Chicago's affordable afterschool programs are located around the city. ​Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District
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Task-tackling service Taskrabbit is able to take on tons of back-to-school projects you may not have even considered outsourcing.
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Batter up! There are classes for kids of all ages and interests in Chicago.
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Starved Rock State Park
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Paradise Bay Water Park will cool you down all day. Photo courtesy of the Lombard Park District
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Chicago has so many things to do with little kids. Photo courtesy of Aster Hall, Chicago
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The entering class of Hogwarts.
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Chicago has many great swim schools in the area. Photo courtesy of Lakeside Swim School
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The Skydeck at Willis Tower has spectacular views spanning four states.
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The Thompson Strawberry Farm in Bristol, Wisconsin. Photo by the author
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There are both woodland and paved trails at the Morton Arboretum. Photo by Maureen Wilkey
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Water comin' at you from all sides! Photo courtesy of the Chicago Park District
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Millennium Park Summer Film Series offers free outdoor movies in Chicago. Photo courtesy of chicago.gov
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St. Louis has tons of kid-friendly things to do. Photo courtesy of the City Museum in St. Louis
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10 Zip Lines and Aerial Adventure Parks Near Chicago

Walk the bridges at Go Ape USA. Photo courtesy the park
Walk the bridges at Go Ape USA. Photo courtesy the park
10/14/20 - By Maureen Wilkey

A number of Chicago's outdoor adventure parks are open from spring into the fall. These parks offer zip lines, aerial ropes courses, suspended bridges, and sometimes climbing walls, too.

Many of these adventure parks could become part of a larger weekend trip or a special birthday trip, especially when your Chicago kid finally hits the height requirement! 

 

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Take in the view from above at the Forge Lemont Quarries. Photo courtesy the park
Take in the view from above at the Forge Lemont Quarries. Photo courtesy the park

Adventure Parks within one hour of Chicago

Bison's Bluff Nature Playground

Part of the Vera Meineke Nature Center, this playground has play features designed out of nature or made to mimic nature such as a rock bluff, a cliff face, a flowing stream, and a beaver dam. Kids can also explore a 3-mile nature trail. READ MORE

Go Ape Bemis Woods

This nature center offers tours of its treetops via zip line, suspension bridge, obstacles, and Tarzan swings. Families can choose between the Treetop Adventure, featuring 43 obstacles at heights of up to 45 feet, or the Treetop Journey, with 21 obstacles up to 30 feet high. READ MORE

The Forge: Lemont Quarries

Ropes courses, zip lines, and climbing walls are just the beginning of the adventure at this outdoor adventure park. Families can also enjoy live music and outdoor movies near the Lemont Quarries. READ MORE

Deep River Aerial Park

Reopens in 2021
Kids and grown-ups can play at their own level on ladders, bridges, suspended climbs, tight ropes, canopy platforms, and zip lines at this Northwest Indiana adventure park. READ MORE
Zip-line or hit the aerial walkways at Boundless Adventures Wisconsin. Photo courtesy the park
Zip-line or hit the aerial walkways at Boundless Adventures Wisconsin. Photo courtesy the park

Adventure Parks within two hours of Chicago

Zip Rockford

Tour Rockford via air with Indiana Jones-style suspension bridges and zip lines. Families can also enjoy night zip-lining and seasonal zombie tours. READ MORE

Lake Geneva Ziplines and Adventures

Nine unique zip lines and a high ropes course take families on an adventurous exploration of Southeast Wisconsin. Outdoor education and team-building experiences are also available. READ MORE

Boundless Adventures Wisconsin

Kids ages 7 and up can challenge themselves through obstacle courses, low- or- high-speed zip lines, bridges, balance beams, and more at this aerial adventure park in Southeast Wisconsin. READ MORE

Rum Village Aerial Park

Ascend ladders, traverse bridges, balance across tight ropes, and cruise down zip lines at this South Bend, Indiana aerial park. Night climbs are also available throughout October. READ MORE

Long Hollow Canopy Tour

Thrilling canopy tours near Galena include a UTV ride, balance bridge, and zip lines that reach up to 40 mph at a length of 1,250 feet. Families can also enjoy the tree-based challenge course with unique elements to match different skill levels.  READ MORE

Zip Chicago

Zip down eight different zip lines 85 feet above the river valley at this central Illinois adventure park. Some tours include dual racing lines and suspension bridges. READ MORE

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