Slides in a skyscraper, sinkhole trampolines, a music barn and a sand pit for budding archaeologists… Harvester Park and its Route 66 playground is one of our all time favorite places to play near Chicago.

The Stingray Touch experience at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago is now open for the 2025 season! The tented outdoor exhibit opens to the general public today: Wednesday, May 7, 2025. This wonderful experience is included with general admission. For an extra fee you can even feed the stingrays. How to Touch a Stringray at Chicago’s…

Stroll through prehistoric Illinois, admire a hall of gems and explore an Egyptian tomb at the Field Museum. We love visiting the Field Museum in Chicago with our kids. We want to share our experience and tips for visiting this world class museum of natural history on the shores of Lake Michigan. Come along with…

Kline Creek Farm is one of our favorite hidden gems in Chicago’s western suburbs. We love that this working 1890s era farm connects us with nature, history and our larger community. For our most recent visit, we spent five and a half hours there! That was just the latest of many days our family has…

Chicagoland locals and visitors alike can spend a great day in Oak Park, Illinois. Just off the western edge of Chicago, Oak Park is a charming mix of vibrant urban life and small town charm. You can find history and art at the homes of both Frank Lloyd Wright and Ernest Hemingway. Add verdant parks,…

We can hear the birds chirping around Chicago as the days get warmer and the trees get greener. Spring is around the corner, and so is spring break. Today, we are sharing a quick list of fun things to do with kids near the Chicago Loop. See Some Animals We love Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium. Gather…