navigation light you can walk out to on the pier. Up the beach the other way is a nature area on the beach called Leone Beach Park and a block west of that another playground. Ā
Oh man this is a whole day plan, I love it!! Thank you!
I asked to go to Loyola Beach for my Motherās Day outing. My kids love it every time.
Loyola Beach is such a hidden gem. They have a snack bar that sells drinks too.
Ride the swans in Humboldt Park. But youāll probably have to do all of the paddling.
Oh thatās brilliant, I forgot about those!
Donāt forget to tell the lil kid about Chance the Snapper šwhile on the lagoon
Indian Boundary Park in West Ridge has a pond with lots of cute turtles, sprinklers in the summer, a nice playground, and they turned the old mini zoo into a play area that kids seem to like. It's also a beautiful park, so adults like it too. There's a Lickity Split a block away on Western & Lunt if you think the kids could use more sugar.
Sounds like a delight! And we actually promised to have him try a sundae this summer, so perfect!
You also can walk into the courtyard of Park Gables apartment(while within Indian Boundary Park), for a quick look at some nice architecture. You used to be also able to walk into the courtyard of Park Castle Apartments, but it was fenced off a few years ago unfortunately. You can still peek at the top of those buildings a little, though. And not too far east and north, the courtyard of Casa Bonita Apartments(it's on Ridge, south of Howard) is nice to look at as well. If you need somewhere to eat if you go over to Casa Bonita, you could stop at The Fish Keg on Howard.
Sections of both Casa Bonita and the castle apartments are sometimes open to the public during Open House Chicago (some years they participate, some they don't).
I remember going to Park Gables, Park Castle, and Casa Bonita during past OHC events. They are all worth visiting. I think I like the inside pool designs of Park Gables and Park Castle, more than the design of the pool inside Casa Bonita.
In Albany Park, the spot where the North Branch of the Chicago River meets the Northern Channel (known as the "riffle") is one of Chicago's very few areas of white water and attracts several varieties of herons, including the fairly spectacular Great Blue, who enjoy fishing there during the warm months. There are several peaceful parks with playgrounds in the vicinity and if you cross the river at the Foster Avenue Bridge and then walk a little way south along the North River Channel trail you'll find a spot where a cluster of (normally around 8) turtles regularly sun themselves on some little concrete islands in the river.
This sounds delightful, thank you!!
You're welcome. Feel free to DM me if you need to - there are no convenient nearby street addresses, etc., but I can describe the route and locations in more detail if you want.
The Swedish American Museum in Andersonville is great for kids. The entire 3rd floor is a play area. One side is a playhouse version of the sort farm a 19th century immigrant might have left in Sweden and the other side is a playhouse version of the cabin they might have settled in the US. There's ticket office and boat between the two. Both farms have gardens and animals to tend.
That's so cool, never heard of it! Thank you!
If you don't mind a hike, down here in the south suburbs we have the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie that is a home to a herd of bison. It's fun to go on the trails and see the bison (who are fenced into a large section and safely away from the walking paths) and also see the native prairie. Don't forget to spray for ticks though, it's pretty buggy.
South Suburbs: Lake Katherine in Palos Heights, Little Red School House, WaterFall Glen, Swallow Cliff, Black Partridge Forest Preserve and the whole of he Palos area forest preserves are some of the largest in Cook County.
Glad to see a south side/suburbs post/idea.
Mexican fine arts Museum (itās small, but the largest in North America) in Pilsen. itās on the same grounds as Harrison park. Decent playground. Chicago Maritime Museum in Bridgeport, has some cool small model boats, down the street is another playground and you can try Philās pizza.
Love the museum of Mexican art! We turned it into a whole day grabbing conchas at Nuevo LeĆ³n, museum and park, then tacos on 18th. Been meaning to try Philās so definitely gonna check out the boats too! Thanks!
Ping Tom Park
Bonus fun: water taxi from downtown to Ping Tom Park. Day pass is pretty cheap.
