Tucked away in Lincoln Park, Adams Playground is truly a treasure in the community and welcomes neighbors into the park year-round.The park features a small field house that hosts indoor activities for the little ones – from Moms, Pops and Tots to Summer Camps.
Contact number: (312) 742-7787
Location: 1919 N. Seminary Ave. Chicago
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Little Beans is a family café and an imaginative playspace for kids of all ages. Kids can let their imaginations run wild in our custom interactive indoor village and playground, and families can relax with coffee and snacks in our cafe.
Contact number: (773) 251-1025
Location: 1809 W. Webster, Chicago
Learn more here.
Purple Monkey Playroom is a bright, nurturing destination for young children located in Bucktown. Purple Monkey’s thoughtful playroom is designed for infants through preschoolers to bounce, climb, build, read, color, and engage in imaginative play.
Contact number: (773) 772-8411
Location: 2040 N. Western Ave., Chicago
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Enjoy the perfect answer to Chicago Winters: ninety minutes of running, climbing, jumping and giggling inside climate controlled arenas filled with gigantic inflatable bounce houses, slides and obstacles courses.
Contact number: 312-664-7867
Location: 821 W Eastman, Chicago
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You will easily become the world’s coolest mother after taking your daughter on a trip to The Strange Beauty Show. Get all dolled up with your child and have a blast doing in it this combination salon, art gallery, and jukebox. Sisters Virginia and Audrey Olenick strive to offer a complete sensory experience at their Wicker Park locale by offering a wide variety of beauty services, showcasing the contemporary work of local artists, and spinning their extensive vinyl collection (you may opt to plug in your iPod for your own personal soundtrack). Watch your child have her hair wrapped while the ladies brighten your visage with funky-hued highlights
Contact number: (773) 252-9522
Location: 1118 North Ashland, Chicago, IL 60622″
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Nestled in what was one of the scariest neighborhood’s in Chicago during the 1980s is Taylor Street. Otherwise known as Chicago’s Little Italy, the street is home to some of the best Italian-American food in the country, not to mention delicious ices. For the best Italian meal on the street, take your children to the Rosebud Cafe (their stuffed artichoke appetizer is amazing) and tell them about the days of Al Capone and Joey “The Clown” Lombardo. Oh, and don’t worry about the neighborhood anymore because it’s more than safe.
Contact number: (312) 942-1117
Location: 1500 West Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60607
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Where would Chicago be without the legend of Mrs. O’Leary and her destructive cow (who allegedly kicked over a lantern, setting the city ablaze)? Live a little Chicago nostalgia while touring the city in an antique firetruck. You’ll get a kick out of what you learn, and your children will be over the moon as soon as they hop on the truck. Reservations are recommended and tours last a minmum of one hour.
Contact number: (312) 287-6565
Location: 505 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60601
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Rides, fireworks, a Ferris wheel, The Children’s Museum, boats and an IMAX theater are just the begining of the fun to be had at Navy Pier. Jutting out from the most northern end of The Loop, it offers stunning views of Chicago’s skyline. A great event this summer is Cirque Shanghai, a Chinese acrobat troupe sure to amaze your children.
Contact number: (312) 595-7437
Location: 600 East Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611
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If Curious George, Eloise, and Spot are you child’s best friends, make sure to take them to Saturday Story Hour at this fashionable downtown bookstore which hosts the self-proclaimed, “largest selection of way-cool children’s books, software, videos, CDs, tapes, cards, and beanie babies in Chicago.” Children in Paradise is a lovely spot to get up close and literarily personal with the children. You’ll both be glad to be away from your TV while you’re there
Contact number: (312) 951-5437
Location: 909 North Rush Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Learn more here.
Share your passion for classic cinema with your children at the Chicago Outdoor Film Festival, held during the summer months at beautiful Grant Park. This Chi-town tradition features iconic films such as The Sound of Music, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and Young Frankenstein on a 50-foot by 34-foot screen with state-of-the art sound. You and your kids can spread out a blanket, unpack your picnic, and relax with the starry night above. And should those stars be hidden by clouds, simply don your raincoats and carry umbrellas because films are presented in rainy weather, barring lightning and other severe conditions. Feature films are preceded by presentations of local filmmakers’ short works. Those who arrive on two wheels receive the added benefit of free valet bike parking!
Contact number: (312) 744-3315
Location: 100 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60603
Learn more here.
