On Saturday Sept. 26, 2015 Nickelodeon is hosting its 12th annual Worldwide Day of Play. The purpose of this day is for kids to get up, get out and go play. Nickelodeon will shut down its television programming and website for a three hour block to encourage kids to go outside and be active.
While your kids might be upset about not getting enough TV time in that day, there are plenty of ways to make the day fun and active.
Head to one of Chicago’s many museums
Chicago is home to an abundance of interactive and kid-friendly museums. The Chicago Children’s Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the weekends and Kohl Children’s Museum is open from 9:30 to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.
Go wild at the zoo
Hang out with your favorite furry friends at Brookfield Zoo or Lincoln Park Zoo. Brookfield is open from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. while Lincoln Park is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Go on a scavenger hunt
Walk around your neighborhood or local park while searching for different items such as a blue house or a ladybug. Have your kids make their own list and see what they come up with. It doesn’t matter if they check all the items off the list or not. At least they were outside and away from a screen.
Plant a garden
Find your favorite plant or vegetable seeds and make a backyard garden. Kids will love watching the plants grow over time and will especially love getting to eat something they grew on their own, even if it is a yucky green bean.
Play a game
Get your kids outside and start up a fun game of Tag or Hide-and-Seek. For older kids, try a backyard baseball game, or for younger ones, hopscotch. These games don’t require a lot of equipment or time to set up, but will offer hours of entertainment.
Collect and paint rocks
Have your kids search for rocks and let them paint them. All you need are paint markers – Elmer’s makes them, among others – and a creative kid who’s eager to turn a dull rock into a colorful creation.
Check out The 606
Take a walk or bike ride on one of Chicago’s newer features. Between the Arts Program and the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, The 606 is sure to quickly fill up afternoon free time.
