12 drop-in activities this summer in Chicago

Sure, those special weekend festivals are circled on the calendar, and you've already booked tickets to the Jammin' at the Zoo, but sometimes the best activities are the ones that don't require any advanced planning. Like your favorite soap opera, these drop-in activities are dependable, trusty, reliable. Nothing fancy here, but they'll be lifesavers on a hot summer day when "there's nothing to do."

See the rest of our "100 Things To Do This Summer" series

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The Power of Plants

Garfield Park Conseravtory is one of Chicago's hidden treasures - beautiful, historical and packed with free activities for the budding horticulturalist (or bored kiddie). Or if you're making your own adventure, print out the conservatory's Eye Spy Hunt before you go.

Little Green Thumbs
Wednesdays, May 4 - Oct. 26, drop in anytime between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Cook up mudpies in the "soil kitchen," play with wheel barrows, and help plant and weed the conservatory's "tot plot."

Wild Wednesdays
Last Wednesday of every month, drop in anytime betwen 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Meet live animal presenter Scott Heinrichs and get a close-up look at some fascinating critters. June's theme is hedgehogs, turtles and tortoises are in the spotlight in July, and August is a bug bonanza.

Weekend Family Fun: Discover the Power of Plants!
Saturdays and Sundays year-round, drop in anytime between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Plant an pretend garden, build a tropical habitat, help water the plants, or read a book under our tropical canopy. Stop by the Elizabeth Morse Genius Children's Garden. Note: on July 2, 3 and 23rd, Power of Plants will be replaced by Meet the Bees.