Fun for all Places for all abilities to be who they are
BY MEGAN MURRAY ELSENER Brookfield Zoo
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ften the crowds, noise and unpredictability that come with outings to local museums and Brookfield Zoo businesses can be overwhelming for For the past few years in April, Brookfield Zoo has partnered with Autism Speaks, the children with special needs. Yet these leading autism advocacy organization, to take children deserve to be exposed to the part in the annual Zoos Go Blue campaign. same fun and adventures. There are special Zoos Go Blue activities for families with children on the Luckily, more local autism spectrum. With quieted museums, theaters and carousel rides, tailored zoo chats with animals and desbusinesses realize ignated areas for quiet time that inclusion is geared towards special needs important and are families, the zoo becomes an easier place to manage. continuing to step If visiting outside of Zoos Go up and accommodate Blue, Brookfield always offers a free BZ Care Kit that includes families with special spectrum noise-reducing headphones, hard needs. Many even offer toy store copies of visual schedules, stickers, special times and events safety alert badges and ID bracelets. 8400 W. 31st St., Brookfield; (708) 688just for special needs families. 8000; czs.org Check out these places where your kids are free to be themselves.
Chicago Children’s Museum Held on the second Saturday of every month, Play for All at Chicago Children’s Museum invites children and families with disabilities to experience the inclusive and multi-sensory exhibits. The museum opens early for a private hour at 9 a.m. for preregistered guests and the first 250 receive free admission. Families are welcome to stay once the museum opens to the public. 700 E. Grand Ave., Navy Pier, Chicago; (312) 527-1000; chicagochildrensmuseum.org
Kohl Children’s Museum
Kohl Children’s Museum’s Everyone at Play events, held on specific Sundays, 9:3011 a.m., are closed to the public to allow families with children with special needs to explore the exhibits and enjoy opportunities for calm, creative and collaborative play. The upcoming dates are Feb. 18, May 20 and June 24. The museum also has a Parents Guide to Kohl Children’s Museum, created in collaboration with North Shore Pediatric Therapy, to help parents choose the exhibits they want to visit. 2100 Patriot Blvd., Glenview; (847) 8326600; kohlchildrensmuseum.org
Chicago Children’s Museum
Pump It Up What kid doesn’t love to jump around and burn off some energy? Pump it Up in Elmhurst has a special Sensory Jump Night on the first Tuesday of every month where the play areas are reserved for kids on the autism spectrum and their families. Kids can jump, slide and play sensory-friendly games in a safe atmosphere. It’s just $6 per CONTINUED ON PAGE 24 ChicagoParent.com |
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