All of us here at 111 Places understand the allure of exploring the world, but we also relish the chance these days to read, dream, and plan our future adventures. So our authors and photographers are preparing some fun virtual activities for you over the coming weeks. We're starting with Amy Bizzarri, author of 111 Places for Kids in Chicago That You Must Not Miss. She's also a mom and a high school teacher, so she's full of great ideas.
Enjoy the Best Chicago Attractions for Kids — from the comfort of home!
Bored? Stuck at home? Aren’t we all! Just because the City of Chicago remains on lockdown doesn’t mean we can’t set off on a (virtual) adventure! Here are three online opportunities that bring the best of the City of Chicago into the home. And kids everywhere can enjoy these activities too, which is one of the greatest things about parent-sanctioned screen time!
Laugh out loud with the Second City’s Virtual Family Friendly Improv Show
Every Thursday morning at 11am (CST), The Second City will live stream The Really Awesome Improv Show, a high energy event that is fun for all ages. The performers rely on audience suggestions and participation – think Whose Line is it Anyway but 100% family friendly.
The performances are free, but donations will be accepted to The Second City Alumni Fund, a resource for performers and other members of The Second City community experiencing critical health and financial challenges. To register for the free shows, visit the Second City website.
Go behind-the-scenes with the animals and zookeepers of the Lincoln Park Zoo!
The Lincoln Park Zoo is helping supporters to keep in touch with their favorite animals and spaces at the zoo during the Covid-19 crisis. Tune in to Facebook and Instagram for keeper chats, virtual habitat tours, Q&As, relaxing videos, and Facebook Lives with Zoo Director Megan Ross, Ph.D. Check out the zoo's blog for an inside look at how Lincoln Park Zoo provides world-class care to nearly 200 species, as well as ways to connect young ones with nature – and much more. Now is also a great time to adopt an animal, as you’ll be supporting the zoo too!
Swim along with the fishes at Shedd Aquarium, home to 32,600 species of sea life
With the Shedd Aquarium’s Underwater Beauty Live Cam, you can dive right into the deep blue ocean, where jellies pulse, eels ribbon, and a rainbow comes alive with reef fishes in the aquarium’s most diverse special exhibit ever. Underwater Beauty shows how every aquatic animal is beautifully adapted to thrive in its environment – and how this beauty is worth saving. Inspired? When you symbolically adopt a beluga, sea turtle, sea otter, or penguin at Shedd, you support the aquarium's mission and top-quality animal care.
Visit our blog for more 111 Places stories and activities over the next few weeks! And pick up Amy Bizzarri's Chicago guidebooks, both with photography by Susie Inverso. Please try and support your local book stores too!