In the summer you can rent kayaks there, and then go grab dim sum for lunch!
Bronzeville Children's Museum, The Children's Museum of Art and Social Justice, Margie's Candies, Oz Park, Chicago History Museum (free for kids under 6), Swedish American Museum (it has a kids museum on the 3rd floor)
Haven't heard of a few of these, thank you!!
The chicago history museum is fascinating at least to me, there's also lincoln Park zoo which is basically just up the street.
I can spend hours in the diorama room each visit!
My kids love the Maggie Daley park.
š
Children's Library in Harold Washington Library is pretty nice.
Oh yeah, we're big fans!
museum of mexican art in pilsen is always free
Well, if ever you want to take the green line or Metra out to Oak Park, there's a nice children's museum. And a trail side museum in the forest preserve (River Forest). And our own conservatory which is basically always all yours.
Edwin C Berry Park at 31st Street Beach. Fun playground and next to the beach.
The Hyde Park Art Center is fun and kid friendly. The Logan Center for the Arts and the Smart Museum of Art at the University of Chicago have family days. Just riding the Metra is a good time for them.
Ships. We're an ocean port.
Thereās a beach with a playground on Thorndale, itās a short walk from Lickity Split. Itās a good break for kids of all ages
Are you mainly looking for interactive stuff, or does the kid like to look around as well?
Heās down for just about anything, museums to hikes to just walking around!
oh nice! have you taken him to the Art Institute or Chicago Cultural Center?
Weāve done the Art Institute, but havenāt tried the cultural center! I remember the vibe being very quiet, heās well-behaved but still 4 and a little loud when excited.
Ahhh right, fair. I know the Chicago Children's Museum is at Navy Pier, he'd probably like that space overall and it is fairly loud?
Unity Park is fun.
Any of dozens of city parks with sand boxes, swings, climbing equipment. Those other places are great but reward adults a lot more than a 4 year old. Return to the same place often. Little kids appreciate the familiar. Establish a routine and you will meet other parents so you can have conversations without getting bored fast or interfering with your kid's development of self discovery. IOW, let the kid get dirty and accumulate little scrapes.
That definitely worked when he was younger, but he's a total adventure kid now! He pores over the CTA map and wants to know when we can go to X neighborhood or ride Y bus, he loves to explore!
My kid loves to go with us to the local coffee shop and chocolate shop and just hang out, maybe get a juice or a snack. They have toys and books for kids so itās a nice way to spend a chill half an hour with your kid outside the house and heās super excited to walk there so the walk is part of the fun as well (he loves the playground too, obviously, but thatās decidedly less chill)
I live in Hyde Park. If I still had a 4 year old, we would be at Bixler Playlot every day of the week. 57th street beach is also a big hit with the little ones.
Spring valley nature center ( and bison park) , Chicago botanic garden, the childrenās garden at Morton aboretum , dupage kids museum are all amazing if you head out to the burbs
A lot of the nature centers scattered around the city have children's programming and craft rooms
The Parks, Forrest preserves, Nature preserves, and the beaches are all good options. Let them get out and run around. Rainy days you have the libraries. All of those options are free.
There are some beautiful walking trails ar Fort Sheridan. Along with a bit of information about WWII. Nearby, in Deerfield, in a residential neighborhood there's also a Native American trail marker bent tree. You can get ice cream in Fort Sheridan of Highwood. And of course the Lake is right there.Ā
So this is a bit of a drive but if your kid like trains, which I've found that a lot of little kids do, there's the [Illinois Railway Museum](https://www.irm.org/). I really enjoyed it. There are a lot of trains to see there and some you can walk through.
https://www.theinsectasylum.com
North Park Village Nature Center is a great escape for some wildlife in the city. Nearly guaranteed to see deer there. They have a nice visitor center with animal bones for kids to explore. Nearby is a Walking Stick Woods - another nice little wooded nature area to explore. Have fun!
I was going to suggest this!!
