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The end of a school year means that Summer is upon us, and it is time for fun in the sun. While BISC-LP offers a variety of amazing summer camps, it scratches the surface of the plethora of opportunities the city offers. Chicago truly comes alive in the summertime, with loads of fun learning experiences, activities, and exhibits all around. From the sandy lakefront and numerous parks to the many amazing museums and seeing Laurie Berkner at Ravinia, there is never a dull moment.
The importance of summer activities comes in three ways: stimulating cognitive development, promoting physical health through active play, and building social-emotional skills through interactions. Summer presents important opportunities for family connection and unstructured playtime, which helps children build problem-solving and emotional regulation skills. Additionally, summer is the chance to get creative and explore the city. We have outlined a few highlights of summer learning fun in Chicago.
Chicago is so lucky to have many amazing child-friendly museums such as the Field Museum, the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, the Shedd Aquarium, and the Chicago Children’s Museum on Navy Pier. Many of which offer free admission on certain days with Illinois residency. Check out each of their websites for more info on those days. Notably, the Field Museum is currently offering a Pokémon Fossil Museum exhibit, and Griffin MSI has a Marvel Spider-Man exhibition, so check those out before they are gone.
For some extra fun outdoor activities, the Lincoln Park Zoo is always a hit. They offer a variety of daily programming opportunities to learn more about animals with their zookeepers. If you are downtown, be sure to check out the Play Garden and Maggie Daley Park, which feature many fun areas such as the Watering Hole, Enchanted Forest, and Slide Crater. Finally, the Chicago Park District offers Movies in the Park and various parks throughout the city through September. It is a lovely opportunity to spread out a blanket and have a picnic while enjoying an evening family-friendly movie.
Spending time outdoors supports the development of both a healthy body and mind. Getting fresh air and sun helps boost our mood through Vitamin D and increases our serotonin levels. Summer offers children a break from the structure of academic routines, while still creating rich opportunities for hands-on, experiential learning in nature. This holistic approach to development encourages kids to use their imagination, enhance their critical thinking and problem-solving skills, be creative, and strengthen their emotional resilience. Meaning: Get outside and have fun this summer!
Alex Duryea, Pre-Nursery Assistant Director
Caitlin Stevens, Pre-Nursery Assistant Director