Collection of Christmas present boxes on a light blue background
This time of year, the same question seems to be on everyone’s mind… “What should I get the child(ren) in my life this holiday season?” Here is a guide of my favorite gifts for the children in your lives that are both fun and encourage development!
It’s officially summertime in the Chi and we couldn’t be more excited! This perfect weather is practically begging our little ones to go outside and play. These fun, summer sensory rich activities are wonderful ways to engage our children’s tactile system and expose them to different scents, textures, and sensations.
Sensitive Santa
Time: Sunday, December 8 from 9:00am-11:00am.
Location: Lincolnwood Town Center
Cost: Free
About: Visiting Santa is a winter tradition for many families. However, if your child has sensory sensitivities, it can be a difficult experience. Opening before regularly scheduled activities begin, Sensitive Santa allows for a sensory-friendly environment so that all can enjoy meeting Santa.
Play for All
Time: Saturday, December 14th from 9:00am to 10:00am
Location: Chicago Children’s Museum
Cost: Free to the first 100 visitors to register
About: On the second Saturday of every month, the Chicago Children’s Museum opens one hour early and invites children and families with disabilities to come explore the museum in a quieter, less stimulating environment.
Sensory Friendly Beatrix Potter Tea
Time: Sunday, December 15th at 11:30am and 2:30pm
Location: The Station, 100 S. Racine Ave. Chicago, IL. 60607
Cost: $45
About: This puppet show, staring Peter Rabbit and his animal friends, is performed in a sensory-friendly environment. Guests are encouraged to dress in their holiday best, or wear whatever is most comfortable for them. Cookies and hot cocoa will be served following the show.
Sensory Friendly Performance of A Christmas Carol
Time: Monday, December 23rd at 2:00pm
Location: Goodman Theatre
Cost: Tickets start at $15
About: The Goodman Theater is putting on a sensory-friendly performance of A Christmas Carol. The sensory-friendly accommodations include lower sound level, lower lighting level, small crowds, designated quiet areas, and a space for movement breaks.
Sarah Lydon, MA, CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Photo Credit: Cooper Le on Unsplash
Lincoln Park Zoo Fall Fest
Time: Fridays-Sundays, September 27-October 27th and Monday, October 14th from 10:00AM-5:00PM
Location: Lincoln Park Zoo
Cost: Free general admission; Fall Fest attractions cost $3 for 1 ticket, $27 for 10 tickets, $51 for 20 tickets
About: This year’s festival features ticketed attractions throughout the zoo, including a Ferris wheel, corn maze, corn pool, fun slide, inflatable obstacle course, and more. Guests can also enjoy animal chats, musical entertainment, a pumpkin patch, professional pumpkin carvers, and fall-themed enrichment for the animals!
Family Fall Fest 2019
Time: Saturday, October 19th from 10:00AM-12:00PM
Location: Liberty Bank for Savings, 2392 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647
Cost: Free
About: Come experience some great fall fun including a free reptile exhibit featuring snakes, turtles, and lizards, as well as music performed by a band from the Old Town School of Folk Music. Also enjoy glitter tattoos, face painting, a balloon artist, pony rides, a petting zoo, and much more.
Wicker Park Kidical Mass- Halloween Ride — Chicago Family Biking
Time: Sunday, October 20th from 9:30-11:00AM
Location: 1425 N. Damen Avenue, Chicago, IL 60622
Cost: Free
About: A slow, easy-going group bike ride for families and kids of all ages to encourage family fun and fitness! This ride will tour the Wicker Park neighborhood and end in the new Walsh Park. Costumes and Halloween decorations are encouraged!
Roscoe Village 5K, Fun Run, and Halloween Parade
Time: Sunday, October 20th from 8:00AM-4:00PM
Location: Hamilton and Roscoe, Chicago, IL
Cost: $50/person for Roscoe Village 5K; $20/person for the Fun Run (There will be a family discount of 15% when you register for 3 or more people before October 10th.)
