In Illinois, there are dozens of theme parks and amusement parks with specific areas targeted for children. Six Flags in Gurnee has more than seven miles of roller coaster tracks and attractions dedicated to families and children such as the classic carousel. The amusement park also features Kidzopolis and Skull Island, two areas devoted to the amusement of children. Some standard rides in the park have a minimum height limit, whereas others allow any size as long as accompanied by a parent. Another place for children is the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. At Shedd Aquarium there are dozens of exhibits in order to keep children content regardless of their attention span. With exhibits like "Waters of the World," "Caribbean Reef" and the "Oceanarium," children will be able to explore all different kinds of marine life from plants to tropical fish. A Polar Play Zone is also on-site, featuring an area where kids may dress up in a penguin suit and attempt to walk upon the icy play area. In Beluga's Arctic Waters, children may embark on a child-size submarine adventure.
Located in Verdant Park, just a few minutes outside of Chicago, is the Lincoln Park Zoo, where admission is free. Inside the park, not only are there animal exhibits, but there are also rides such as the train ride for kids and the animal carousel that seats up to 50 people. As of 2011, the carousel costs $2.75 per ride. Another zoo located in Illinois is the Brookfield Zoo, with 216 acres of land. Zoo exhibits include butterflies, wolves, swamp creatures, tropical animals and a birdhouse. Children may enjoy the on-site Hamill Family Play Zoo complete with hands-on activities.
Adler Planetarium, situated in Chicago, is a planetarium appropriate for all ages. The Planet Explorers exhibit is designed for families where visitors may explore "Planet X." Children may also view the largest wall display of the Milky Way Galaxy in the "Galaxy Wall" exhibit. There are also telescopes and educational activities such as "Shoot for the Moon" where kids learn about space exploration.
Located in Glenview is the Kohl Children's Museum of Greater Chicago. This museum has exhibits for all ages, including age specific exhibits like "Dominick's Grocery Store" where children may "shop" for goods. All exhibits at the Kohl Children's Museum are hands-on and interactive. There is a "Discovery Maze" that children may find their way through, as well as a "Music Makers" exhibit where kids sing and dance. Infant areas are also available for sensory experiences. Each day, the museum staff hosts "Daily Discoveries" to teach children about social studies, math and science.
In Grafton, kids may enjoy Raging Rivers Waterpark, featuring eight different attractions, with four of which are child-friendly. Kids may relax in the Endless River (younger children need to be accompanied by a parent), hang out in Treehouse Harbor or take a swim in Breaker Beach, and younger tots may play in Itty Bitty Surf City. Some of the rides have height and weight restrictions, some rides require parent accompaniment and others are fine for all ages. In Cherry Valley, Illinois, Magic Waters Water Park provides ten different water attractions including body slides, tube slides, a lazy river and a "Little Lagoon" for younger children with slides, fountains and water toys.
After a long day of playing, learning or splashing around, children are likely to be hungry. Fortunately, in Illinois, there are dozens of restaurants where children eat free. On Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. one child eats free at Lone Star Steakhouse in Bloomington, Bourbonnais, Champaign and Crestwood, Illinois with one adult purchase. At Garfields in Carbondale and Danville, Illinois, two children under the age of 12 eat free on Sundays when their parent or guardian orders a meal. At Hill Top Pizza in Fair Grove, Illinois, two children eat free when an adult orders dinner. This is valid on Mondays only, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. For daily free meals, O'Charley's in Springfield offers free meals for two kids (10 and under) with an adult purchase.
