10 animal adventures this summer in Chicago and the suburbs

With two zoos, a world-class aquarium and more pet parades and nature fests than you can shake a stick at, Chicago offers a menagerie of events for animal lovers.

There's plenty more to do! Bookmark Chicago Parent's Summer Fun Central.

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Bug out at the Brookfield Zoo

Hang with the insects... and the giraffes and rhinos and apes. The Brookfield Zoo's "Xtreme Bugs" features real and animatronic creepy crawlies through Sept. 7. In addition to real bugs, the Zoo will feature 130 larger than life sculptures, with 22 that move. You'll feel like your in some sci-fi "bugs take over the world" movie.

When you finally tear yourselves away from the bugs, head to the Hamil Family Play Zoo, and get a lesson in lemurs and banana peels (not necessarily together, though).

Hamill Family Play Zoo is open 10 a.m. to 30 minutes before the zoo closes. Admission is extra.