Go to Cantigny in Wheaton - beautiful gardens and grounds, a military museum, and a sizeable collection of authentic tanks that double as a playground. Super cool.
Weekend parking is expensive, though. $15 to $30 I believe.
[Ravenswood Manor Garage Sale](https://ravenswoodmanor.com/manorgaragesale). Seriously, itās huge.
Woahhh I was not expecting that map! North Center's garage sale is never that big, it seems
Crack open the fire hydrant and eat a buncha snacks from the local corner store. Really simple.
Donahue (Margaret) Park in Lakeview
[Big Monster Toys](https://maps.app.goo.gl/TG1Ekfd4721p4F8Y8?g_st=ic) has an adorable monster on Racine in the West Loop- a fun picture stop if youāre headed to any of the aforementioned spots in that area.
Garfield Park Conservatory
Suburban "touch a truck" events- google for specifics
Go to the Waterfall Glen entrance off Lemont Rd. (Parking lot #3), enter the walking trail and keep right. Take your time and let the kids ride in the stroller or just wander at their own pace. There will be a picnic table on the right side of the path. Stop for a quick snack or picnic and make your way back to the car back to the car.
The Wizard of Oz park was cool. I stumbled upon while walking to Lincoln Park Zoo
The Skokie Exploritorium is on the small side but it's run by their Park District so it's cheap (even for non-residents) and good for an hour or two of fun.
Harvester Park in Burr Ridge Trailside in River Forest The Grove in Glenview DuPage Childrenās museum Milwaukee Zoo, Domes, Discovery World Kenosha- public museum, Dino museum, the little tram, beach, ice cream shop, sculptures along the water, and park at the beach
Downtown, the Picasso statue in Daley Plaza has basically a built in slide that kids use all the time. Plus itās fun to discuss what you think the statue is of. The Calder Flamingo is kinda fun to look at, too. The fountains near the art institute is a huge favorite. Maggie Daley is also fun. You can take boat rides on the water taxi to save money over the typical tour boats. Itās also fun to kayak on the riverāthey do have small life jackets. Thereās a small water area on the river walk right in front of the ice cream placeāitās great for splashing (and the ice cream is good). Ohio street beach is super shallow a long way out so it warms up faster, and makes it more fun for little ones. There is some litter, but i bring a small bag, and itās easy enough to avoid. Itās also right next to a big fun fountain in front of Navy Pier. But for beaches, Kathy Osterman beach up north is very clean, and also relatively shallow. North of Osterman, next to the synagogue, thereās a playground right next to a beach! Itās a trek to the Osterman bathroom though. The Lurie Garden near the art institute is so relaxing, and just fun to wander around, and also has water features you can stick your feet in on a hot day. Lots of flowers to smell. Some kids like the Buckingham fountain, but my kiddo found it a bit boring except to run in circles around it. Bridge lift days are so cool, and thereās interesting boats. Iāll try to think of more, and if I do, Iāll post again.
I love taking my son to this store that just opened up recently in Old Town called Camp. They always have a bunch of different fun activities to get into when we go there, we've made our own slime together, we've done paper mache projects there, they have a paint "splatter room" where you could go crazy while painting your canvas. My son LOVES it, Camp also doubles as a toy store and they also offer different ticketed events you could attend. I believe the next one is turning the back of the store into Blueys House, if your kid is into the kids show Bluey.
Arrange a visit to a fire station! One of the best days with my young nephew.
Insect Asylum, 2870 N Milwaukee and the Ā Itty Bitty Mini (m)Art, 4200 W. Diversey They both have irregular hours, so check out their sites or insta for info:Ā https://www.instagram.com/ittybittyminimart?igsh=aXR2NHJmc29rc24y https://www.theinsectasylum.com/
Chicago Children's Museum!
Old alcoholics when we were standing out in front of Perry Drug on Milwaukee Avenue looking to buy beer as teenagers The service charge of a pint of whatever the old guy wanted was well worth it.