Go to the library. Get a library card. Check out books and movies. While you are there, pick up a schedule for any events during the summer. Your local branch may have story times, concerts, movie screenings, or other activities.
Go on a scavenger hunt in your neighborhood. Try to find every single letter in the alphabet. Look on signs, license plates, etc. You might even find some nature that resembles letters. Maybe you find a stick that looks like a letter. Perhaps there is a tree or a flower that looks like a letter.
Read together! Read, read, read! Although there isn't a Reading Contract for the summer months, try to read together at least 20 minutes every day.
Go on a walk in your neighborhood. Bring some paper and some crayons or pencils. Make observations about what you see. Draw some of things that you discover. Flowers? Buildings? Animals?
Make something! There are many math skills that can be practiced when cooking or baking together. Students can practice measuring, less/more, and counting when cooking. You could even work on patterns when decorating what you have baked.
See a movie in a park! The Chicago Park District hasn't released the full schedule yet you can check here for updates when they become available.
Last summer the Chicago Park District had a full line-up of great arts activities in their Night Out at the Parks initiative. Although this schedule also hasn't been released yet, you can check on their website here for any updates.
Many museums have free or discounted admission days during the summer. Take advantage of all of the cultural experiences that Chicago has to offer at a great price!
- Adler Planetarium - General Admission is FREE for Illinois residents on June 5, 10, 11, 12. You can find out more here.
- Art Institute of Chicago - General Admission is FREE for Illinois residents every Thursday from 5:00-8:00pm. In addition, admission is always free for children under 14 years of age. You can find out more here.
- Chicago Children's Museum at Navy Pier - Admission is FREE on Thursdays from 5-8pm for all visitors. In addition, children 15 and under get free admission on the first Sunday of each month. You can find out more here.
- Garfield Park Conservatory - Admission is FREE every day. In addition, they have great programs for families with young children on Mondays. You can find out more here.
- Lincoln Park Zoo - Admission is FREE every day. You can find out more here.
- Museum of Science and Industry - General Admission is FREE to Illinois residents on June 4, 5, 6. You can find out more here.
- Shedd Aquarium - General Admission is FREE for Illinois residents on June 9, 10, 16, 17. You can find out more here.
Is it going to be a rainy day? Check out some websites that you can explore together with your preschooler. You can find some great websites under the "Technology and Your Student" tab at the top of this page (located under the "more" section.)