Home Labor Day Max Out the Fun Outdoors This Labor Day Weekend by Maria ChambersAugust 31, 2021 Search more like this golflabor dayzooaerial adventuresbotanic gardenfamily friendlyhiking trailhistoric buildingshot doghow tolazy rivermini golfmodel railroadmountain biking Advertisement Trending Now News Disney+’s Prices Are Increasing—Unless You Want to Watch Ads Food & Drink General Mills Is Bringing Back 4 Classic Sugar Cereals That Your Mom Never Let You Eat Viral & Trending Cat Sneaks into Family Car & Joins Their Road Trip, Becomes Instant Celebrity Viral & Trending Weatherman Discovers His Map Is a Touchscreen and His Reaction Is So Pure Celeb & Entertainment Serena Williams Announces Retirement: ‘If I Were a Guy, I Wouldn’t Be Writing This’ Advertisement Hopefully, the weather gods will show some love and drop some sun on us this Labor Day weekend. Take advantage of this beautiful Chicago summer by living it up outdoors. Read on to find where to cool down, find toe-tapping fun under the sun, take the kids clubbing and more. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Caitlin Bacon (@caitbacon) Beat the Heat at a Sprayground Lazy summer days at the pool are the thing of summer memory-making for kids. But, mix things up by scheduling a raging day at a splash pad where you can cool off without taking a dunk or forking over too much dough. . See Butterflies & Blooms (and Trains, too!) at Chicago Botanic Garden This is one of your last chances to see the Butterflies & Blooms exhibit before it takes flight Sep. 6. Visitors immerse themselves in a habitat filled with hundreds of winged beauties and pretty petals. You’ll find species native to South America, Asian, North America and Africa, as well as those native to Illinois.If your littles prefer trains to winged creatures, take them to experience the delightful sights and sounds of miniature trains traversing high and low tunnels, across bridges and around buildings at the Model Railroad Garden. The exhibit features 18 garden-scale trains on 1,600 feet of track with vignettes of tiny people and animals that give it a storybook feel. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Daniel Popper (@danielpopper) Walk In Awe at Morton Arboretum Five massive outdoor sculptures created exclusively for Morton Arboretum by artist Daniel Popper rise above the natural landscapes in the Human + Nature exhibition. The 15- to 26-foot-tall sculptures are installed across the 1,700-acre site and lead guests to areas they may not otherwise explore. Using thought-provoking human forms paired with elements of nature, each piece will bring attention to the deep connections between humans and nature. Intro Your Kids to a Chicago Culinary Icon Love ’em or leave ’em, hot dogs are foot-long big in Chicago, and if your kids haven’t begged for one yet, they will soon. We love the on-the-go ease (no silverware!) and colorful condiments (kids get a pass on the sacrilege of using ketchup). Grab one at a legendary local hot dog spot and turn eating into an adventure. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kelly Larkin (@kellyinthecity) See Dinos Everywhere! at Brookfield Zoo Nearly 45 animatronic dinosaurs that are BIGGER and BADDER than any dinos you’ve ever met are visiting Brookfield Zoo. Dinos Everywhere features acres of earth-shakers, including the largest—argentinosaurus—that was estimated to measure more than 100 feet in length and weigh up to 110 tons. Until Sept. 6, zoogoers will be able to search for these amazing life-like animatronics throughout the park. Hit the (Mini-Golf) Clubs! Mini-golf. Putt-putt. Goofy golf. Adventure golf. Shorties. No matter what you call it, you have a blast playing it. Most of Chicago’s mini-golf courses are pure, kitschy fun and are only open for a limited time each year. So grab a short pencil and head to one of our city and suburban favorites. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Forge: Lemont Quarries (@theforgelemont) Climb to New Heights at The Forge: Lemont Quarries The Forge: Lemont Quarries (aka The Forge) opened its 300-acre adventure park, 22 miles from downtown Chicago. Not only does the park feature the largest aerial adventure course in North America, a day of adventuring gives you access to four over-water ziplines, 5 miles of hiking trails, mountain biking, paddlesports, and a dedicated kids’ zone. Experience a Thrilling New Ride at Raging Waves Splish, Splash! Illinois’ largest waterpark dedicated to family fun for all ages, Raging Waves added a brand new addition last summer: Aussie Mat Dash. Riders race side-by-side on mats down the six-lane slide. You’ll also find several family friendly attractions, including 32 water slides, a huge wave pool, three kiddie pool areas, a relaxing lazy river, 43 private cabanas and more. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Care & my Tribe (@thirdcoasttribe) Go Hiking at Starved Rock No matter the age or abilities of your hiking buddies, Starved Rock is a uniquely beautiful destination that offers oodles of family fun. With just over 13 miles of well-marked trails to explore, fishing in the Illinois River and waterfalls in 14 of the 18 canyons, there’s enough to keep the family entertained for hours — or an entire weekend if you choose to bunk at the Starved Rock Lodge. For more spots to get your hike on, read Discover the Not-So-Obvious Spots to Hike, Camp & Fish Near Chicago. Meander Through the North Shore Sculpture Park Walk. Bike. Run. Skip. Gallop. However you make your way down this two-mile trail, you’re sure to enjoy the sights at the North Shore Sculpture Park. The paved path is lined with sculptures from artists across the world. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tall Ship Windy (@tallshipwindy) Take an Adventure Cruise Experience it all — Chicago’s glorious skyscrapers, historic buildings and modern marvels. Use our guide Ahoy, Captain! Explore Chicago’s Waterways on a Family Boat Cruise and pick a tour company that will have you looking at our city from brand new eyes. —Amy Bizzari & Maria Chambers Featured photo: Frank McKenna via UnsplashRELATED STORIES:Discover the Not-So-Obvious Spots to Hike, Camp & Fish Near Chicago Not Fake News: Fascinating Facts About Chicago That Every Kid Should KnowHot Diggity! Intro Your Kids to a Chicago Icon: Hot Dogs Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Copy (Opens in new window) Search more like this golflabor dayzooaerial adventuresbotanic gardenfamily friendlyhiking trailhistoric buildingshot doghow tolazy rivermini golfmodel railroadmountain biking Welcome to our Tinybeans family! Be sure to check your email for new activities, recipes and parenting hacks – and to see if you’ve won! Do you have a dog or cat? Select YES below and click submit to start receiving FREE pet ideas and inspiration, news about new pet products, exclusive offers and limited-time promotions. Yes, I have a pet! Submit GET READY FOR SUMMER! Enter to Win a $250 Gift Card! Enter your email and zip code below for a chance to win a Mastercard Gift Card. 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Celeb & Entertainment Serena Williams Announces Retirement: ‘If I Were a Guy, I Wouldn’t Be Writing This’