Green Chicago: Brain-Building Activities for Kids

Chicago is described and known as a city in a garden. That couldn't feel truer in the warmer months, when we're surrounded by green grass and trees, landscape and wildflowers, nature and bird sanctuaries, parks, forest preserves and more. I especially love watching nature's creatures because I'm reminded to think about the city we share with them. Here are three of my favorite recent reads: 

Read 

How to Hatch: This is one of my favorite books of 2026 so far. It's filled with delightful humor and absolutely gorgeous illustrations. A fantastic read-aloud, it blends playful humor with fascinating facts while we watch a gosling make its way out of an egg and tap, ta-tap, ta-tap into the world. Because I see Canada geese throughout the city, they’ve become part of how I think about our natural environment. I hope this helps you love these special creatures a little more!

Safe Crossing so beautifully captures the heartwarming story of a family supporting amphibian migration assistance in their community. It has beautifully printed illustrations. There’s a lot of exciting and important environmental work showcased, including working with the Dept. of Fish and Wildlife and doing community fundraising to “Make Way for Wildlife.”  

Highlights High Five: Last, but not least, you can't miss the June 2026 issue of High Five! It has a fantastic English story that's sprinkled wish Spanish vocabulary, entitled "Leo's First Camping Trip," (on pages 26 to 29) featuring Leo on his first camping trip with his grandpa! 

Brain-Building Activities

Here are some wonderful ideas to get you started in learning about and celebrating nature:

• Watch and sketch birds in your neighborhood. Check out our Birds and Birdwatching Discovery Pack, which has binoculars inside, for optimal long-distance observation.
• Wondering what to do with kitchen food scraps which quickly accumulate in your trash? Check out this guide from the Garfield Park Conservatory about how you can start composting in your home or neighborhood. 
• Go on a nature scavenger hunt with Massachusetts Audubon's Nature Bingo and Scavenger Hunts.
• Explore family activities in Project Budburst with our partners at Chicago Botanic Garden.
• Recycle socks with holes and make some sock puppets who canact out or share interesting animal facts.