Millennium Park

Millennium Park is the city’s newest attraction showcasing the Frank Gehry-designed Jay Pritzker Pavilion and Great Lawn; a music and dance theater; restaurant; ice-skating; exhibits; gardens; fountains and a stainless steel sculpture by Anish Kapoor.

Between Michigan Ave, Columbus Dr and Randolph
Chicago, Illinois 60602
(877) 244-2246

Notebaert Nature Museum

The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is a place where city dwellers can reconnect with the wonder of the natural world. From a hands-on water lab to a wilderness walk to the only international, year round butterfly haven, science comes alive.

2430 N. Cannon Dr.
Chicago, Illinois 60614
(773) 755-5100

Lincoln Park Zoo

This 35-acre oasis is nestled in the heart of Chicago and home to more than 1,000 mammals, reptiles and birds.

Cannon Dr. at Fullerton Pkwy.
Chicago, Illinois 60614
(312) 742-2000

Museum Campus Chicago

Museum Campus Chicago is a scenic lakefront park connecting three world-class institutions: The Adler Planetarium, The Field Museum and the John G. Shedd Aquarium.

1400 S. Lake Shore Dr.
Chicago, Illinois 60605
(312) 409-9696

Sears Tower Skydeck

How does it feel to be on top of the world? Take an elevator to the 103rd floor of the Sears Tower and find out. The panorama is breathtaking and includes the Chicago Experience, a seven-minute multi-image presentation.

233 S. Wacker Dr. (entrance on Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, Illinois 60606
(312) 875-9696

Navy Pier

Chicago landmark with more than 50 acres of parks, gardens, shops, restaurants and attractions of every kind. Enjoy the Ferris wheel and carousel, Children's Museum, Skyline Stage and Joe's Be-Bop Cafe & Jazz Emporium.

600 E. Grand Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60616

The Peninsula Spa

The Peninsula Spa is the most exclusive and intimate fitness club and spa in the windy city. Located on the top floor of the hotel, the spa is host to streaming natural light, a half Olympic-length pool, and a world-class fitness center.

108 E. Superior St.
Chicago, Illinois 60611
(312) 573-6860

Chicago Children's Museum

No child . . . or parent . . . will want to miss Chicago Children's Museum, where a galaxy of creative and educational activities, programs and exhibits for children exists. This interactive and educational oasis is one of the most popular children's museums in the United States. Permanent exhibits include: Inventing Lab, Dinosaur Expedition, Under Construction, Kraft Artabounds Studio, Treehouse Trails, Water Ways, Play Maze, My Museum, Big Backyard, Play It Safe, Climbing Schooner, Kids on the Fly and Skyline-CCM's newest permanent exhibit.

700 E. Grand Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60611
(312) 527-1000

Start Date: 3/18/2008 End Date: 3/18/2009

Pumpkin Plaza - Chicagoween

Daley Plaza becomes “Pumpkin Plaza”, with pumpkin decorating, spooky storytellers, fortunetellers, a farmers’ market, and performances by Midnight Circus, including acts of high flying feats.

Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St.
Chicago, Illinois 60606
(312) 744-3315

Start Date: 10/17/2008 End Date: 10/31/2008

Hancock Observatory

Situated on the world famous Magnificent Mile, steps from American Girl Place and the best shopping in the Midwest, the Hancock Observatory offers Chicago’s best view (voted by the Chicago Tribune), spanning 80 miles and four states. Don’t miss the sweeping panoramas, birds-eye views of Navy Pier’s fireworks, or the open-air Sky Walk for an outside experience to be remembered!

875 N Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60611
(312) 654-5019

The Chicago Botanic Garden

One of America's leading public gardens, the gorgeous Chicago Botanic Garden is on 385 acres with 26 formal display gardens, restaurants, tram tours, special events and exhibits and shopping. Come for an hour or for a day.

1000 Lake Cook Road
Glencoe, Illinois 60022
(847) 835-5440

Goebbert's Pumpkin Patch/ Hampshire

Spend a great family day on the farm. Ride the wagon to pick your own pumpkin, shop the Harvest Market. Visit the new Farmers Wife Cafe ad Bakery.

42W813 Reinking Rd.
Hampshire, Illinois 60140
(847) 464-5952

Kohl Children's Museum Glenview

Kohl Children's Museum is a hands-on learning laboratory for children ages birth to 8. All of our exhibits and programs are aligned to the Illinois State Learning Standards and are designed to make learning fun and interesting for young children.

2100 Patriot Boulevard
Glenview, Illinois 60025
(847) 832-6600

LegoLand Discovery Centre Schaumburg-Chicago

The LegoLand Discovery Centre welcomes you on a journey through a colorful and creative LEGO world, where interaction, family fun and learning go hand in hand. Opening August 2008!

