Chicago offers some creative ideas for for parents looking to keep their tweens active and entertained. Generally, adolescents between the ages of 9 and 12 (also known as pre-teens) are considered tweens. When planning activities for your tween, it is important to make them socially acceptable, "cool" things to do, since tweens are usually concerned about their reputations and how other tweens and teens will see them. Tweens like to mimic and be around older teens. In order to find health and wellness activities for tweens in Chicago, we need to go where other tweens and teens will be.
Spa Day
Tween girls loved to be pampered and tween boys may appreciate a massage. Show your tween the finer side of life by spending a few hours at a Chicago spa. Dads and their tween boys can enjoy a men's sports massage at Eshe Day Spa and Salon. Treat your tween girl to a manicure and pedicure at The Senia Spa. Health and wellness is directly influenced by a person's ability to diffuse stress and take time for relaxation. Adolescents in the tween age group can benefit from learning how to relax and pamper themselves.
Rock Climbing
Get your adreniline flowing and your heart pumping while you climb rocks with your tween. In Chicago, both indoor and outdoor rock climbing is available. Lakeshore Athletic Shore-Illinois Center has a rock wall that is over seven stories high. It allows beginner climbers and parents may climb with their tweens. There are several other indoor rock-climbing facilities in the city. If you're looking for an outdoor climb, try Jackson Harbor Wall, south of Chicago, or Kankakee State River Park. Your tween will think you're the coolest for being so brave. Only experienced climbers should attempt an outdoor rock climb.
Mountain Biking
A healthy form of cardiovascular exercise, your tween may enjoy mountain biking through some of Chicago's trails and paths. Swallow Cliff Woods, Maple Lake and Waterfall Glen are the closest trails to downtown Chicago. Several other trails wind around the suburbs and City of Chicago. Maple Lake, at 12 miles, is the longest of the three mountain biking trails. Swallow Cliff Woods is located in the Palos Forest Preserve and Waterfall Glen is known for its varied scenery and terrain.
Jewelry Making
Your tween girl can develop her concentration and learn a relaxation technique while creating and making her own jewelry. Adelia's Bead Closet is a galleria of beading classes, products and expertise. From earrings and rings to beaded necklaces, Adelia's offers a variety of interesting classes for your tween. In their Beginning Beading workshop, tweens will learn about stringing materials and bead basics. Another option for jewelry making in Chicago is Happy Beadium, a company that offers a wide array of classes including beading, chainmail, wire working and knotting.
Cooking Class
The Kids Table, in Chicago, is an organization dedicated to teaching parents and children about healthy eating and cooking. Younger tweens can attend the kids' class where they learn to work more independently in the kitchen. Tweens aged 11 to 12 can take the Teens Can Cook class, where making healthy food choices are taught as well as measuring, recipes and cooking skills. Other Chicago cooking classes are offered at The Chopping Block and The Wooden Spoon.
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