How to Be a Building

If you have a child who:

• builds towers of blocks and knocks them down
• makes countless structures with sticks or LEGO bricks
• builds a fort with their pillows and blankets

then you have a child who is exploring architecture! Architecture is the art, science and process of planning, designing and constructing buildings. When children build, whether with natural objects, blocks or other materials, it allows them to develop cognitive skills, express creativity and add complex layers of story and meaning.

We are lucky that here in Chicago, we also have so much unique architecture to appreciate. From skyscrapers and high-rises to two-flats and Chicago bungalows, there is a lot to see!

Be a Building

You can learn a lot about a building just by looking at it carefully and making observations. Then, use your body to mimic the building.

Find a building near you and take a good look at it.

Things to Observe

• What shape is the whole building?
• Are the windows the same shape or a different shape?
• How many windows are there?
• What special decorations are on the building? Are they another shape?
• Do any of the parts of the buildings look like letters? Or are there any letters on the building?

Now, be a building!

• Use your body to make the different shapes of the building.
• Can you and a friend (or two or three) make yourselves look like all the windows on the building?
• Make your body into the shape of any letters you see in or on the building. 
• What do you think people do in the building? Pretend to do that!
• If the building could talk, what would it say?

The experts at Chicago Architecture Center have so many other ways to explore buildings for all ages! If you want to explore more with building shapes, you can print out their Shapes in Architecture handout. Cut out the shapes and features of Chicago buildings to compare them to what you see in your neighborhood.

Build your child's early literacy skills by talking about your observations of the building, practicing shapes and playing with construction. Keep building the skills they need to learn to read by checking out one of these architecture-inspired books!

Read

Your child may recognize a bit of themselves in Iggy Peck, Architect, a child who once "built a great tower-in only an hour/ with nothing but diapers and glue." 

Did you know that the world's first Ferris Wheel was built by an engineer right here in Chicago? Engineers and architects often work together to create structures. Learn more about how Mr. Ferris and His Wheel are part of Chicago history. 

Take a tour of some other famous buildings in Chicago (and more) in Chicago, Baby!