Let’s go exploring! A new exhibit featuring our favorite friends, Dora (the Explorer) and Diego, has arrived in Chicago. Dora and Diego – Let’s Explore! opened its doors at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum and will be here until Jan. 29. It’s the perfect playground and refuge for the cold winter months ahead of us.
Come run, jump and play with your favorite group of friends — Dora, Diego, Boots, Map, Backpack, Isa, Tico and Swiper. The whole gang is here! With eight interactive adventures to choose from its perfect for children ages 2-9. You’ll find learning opportunities amongst each of the installations.
The Purple Planet
This is not just a really cool slide that your kid is going to want to go down five times in a row, but also an opportunity to learn more about planets, colors and more.
Rocket Ship
Zip around outer space through this sweet ride! Want to be a certified astronaut? Put on the spacesuit, test your ability to memorize the planets (through puzzles and games) and get flying through the sky!
Constellations
Want to learn about star groupings? Help Dora and Boots with mapping out the patterns and the stars will light up a constellation.
Isa’s Flowery Garden
Butterfly wings are the coolest. Now you can pretend-fly through this lovely garden with your very own wings. The fun doesn’t end there! You can also pick flowers and interact with the birds, butterflies and other insect puppets.
Tico’s Tree and Car
This fun game encourages hand-eye coordination as well as sharing skills. At Tico’s tree, the acorns are falling from the tree and Swiper is here to the rescue to fill Tico’s basket. The fun doesn’t end there, Tico’s family car runs on acorns … it’s time to fill that “gas” tank to get them going on their family picnic adventure!
Pirate Ship
Ahoy Mateys! The Pirate Piggies are here to set sail. But first, you better count that pirate loot. Kids can count the gold coins in a money counter “piggie bank.” Don’t forget to have someone steer that ship and look through the telescopes to spot even more treasure and see the stars!
Animal Rescue Center
Diego loves animals and is an animal rescuer. Want to be a big helper? From X-rays to first aid to post-treatment, assist Diego with the stuffed animals at this clinic.
Rainforest Maze
Monkey around in this tropic rainforest. Yes, we’re encouraging you to monkey around! Climb, swing and jump through the obstacle courses.
Some additional educational opportunities to mention are how Spanish is immersed in the entire exhibit. To help introduce another language to young children, both English and Spanish are presented in the instructions and story at each station. The mission of the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is to instill curiosity and education about nature all through fun and engaging ways.
Be sure to catch Dora and Diego while they are in town! They are located on the second floor of the museum.
If you go
Dora and Diego — Let’s Explore!
Open through Jan. 27
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannon Dr., Chicago
Find out more about the exhibit at naturemuseum.org.
