My most favorite places to enjoy some fun under the sun

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Walking into Mary Bartelme Park in Chicago’s West Loop feels like entering a little urban masterpiece — it’s compact but packed with surprises, beauty, and thoughtful design. On a sunny day, there’s something magical about how the park blends nature,...uni-groupusa.org +2 chicagoplaygrounds.com +2 One of my favorite little touches is the fountain plaza. Near the entrance are these stainless-steel arch structures that mist when the heat hits. They cool you down (in such a beautiful, almost dreamlike way) without using tons of water. Kind of...

Bartelme (Mary) Playground

we hit up Maggie Daley Park and went straight to the Play Garden, and honestly it feels like walking into a fairy tale playground. It’s not just a few swings and slides — it’s a whole playful world spread across three acres. Kidlist +3 maggiedaleypark.com +3 U.S. News Travel +3 There are zones for different ages so everybody has their “level.” For the bigger kids there’s The Sea — a giant ship framework with ladders, nets, slides, lookout points — all kinds of stuff to climb on and explore. maggiedaleypark.com Then for littler ones there’s The Watering Hole (it’s animal-themed, with small sprays), and The Harbor (boats, boardwalks) — super cute and perfect for toddlers. maggiedaleypark.com One of my favorite bits was the Slide Crater — it’s got different slides coming out of hillsides, suspension bridges, winding paths. It feels adventurous in a playground way. maggiedaleypark.com +1 And then the Wave Lawn — big rolling hills, places to run, hide, roll down — that area gives kids freedom and room to roam. Wanderlog +3 maggiedaleypark.com +3 MVVA +3 Also nice: the design is inclusive. Soft surfaces, paths and play elements that meet ADA standards, sensory things, all of that good stuff. maggiedaleypark.com +2 The Environmental Blog +2 It can get fairly crowded (especially midday or summer weekends), so going early is smart. Kidlist +1 Shade is limited in some spots, so pack sunscreen, hats, water. Kidlist Also bring a picnic or snacks if you can, beca...

Play Garden

Visiting Oz Park feels like stepping into a playful storybook right in the middle of the city. The park spans about 14.4 acres and includes a garden, courts, fields — but its heart is Dorothy’s Playlot, also called “Oz Playground.” chicagoplaygrounds.com +3 Chicago Park District +3 Chicago Park District +3 What makes it special is how much character the place has. Everything leans into a Wizard of Oz theme — you’ll find bronze statues of Tin Man, Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion, and Dorothy & Toto nest...chicagoplaygrounds.com +2 Chicago Park District +2 Recently, it’s been updated (2024) to keep that spirit but add in modern amenities: new slides, twisty bridges, updated surfaces — a refreshed version of the wooden charm. Chicago Park District +3 Facebook +3 ozparkadvisorycouncil.org +3 The play area is enclosed and well shaded by mature trees, which gives kids a sense of freedom in a safe environment. chicagoplaygrounds.com +2 Chicago Park District +2 The ground is a soft, rubberized surface over artificial turf, which helps with safety and comfort. Time Out Worldwide +3 chicagoplaygrounds.com +3 Chicago Park District +3 There are picnic tables inside and benches around, and a drinking fountain just outside, making it a good spot to linger while the kids play. chicagoplaygrounds.com +2 Chicago Park District +2 Beyond the playground, the Emerald Garden is a lovely, calm place to walk, see flowers, and take a break from the play. Chicago Park District +2 Chicago Traveler +2 And because the park is connected with courts, fields, a...

Oz Playground

Lake Shore Playground

I stopped by Elizabeth Benton Playground the other day and it totally surprised me — in the best way. It’s tucked into a beautifully landscaped part of the park, and at first glance, it seems modest. But once you get inside, you find all these clever...chicagoplaygrounds.com The play equipment is modern and thoughtfully done, with clean lines, safe surfaces, good spacing, and little elements like climbing nets or balance parts that make it feel like an adventure. chicagoplaygrounds.com What I liked is how the playground feels integrated into its green surroundings — you see lots of trees, shrubs, shade, places where kids (and adults) can pause and enjoy nature in the mix. chicagoplaygrounds.com There’s also a small water feature, which is such a smart touch — especially on a hot day. It gives kids that extra fun without needing a full waterpark setup. chicagoplaygrounds.com The design really shows someone cared about balance: fun, safety, nature, comfort. If I were giving tips to someone going there: bring sunscreen, maybe a hat, and good shoes for climbing. Go when the light is nice — mornings or late afternoons — bec...

