Free things to do in Chi. Suburbs?

[NaturallyPeachey]

Hi Mamas: I'm looking for things my baby and I can do to get out of the house. My son is 4 months old and is really starting to finally enjoy getting out and about. I'm looking for free (or inexpensive) things we can do together, or that I can bring him too. He obviously doesn't do much yet so it's kind of more for me in a way. Any suggestions/ideas? We live in Arlington Hts. but I can drive since he now sleeps in his car seat - whoo hooooo! Anything like (safe) nature hikes, museums, etc. out there?

Peachey

[shanahan]

Arlington Heights library does a story time for little one's on Tuesday mornings, I believe

for "nature", we love Independence Grove in Libertyville (137 and 21)

obviously you can walk around Lake Arlington...

that's all I can think of right now!!

[notjustmamie]

It's not in the 'burbs but the Museum of Science and Industry has free general admission for the entire month of September.

http://www.msichicago.org/visit-the-museum/museum-info/admission/

[schreiberwriter]

Lake County Attachment Parenting moms meet for coffee every Friday morning in Mundelein. There's also a local babywearing group that meets monthly.

[shelbean91]

I don't live there now, but when I was a kid, we'd go to Cantigny park in Wheaton. http://www.cantigny.org/ There were really cool tanks to climb on and most of it was free, but there were tours of the big house that cost, so we didn't do that too often. Also, really pretty gardens to walk through.

When I visited my parents we went to cosley zoo. http://www.wheatonparkdistrict.com/pgs/parks/cosley/default.html# Not a real 'zoo' but fun for the kids. Not too expensive from what I remember.

[cabbitdancer]

Cosley is free, but you may drive around their miniature parking lot looking for a space to park for a little while. Philips Park Zoo in Aurora is free. And I've been told that there's a splash park (mostly for toddlers?) in Geneva that is also free.