Streets of Woodfield
Schaumburg, Illinois 60173
(847) 490-1010

CoCo Key Water Resort

CoCo Key Water Resort provides a water park experience like no other. Offering 65,000 square feet of activities for families to get away and enjoy time together. Contains 190,000 gallons of indoor waterpark fun as well as outdoor areas! Every day is a bright, sunny 84 degrees at CoCo Key. Full service bar, restaurants, and Key Quest Arcade. Overnight packages including water park passes available.

3400 West Euclid Avenue
Arlington Heights, Illinois 60005
(847) 394-2000

KeyLime Cove Water Resort

KeyLime Water Resort will revolutionize the way Americans vacation. It is a new and uniquely-designed water resort that celebrates the tropical paradise lifestyle: that no worries attitude, fun spirit, great food and good friends. KeyLime Cove features an exciting indoor waterpark, signature restaurants, a variety of entertainment options that kids and parents will enjoy, a luxurious spa to relax, and meeting space for weddings, business meetings and family reunions. It's a convenient, no-hassle escape that's easy to plan and get to.

1700 Nations Drive
Gurnee, Illinois 60031
(877) 360-0403

Lambs Farm

Includes the Farmyard, Pet Shop, Country Inn Restaurant, Thrift Shop, Mini Golf Course, Zoo along with Country Store and Bakery which benefit programs for people with developmental disabilities.

14245 W. Rockland Road
Libertyville, Illinois 60048
(847) 362-4636

Long Grove Confectionery Company

Experience how our handmade, gourmet chocolates are produced and packaged. Reservations are required for live production tours Monday-Thursday. Free tours (9:00am-3:30pm) on Saturday. No reservations needed. Live production not guaranteed on Saturday. Shopping in our Outlet Store completes the tour. Outlet store is open daily except for holidays.

333 Lexington Drive
Buffalo Grove, Illinois 60089
(847) 459-3100

Frightfest Six Flags Great America

Spine-tingling fun awaits all those who dare to experience the 16th Annual Family Fright Fest at Six Flags Great America. Six Flags is reincarnated into something more than just a haunted house it's a whole haunted park. Enjoy terrifying rides, spooky shows, dozens of haunted attractions and a nightly Zombie Jamboree parade. It's safe and fiendish fun for the entire family. Regular park admission.

P.O. Box 1776
Gurnee, Illinois 60031
(847) 249-1776

Start Date: 10/4/2008 End Date: 11/2/2008

Didier Farms Pumpkinfest

Pick your own Pumpkins! Join us for mechanical rides, hayrides, a petting zoo, pony rides, pumpkin jump, sunshine crafts and a corn maze.

16678 W. Aptakisic Rd.
Prairie View, Illinois 60069
(847) 634-3291

Start Date: 10/20/2008 End Date: 10/31/2008

I&M Canal State Trail

Enjoy hiking, jogging, cross-country skiing, camping, snowmobiling, fishing, boating, canoeing and biking along the I & M Canal State Trail. This 61-mile recreational trail begins at Brandon Rd. in Rockdale and parallels the canal to LaSalle Peru.

Will, Grundy, and LaSalle Counties
Morris, Illinois 60450
(815) 942-0796

Starved Rock State Park

Seasonal waterfalls, inspiring bluffs and canyons dominate the landscape at Starved Rock. Activities include hiking, canoeing, cross-country ski trails, fishing and picnicking.

Rte. 178 and Rte. 71
Utica, Illinois 61373
(815) 667-4726

Matthiessen State Park

Five miles of hiking trails into canyons and bluffs. Home to more than 200 species of birds and myriad woodland flowers.

Rte. 178
Utica, Illinois 61373
(815) 667-4868

Starved Rock Stables

Guided trail rides, hayrides, bonfires & more.

RR 1 & Rte. 11
Ogelsby, Illinois 61348
(815) 667-3026

Start Date: 4/1/2002 End Date: 11/30/2002

Grizzly Jack's Grand Bear Lodge

Lodge atmosphere with a 24,000 square-foot indoor waterpark with motion and sound adventure slide. 18-hole minature golf course, Bear-sized Cave Arcade and Enchanted Forest, and indoor amusement park fantasy world.

IL Rt. 178
Utica, Illinois 61373
(866) 399-3866

Ottawa Scouting Museum

A museum established to promote and preserve the colorful and proud traditions of Boy/Girl Scouting and Camp Fire.

1100 Canal St.
Ottawa, Illinois 61350
(815) 431-9353

Home school families can visit Indiana Beach on August 27-31 to get special discounts and exclusive events! To begin, we give all
participants an unlimited Ride Pass valid from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Parents not wishing to ride may simply pay the $2.50 entrance fee when they arrive). Home school students may use the day to complete any number of our 50+ worksheets based on our rides & attractions. Enjoy all this and one of the following Special Events for only $9.00 per person.
 

