Oak Brook, Illinois, is known for being family-friendly. There’s so much to do for families with children of all ages. From natural spaces and community centers to local theme parks, it’s not hard to keep children entertained even without venturing into Chicago’s city center. The Gardner School asked our parents to share some of their favorite kid-friendly outdoor activities in Oak Brook, and they came up with quite a few. Below are some of their favorite places to take the whole family.
Four Seasons Park
At nearly 40 acres, Four Seasons Park is one of the largest in the area and draws visitors from around the region. Come for a pick-up game with the family on one of their numerous baseball, soccer, basketball, or volleyball courts, or set out for a relaxing afternoon on the boating and fishing pond. Don’t forget this spot for special events as well. Call ahead to book the park’s log cabin rental facility.
Maryknoll Park
Maryknoll clubhouse is the home base of this conveniently located park. It’s the perfect spot to relax between rounds on Maryknoll’s platform tennis courts and the rental hub for “Holes & Knolls” mini-golf. The clubhouse also doubles as a rental facility for birthdays and special events with affordable packages priced by the hour. For the hottest summer days, check out a favorite Maryknoll feature: the splash park.
Newton Park
This beloved neighborhood park is packed end-to-end with variety for sports lovers. It has become legendary for its comprehensive skate park, which welcomes novice to advanced skaters and features a mix of banks, quarter pipes, ramps, and rails, among other features. For those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground, the rest of the park is filled with tennis courts, pickleball lines, a full outdoor basketball court, a synthetic turf field for field hockey or football, as well as a playground and open play area for younger children.
Fullersburg Woods
Fullersburg Woods is a 220-acre nature-lovers paradise. Home to an incredible variety of wildlife and native plant species, Fullersburg contains miles of trails to explore at a variety of skill levels. For adventurous exploration, rent snowshoes or cross-country skis from the nature center during the winter months. Children can also sign up for classes year-round at the nature center to learn about subjects like tapping trees for maple syrup, tracking wildlife, or identifying wildflowers.
Lyman Woods on 31st
Explore over 300 native plant species at this vast nature center and preserve. Along with the marshes, prairie, and woods within the park, residents of all ages love to visit Lyman’s oak forest: a rare example of old-growth woods that has remained undisturbed since the early 19th century. Enjoy winter exploration throughout the preserve with snowshoe rentals available at the center, and check out the variety of Lyman Woods’ seasonal nature program offerings for children of all ages.
Brookfield Zoo
Watching children at the zoo can be a magical experience. Their eyes light up as they watch animals playing, sleeping, or even walking from one end of the enclosure to the other. Preschoolers love to learn the names, habits, and habitats of many types of animals, and the Brookfield Zoo serves as an interactive classroom to watch their favorite mammals, reptiles, and even insects. One sure bet for youngsters is the Hamil Family Play Zoo. Kids can meet and pet a rotating selection of animals, getting them even closer to the species they love.
Graue Mill
Children of all ages get inspired by local history at the Graue Mill and Museum, a homestead featuring an operating water-wheel grist mill. Tour the mill to hear about its operation as a workshop and a home, and learn about traditional crafts along the way. The mill offers specialized programs for children that guide them through a craft they can take home as a keepsake.
The Morton Arboretum
This sprawling regional gem is a no-brainer family favorite. In addition to its stunning variety of carefully conserved trees and miles of trails to explore, the arboretum also features a living maze and an award-winning children’s garden. With secret streams, acorns big enough to climb, and giant tree slides, the children’s garden promotes hands-on learning and immersive play through accessible, engaging design. Be sure to check out Morton’s range of children and family learning programs, including summer camps, nature-based classes, and scout groups.
Ty Warner Park
Little ones can’t get enough of the awesome splash pad at Ty Warner Park Westmont. Although the Oak Brook area has tons of fantastic parks, the parents at The Gardner School choose Ty Warner as their favorite. It’s a hit for all ages for several reasons. For wintertime fun, there’s a giant sledding hill, and parents and teens love the disc golf course. There are tons of activities, including horseshoes, a zip line, tennis and basketball courts, and several sports fields. Plus, there are many walking paths great for a stroller run or a brisk walk.
Oak Brook Park District
Consisting of five parks, a nature sanctuary, a splash pad, pool, and a disc golf course, outdoor activity is easy in the Oak Brook Park District. In the summer, Oak Brook families love the splash pad for little ones looking for water play. During spring and fall, the Dean Nature Sanctuary is a great place to help children understand more about the environment around them. With wetlands habitats and wide prairies, Illinois’s natural landscapes are left untouched and uncultivated for visitors. This is the perfect destination to unplug from your busy life and dig into the nature that’s around you while educating your child about the Earth. Your family will love being immersed in nature so close to the city.
An Exceptional Preschool for Oak Brook Parents
Parents trust The Gardner School of Oak Brook to care for their children during the day so they can enjoy connected family time at home. Our engaging curriculum and highly-trained teachers keep children engaged and learning on a daily basis. If you’re looking for an exceptional preschool experience in the Chicago area, we’d love to share more about what we do. To learn more about how we fulfill our mission to parents, set up a virtual tour to learn more.
