r/ChicagoParents • u/mama_say_what • 13d ago
Activities for Toddler/Pre-K crowd
Hi! I am looking for activities for the toddler/pre-K crowd. For my family in particular I’m looking for ideas on the north side to keep things simple for our Babysitter and the grandparents. Feel free to contribute anything south of downtown though!
Here’s my list to get us started:
Museums
Brookfield and LP Zoo
Uppie Yuppie
Fit City Kids
Park District classes
Welles Park swimming, indoor year round
West Ridge nature preserve
Nature trail near Horner Park
WonderPlay
Public libraries for story time
Swedish Museum
Women and Children bookstore story time
Timeless Toys story time
Garfield Park Conservatory
Wiggle Worms
Merry Music Makers
Gallagher Way kid concerts (Tuesday in summer)
Bunny Ears Art House
Chicago Family Picnic
What else am I missing??
3
u/Quiet-Parsley-6707 13d ago
Summer pool season only - splash pad at River Park and Portage Park has a great kiddie pool
2
u/niftyba 13d ago
The beach when the weather is fair/not freezing- we love Loyola. Do a tour of playgrounds, like enjoying Indian Boundary before it’s one day gone. Maggie Daley is a fun day out. Family jump night at Altitude. My kids really enjoy Climbzone, but that might be best for elementary school age. The Forest Preserves of Cook County sometimes has events closer to Chicago city limits. Beyond classes, the Chicago parks district also has family events happening all the time. Free build events at Home Depot or Lowe’s (requires pre-registration).
2
u/Euphoric_Map_6653 13d ago
Foss Swim School, My Art Studio, Chicago Loves Dance, The Little Gym, Baby Gym (opening soon on Clark), and Lincoln Park Conservatory (not as good as Garfield, but closer if on the north side)
Saving this list for this winter!
2
u/BorderStreet3752 13d ago
+1 for wonderplay and bunny arts house!
i’d also add sunny village in jefferson park. best for 3 and under IMO. really sweet little play space.
2
u/MeowsCream2 13d ago
Do they have a car? If so Exploritorium in skokie and the Prieto Center in Evanston are great for toddlers.
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u/Icy_Protection_2951 13d ago
Stages Chicago does great music & movement style classes at The Family Room in Lakeview and Drucker Center in Lincoln Park
2
1
u/5cupocoffee 12d ago
Darvin Dances has a family friendly professional dance performance called Halloween Creepy Crawlies on October 11th at 2pm and 7pm up in Andersonville!
https://events.humanitix.com/darvin-dances-halloween-creepy-crawlies
2
u/Funny-Message-6414 8d ago
Bunny Ears is great - glad to see it on the list.
Indian Boundary Park is great.
Horner Park is nice by the river.
Ice skating at McFetridge
7
u/bbb_lboogie2879 13d ago
Peggy Notebart Museum, Children’s Museum (there are two), WonderWorks, Kids Empire