SPECIAL EVENTS
Choose one of the following events for FREE, and add another for just $2.00 more per person:

 
NEW for Homeschool Week 2008 - Roller Coaster Model Contest
Students team up and build a roller coaster model to bring and compete in three categories: Safety, Thrill, and Visuals. With a golf
ball as a coaster car, no one gets hurt but everyone learns when things may go wrong! Download the official rules. Must have at least 4 Coasters to hold the contest.

Culinary Brainery
Our skilled Skyroom chef presents a cooking demonstration in a sure fire way to delight the audience while teaching some valuable how-to kitchen techniques. Including an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of our huge kitchen, the informative Culinary Brainery has been growing in popularity each year. Must have 15 to 20 people registered so call your friends and sign up early.
 

Whatever Floats Your Boat Recycling Regatta
In the afternoons of Homeschool Week, teams of 1 or 2 students will paddle, kick, or drift around the Action River in a race to the
finish (or maybe just a race to finish) aboard watercraft they have constructed out of recycled materials. Prizes will be awarded to
winners and to all teams that successfully finish one lap. A complete set of rules will be sent to all registered teams. Minimum of 8 boats for a race.

 
Photography Class
Learn some helpful tips for taking better pictures, then practice around the park. This 45 minute class will help you catch all you can
on a day of fun! Minimum of 15 registered students. Cameras not included.

 
The above special events all have minimum attendance requirements, so in the case that the minimum is not met, the event will be cancelled for that day. Indiana Beach does not offer refunds or rain checks. To qualify for this special rate, registration and payment must be in by August 11, 2008. For more information or to book today, call Lynn or Matt at (800) 583-4306, option 3.

 

http://www.indianabeach.com:80/homeschool/index.php

 

Thanks Michelle for sharing this with us!!!

Nikki

Illinois HS Nations Blog Coordinator

KidsCom at Chicago Field Museum

Kids: Tell your Parents about this FREE FAMILY FUN event in Chicago!
Come celebrate the launch of a new game on KidsCom.com - Animal Adventure - where you help save animals in trouble!!

• Be the first kids to do the Animal Adventures scavenger hunt at the Field Museum!
  
  
• Attend the free event and get COOL stuff!
  
  
• PLUS: First 100 families to pre-register & turn in their confirmation coupon at the event get a Free Hope Plant Baby Key Chain

August, 11th, 2008 at 10:30 a.m.

FREE ADMISSION!!!

Event Registration Link

Directions to the Field Museum

From May 19 - June 30, 2008 parents from all over the US logged on to PC Local to vote for the best family friendly resources in their city. We got thousands of votes (thanks!) and the results were pretty close right up until the last minute. It was a tough... wait a minute, enough of our blabbing... click on a city to find out who WON the 2008 Nickelodeon's Parents' Picks Awards!

CHICAGO:

July 12-13, 2008

Beanie Baby Days

Don't miss Beanie Baby Days at Brookfield Zoo this summer!

July 20, 2008

July Zoo Tunes - Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers

Get ready to enjoy FREE live, outdoor music on the zoo’s East Mall on select Sunday afternoons all summer!

August 7, 2008

White Sox Player Appearances

Don't miss your opportunity to meet Chicago White Sox players!

August 24, 2008

August Zoo Tunes - Justin Roberts and Not Ready For Naptime Players

Get ready to enjoy FREE live, outdoor music on the zoo’s East Mall on select Sunday afternoons all summer!

September 20 – 21

Fiesta para Todos

Bring la familia to Brookfield Zoo and join in a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month at the “Party for All!”

October 18-19 and 25-26, 2008

Boo! at the Zoo

Brookfield Zoo’s annual Boo! at the Zoo festival is the perfect way to celebrate Halloween!

For more information go to their website:

http://brookfieldzoo.pmailus.com/pmailweb/ct?d=FdOxzAAEAAP-----AAH2EA

Brookfield Zoo * 3300 Golf Rd. * Brookfield, IL 60513 * 708-688-8000

Free Family Fun!

The Rockford Park District offers many free services and programs for your family to enjoy!
For more information on any of these programs or activities, call  815-987-8800  (TTY,  888-871-6171 ).

Harkins Aquatic Center at Fair Grounds Park

Open to the public at no charge, and has been recently renovated with lots of water-play features! Swimming lessons are also offered free of charge at this location (for RPD residents only). Note: children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by someone 16 years or older at all pools and beaches.

Standfield Beach at Levings Park

Does not charge admission and has lifeguards. Open Saturday and Sunday, noon -7 p.m., and Thursday and Friday, 2 -7 p.m. Bring your shovel and bucket for a great day on the beach!

