PlanJam!From your screen to the scene

What an exciting place to take the kids! There is just so much for them to see and do, all with a gentle slant that will leave you all with a passion for wanting to take charge in caring for the environment! And yes, you just might learn a thing or two as well! And, because it’s right by the beach, you can certainly make a day of your visit!

The largest exhibit they offer is outdoors called the Greening Project, which is really pretty and shows just how much they care about the environment. It’s also a recycling center, so feel free to bring your glass, plastic and paper along for the kids to contribute. An exhibit geared towards little ones is two stories tall, called the Hands On Habitat. It gives an inside view of various animal homes, which is always a big hit with the kiddos - climb up into the tree house, play with the water, ride down the slide, whatever! Another exhibit kids gravitate towards is the Mysteries of the Marsh, with creepy crawlies and swampy plants. Then there’s the Riverworks exhibit, another place to play with the water while learning a little something along the way.

Of course, one of the museum’s best assets is the butterfly room. Hundreds of beautiful butterflies merrily flutter around, many times landing on you. Some say it is a kiss from Nature, others a sign of good luck, so telling the kids those little tidbits ahead of time will make them even more eager to head in there! Just please remember not to touch them - let them touch you!

As far as the food goes, while it may be on the pricer side of things, you can be rest assured every item on the menu is all natural and home made and provided from local businesses, many ingredients local as well. Brown bagging is perfectly fine as well, with a group seating area on the first level over by the marsh exhibit. Please remember to use the recycling facilities! Oh and also, Chicago residents who have a library card can stop by the library and check out a museum pass at the counter! It’s good for 4 people, gets you in for free and lets you bypass the lines!