Here's a quick line up of the regularly scheduled or always available family activities in Chicago. As I don't drive, most of these are easily accessible on foot or by public transit. All these activities are free, because that's how we roll. Do email me with your suggestions or additions!
Close by
Beginning with the obvious, among our greatest pleasures are a walk or bike to the Point and along the Lakefront, and to explore Jackson Park, including Bobolink Meadow and the Osaka Japanese Garden.
There's a series of outdoor movie screenings called "Midweek on the Midway", which begin at dusk (around 8pm) on the Midway Plaisance (by the ice rink). They will be showing Madagascar 3 (07/03), Wreck-it Ralph, Oz the Great & Powerful, and so on - check the events calendar for full details.
We love to cool off by splashing around in the Law School Reflecting Pool, a zero depth pool we think of as our local Crown Fountain (which is itself something of a Holy Grail to my kids - they can't go often enough). No need for bathing suits, but you might want to pack a change of clothes for the way home, as little ones will get very wet here. The Law School is on the south side of the Midway, at 1111 E 60th St.
For a real swim, head to the Washington Park Pool, which features a zero depth pool and sprinklers for little ones, as well as a great water slide for older children. The changing rooms are not great or very clean, but it is possible to bypass them by wearing your bathing suits under your clothes, and keeping your belongings with you in a bag by the poolside (leave your valuables at home).The pool offers Family Swim time, as well as Female Only and Male Only swim times. The latter are strictly enforced - as a woman, don't bother trying to bring even a very young son with you, as he won't be admitted (unless he is in disguise? I once brought my girl/boy twins to female swim time by dressing them both in girls' bathing suits...). It's worth calling ahead to double check the schedule, as it can change suddenly. With a little forward planning though, the Washington Park Pool can be a great place to spend a hot summer morning or early evening, and I encourage you all to give it a try!
Further afield
Millenium Park has a lot going on to attract children of all ages. Wiggleworms performs daily at 10am in the Family Fun Tent at Chase Promenade North, which also hosts other fun activities for kids, such as crafts and story time. More information on the Family Fun events here
Grant Park hosts the annual Summer Dance festival. Not all events may be equally suitable for young children, as some dance styles and traditions are clearly more accessible to/ more tolerant of youthful exuberance, but we have enjoyed all those we have attended. We are looking forward to Indian Dance Music on next Friday (07/05, see the calendar)!
Lincolnwood is about a half hour's drive from Hyde Park, and the Lincolnwood park is hosting a series of free summer concerts every Thursday evening, combined with a different family activity each time.
Of course, the Art Institute and Museum of Contemporary Art, both free to UChicago students, are great places to escape the heat and quite well suited to entertaining even young children, at least for an hour or so - they both have regularly scheduled activities for children.
There are a myriad neighborhood festivals across Chicago all summer - here is a handy roundup of what's happening when & where. Several have special events for children, such as the Square Roots festival in Lincoln Park, which has family fun events scheduled for July 13 and 14, including African Drumming, yoga, story time and a Gamelan workshop.
It may be too late for families with young children (which is why we have not gone yet), but I am hoping this year to find a time to go and watch the weekly firework display on Navy Pier - every Wednesday at 9:30pm or Saturdays at 10:15pm.
What would you add to this list?
Close by
Beginning with the obvious, among our greatest pleasures are a walk or bike to the Point and along the Lakefront, and to explore Jackson Park, including Bobolink Meadow and the Osaka Japanese Garden.
There's a series of outdoor movie screenings called "Midweek on the Midway", which begin at dusk (around 8pm) on the Midway Plaisance (by the ice rink). They will be showing Madagascar 3 (07/03), Wreck-it Ralph, Oz the Great & Powerful, and so on - check the events calendar for full details.
We love to cool off by splashing around in the Law School Reflecting Pool, a zero depth pool we think of as our local Crown Fountain (which is itself something of a Holy Grail to my kids - they can't go often enough). No need for bathing suits, but you might want to pack a change of clothes for the way home, as little ones will get very wet here. The Law School is on the south side of the Midway, at 1111 E 60th St.
For a real swim, head to the Washington Park Pool, which features a zero depth pool and sprinklers for little ones, as well as a great water slide for older children. The changing rooms are not great or very clean, but it is possible to bypass them by wearing your bathing suits under your clothes, and keeping your belongings with you in a bag by the poolside (leave your valuables at home).The pool offers Family Swim time, as well as Female Only and Male Only swim times. The latter are strictly enforced - as a woman, don't bother trying to bring even a very young son with you, as he won't be admitted (unless he is in disguise? I once brought my girl/boy twins to female swim time by dressing them both in girls' bathing suits...). It's worth calling ahead to double check the schedule, as it can change suddenly. With a little forward planning though, the Washington Park Pool can be a great place to spend a hot summer morning or early evening, and I encourage you all to give it a try!
Further afield
Millenium Park has a lot going on to attract children of all ages. Wiggleworms performs daily at 10am in the Family Fun Tent at Chase Promenade North, which also hosts other fun activities for kids, such as crafts and story time. More information on the Family Fun events here
Lincolnwood is about a half hour's drive from Hyde Park, and the Lincolnwood park is hosting a series of free summer concerts every Thursday evening, combined with a different family activity each time.
Of course, the Art Institute and Museum of Contemporary Art, both free to UChicago students, are great places to escape the heat and quite well suited to entertaining even young children, at least for an hour or so - they both have regularly scheduled activities for children.
There are a myriad neighborhood festivals across Chicago all summer - here is a handy roundup of what's happening when & where. Several have special events for children, such as the Square Roots festival in Lincoln Park, which has family fun events scheduled for July 13 and 14, including African Drumming, yoga, story time and a Gamelan workshop.
It may be too late for families with young children (which is why we have not gone yet), but I am hoping this year to find a time to go and watch the weekly firework display on Navy Pier - every Wednesday at 9:30pm or Saturdays at 10:15pm.
What would you add to this list?