Lockwood Park Children's Farm

Across the covered bridge in Lockwood Park (the south side) is the Children's Farm. Friendly sheep, goats, pigs, and other farm animals await your small child. Children's Farm is open 10:00 am to 5:00 pm daily. Feeding of animals is prohibited, except when feed is available for purchase in the park. Please have your children wash their hands after coming in contact with the animals.

Music in the Park Concert Series

A Rockford tradition for families to attend together, Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 7:30 p.m., June 10 through August 14, at the Music Shell in Sinnissippi Park. Come early and enjoy a picnic supper beneath towering oak trees.

Other free concert series are Charlotte's Web on Saturday evenings July 12, 19, and 26, and Sinnissippi Sundays, which are presented by the Rockford Area Arts Council on July 13, August 10, and September 14.

Imagination Station is a performance series which delights the young and the young-at-heart! Music, magic, juggling, drama, and comedy will involve and amaze all ages. These free shows are approximately 45 minutes long. Wednesdays, June 11 through August 6 at 1:30 p.m., Sinnissippi Music Shell.

Summer Talent Showcase

Features all varieties of talents, including singers, dancers, rappers, as well as a talent show and more great family entertainment. If you enjoy watching American Idol, you will love Summer Talent Showcase - according to organizer Harlan Jefferson, "it's just like the Apollo." Sundays, 3-7 p.m. at Levings Park. Dates are June 1, 15, 29; July 13, 27; August 17.

Sunday in the Park (Domingo en el Parque)

Presents the art and culture of Rockford's Latino community. Each free show features professional entertainment, as well as a talent show. Sundays June 22, July 20, and August 10; 3:00-7:00 p.m. at Levings Park.

Free Days at Rockford Park District Museums

One day a week, the museums are open free of charge for individuals or families to visit. Tuesday, Rockford Art Museum; Wednesday, Burpee and Tinker Cottage; Thursday, Discovery Center (after 1 p.m.), and also Midway Village & Museum Center. Donations on Free Day are greatly appreciated!

Sinnissippi Greenhouse

Varying seasonal hours, but is open most days 9 a.m.-4 p.m., and is always free of charge to visit. The new Nicholas Conservatory and Gardens will also be open free of charge when it opens in 2009.

Parks, playgrounds, and recreation paths

Yours to explore throughout every corner of our community. Try the giant wooden Playworks parks at Liberty Park, Harlem Community Center on Forest Hills Road, or The Getaway Teen Playground at Black Hawk Park. WOW! Even grown-ups can play! Alpine Park's Paulyground is a universal design playground for children of all abilities, including children using wheelchairs, and the indoor playground at CherryVale Mall invites you to "Come play with us!"

 

http://www.rockfordparkdistrict.org/home/activities/freeactivities/freeactivities.aspx

 

At the James "Pate" Philip State Park
2054 W. Stearns Road
Bartlett, IL 60103
Phone: 847-608-3100

Mon.-Fri. 9am-4pm & Sat. 9am-1pm

The goal of the Nature Center is to encourage children to participate in the preservation of our natural areas and the animals that live within them through hands-on projects, games and activities. Offsite programs can be scheduled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Programs are available for schools, scouting groups, child care centers, private parties and churches. We will set up the program or assembly to meet the needs of specific programs or themes. Programs may include hands-on projects, a wide variety of collections from nature, games and activities and interaction with live animals.The Nature Center is a facility of the Bartlett Park District.

Displays and Collections
A variety of nature related collections are on display within the Bartlett Nature Center. The Nature Center's regular hours are Monday-Friday 9am-4pm and Saturday 9am-1pm, excluding holidays.

Live Exotic Animals
A variety of animals call the Nature Center home including snakes, lizards, and insects.  The Nature Center's regular hours are Monday-Friday 9am-4pm and Saturday 9am-1pm, excluding holidays. For more information call.

Resource Library
The Nature Center has a collection of over 900 books, videos, posters and materials relating to the environment, animals, nature, insects, rocks and minerals and more. If you are looking for something specific for a project give the Nature Center a call .

http://www.bartlettparks.com/Nature-Center/general.asp

www.rockfordparkdistrict.org

Rockford Park District invites youth and adult golfers for free
clinics on Sunday, June 1. In addition to instruction, practice time
on the driving range and putting green will also be included. Among
the teaching staff at the clinic, special guest instructor Michael
Hebron, PGA Master Professional and author from Smithtown , New
York , is scheduled to appear. The youth clinic for ages 8-15 will be
at Ingersoll Golf Course, 9:00-11:00 a.m.; the adult clinic for ages
16 and older will be at Aldeen Golf Club Practice Centre, 1:00-3:00
p.m.

To allow for adequate staffing, pre-registration is required
either on line at www.rockfordparkdistrict.org, by fax, mail, or in
person at Park District Customer Service locations (downtown or at
Carlson Ice Arena, Riverside and Perryville).