Educational (but FUN) Chicagoland Spots to Visit

Fun AND educational activities?!  Where?  Below is a list of fun spots throughout Chicagoland that will not only engage your children with fun and excitement, but will also teach them something without them even knowing it!

Kohls Children’s Museum
Kohls Children’s Museum is located in Glenview, Illinois, which is approximately 28-miles northwest of the city of Chicago.  Kohls is meant for early childhood fun, probably most interesting for kids under the age of eight.  Kohls Children’s Museum offers 17 exhibits that are meant to ignite the creativity and imagination of children.  Some of the exhibits include hands-on art activities, science manipulative activities, a two-acre outdoor habitat exhibit, a veterinary play area, water works area, and a hands-on whole food market play area.  Adults and children can get into Kohls for $12 and infants are free.

Field Museum
The Field Museum allows you to travel through time and around the world all under one roof.  The museum’s exhibits cover everything from dinosaurs, to interactive science and DNA exhibits, to an entire section of miniature houses and castles, to the history of ancient Egypt and China – there is something for everyone at the Field Museum.  In addition to the permanent exhibits, the Field Museum always has new special exhibits, which currently consists of Jurassic World, the interactive exhibit that allows you to experience what it would have been like to walk around with dinosaurs.  Ticket prices will vary on activities included but the basic all-access pass is $31 for students, $36 for adults and $21 for kids.

Willis Tower Skydeck
The Willis Tower Skydeck, located on the 103^rd floor of Willis Tower, is fun, exciting and educational for kids and adults alike.  Not only will you get a 360-degree view that spans across 50 miles and 4 different states, but there are interactive exhibits to educate guests about the history of Willis Tower and Chicago.  Your visit will start with a ride in the elevator all the way up to the 103^rd floor, so make sure you have some gum to stop your ears from popping!  Admission is $15 for ages 3-11 and $23 for ages 12 and up.

Home Depot Workshops
Throughout Chicagoland, Home Depot stores offer different creative workshops that allow kids to make a project and bring it home with them.  While the workshops are constantly changing, the September workshop will teach kids how to build a sturdy pencil case.  Kids will build the pencil case and decorate it, and they will also receive a certificate of achievement, workshop apron, and pin.

Adler Planetarium
Adler Planetarium in Chicago was actually America’s first planetarium.  At the planetarium you will have the opportunity to learn about the history of space expeditions, as well as interact with equipment like telescopes.  Ticket prices vary based on different packages but the basic tickets start at $8 for children and $12 for adults.

Willowbrook Wildlife Center
Located in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, about 30-miles west of Chicago, the Willowbrook Wildlife Center has more to offer than just a zoo-like experience.  The Willowbrook Wildlife Center rescues and rehabilitates wildlife and offers programs for kids to learn about animals and their habitats.  In addition to animal and wildlife exhibits, there are camping and recreation grounds on-site.

Written by Marlee Chizhevsky