Chicago Toddler Weekend: June 25–July 1 at Brookfield Zoo

Summer's officially here, friends, and the stretch between June 25 and July 1 is prime little-kid territory — long evenings, sprinklers in every park, and that golden hour when the heat finally breaks. This week we're nudging you a little west of the city for a full-on animal day, the kind of outing that earns a marathon car nap on the way home. If you'd rather stay close, the neighborhood splash pads are humming and the farmers markets are loaded with berries small hands can actually grab. Pack the extra change of clothes, you know how it goes. Here's the move with your toddler this week.