Elizabeth Benton Playground · Chicago Playgrounds · Chicago Playgrounds

There’s something quietly magical about Seneca Park — a peaceful oasis tucked right between the Magnificent Mile and the lakefront, yet full of surprises and joy. The address is 220 E Chicago Ave, and the playground inside is called Eli M. Schulman P...site-design.com +3 Chicago Park District +3 mcachicago.org +3 What I loved most was how thoughtful the design feels. The playground is fully enclosed, with a soft rubber surface molded into hills, steps, tunnels, slides — the ground itself is part of the fun, especially on the 2 – 5 side. chicagoplaygrounds.com +2 Landscape Structures Inc +2 For the older kids, there are custom towers inspired by local landmarks (a red “firehouse” tower and a blue “water tower” tower), with nets, climbing elements, and a big tube slide. nutoys4fun.com +3 Landscape Architect +3 Landscape Structures Inc +3 I also like how the park doesn’t just stop at play. There are green lawns, shaded walkways, and seating nooks (some with stone benches) to pause, watch, breathe. site-design.com +2 Landscape Architect +2 The whole place feels like someone cared deeply — from the patterns in the rubber surfacing (inspired by Chicago’s street grid) to little references to dunes and firehouses. Landscape Architect One thing to keep in mind: th...chicagoplaygrounds.com Also, because the towers are partially enclosed, it can be a little tougher to see kids inside when it’s busy — but that sense of discovery is part of the charm. chicagoplaygrounds.com +1 If you’re wandering near Michigan Avenue, or visiting the Museum of Contemporary Art (right across), take a detour here. Seneca Park is small in size (the park is about one acre) but big in heart. It’s a spot where kids get to play, imaginations ...

Seneca Park

Deep River Waterpark | NW Indiana, Chicagoland & So. Michigans Largest

so we hit up Mystic Waters Family Aquatic Center and I gotta tell you—it’s legit fun. They’ve got two 37-foot slides, drop slides, cliff dives, a lazy river they call Crocodile Cove (that thing is loooong, like 550 feet) and a zero-depth pool with fo...ChicagoFun.com +2 Des Plaines Park District +2 They also have a cute splash area for little kids (Beluga Beach, with water sprays and safe surfaces) so babies and toddlers can join the fun too. Des Plaines Park District +2 ChicagoFun.com +2 The Island Café sells snacks, ice cream, etc. Des Plaines Park District +2 ChicagoFun.com +2 Parking is free, which is always a bonus. ChicagoFun.com +2 Des Plaines Park District +2 Now, one thing: Mystic Waters gives you a “resident rate” if you live in Des Plaines (or in the city, even if outside district), which is cool. Des Plaines Park District But if you’re coming from outside, you’ll pay t...ChicagoFun.com +3 We went on a hot day — lines weren’t horrible, the slides were wild, and the lazy river was a sweet escape when I needed to rest my legs. I saw families, groups of teens, little kids — everyone had something to do. The kids area was perfect for m...

Mystic Waters - Des Plaines Park District

So I checked out The Water Works indoor water park at the Schaumburg Community Rec Center, and honestly — it’s a fun escape, especially when you can’t be outside but still want that splash energy. They’ve got a bunch going on: three water slides, a r...parkfun.com What I really liked is how versatile it is. You can swim laps, hang out in the more playful parts, chill in the whirlpool, or let the kids go wild in the spray areas. Great for families who don’t all want the same kind of water time. parkfun.com The pricing is fair: for open swim, residents pay $10, non-residents pay $14. parkfun.com If you’re there for lap swim, residents get a break (adult $8, youth $6) vs non-resident rates a little higher. parkfun.com Some things to watch: Bring a valid ID (they check). parkfun.com Kids 8 and under must be with a guardian 16+ on deck or in the water. parkfun.com Height rules: you’ve got to be 42 inches to ride the body slides, 48 inches for the drop slide. parkfun.com Operating hours are kind of limited — open swim is Wed evenings, Friday evenings, and weekend midday slots. parkfun.com In short: The Water Works is a solid indoor waterpark to hit when it’s too chilly or rainy to do outdoor ones. It might not be enormous or wild in scale, but it gives you slide thrills + chill pool time in one place. If I were you, I’d bring the fam...

The Water Works | Schaumburg Park District

Went to Oasis Waterpark in Niles recently, and it was a really nice day out. They’ve got a zero-depth pool, a splash pad for kids, three slides, diving boards, and a concessions spot if you get hungry. niles-parks.org What I liked is that it’s the kind of place where even if you don’t want to go full speed down big waterslides, there’s still fun to be had — splash zones, shallow areas, relaxing around when you need a break. niles-parks.org +2 Yelp +2 The family vibe is strong — lots of kids, families hanging out, people just chilling in the pool. Yelp It does get busier on hot days (expect lines or crowded spots), especially around slides and during peak hours. Yelp +1 But there are “...niles-parks.org If I were giving a simple verdict: Oasis is solid. It’s not massive, but it covers all the bases — slides, splash, chill zones — stuff for kids and grownups. For a casual summer day, it’s a good pick.

Oasis Waterpark & Fun Center

My most favorite places to enjoy some fun under the sun

Every park feels like a new adventure

There’s something so fun about park-hopping through the city