Best Local: Kid’s Activities

Take the kids out to any of these family-friendly Chicago and suburban activities!

Thursday, August 11th is National Son’s and Daughter’s Day! Celebrate with some family time spent exploring the city with fun events for both kids and adults. Try these Chicago and suburban activities!

Two people stand on a glass observation deck high above a city, looking down at skyscrapers and streets far below. One person wears a striped dress and pink shoes; the other wears pants and gray shoes.

Do some sightseeing at over 1,000 feet in the air! Skydeck Chicago is located on the 103rd floor of the Willis Tower and is a 4 foot ledge offering a bird’s eye view of the city and a view spanning four states. Before stepping out on the deck stop by the interactive Wrigley Field display, which starts kids on the pitcher’s mound and then offers a view of the field from 103 floors in the air. Only an 8 minute walk from 215 West Apartments.

Two children, a boy in a blue shirt and a girl with pigtails, view and interact with a large kinetic ball machine exhibit featuring winding tracks and colorful elements in a science museum.

 

Visit the Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier! The museum features three stories of activities including the Dinosaur Expedition, the Kraft Artabounds Studio, Kids Town and Skyline, an exhibit featuring the engineering behind Chicago’s tallest skyscrapers. The museum is not only educational but entertaining, check out any of their special daily shows! Only a 14 minute ride on the 65 bus line from AMLI River North, or a 14 minute ride on the 29 bus line from Columbus Plaza.

Five young children sit and smile on a blue and yellow playground merry-go-round, surrounded by outdoor play structures on a sunny day. They appear to be enjoying their time together.

Spend the day playing at the Maggie Daley Park. The park features a play garden, picnic groves, fieldhouse and mini golf course. Try out the climbing wall, open for a limited time! Only an 8 minute walk from Columbus Plaza, or a 9 minute walk from 73 East Lake.

Two children sit by the edge of a pond, feeding ducks swimming nearby. The boy in a red shirt leans forward offering food, while the girl with long blonde hair sits beside him watching the ducks.

Learn about indigenous Illinois wildlife at Cosley Zoo! Explore and learn about surrounding wildlife in their natural habitat, featuring wildlife like red foxes, white-tail deer, bobcats and coyotes. The zoo also features interactive exhibits that help promote animal education and wildlife conservation. Only a 5 minute drive from Wheaton 121.