The Schaumburg Township District Library’s kidsZone features a magical Enchanted Forest, with three‑dimensional murals, themed toys, and immersive play areas inspired by classic books and nursery rhymes—perfect for creative adventures and storytelling. Children can explore hands-on learning with a STEM table that demonstrates gravity, engage in puppet shows, shop in pretend marketplaces, and build with MagnaTiles.

The Barrington Area Library’s Youth Services area is a super‑fun play space where children can climb through playhouses, stage puppet shows, try out a giant Light Bright wall, shop in a pretend marketplace, and even slide around—all in one vibrant room! It also hosts exciting storytimes, STEM and art workshops, live music, and theater experiences that spark creativity every month. Older kids can hang out in Studio Kids or the game room, and families can borrow Activity Kit backpacks to take the adventure home. 

Addison Public Library is a warm and inclusive space where kids can dive into self-guided play and learning, with toys, books, and computers available even without a library card—and fun after-school snacks, homework help, and activities offered every day. It encourages early reading through programs like the “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” and the “500 Book Challenge,” challenging young readers to grow their literacy skills in playful ways.

Sillman Family Aquatic Center is your source for indoor waterpark fun all year-round! The activity pool features a zero-depth entry and a water play structure, which includes six platforms, over 30 different water jets, two water guns, two slides, and three overhead rope pulls. The Aquatic Center also offers a lap pool and lazy river.

In business since 1922, Webb Ranch is a certified organic farm offering a variety of blackberries in its u-pick fields.

Kids can climb, conquer, explore, play, slide, fly, compete, jump and more at Funtopia's active entertainment centers for kids!

The backcountry and wilderness areas of Crystal Cove State Park offer 18 miles of hiking trails through 2,400 acres of native wilderness, mostly the endangered coastal sage scrub plant community. The higher trails offer beautiful vistas of the mountainous backcountry, geological formations, and the blue Pacific Ocean.  Exploring the lower trails offers hiking through riparian woodlands with oak and sycamore trees along the seasonal Moro Creek.  

Play for the whole day at this amazing playground in the Bay Area! Sponsored by the Rotary Club of San Jose, the park offers lots of great spaces for kids of all abilities to explore. From traditional playground equipment to water and sand play, kids can swing, slide, climb and splash! Be sure to check out the landscapes of play, featuring natural spaces perfect for stretching your legs or enjoying some imaginative play.

Visitors to Adventure Playground can enjoy playing on the many kid designed and built forts, boats, and towers, riding the zip line or creating with hammers, saws, paint, and recycled materials. 

From koi fish to tropical palms to ancient ferns, this conservatory houses both unique plants and grows thousands of plants used in local parks. Visit the Orchid Room featuring a gorgeous array of exotic blooms, and the live model train run that's set up during winter- when it's also toasty warm inside! The free Lincoln Park Zoo and Lily Pool are next door.

Step back in time, and experience Schaumburg as an early German settler at Volkening Heritage Farm. Authentically dressed interpreters will show you around the 1880s farmhouse, let you help with seasonal farm chores, and teach you all about what life was like for some of Schaumburg's early residents. Visit the barn and say 'hello' to the local livestock. While you're there you may even see some chickens roaming freely throughout the grounds!

The barn animals change seasonally but they often have a variety of chickens, ducks, turkeys, rabbits, pigs, goats, cows, sheep, horses, ponies and donkeys. Farm volunteers invite the public into each animal pen and are ready to supply information about the animals to inquiring visitors.

Where can you see the stars and learn from Northwestern University Physics & Astronomy students? The Dearborn Observatory! The observatory makes its 18.5 foot refracting telescope available to the public every Friday night. You can make reservations in advance, or show up for the walk-in tours and hope it's not too crowded.

Note that the dome is not climate controlled, and that several staircases must be climbed in order to reach the telescope.

If dad is a snacker, this pistachio bowl is a fun and useful gift for him. The top section holds pistachios (or olives, edamame, peanuts, etc.) and you can deposit the shells in the dish below.

Dads will love this waterproof speaker because it's easy to operate, holds a battery charge for 6 hours, and allows him to listen to his favorite tunes even when he's in the shower.

Located in Denver's historic Lowry neighborhood, the museum is dedicated to educating and inspiring the next generation to learn more about aviation and space exploration. Peruse their large collection of more than 50 historic aircraft, take part in an exciting flight simulator experience, and check out so many cool exhibits and events.