About: Costumes are encouraged for all in attendance. Whether you are a serious runner, or just love to celebrate Halloween, the event will bring together running enthusiasts, school supporters, neighbors, and party-goers of all ages. Bring the family for crafts, a photo booth, food trucks, music and dancing, costume-contests, activities, and much, much more!
Lincoln Park Zoo’s Spooky Zoo
Time: Saturday, October 26th
Location: Lincoln Park Zoo
Cost: Free
About: Wear your costumes and head to Lincoln Park Zoo for family Halloween fun with a wide variety of kid-friendly activities, trick-or-treating, and arts and crafts, in addition to a Haunted House and Fall Fest rides.
Photo Credit: Laura Humble via freeimages.com
Family Festival: Swedish American Museum
Time:September 7th, 11am-4pm
Location:5201 N Ashland Ave
Cost:Free
About:This year marks the 50thanniversary of Swedish-American Buzz Aldrin landing on the moon. The festival will honor him and his culture, and will include face painting, crafts, games, raffles, and Swedish food. Some items will have a fee, but most is free!
Low-Sensory Early Exploration: Museum of Science and Industry
Time:September 8th, 8:30am-12pm
Location: 5700 S Lake Shore Dr
Cost:Free, preregistration required
About:The museum will offer the featured exhibits with additional accommodations for sensory needs: having fewer crowds and designated quiet spaces. It includes access to Farm Tech, the Idea Factory, and Circus exhibits.
Minecraft Party
Time:September 14th, 5:30pm-8pm
Location:Power Up Tech Academy, 2867 N Clybourn Ave
Cost:$25
About:An opportunity for kids ages 7-12 to meet other players and play on either private or public servers. The event includes supervision during the playing time.
Fall Fest: Lincoln Park Zoo
Time:Beginning September 27th
Location:2001 N Clark St
Cost: Free entry, attractions require tickets
About:A festival for the whole family, with attractions including a corn maze, a pumpkin patch, professional pumpkin carvers, animal chats, a Ferris wheel, and bounce houses.
Kristen McManus, MOT, OTR/L
Photo Credit: Jugendweihebb via Pixabay
Make the most of summer in the city with these family-friendly events and activities!
Wiggleworms
Time: Friday, August 2ndfrom 10:00am-11:45am
Location: Lake Stage in Polk Bros Park, Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, 60611
Cost: Free and open to the public!
About: Come play along as Wiggleworms, the Old Town School of Folk Music’s celebrated early childhood music program, welcomes young children and their families to the world of music. Children sing, dance, learn finger plays and story songs, and explore rhythm instruments especially designed for little hands. Geared toward children ages newborn through four years.
Chicago Children’s Museum Free Day
Time: Sunday, August 4thfrom 10:00am-5:00pm
Location: Chicago Children’s Museum, 700 E Grand Ave, Chicago, 60611
Cost: Free admission for children under 15 years of age
About: Explore the exhibits at the Chicago Children’s Museum with free admission for all children under 15 years of age on the first Sunday of the month.
Family Yoga
Time: Saturday, August 10thfrom 10:00am-11:00am
Location: Unity Park, 2636 N Kimball Ave, Chicago, 60647
Cost: Free!
About: Join in for a fun flow that will focus on breath, movement, and family. Yoga is taught using dance, story-telling, partner poses, and having fun together! All ages and levels welcome.
Air and Water Show
Date and time: Saturday, August 17th – Sunday, August 18thfrom 10:00am-3:00pm both days
Location: Officially located at North Avenue Beach, 1600 N Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, 60613, but viewable along the lakefront from Fullerton Ave to Oak Street
Cost: Free!
About: Watch the talented pilots of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the Royal Air Force Red Arrows as they perform impressive stunts to wow the crowd.
Caitlin Chociej, MS, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist
Photo Credit: Yulianto Pointier via Pexels