By Elizabeth Arnold
Chicago is the ideal place for children and their families to spend spring break. The "windy city" delights people of all ages, and offers a lot in the way of fun, adventure and learning opportunities for kids. Chicago's thriving arts and culture scene features several children's theaters, and animal lovers won't want to miss a day trip to one of the city's zoos. Hands-on museums thrill children while teaching them about space exploration, nature and technology. Chicago also offers many amusement parks and entertainment venues geared toward children.
Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum
plan a trip to the The Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum, which has been thrilling children since 1930. The museum offers state-of-the-art space simulations and a theater showcasing astronomy artifacts. The museum's Galaxy Passport Package includes admission, choice of a sky show and a tour.
Chicago Children's Museum
Spend an afternoon at the Chicago Children's Museum, which offers 14 interactive exhibits. The hands-on museum features an inventing lab, a trails, a maze and a dinosaur expedition adventure. Admission to the museum is free every Thursday night between 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Chicago Kids Company
Watch a performance at the Chicago Kids Company, a non-profit theatre founded to bring the world of live entertainment to children. The company's productions are fairy tale-based original musicals and feature sing-along songs and bright, eye-popping costumes. Admission varies by performance.
Brookfield Zoo
Visit the Brookfield Zoo, which features 216 acres and over 20 animal exhibits. The zoo's exhibits recreate animals' natural habitats, allowing children to experience them as they are in the wild. The zoo offers several on-site restaurants and a dolphin show.
Thorn Creek Nature Center
Spend a family day exploring nature at the Thorn Creek Nature Center. The center features local flora and fauna, along with a bird feeder viewing station. The children's section offers a library and interactive nature displays.
Resources
About the Author:
Elizabeth Arnold, who studied English at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, has written for a wide variety of publications and websites. Her experience includes writing travel features for "Recommend" magazine and packaging and marketing copy for both Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Warner Bros. consumer products. Recently, Arnold was a staff writer for "Special Events" magazine.
