Whether you are one of many visitors to Chicago, Illinois, from around the globe or a resident looking for something new to do with your little one, this busy metropolis has numerous opportunities for healthy dining, outdoor recreation and family fun.
Toddlers can enjoy fresh air in urban and state parks or visit local farms and gardens. They can stretch their minds as well as their muscles as they run, play and discover at neighborhood festivals, area museums and other community events.
Outdoor Exploration
Chicago has an extensive urban park system where your toddler can continue to develop her gross motor skills as she runs, jumps, swims and plays. These parks, run by Chicago Park District, include 24 miles of lakefront, 86 pools and 518 playgrounds. Visit any of the state parks in and around Chicago. Illinois Beach State Park in Lake County is one of the most popular. You and toddler can go bird watching during the optimal spring and fall months. You can also introduce your child to fishing.
Fresh Foods
Many pick-your-own-produce farms are in the areas surrounding Chicago. Toddlers will have the chance to get a firsthand look at how some of their favorite fruits and vegetables grow. They will even get the opportunity to see, touch and taste foods that may be new to them. The Garden Patch Farms and Orchard is about 11 miles southwest of Chicago in Homer Glen, Illinois. June is the perfect time to take your toddler strawberry picking at this location. Check the farm's seasonal ripening schedule to find out the best times to pick cherries, apples and other fresh produce.
Discovering and Learning
Chicago is home to many other outdoor attractions. You have access to zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens and arboretums, community gardens and nature centers. The Lincoln Park Zoo has an extensive collection of animal and bird exhibits, including a farm-in-the-zoo exhibit attractive to toddlers. Shedd's Aquarium has more than 32,000 marine animals. Plan to visit public gardens as well as any of the 50 community gardens under the charge of the Chicago Park District.
Music and Movement
Chicago offers a wide variety of outdoor festivals throughout the year, giving you and your toddler the opportunity to twist and turn to music while enjoying ethnic foods, arts and culture. The Mayor's Office of Special Events helps community organizations coordinate more than 400 neighborhood festivals each year.
If you plan to be in Chicago in January, be sure to take your toddler to see the winter wonderland created at Snow Days Chicago, a three-day annual festival. An annual kids-and-kites festival each spring allows children to create and fly their own kites under the direction of kite-flying professionals.
Indoor Attractions
Chicago's coldest month is January, with an average overnight temperature of 14.3 F, so it's a good time of year to keep your toddler active with indoor activities. Check with Chicago's local library system for a schedule of play groups and story times for young children. The Chicago Children's Museum at Navy Pier features daily programs and hands-on exhibits presented on three floors. Pack a healthy lunch for a day filled with interactive fun.
