All parents spend time planning and preparing activities to help their children grow emotionally, socially, and cognitively. Providing a variety of experiences helps introduce children to the world and allows them to explore different settings and situations.
When a family lives in a certain area for an extended amount of time, they’re often looking for new places, spaces, and activities for family fun. Recently, we asked Chicago parents to name their favorite local kid-friendly recreational spots in the city. We’re delighted to share the parent responses from TGS Bucktown, TGS Lincoln Park, and TGS West Loop. If you’ve visited any of these in the last month, then there’s no doubt: you’re definitely a Chicago parent!
Ray Meyer at DePaul
At “The Ray,” as it’s colloquially known, kids can choose from karate, basketball, dance, and even boxing classes to get their heart rates up and their energy out. For new swimmers, The Ray offers swimming lessons for even the tiniest tots. And for parents who want to get in a workout, babysitting is available so you can fit in a quick sweat session.
Cubs Park
Catching a baseball game at Wrigley Field is an important part of being a Chicago kid. Kids can wave a pennant, munch on a hotdog, and cheer for their favorite players. Don’t miss out on letting the kids run the bases on every Sunday afternoon home game. The first 1,000 kids who sign up will get to run on the field after the game. Now, that’s a way to end an outing to the ballpark.
Goldfish Swim School
Water safety is essential for kids, and swim lessons are an important part of helping kids understand, respect, and enjoy water play. Kind, energetic staff help kids feel comfortable in the water through tested techniques and playful games. A little one-on-one time in the water can lead to greater confidence at the public swimming pool, or even Lake Michigan.
Chicago Parks (Blue Park, Skinner Park, Mary Bartelme Park, Maggie Daley Park, Stanton Park, Wicker Park, Bethlehem Park)
The Chicago Parks system is second to none, and kids can spend hours exploring all that the city has to offer. Here are a few of our favorites, with the highlights of each. Whether you’re looking for a splash pad, a pool, a play garden, or even modern architecture, great playground equipment, or a soothing natural space, one of these parks will be the perfect match for outdoor play.
Lil’ Kickers
Kids love to run, jump, play, and explore, and Lil’ Kickers is a wonderful introduction to communal physical activity. Classes are available based on age, so kids have the chance to play with their peers while you watch them learn. They can start to hone their team-building and soccer skills early. Who knows? Maybe they’ll help the U.S. win the next World Cup!
Starlight Yoga at Humboldt Library
This monthly event hosted by the Humboldt Library leads children ages 1-5 through a series of animal-inspired poses. Kids can enjoy stretching and moving in new ways, and you’ll hear moos, meows, and hisses as they play. This series of events is free of charge, and it’s a great way to incorporate physical movement into your child’s day.
Museum of Contemporary Art
The Museum of Contemporary art is free for anyone under the age of 18, and the staff here is passionate about bringing art to young families. Stop by for their free stroller tours with your kids in tow every first Wednesday of the month, or bring the whole gang from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the second Saturday of the month for Family Days. Contemporary art often puts a strong focus on color, shape, and form. Kids love to identify the shapes and colors they see, and they’re often inspired to make their own works of art.
Altitude Trampoline Park
If the weather outside is too hot for outdoor play, this is a great option for indoor fun. Altitude goes beyond the offerings of a simple bounce house. There’s a Ninja Course with foam blocks that are a blast to dive into and a Recreation Wall where your kids can start to practice their wall-climbing skills. Extreme Dodgeball takes a favorite game to the next level when kids can bounce and twist out of the way of incoming missiles. If you’re looking to host a party, it’s a great place to take a group of energetic kids who need a place to run. If your kid can’t get enough bouncing time, there’s an unlimited summer pass for $99. We think that’s well worth it to give kids access to a space that makes running and jumping a real joy.
Margaret Donahue Park
Donahue Park is definitely in the running for the best park in Chicago for the under 5 crowd. There are play structures for little ones and for older siblings, as well as a great splash pad. During sunny summer weather, kids can run underneath sprinklers, fill buckets with water, and jump into puddles. The park is Cubs-themed, so visitors can enjoy imitating their favorite players on the kid-sized baseball field. The park is named after a longtime female employee of the Cubs who pioneered the use of season tickets, off-site ticket locations, and reduced priced tickets for children. Her spirit is captured in this wonderful Lakeview location. (Plus, for a fun adventure, see if your kids can find the hidden stone rabbit somewhere in the park.)
An Exceptional Chicago Preschool Experience
At The Gardner School, we pride ourselves on providing activities that keep children engaged in the learning process. Our degreed and highly qualified teachers are experienced in building and implementing curriculum that promotes intellectual development and helps prepare children for school. We also expose children to a variety of enrichment activities, including baking, physical activity, art, and music. The Gardner School provides a joyful preschool experience for all our students in the Chicago area. Schedule a tour today to learn more.
